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A great deal has been recorded about the act of running, a restorative movement with ability for cathartic release. In the realm of competitive games, however, the pressure of competition can cause individuals to overlook of this ultimate goal. Transposed from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime transcends awards and honors to examine the existential drive that drives an sports star’s dream.

Plot Overview

100 Meters follows Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose career trajectories split when they go pro. Once the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi assists the less self-assured Komiya with the basics. As the twosome enter their teens and their 20s, Komiya consistently improves up the leaderboard of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both battle fears and doubts. Encompassing more than 15 years, the story documents their mental obstacles, exposing the challenges of an competitor’s existence, caught in a cycle of media attention, achievement demands and sponsorship demands.

Creative Merits

Maybe it’s because of the original work, but the movie’s approach to these complicated problems is rather superficial; frequently, a lead’s mental struggles just vanish after a extended discussion with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what the film lacks in story nuance and tempo, it compensates for in breathtaking graphics. Using live-action tracing, in which animation is traced over filmed sequences, the film generates exquisitely intricate sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a sprint is on full display, and the struggle and triumph of contests are imprinted on the characters’ bodies.

Unforgettable Scenes

One particularly momentous race ends in the rain, with sheets of grey strokes that engulf the scene. Apart from conversation, these bursts of stylistic brilliance capture the almost spiritual high the animation aims to inspire.

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