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Plenty has been recorded about the art of running, a restorative movement with ability for therapeutic unburdening. In the sphere of elite athletics, 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 looks beyond awards and honors to investigate the core impetus that fuels an athlete’s ambition.

Narrative Summary

100 Meters traces Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose life paths diverge when they go pro. Formerly the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi guides the more uncertain Komiya with the fundamentals. As the pair move through their teens and their 20s, Komiya steadily accelerates up the ranking of top athletes, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both struggle with worries and uncertainties. Encompassing more than 15 years, the story follows their psychological barriers, laying bare the difficulties of an athlete’s life, caught in a cycle of societal observation, performance expectations and endorsement requirements.

Artistic Strengths

Maybe it’s because of the source material, but the animation’s answer to these complex dilemmas is somewhat facile; frequently, a lead’s mental struggles quickly dissolve after a lengthy conversation with a peer or a senior. But what the anime lacks in story nuance and tempo, it redeems itself with in breathtaking graphics. Using trace-over animation, in which cartooning is drawn atop live-action footage, the feature creates stunningly detailed dash moments. The physical exertion of a sprint is clearly shown, and the struggle and triumph of contests are etched on the athletes’ physiques.

Memorable Moments

One particularly momentous race finishes in the downpour, with sheets of grey strokes that immerse the scene. Apart from conversation, these displays of stylistic brilliance capture the near-transcendent euphoria the movie aims to evoke.

The Sprint Film is in UK cinemas from the 16th of November.