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Much has been recorded about the art of running, a therapeutic exercise with ability for emotional liberation. Within the context of elite athletics, however, the strain of rivalry can cause individuals to overlook of this primary objective. Adapted from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime looks beyond trophies and medals to examine the existential drive that drives an competitor’s aspiration.

Plot Overview

100 Meters follows Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose career trajectories split when they go pro. Previously the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi assists the less self-assured Komiya with the essentials. As the twosome move through their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya steadily accelerates up the ranking of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both confront fears and doubts. Encompassing more than 15 years, the tale tracks their mental obstacles, revealing the challenges of an competitor’s existence, locked in a cycle of public scrutiny, achievement demands and commercial obligations.

Creative Merits

Maybe it’s down to the source material, but the animation’s answer to these intricate issues is rather superficial; repeatedly, a lead’s mental struggles just vanish after a extended discussion with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what 100 Meters lacks in plot refinement and rhythm, it makes up for in dazzling visuals. Using trace-over animation, in which drawn art is superimposed on live-action footage, the movie generates stunningly detailed sprinting scenes. The bodily strain of a race is on full display, and the pain and the joy of competition are imprinted on the athletes’ physiques.

Memorable Moments

One notably pivotal race ends in the storm, with cascades of monochrome brushwork that immerse the scene. Beyond spoken words, these flourishes of artistic excellence capture the near-transcendent euphoria the film aims to evoke.

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