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Plenty has been recorded about the practice of running, a therapeutic exercise with potential for emotional liberation. In the realm of elite athletics, though, the pressure of rivalry can make people lose sight of this fundamental aim. Adapted from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime looks beyond prizes and accolades to explore the inner motivation that spurs an athlete’s ambition.

Story Synopsis

100 Meters chronicles Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose personal journeys split when they go pro. Once the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi guides the more uncertain Komiya with the basics. As the duo progress into their youth and early maturity, Komiya progressively advances up the standings of top athletes, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both struggle with worries and uncertainties. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative follows their mental obstacles, laying bare the difficulties of an competitor’s existence, locked in a loop of societal observation, performance expectations and endorsement requirements.

Creative Merits

Possibly it’s down to the base story, but the movie’s approach to these intricate issues is rather superficial; frequently, a character’s inner doubts simply disappear after a lengthy conversation with a peer or a senior. But what the anime lacks in plot refinement and rhythm, it makes up for in dazzling visuals. Using live-action tracing, in which drawn art is superimposed on live-action footage, the film produces stunningly detailed running sequences. The bodily strain of a race is clearly shown, and the pain and the joy of rivalry are imprinted on the characters’ bodies.

Unforgettable Scenes

One particularly momentous race concludes in the storm, with torrents of monochrome brushwork that engulf the scene. More than any dialogue, these flourishes of artistic excellence embody the quasi-enlightened elation the animation aims to evoke.

The Sprint Film is showing in the United Kingdom from the 16th of November.