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A great deal has been documented about the act of running, a therapeutic exercise with capacity for cathartic release. In the sphere of elite athletics, however, the strain of rivalry can make people lose sight of this primary objective. Transposed from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime looks beyond trophies and medals to investigate the core impetus that spurs an sports star’s dream.

Story Synopsis

The 100-Meter Film follows Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose personal journeys diverge when they enter elite competition. Previously the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi helps the less confident Komiya with the essentials. As the duo enter their teens and their 20s, Komiya progressively advances up the ranking of top athletes, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both struggle with worries and uncertainties. Encompassing more than 15 years, the tale follows their mental obstacles, exposing the challenges of an athlete’s life, caught in a loop of media attention, performance expectations and commercial obligations.

Artistic Strengths

Possibly it’s down to the original work, but the movie’s approach to these complicated problems is a bit simplistic; time and time again, a protagonist’s uncertainties quickly dissolve after a prolonged talk with a peer or a senior. But what 100 Meters falls short in plot refinement and pacing, it compensates for in stunning imagery. Using rotoscoping, in which cartooning is traced over live-action footage, the feature produces exquisitely intricate dash moments. The physical exertion of a sprint is on full display, and the struggle and triumph of competition are etched on the characters’ bodies.

Memorable Moments

One especially significant race finishes in the storm, with sheets of monochrome brushwork that engulf the scene. Apart from conversation, these displays of artistic excellence embody the near-transcendent euphoria the film aims to evoke.

The Sprint Film is in UK cinemas from November 16.