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Plenty has been written about the act of running, a restorative movement with ability for therapeutic unburdening. In the sphere of competitive games, though, the pressure of contests can lead athletes to forget of this ultimate goal. Transposed from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime transcends awards and honors to explore the inner motivation that spurs an competitor’s aspiration.

Story Synopsis

100 Meters traces Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose life paths separate when they turn professional. Once the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi assists the less confident Komiya with the essentials. As the duo move through their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya progressively advances up the standings of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both confront worries and uncertainties. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative follows their internal hurdles, laying bare the challenges of an competitor’s existence, locked in a cycle of media attention, performance expectations and sponsorship demands.

Creative Merits

Possibly it’s due to the original work, but the film’s response to these complex dilemmas is somewhat facile; time and time again, a lead’s mental struggles just vanish after a prolonged talk with a peer or a senior. But what 100 Meters falls short in story nuance and rhythm, it compensates for in stunning imagery. Employing live-action tracing, in which cartooning is traced over filmed sequences, the film produces stunningly detailed sprinting scenes. The bodily strain of a dash is clearly shown, and the struggle and triumph of competition are imprinted on the protagonists’ forms.

Impactful Sequences

One especially significant race ends in the storm, with cascades of monochrome brushwork that immerse the screen. Apart from conversation, these flourishes of artistic excellence embody the almost spiritual high the movie aims to evoke.

The 100-Meter Anime is released in Britain from the 16th of November.