Movies like Look Back
If you like "Look Back" you are looking for manga, emotional and melancholic movies about / with drawing, friendship, female protagonist, coming of age, slice of life, youth and high school life themes of Animation and Drama genre shot in Japan or USA.
Find your next favorite and similar movies in two steps:
1. Identify all themes of interest from this film (block below).
2. Look for them in the presented list.
Look Back (2024)
21K
Original name: ルックバック
Genre: Animation, Drama
Country: Japan, USA
Duration: 58 min.
Story:
Popular, outgoing Fujino is celebrated by her classmates for her funny comics in the class newspaper. One day, her teacher asks her to share the space with Kyomoto, a truant recluse whose beautiful artwork sparks a competitive fervor in Fujino. What starts as jealousy transforms when Fujino realizes their shared passion for drawing.
Style:
manga, emotional, melancholic, shoujo, shounen, depressing, anime, adult animation, semi autobiographical, tragic ...
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
drawing, friendship, female protagonist, coming of age, slice of life, youth, high school life, personal growth, self discovery, rivalry, jealousy, competition, isolation, outsider, small town, identity, collaboration, bittersweet, intimate, creative block, slow burn, female artist, school, obsession, peer pressure ...
Time:
contemporary
Place:
japan
Movie in categories
Most similar movies to Look Back
The list contains related movies ordered by similarity. Recommendation engine sorted out anime, emotional, melancholic and captivating films with plots about coming of age, friendship, slice of life, high school life, youth, school and bittersweet mostly in Animation, Drama and Romance genres. Some movies like Look Back: maboroshi (2023), Blue Period (2021), A Silent Voice (2016), Flower and Asura (2025), The Colors Within (2024). The matching attributes are highlighted in bold.
Genre: Animation, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 111 min.
Story:
A factory explosion plunges a small town into a timeless freeze, leaving teenage Masamune and his pals to grapple with a quickly collapsing reality.
Style:
psychological, anime, thrilling, captivating, emotional ...
Plot:
small town, time freeze, coming of age, youth, teenager, freezing, adolescence, time warp, problem, life is a bitch, friendship, young adult ...
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Animation, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 24 min.
TV show
Story:
Bored with life, popular high schooler Yatora Yaguchi jumps into the beautiful yet unrelenting world of art after finding inspiration in a painting.
Style:
anime, disturbing, captivating, seinen, queer cinema
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
painter, school club, slice of life, art, coming of age, painting, student, friend, teenage life, artwork, direction and purpose, high school life ...
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Animation, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 130 min.
Story:
Shouya Ishida starts bullying the new girl in class, Shouko Nishimiya, because she is deaf. But as the teasing continues, the rest of the class starts to turn on Shouya for his lack of compassion. When they leave elementary school, Shouko and Shouya ...
Style:
anime, sincere, touching, romantic, sweet ...
Audience:
teens, kids
Plot:
bullying, disability, deaf, sign language, friendship, teenager, high school, japanese schoolgirl, coming of age, japanese school, suicide attempt, redemption ...
Time:
2010s
Place:
japan
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Animation, Drama
Country: Japan
TV show
Story:
The story is set in Tonakishima, a small island with a population of 600. Hana, a high school girl who lives on the island, loves recitals, and holds regular reading sessions for the island's children. Mizuki, the president of the Broadcasting ...
Style:
seinen, anime
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
slice of life, coming of age, storytelling, performance art, island, personal growth, high school life, friendship, empathy, small town, high school, children ...
Similarity:
100%
Movie in collections
Genre: Animation, Drama, Music
Country: Japan
Duration: 101 min.
Story:
Totsuko is a high school student with the ability to see the 'colors' of others. Colors of bliss, excitement, and serenity, plus a color she treasures as her favorite. Kimi, a classmate at her school, gives off the most beautiful color of ...
Style:
atmospheric, aesthetic, contemplative, melancholic, anime
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
high school, coming of age, youth, friendship, self discovery, school band, slice of life, high school life, first love, small town, lgbtq, youth culture ...
Similarity:
36%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 82 min.
Story:
During spring break, Saki visits her father and has a close encounter with a whale. / Makoto confronts a former classmate. Meanwhile, Saki must make a difficult decision. / Saki is upset after spending the day at her mother's house. Makoto, ...
Style:
emotional, romantic drama, reflective, poignant, melancholic ...
Plot:
cross dressing, self discovery, coming of age, youth, personal growth, slice of life, identity, healing, parent child relationship, teen romance, family drama, spring break ...
Similarity:
34%
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 52 min.
Story:
The second movie of a four-part finale of Tamayura.
Style:
anime, semi serious, feel good, teen, captivating ...
Plot:
slice of life, friendship, art, graduation, friends, teenage protagonist, teenager, teenage life, lifestyle, teenage girl, adolescence, group of friends ...
Similarity:
30%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Sport
Country: Japan
Duration: 102 min.
Story:
Minato Narumiya reignites his passion for kyudo, the Japanese martial art of archery. Along with his friends in the school kyudo club, he returns for this feature-length sports anime film.
Style:
anime, entertaining, captivating, exciting, aesthetic ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
school club, archery, high school, slice of life, competition, high school life, friendship, tournament, friends, school, friend, japanese culture ...
Similarity:
29%
Movie in collections
Genre: Animation, Drama, Sport
Country: Japan
Duration: 106 min.
Story:
A gifted runner trains a determined but unskilled classmate, unaware he's creating a rival who will challenge him on the track for years to come.
Style:
inspirational, emotional, tension, realistic, anime ...
Plot:
track and field, rivalry, athletics, coming of age, competition, high school life, friendship, perseverance, determination, youth, high school, identity ...
Similarity:
29%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
Country: Japan
TV show
Story:
It’s the year 2020, and Mizuho is having the worst 17th birthday ever. Her parents forgot it’s her birthday, she still can’t seem to get close to the senior she likes, and all her school trips and tournaments are canceled thanks to a new ...
Style:
romantic drama, heartfelt, emotional, melancholic, shoujo ...
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
coming of age, slice of life, high school, teen romance, high school life, pandemic, first love, youth, young adult, friendship, heartwarming, bittersweet ...
Time:
2020s
Similarity:
28%
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 69 min.
Story:
Kyousuke and Madoka have finally arrived at the point where they are close to graduation and have to decide where they want to go to college. Naturally, they want to go together, so beside all the studying they also have to look for a proper college ...
Style:
anime, emotional, heartfelt, romantic drama, melancholic ...
Plot:
love triangle, high school life, high school, teen romance, friendship, jealousy, youth, bittersweet, coming of age, decision, graduation, choice ...
Similarity:
28%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Music
Country: Japan
Duration: 120 min.
Story:
High school student Dai Miyamoto has his life is turned upside down the day he discovers jazz. Picking up a saxophone and leaving his sleepy hometown for the bustling nightclubs of Tokyo, Dai will find that the life of a professional musician ...
Style:
anime, uplifting, emotional
Plot:
jazz, coming of age, talent, inspiration, ambition, passion, city life, perseverance, friendship, slice of life, competition, identity ...
Place:
tokyo
Similarity:
28%
259
Genre: Animation, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 23 min.
TV show
Story:
A student discovers a love for the art of dancing after an encounter with a pretty girl.
Style:
feel good, uplifting, romantic drama, emotional, seinen ...
Plot:
dance, coming of age, school, friendship, teenager, dance studio, crush, first love, passion, self discovery, choreography, youth ...
Similarity:
27%
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 24 min.
TV show
Story:
This young student will do whatever it takes to become the world's best ballet dancer: the Danseur noble!
Style:
anime, captivating, entertaining, disturbing, emotional ...
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
ballet, dance, slice of life, school, dancing, male protagonist, passion, coming of age, personal growth, dancer's life, dancer, inspiration ...
Place:
japan
Similarity:
27%
Genre: Animation, Action, Drama, Fantasy
Country: Japan
Duration: 52 min.
Story:
The story of two girls bound in friendship, as well as Black Rock Star's struggle unfolding in another world. But when the two worlds come together... what will happen?
Style:
seinen, anime, colorful, captivating, exciting ...
Plot:
isolation, violence, friendship, parallel world, alter ego, female friendship, girl, teenager, save the day, parallel universe, coming of age, high school life ...
Similarity:
26%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Music
Country: Japan
Duration: 119 min.
Story:
A young girl had her voice magically taken away so that she would never hurt people with it, but her outlook changes when she encounters music and friendship. Will Naruse be able to convey the anthem of her heart?
Style:
anime, sincere, touching, psychological, sentimental ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
school, friendship, mute, healing, love and romance, high school, female protagonist, mother daughter relationship, teenager, coming of age, youth, high school life ...
Time:
2010s
Place:
japan
Similarity:
26%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Fantasy, Music
Country: Japan
Duration: 94 min.
Story:
The story focuses on high school girl Nagisa Yukiai who lives in a seaside town. She has believed her grandmother's story that spirits dwell in words and they are called "kotodama" (word spirit). One day, she strays into a mini FM ...
Style:
anime, entertaining, captivating, funny, exciting ...
Plot:
coming of age, slice of life, radio station, seaside town, small town, radio dj, art, summer, schoolgirl, town, young girl, young woman ...
Similarity:
26%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
Country: Japan
TV show
Story:
After middle school, with its bullying and nicknames, Uka Ishimori is excited for a fresh start at Hachimitsu High School. Kai Miura, a cool and uninhibited boy, sits next to her in class. Uka remembers she met Kai in middle school and with a single ...
Style:
shoujo, romantic, emotional, romantic comedy, feel good ...
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
high school, high school romance, friendship, coming of age, heartwarming, first love, young love, slice of life, bittersweet, teen angst, school, high school life ...
Similarity:
26%
Movie in collections
Genre: Animation
Country: Japan
Duration: 92 min.
Story:
A compilation film of the Ansatsu Kyoushitsu TV series, featuring anime-only epilogue scenes not originally in the manga.
Style:
anime, shounen, compilation film, captivating, light ...
Audience:
family friendly
Plot:
friendship, student, education, assassination, school, high school life, friendship between men, assassin, attempted murder, comeback, problem child, government agent ...
Time:
future
Similarity:
26%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 25 min.
TV show
Story:
Momo, a high school student, is torn between two love interests, each of whom possess great qualities.
Style:
anime, shoujo, romantic drama, emotional, romantic comedy ...
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
female protagonist, teen romance, high school, high school life, love triangle, jealousy, japanese high school, coming of age, manipulation, rivalry, bullying, misunderstanding ...
Time:
year 2005
Place:
japan
Similarity:
26%
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: Japan
TV show
Story:
Sae Iwata, a slightly tougher-than-average girl, falls for the gentle smile of Koki Kamishiro, a delicate boy, back in elementary school. By the time they enter junior high school, Koki has grown into a charming and popular teen who now feels out of ...
Style:
shoujo, lighthearted, romantic drama, anime, complex
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
friendship, slice of life, teen romance, childhood friend, first love, crush, high school life, coming of age, female protagonist, unrequited love, self discovery, popularity ...
Similarity:
26%
Genre: Animation, Drama
Country: Japan
TV show
Story:
The story centers on Gaku Kitada, a talented mathematics scholar, and Kai Asakura, a young but similarly talented chef. After Gaku suffers setbacks on his dream of becoming a mathematician, he meets Kai as he is running his own food business, and ...
Style:
culinary, uplifting, realistic, inspirational, emotional ...
Plot:
slice of life, gastronomy, restaurant, mathematics, culinary arts, personal growth, creativity, problem solving, passion, friendship, identity, small business ...
Time:
2020s
Place:
japan
Similarity:
26%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 23 min.
TV show
Story:
Her father passed away very early and her mother lives and works in a crowded Chinese restaurant. Kitajima Maya, a 13-year old girl, has to carry the burden of making ends meet as she fights against her ill fate. However, she is able to overcome the ...
Style:
anime, shoujo, captivating, psychological, inspirational
Plot:
female protagonist, theater, ambition, rivalry, coming of age, actress, competition, youth, female rivalry, dream, perseverance, class differences ...
Place:
japan, tokyo
Similarity:
25%
Movie in collections
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: Japan
Duration: 103 min.
Story:
Recap of Season 1. After swearing off music due to an incident at the middle school regional brass band competition, euphonist Kumiko Oumae enters high school hoping for a fresh start. As fate would have it, she ends up being surrounded by people ...
Style:
anime, captivating, psychological, semi serious, emotional ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
high school, brass band, competition, musician, training, high school life, orchestra, female protagonist, coming of age, school club, musician's life, ambition ...
Time:
2010s
Similarity:
25%
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 95 min.
Story:
Teen misfits Roma, Toto, and Drop call themselves the “Don Glees,” an informal name for their backyard adventures. One day, when the trio gets blamed for a nearby forest fire, they set off into the woods to prove their innocence. As disaster ...
Style:
anime, feel good, captivating, semi serious, entertaining ...
Plot:
treasure hunt, summer vacation, travel, friends, slice of life, coming of age, friendship, self discovery, grownups, treasure, teamwork, hidden treasure ...
Place:
iceland, japan
Similarity:
25%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Sport
Country: Japan
Duration: 86 min.
Story:
Haruka Nanase's new stage to take on the world is Sydney – a place he once visited, a place of dreams. One day, while taking a short break before his departure, Haruka coincidentally runs into a swimmer that competed at the All Japan National ...
Style:
anime, thrilling, captivating, emotional, intense ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
swimming, friendship, rivalry, tournament, competitor, athlete's life, athlete and trainer, professional rivalry, ambition, champion, direction and purpose, world championship wrestling ...
Place:
sydney australia, australia
Similarity:
25%
220
Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 52 min.
Story:
Hakubo tells the story of two young people who live in rural Fukushima: Sachi Koyama, a girl who excels at playing the violin, and Yuusuke Kijinami, a boy who loves to paint. After an awkward, chance encounter, the two meet and begin to fall in ...
Style:
anime, romantic drama, touching, stylized, sincere ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
slice of life, young love, fukushima, prodigy, violinist, art, music, friendship, high school life, depression, classical music, violin ...
Place:
japan, poetic realism
Similarity:
24%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 103 min.
Story:
Arriving from Nagasaki with her wishful mantra is Tamaki Tsuru, who in high school could think only about volleyball. Things don’t begin well, however, when she looks for an extracurricular club to join and proceeds to immediately ding a glider at ...
Style:
anime, dramatic, captivating, entertaining, light ...
Plot:
aviation, slice of life, university, club, school, high school sports, volleyball, female athlete, tennis, tennis player, personal growth, freedom ...
Time:
2020s
Similarity:
24%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 95 min.
Story:
Mio is a girl in high school who slacks off. She and her childhood friend Arata and best friend Madoka spend their after-school days in Ikebukuro hanging out. One day, Madoka tells Mio that she loves Arata, and Mio realizes that she loves Arata, ...
Style:
anime, exciting, sincere, sentimental, entertaining ...
Plot:
friends, unrequited love, teen romance, coming of age, high school, friendship, love triangle, love, boyfriend girlfriend relationship, male female relationship, love affair, couple relations ...
Place:
tokyo
Similarity:
24%
Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
Country: Japan, USA
Duration: 119 min.
Story:
It’s 1982, and Taeko is 27 years old, unmarried, and has lived her whole life in Tokyo. She decides to visit her family in the countryside, and as the train travels through the night, memories flood back of her younger years: the first immature ...
Style:
touching, atmospheric, sentimental, melancholic, serious ...
Audience:
kids, date night, girls' night, adult
Plot:
countryside, friendship, childhood, coming of age, self discovery, adolescence, childhood memory, village life, deadend life, nostalgia, female protagonist, marriage ...
Time:
year 1991
Place:
japan, tokyo, asia
Similarity:
24%
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