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Plenty has been written about the practice of running, a therapeutic exercise with capacity for emotional liberation. In the realm of competitive games, however, the stress of contests can cause individuals to overlook of this fundamental aim. Reimagined from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime looks beyond trophies and medals to investigate the core impetus that spurs an athlete’s ambition.

Story Synopsis

100 Meters chronicles Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose personal journeys diverge when they go pro. Previously the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi guides the more uncertain Komiya with the essentials. As the duo progress into their youth and early maturity, Komiya consistently improves up the standings of top athletes, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both battle worries and uncertainties. Covering more than 15 years, the story documents their psychological barriers, exposing the challenges of an athlete’s life, trapped in a pattern of public scrutiny, performance expectations and endorsement requirements.

Artistic Strengths

Perhaps it’s due to the base story, but the movie’s approach to these intricate issues is somewhat facile; repeatedly, a lead’s mental struggles quickly dissolve after a extended discussion with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what the anime falls short in story nuance and tempo, it redeems itself with in dazzling visuals. Utilizing trace-over animation, in which animation is drawn atop real-life video, the movie creates stunningly detailed sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a race is clearly shown, and the pain and the joy of rivalry are imprinted on the athletes’ physiques.

Impactful Sequences

One especially significant race ends in the downpour, with sheets of grey strokes that immerse the scene. More than any dialogue, these displays of creative mastery encapsulate the near-transcendent euphoria the film aims to provoke.

The Sprint Film is released in Britain from November 16.