It All Boils Down to 1 Deep-Dive Reason Why Tatsuki Fujimoto’s ‘Look Back’ Is a Masterclass in Storytelling

SUMMARY

• Look Back uses minimal dialogue to convey raw human emotions. within its panels.
• Fujimoto’s cinematic style creates an immersive effect with relatable moments for the fans.
• The story manages to encapsulate true human emotions and convey them with well placed gestures and actions.

If one has to talk about the way that a manga is to be crafted, not just in a visually appealing and artistic manner, but in a way that captures the attention of the fans.

Fujino and Kyoumoto from Look Back. [Credit: Studio Durian]

Tatsuki Fujimoto’s oneshot Look Back has captivated the hearts of fans in such a way, and has succeeded topping trends in Japan and earning widespread acclaim.

Being globally recognized and acclaimed for his work on Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch, Fujimoto is a renowned mangaka legend who once again proved his mastery of storytelling. There is art in every panel, but there is also a well-thought out philosophical essence within the characters’ action.

Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Look Back Is a Masterclass in Storytelling

The brilliance of Look Back is not in its visual appeal (which has its own magnetic effect), and it lies not in flashy battles or any complex plot twists but simply in its ability to convey the power of profound human connections to the fans.

Ayumu Fujino in Look Back. [Credit: Studio Durian]

How this is done isn’t through grand or mighty gestures and massive dialogues, but skillfully using minimal dialogue with the support of augmenting visuals.

The story in the series ‘Look Back’, revolves around two young artists, Fujino and Kyomoto. If one observes carefully they embody Fujimoto when combined, making this one-shot incredibly personal to the author with his in-depth insight into the mangaka world.

The two artists’ lives intertwine through their shared passion for manga, they find it rare that there is someone that relates with them.

Why Fujimoto’s style stands out

Fujimoto treats the manga not as a series that is meant to simply entertain but has an impressive cinematic style that treats each character like a separate actor.

Kyoumoto in Look Back One Shot [Credit: Studio Durian]

Even with the characters breathing in life into the setting, the author is a genius who places reliance on the subtlest of gestures and expressive paneling. This helps him to communicate emotions that words or dialogues cannot embody.

There are many standout sequences in the manga, one of which happens when Fujino walks back home after Kyomoto expresses admiration for her work. Her initial effort in trying to appear composed and hold her emotions in gradually gives way to pure elation.

All of this culminates into a moment so raw and relatable that it resonates deeply with readers, being appreciated is such a warm memory that it lightens the hearts of the fans with nothing but a singular panel.

Fujimoto’s ability is clearly shown even in his other works like Fire Punch and Chainsaw Man, there are moments where characters’ struggles and moments of triumphs are conveyed solely through their actions. Look Back sees the usage of an amplified version of this technique

You can read Look Back for free and officially on MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA

Written by Chandra Shekhar

Articles Published: 117

Chandra Shekhar, also known as Dan, is a voracious reader with an insatiable hunger for fantasy and fiction. Having devoured countless books, explored manga worlds, and delved deep into anime realms, Dan lives and breathes stories. As a creative mind who rambles on about books and anime all day long, Dan fits right in at FandomWire.