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Much has been documented about the act of running, a restorative movement with potential for cathartic release. Within the context of competitive games, though, the pressure of rivalry can cause individuals to overlook of this ultimate goal. Transposed from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime goes past trophies and medals to examine the core impetus that spurs an sports star’s dream.

Narrative Summary

100 Meters chronicles Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose personal journeys split when they go pro. Previously the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi helps the less confident Komiya with the essentials. As the pair move through their youth and early maturity, Komiya progressively advances up the ranking of elite competitors, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both struggle with anxieties and insecurities. Spanning more than 15 years, the tale documents their internal hurdles, exposing the struggles of an sports professional’s journey, locked in a cycle of public scrutiny, result pressures and commercial obligations.

Creative Merits

Possibly it’s because of the source material, but the movie’s approach to these intricate issues is a bit simplistic; repeatedly, a protagonist’s uncertainties just vanish after a extended discussion with a peer or a senior. But what the film lacks in story nuance and tempo, it compensates for in stunning imagery. Employing rotoscoping, in which drawn art is superimposed on live-action footage, the film produces exquisitely intricate dash moments. The physical exertion of a dash is clearly shown, and the struggle and triumph of contests are engraved on the protagonists’ forms.

Impactful Sequences

One especially significant race ends in the storm, with sheets of charcoal lines that overwhelm the screen. More than any dialogue, these bursts of artistic excellence encapsulate the near-transcendent euphoria the film aims to inspire.

The 100-Meter Anime is showing in the United Kingdom from November 16.