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Much has been written about the act of running, a therapeutic exercise with ability for cathartic release. Within the context of competitive games, though, the stress of contests can lead athletes to forget of this primary objective. Adapted from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime looks beyond awards and honors to investigate the inner motivation that spurs an competitor’s aspiration.

Story Synopsis

The 100-Meter Film chronicles Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose life paths separate when they turn professional. Formerly the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi assists the less confident Komiya with the essentials. As the twosome enter their teens and their 20s, Komiya steadily accelerates up the standings of elite competitors, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both confront fears and doubts. Encompassing more than 15 years, the tale follows their mental obstacles, revealing the struggles of an athlete’s life, trapped in a cycle of media attention, achievement demands and endorsement requirements.

Visual Highlights

Possibly it’s down to the base story, but the film’s response to these complicated problems is a bit simplistic; repeatedly, a protagonist’s uncertainties just vanish after a prolonged talk with a peer or a senior. But what the film is deficient in narrative subtlety and tempo, it redeems itself with in dazzling visuals. Using live-action tracing, in which cartooning is superimposed on filmed sequences, the movie generates exquisitely intricate dash moments. The athletic effort of a sprint is on full display, and the struggle and triumph of contests are etched on the protagonists’ forms.

Impactful Sequences

One particularly momentous race finishes in the downpour, with sheets of monochrome brushwork that overwhelm the scene. Beyond spoken words, these flourishes of artistic excellence encapsulate the near-transcendent euphoria the film aims to provoke.

100 Meters is released in Britain from the 16th of November.