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Much has been documented about the act of running, a restorative movement with capacity for emotional liberation. In the sphere of competitive games, yet, the stress of competition can cause individuals to overlook of this primary objective. Reimagined from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime goes past prizes and accolades to explore the inner motivation that spurs an sports star’s dream.

Narrative Summary

100 Meters traces Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose life paths split when they go pro. Previously the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi guides the less confident Komiya with the basics. As the twosome progress into their teens and their 20s, Komiya consistently improves up the standings of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both battle fears and doubts. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative follows their mental obstacles, revealing the challenges of an athlete’s life, locked in a pattern of public scrutiny, achievement demands and endorsement requirements.

Artistic Strengths

Perhaps it’s due to the source material, but the film’s response to these intricate issues is a bit simplistic; repeatedly, a lead’s mental struggles simply disappear after a prolonged talk with a colleague or elder. But what 100 Meters falls short in plot refinement and pacing, it makes up for in stunning imagery. Utilizing trace-over animation, in which cartooning is drawn atop filmed sequences, the film creates remarkably precise sprinting scenes. The bodily strain of a race is on full display, and the suffering and elation of rivalry are engraved on the characters’ bodies.

Unforgettable Scenes

One notably pivotal race finishes in the downpour, with cascades of grey strokes that overwhelm the frame. Beyond spoken words, these flourishes of creative mastery capture the near-transcendent euphoria the animation aims to evoke.

The Sprint Film is released in Britain from November 16.