Chainsaw Man mangaka Tatsuki Fujimoto was inspired by a Charlize Theron movie for his Oscar nominated film Look Back’s character Fujino.

SUMMARY

Look Back’s popularity and reviews boosted Tatsuki Fujimoto’s fame as a mangaka.
In an interview, Tatsuki Fujimoto revealed Charlize Theron’s film as an inspiration behind a Look Back character.
Look Back perfectly captures the idea of dreams and conflicts.

The year 2024 was revolutionary for the anime industry. Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto is no exception to this, especially with the film Look Back. It is a one-shot wonder in more ways than one.

The film spotlights the mangaka through the Oscar nomination. Apart from Hayao Miyazaki, Fujimoto’s movie is boosting the Japanese anime industry on the whole. But there’s a movie yet to be credited for the mangaka’s inspiration.

Denji in a still from the anime | Credit: MAPPA

In an interview, Fujimoto revealed a cult classic Charlize Theron film to be the inspiration behind his characters. His Oscar-nominated film is nothing short of a masterpiece in most aspects.

From complexities and conflicts to creativity, the film lives up to its masterpiece status through its impeccable animation. But it has more to do with the mangaka’s exploration of the central theme of dreams and aspirations in the manga.

Chainsaw Man creator took inspiration from Charlize Theron movie

Before his breakthrough success with Chainsaw Man manga, Tatsuki Fujimoto authored several works. These include Fire Punch, Goodbye Eri, and so on. His impressive roster of diverse works highlights his brilliance as a mangaka.

Not only that, his works outline dark and disturbing themes. Be it slasher-style gore or violence, Fujimoto went the extra mile. This is especially true with his portrayal of horror in the one-shot wonder Look Back. But we have barely scratched the surface with this one.

Charlize Theron in a still from Young Adult | Credit: Paramount Pictures

Like most artists, Fujimoto took inspiration from several instances. While an earthquake stands as one of the influences behind the Oscar-nominated film, it isn’t the only one. Interestingly, he was also inspired by Charlize Theron’s 2011 movie for Fujino’s character as he later revealed.

In an interview with Unitas Magazine, he spoke about his influences on the movie. He quoted:

There is an American movie called Young Adult (2011) where the character, Mavis (Charlize Theron), has a diffi- cult personality and struggles with alcoholism, which causes her a lot of trouble. Towards the end of the movie, Mavis decides to turn over a new leaf, but another character, Sandra, tells her: “I like your personality; you don’t need to change.” From this movie, I realized that “you don’t necessarily have to force yourself to change your bad traits.” A woman like Mavis can actually be quite charming.

One of the key aspects of the film is the inner conflict that is tied to rivalry. The creative endeavors are reduced to profit-oriented tools. The hustle and competition coupled with rivalry strip the artist away from their love for art. Fujimoto beautifully portrayed these profundities in his manga.

Look Back and the dilemma of dreams

Look Back is riveting in its portrayal of art, artists, and the ever-present conflict. The chaos ensued following the competition and rivalry between Fujino and Kyomoto. The Oscar-nominated film is a masterpiece in every aspect, especially its vibrant storytelling.

From its stellar visuals to splendid animation, the film is a complete treat. It brings out the complexities of each character, especially with Fujino’s character. This ties well with Fujino’s difficult and complex relationship with art and dreams on the whole. And there’s more to it than meets the eye.

Fujino and Kyomoto in a still from the movie | Credit: Studio Durian

Fujino and Kyomoto’s love and passion for art are tested on several occasions. Following the harrowing events, the former almost denounces her love for drawing. The conflict and resolution are non-linear and are a key aspect that renders familiarity to the film.

Moreover, the complexities and conflicts are interspersed with the zeal and pursuit. The movie brilliantly and beautifully encapsulates these layers through its animation along with vibrant colors.

The liminal art style along with color coding is another aspect that makes the film appealing. In their faithful and just adaptation of Fujimoto’s manga, Studio Durian left no stone unturned to carve it a masterpiece.