‘Look Back’ Review: Once Past the Over- Preciousness of a Child’s World, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Manga Adaptation Becomes a Moving Tribute to Friendship
There’s barely an adult in sight in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Look Back,” where anyone out of school age is marginalized practically to the point of superfluidity. Like much in the first half of this sweet — at times too sweet — adaptation from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga of the same tit
Hirokazu Kore-eda's "Look Back" may seem like an unusual subject for a music-focused analysis, but its exploration of childhood and adolescence can actually shed light on the types of soundtracks and scores that often accompany coming-of-age stories. The film's focus on youth and the marginalization of adults could influence the types of music used to evoke a sense of nostalgia and innocence.
The manga adaptation's themes of friendship and growing up are also reminiscent of the types of stories often told through music, particularly in the realm of J-pop and J-rock, which frequently explore similar themes. The film's sweet and sentimental tone may appeal to fans of artists like Kyary Pamyu Pamyu or Perfume, who often create music that is both catchy and emotionally resonant.
As the music industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how soundtracks and scores for films like "Look Back" adapt to changing audience tastes. Will we see a resurgence of interest in more traditional, acoustic soundtracks, or will filmmakers continue to experiment with new and innovative approaches to scoring their films? One thing to watch is how anime and manga adaptations like "Look Back" influence the broader music landscape, particularly in terms of cross-cultural collaborations and genre-bending soundtracks.
Originally reported by variety.com. MusicNewsletter adds analysis for culture, style & media readers.