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Much has been documented about the act of running, a therapeutic exercise with capacity for cathartic release. Within the context of professional sports, yet, the pressure of competition can cause individuals to overlook of this fundamental aim. Transposed from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime looks beyond trophies and medals to examine the existential drive that spurs an sports star’s dream.

Story Synopsis

100 Meters follows Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose personal journeys diverge when they turn professional. Formerly the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi assists the more uncertain Komiya with the essentials. As the pair enter their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya progressively advances up the standings of top athletes, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both confront worries and uncertainties. Spanning more than 15 years, the tale tracks their mental obstacles, laying bare the difficulties of an sports professional’s journey, caught in a loop of societal observation, result pressures and endorsement requirements.

Creative Merits

Possibly it’s because of the original work, but the movie’s approach to these complicated problems is a bit simplistic; time and time again, a protagonist’s uncertainties quickly dissolve after a extended discussion with a colleague or elder. But what the anime falls short in story nuance and rhythm, it redeems itself with in stunning imagery. Utilizing trace-over animation, in which animation is traced over live-action footage, the movie generates remarkably precise dash moments. The bodily strain of a race is clearly shown, and the struggle and triumph of competition are imprinted on the athletes’ physiques.

Unforgettable Scenes

One notably pivotal race ends in the storm, with sheets of charcoal lines that overwhelm the scene. Beyond spoken words, these displays of artistic excellence embody the near-transcendent euphoria the movie aims to evoke.

The Sprint Film is released in Britain from November 16.