Nathaniel Clark – A&E Editor

nuc5002@psu.edu

Photo Credit: Viz Media

“Look Back” is a one-shot manga written and illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto that received an American physical release in September. Originally published online in July 2021, this one-shot is considerably different from anything else that Fujimoto has released thus far. When compared to the more conceptual and fantastical worlds and stories of “Fire Punch” and “Chainsaw Man,” “Look Back” is a considerably more grounded piece. While some thriller and time-bending elements are introduced throughout the narrative, the majority of the story is a coming-of-age tale. 

The one-shot follows the story of Ayumu Fujino, an individual with a talent for drawing manga. The story opens with Fujino in elementary school as she is lauded for her exceptional skills. Suddenly, she finds herself challenged by another student named Kyomoto, an agoraphobic shut-in that attends school remotely and begins publishing her own manga alongside Fujino’s in the school paper. Creating a false competition between the two artists, Fujino begins to alienate her friends and family as she obsesses over overcoming Kyomoto. While she does show improvement, Fujino accepts defeat and stops sending her strips into the school. 

When Fujino’s class graduates from middle school, she is tasked with delivering Kyomoto’s diploma to her house. Realizing the door is unlocked, Fujino enters Kyomoto’s house. The walls are lined with piles of sketchbooks. Finding a slip of paper, Fujino decides to draw a small comic mocking the shut-in, but it inadvertently enters Kyomoto’s room. Suddenly, Kyomoto comes out of her room. Shockingly, she reveals herself as a huge fan of Fujino’s. Flattered by Kyomoto’s idolization of her, Fujino claims to have plans to submit to manga contests and takes up drawing again.

During their teenage years, two artists team up to create manga with Fujino crafting the stories and characters with Kyomoto working on the backgrounds. The duo submits multiple one-shots that receive high praise. Upon finishing her formal schooling, Fujino is told that she has been greenlit to create a serial series, but Kyomoto opts to not join. She wishes to get a formal education in art, causing Fujino to chastise her and say that the shut-in is incapable of doing anything without her help. 

While I would like to tell you all more about “Look Back,” I hope that I have hooked you all on reading the rest of this manga one-shot. Trust me, I stopped right before the good stuff. Nonetheless, you can find “Look Back” online at Viz.com or pick up a copy at your local bookstore.