Look Back is an anime based on the manga of the same name, created by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The manga strip was released on the Shonen Jump+ website, where it became extremely popular. Eventually, in 2024, an anime version was released.
I heard about the anime through a comic book creator friend who watched the movie. He was so impressed by the film as he believed it showed an extremely accurate reality for comic book creators.
Knowing this, I had to watch the film. And I wasn’t disappointed.
Look Back features two main characters:
- Ayumu Fujino (Valerie Rose Lohman), an overconfident artist who has to step up her game when a new rival arrives on the scene
- Kyomoto (Grace Lu), a reclusive student who begins drawing for the school newspaper. Her artistry rivals and beats that of Fujino at times
Look Back is a story of working on your craft, friendship, and coming to terms with what happens in life. It’s a great film whether you’re looking for leadership lessons or want to see more of humanity.
Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Look Back
1. Inspiration comes while you’re at your desk:
Fujino is sitting at her desk. She’s impatiently tapping her foot, trying to devise an idea for a four-panel manga strip. You can tell she’s stressed by her body language.
She pauses for a brief moment. In that instant, you can see her relax. The inspiration for the next manga strip has come to her.
Furiously, she sketches out the next panel on the paper in front of her.
Many creatives think they have to be in a special place to create. You’ve been sold on the idea of writing your next book in a secluded cabin like Henry David Thoreau. Or you have to have your next mastermind in a 5-star luxury resort or Airbnb.
We’ve been lied to. Creativity may come to you in those moments but there’s one place it will always strike: your desk.
I’m using the word desk metaphorically here. Your desk is wherever you regularly sit down or go to as you begin to do your work. It could be your office desk, the table at your local coffee shop, or the local park.
Inspiration shows up when you show up.
2. Young girl:
I keep a diary
One of Fujino’s manga strips is titled First Kiss. It’s about the tragic life and death of a couple of kids.
The man in the strip tells the girl he’s surprised she remembered. How did the girl remember? She kept a diary to help her remember.
Do you want to become better at remembering important things? Begin keeping a diary/journal. In the diary, write down what’s important. What’s happened. What you hope will happen.
Write down the important things in your life. That way, you’ll always have a record.
3. Great leaders give a chance to others:
Fujino’s teacher asks her to talk. The teacher knows of a reclusive student, Kyomoto, who would like to draw manga for the school newspaper.
Since Fujino was so popular, she had several strips in the paper. He wanted to know if she would be willing to give up one or two of her spaces.
Fujino was a bit hesitant but eventually said she would. She gave a chance to an up-and-coming artist at her own expense.
You can do plenty of things to give others a chance in your organization. Things you must do so new leaders will rise to the top.
Think about:
- Giving a complicated project to someone who has shown promise in the area of project management
- Empower your team to work on a project in the manner they see fit
- Ask questions to see what they know or understand
The more you give others a chance, the more they will shine. Don’t let your glory hog center stage in your organization.
4. New leaders will challenge older leaders:
Fujino saw how good Kyomoto was. Kyomoto’s strips were becoming favorites of their classmates. So much so that Fujino started to become jealous.
What happened next? Fujino sought out ways to become better. She:
- Googled how to get better at drawing
- Purchased books on drawing
- Practiced
New leaders will constantly challenge older leaders. Why? Experienced leaders may feel pressured by age, lack of talent, or a need for new education.
Don’t let the new leaders frustrate you. Instead, let their exuberance and freshness push you to become a better leader.
5. Beware of how your desire to get better affects those important to you:
Fujino had a friend approach her. She asks if Fujino will continue to draw when they get to middle school.
Fujino thought she would. She was good at her craft. She was seeing results.
Her friend brought up an important topic… Fujino had been neglecting her friends to become the best manga artist at the school.
Ouch…
We can be so intent on chasing our dreams, visions, and desires that we neglect those around us. Those important people.
Chase and improve your craft. However, know that you have important people who need your presence. These people could include your spouse, family members, and life-long friends.
Is it worth it if we improve our craft but lose our relationships?
6. Chance encounters change lives:
In sixth grade, Fujino gave up drawing. She felt she couldn’t keep up with Kyomoto’s skill level.
As they prepare to graduate, Fujino’s teacher asks her to drop off Kyomoto’s diploma. She agrees to do so.
Fujino arrives at Kyomoto’s house. No one answers the door after she knocks. She checks the door and it is unlocked. She enters.
Walking down the hallway, she sees notebooks filled with manga drawings. Then she sees a blank four-panel strip of paper. Fujino picks up the piece of paper and sketches for the first time in forever.
The strip slips from her hands and slides under Kyomoto’s door. Fujino runs away, scared she’s done something irreparable.
But that’s not the case.
The reclusive Kyomoto leaves her bedroom and chases down Fujino. She tells Fujino she’s been her biggest fan.
The two quickly become friends and Kyomoto breaks free from her reclusive lifestyle.
When we meet new people, there’s an opportunity to change lives. Whether it’s in the form of becoming a new mentor (as Fujino became to Kyomoto) or for new opportunities to present themselves, relationships change lives.
Be willing to step out and step up into the lives of those you lead. The more present you are in the lives of others, the more opportunity presents itself to change lives.
7. Kyomoto:
I don’t get it, why did you stop drawing?
Kyomoto didn’t understand why Fujino had stopped drawing. Fujino had been such a huge inspiration to her. Fujino’s skill had pushed Kyomoto to draw and become better.
Fujino didn’t answer truthfully. She lied and made up something to appease Kyomoto.
Fujino had really given up drawing because she felt she couldn’t keep up with Kyomoto’s rising skill.
There are two points to this leadership quote from Look Back.
A lack of confidence will make you step away: Fujino, though talented, felt she didn’t have the talent to keep up with the rising star of Kyomoto. So, she gave up. She let her lack of confidence in her skill rob the world of her talent.
Don’t let your lack of confidence make you stop. Push through and rediscover the confidence you once had.
Leaders ask probing questions when they see an issue: Kyomoto saw a problem: Fujino had given up drawing. She wanted an answer. So, she asked. She got an answer that wasn’t truthful but the question began a journey for Fujino to come back to drawing.
You won’t always get an honest answer. However, your question can spark the journey to realization and rekindle the passions of the people you lead.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
8. Leaders can hold people back:
Kyomoto becomes less afraid of the outside world. She even desires to go to an art school. She’s willing to leave her house!
Fujino’s response is one of many leaders who are fearful. Fujino begins to tell Kyomoto that there will be strangers she’ll have to talk to.
It’s an effort to keep Kyomoto close and not lose her.
Leaders do this all the time. When an employee has the opportunity to spread their wings and find new employment opportunities, the leader may tell the employee the new employer won’t treat them as well as they do, will renege on their job offer, or some other fear tactic.
Instead of trying to hold your people back from new opportunities, congratulate them. Tell them you’re proud and excited for them.
Netflix is one of those companies that actually encourages their employees to interview and talk to other organizations. They know their people are skilled. They also know they’re treating them well and paying them enough that they’ll only leave if there’s a true opportunity.
Let’s stop holding our people back. Allow them to seek out new possibilities because you know they will discover how good they have it at your organization.
9. Kyomoto:
We’ll get better togeter.
Fujino hears that there’s been an axe attack at the art school Kyomoto went to. She begins to fear for the safety of her friend. She has a flashback to a time when she and Kyomoto were close.
Kyomoto tells Fujino they’ll get better together. They both wanted to become better artists. What better way than together?
Sadly, Fujino learns Kyomoto was a victim of the attacker. Kyomoto’s death changes the tone of the rest of the film.
Kyomoto understood that people only get better together. The more you work with others, the better you’ll get.
Why?
Because others will challenge you to improve the work you do. You’ll have to improve as the person next to you improves.
Don’t fear the competition. Let them help you become better.
10. Kyomoto:
Then why do you draw, Fujino?
Fujino admits that she doesn’t enjoy the process of drawing. It’s challenging, tedious, and frustrating.
Yet she still does.
The reason is that even though the process is tedious, the results and relationships that come from drawing are worth it.
You’ll hear that you should do what you love. What brings you joy.
While it is good advice, you must know your work won’t always bring you joy. You’ll have to slog through the process.
And, once you get through, you’ll realize what you’ve accomplished, the relationships you’ve formed, and more.
It’s okay to not enjoy what you do as long as it is producing results you’re proud of.
