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A great deal has been documented about the practice of running, a healing activity with ability for cathartic release. In the sphere of competitive games, though, the stress of competition can lead athletes to forget of this ultimate goal. Transposed from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime looks beyond prizes and accolades to explore the core impetus that drives an competitor’s aspiration.

Story Synopsis

The 100-Meter Film traces Togashi and Komiya, childhood friends whose life paths separate when they go pro. Once the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi guides the more uncertain Komiya with the fundamentals. As the duo enter their teens and their 20s, Komiya steadily accelerates up the standings of top athletes, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both struggle with worries and uncertainties. Covering more than 15 years, the tale tracks their mental obstacles, exposing the difficulties of an competitor’s existence, trapped in a pattern of media attention, result pressures and commercial obligations.

Artistic Strengths

Maybe it’s due to the base story, but the film’s response to these intricate issues is a bit simplistic; frequently, a lead’s mental struggles quickly dissolve after a extended discussion with a peer or a senior. But what 100 Meters is deficient in story nuance and rhythm, it makes up for in breathtaking graphics. Employing live-action tracing, in which animation is drawn atop real-life video, the feature generates stunningly detailed dash moments. The physical exertion of a sprint is visibly evident, and the suffering and elation of contests are imprinted on the characters’ bodies.

Unforgettable Scenes

One especially significant race ends in the downpour, with torrents of grey strokes that immerse the frame. More than any dialogue, these bursts of artistic excellence encapsulate the almost spiritual high the animation aims to provoke.

100 Meters is showing in the United Kingdom from the 16th of November.