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A great deal has been recorded about the art of running, a restorative movement with potential for therapeutic unburdening. In the sphere of competitive games, though, the stress of competition can cause individuals to overlook of this ultimate goal. Transposed from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime looks beyond prizes and accolades to examine the core impetus that spurs an sports star’s dream.

Narrative Summary

100 Meters follows Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose life paths diverge when they turn professional. Formerly the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi helps the more uncertain Komiya with the fundamentals. As the twosome move through their teens and their 20s, Komiya consistently improves up the standings of top athletes, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both struggle with anxieties and insecurities. Spanning more than 15 years, the tale tracks their mental obstacles, revealing the challenges of an athlete’s life, trapped in a cycle of public scrutiny, result pressures and sponsorship demands.

Creative Merits

Maybe it’s because of the source material, but the movie’s approach to these complicated problems is somewhat facile; time and time again, a lead’s mental struggles quickly dissolve after a prolonged talk with a colleague or elder. But what the film lacks in story nuance and pacing, it makes up for in stunning imagery. Utilizing trace-over animation, in which cartooning is drawn atop live-action footage, the feature generates exquisitely intricate sprinting scenes. The physical exertion of a sprint is visibly evident, and the struggle and triumph of rivalry are etched on the protagonists’ forms.

Impactful Sequences

One particularly momentous race finishes in the storm, with sheets of grey strokes that engulf the screen. Apart from conversation, these flourishes of stylistic brilliance capture the near-transcendent euphoria the movie aims to inspire.

The 100-Meter Anime is in UK cinemas from November 16.