I recently saw the anime OVA Look Back and it got me thinking about my elder daughter. The OVA tells the story of Fujino, a young girl with a singular burning ambition: to be a manga-ka. Her world is shaken when she encounters a rival, Kyomoto—a shut-in who doesn't attend school but possesses a staggering natural talent. Initially envious, Fujino eventually finds a kindred spirit in Kyo. They combine their strengths and eventually land a shot at a professional serial.
However, growth often leads to change and when Kyo decides to attend Art School to break out of her reclusive shell, there is a painful falling out. The two separate and lose touch until a tragic event forces a reunion.
The film uses a touch of "timey-wimey" magic - reincarnation and timeslips - to explore themes of regret, the "what ifs" of past friendships, and the healing power of an all-consuming passion. It is a sweet, emotional reminder of how art can bridge the gaps between us.
This story hit home for me because my eldest daughter is a massive comic nerd with the exact same aspirations. I’ve been a collector since I was eight, building a library that spans from the whimsy of The Lumberjanes and Squirrel Girl to the heavy hitters of the Vertigo line like The Sandman and Preacher. By proxy, she has become an enthusiast of the graphic novel form and, as she matures, I’ve enjoyed curating her reading - recommending gems from my collection while she carves out her own tastes. She gravitates toward titles like Hilda, The Plain Janes, and those unique Minx graphic novels. While she loves established series like Bunny vs. Monkey or Looshkin, she has found her own quirky, distinct voice when she puts pen to paper.
There’s something magical about seeing that all-consuming passion from the movie manifest in real life. Here are a few of the comics she has created and sold from the stoop gallery at her grandpa’s house—right on the path to the local tourist beach. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have:
