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Much has been documented about the act of running, a therapeutic exercise with potential for cathartic release. In the realm of elite athletics, though, the strain of rivalry can make people lose sight of this ultimate goal. Adapted from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime goes past prizes and accolades to examine the core impetus that spurs an competitor’s aspiration.

Narrative Summary

100 Meters traces Togashi and Komiya, childhood friends whose personal journeys diverge when they go pro. Formerly the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi guides the less self-assured Komiya with the basics. As the pair move through their teens and their 20s, Komiya progressively advances up the standings of top athletes, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both confront fears and doubts. Covering more than 15 years, the story documents their psychological barriers, exposing the difficulties of an sports professional’s journey, locked in a cycle of societal observation, achievement demands and endorsement requirements.

Visual Highlights

Perhaps it’s due to the base story, but the animation’s answer to these complicated problems is rather superficial; repeatedly, a character’s inner doubts just vanish after a lengthy conversation with a colleague or elder. But what 100 Meters is deficient in plot refinement and rhythm, it makes up for in breathtaking graphics. Utilizing live-action tracing, in which cartooning is traced over live-action footage, the film creates exquisitely intricate running sequences. The bodily strain of a dash is clearly shown, and the struggle and triumph of rivalry are etched on the protagonists’ forms.

Unforgettable Scenes

One especially significant race ends in the rain, with sheets of charcoal lines that engulf the screen. More than any dialogue, these bursts of creative mastery embody the near-transcendent euphoria the movie aims to inspire.

The Sprint Film is released in Britain from the 16th of November.