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A great deal has been recorded about the act of running, a restorative movement with ability for emotional liberation. In the sphere of elite athletics, yet, the pressure of rivalry can make people lose sight of this ultimate goal. Reimagined from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime goes past awards and honors to explore the inner motivation that drives an athlete’s ambition.

Plot Overview

100 Meters follows Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose life paths separate when they turn professional. Once the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi helps the less self-assured Komiya with the fundamentals. As the duo progress into their youth and early maturity, Komiya progressively advances up the leaderboard of top athletes, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both confront fears and doubts. Covering more than 15 years, the tale follows their internal hurdles, laying bare the struggles of an sports professional’s journey, trapped in a loop of societal observation, achievement demands and sponsorship demands.

Artistic Strengths

Maybe it’s because of the original work, but the movie’s approach to these complex dilemmas is somewhat facile; repeatedly, a character’s inner doubts quickly dissolve after a prolonged talk with a colleague or elder. But what the anime is deficient in plot refinement and pacing, it makes up for in breathtaking graphics. Using trace-over animation, in which cartooning is drawn atop real-life video, the feature creates exquisitely intricate running sequences. The athletic effort of a dash is on full display, and the suffering and elation of competition are engraved on the protagonists’ forms.

Unforgettable Scenes

One especially significant race ends in the downpour, with sheets of monochrome brushwork that overwhelm the frame. Apart from conversation, these flourishes of artistic excellence embody the near-transcendent euphoria the movie aims to evoke.

The Sprint Film is in UK cinemas from the 16th of November.