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A great deal has been written about the art of running, a healing activity with potential for cathartic release. Within the context of competitive games, yet, the pressure of competition can cause individuals to overlook of this ultimate goal. Reimagined from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime goes past prizes and accolades to examine the existential drive that spurs an competitor’s aspiration.

Plot Overview

The 100-Meter Film follows Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose personal journeys diverge when they go pro. Previously the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi assists the less self-assured Komiya with the fundamentals. As the duo progress into their youth and early maturity, Komiya progressively advances up the ranking of elite competitors, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both battle fears and doubts. Covering more than 15 years, the story documents their internal hurdles, exposing the struggles of an sports professional’s journey, locked in a pattern of societal observation, achievement demands and endorsement requirements.

Visual Highlights

Possibly it’s due to the base story, but the film’s response to these complex dilemmas is somewhat facile; repeatedly, a lead’s mental struggles just vanish after a prolonged talk with a peer or a senior. But what the film falls short in story nuance and pacing, it compensates for in stunning imagery. Utilizing trace-over animation, in which animation is drawn atop real-life video, the movie generates remarkably precise running sequences. The athletic effort of a dash is clearly shown, and the suffering and elation of rivalry are imprinted on the characters’ bodies.

Impactful Sequences

One notably pivotal race ends in the downpour, with sheets of monochrome brushwork that engulf the screen. More than any dialogue, these bursts of creative mastery encapsulate the quasi-enlightened elation the animation aims to evoke.

The 100-Meter Anime is in UK cinemas from November 16.