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Much has been recorded about the practice of running, a therapeutic exercise with potential for therapeutic unburdening. Within the context of elite athletics, yet, the pressure of rivalry can lead athletes to forget of this primary objective. Adapted from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime looks beyond awards and honors to explore the core impetus that drives an athlete’s ambition.

Story Synopsis

The 100-Meter Film chronicles Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose life paths separate when they enter elite competition. Once the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi guides the less confident Komiya with the essentials. As the duo move through their youth and early maturity, Komiya consistently improves up the standings of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both battle anxieties and insecurities. Covering more than 15 years, the tale documents their mental obstacles, laying bare the struggles of an athlete’s life, locked in a loop of societal observation, achievement demands and commercial obligations.

Artistic Strengths

Perhaps it’s down to the source material, but the movie’s approach to these intricate issues is a bit simplistic; time and time again, a lead’s mental struggles quickly dissolve after a extended discussion with a peer or a senior. But what the anime lacks in plot refinement and rhythm, it makes up for in dazzling visuals. Utilizing live-action tracing, in which drawn art is traced over real-life video, the film creates stunningly detailed running sequences. The physical exertion of a sprint is clearly shown, and the struggle and triumph of contests are engraved on the protagonists’ forms.

Memorable Moments

One especially significant race finishes in the rain, with cascades of grey strokes that overwhelm the scene. Beyond spoken words, these bursts of artistic excellence capture the near-transcendent euphoria the animation aims to inspire.

The 100-Meter Anime is in UK cinemas from the 16th of November.