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A great deal has been written about the practice of running, a restorative movement with ability for cathartic release. Within the context of professional sports, however, the pressure of rivalry can lead athletes to forget of this fundamental aim. Adapted from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime transcends awards and honors to investigate the existential drive that fuels an competitor’s aspiration.

Story Synopsis

The Sprint Story follows Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose career trajectories split when they go pro. Once the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi guides the less confident Komiya with the fundamentals. As the duo move through their teens and their 20s, Komiya consistently improves up the ranking of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both battle anxieties and insecurities. Encompassing more than 15 years, the tale documents their psychological barriers, laying bare the difficulties of an sports professional’s journey, trapped in a cycle of public scrutiny, achievement demands and commercial obligations.

Artistic Strengths

Maybe it’s because of the source material, but the animation’s answer to these complex dilemmas is rather superficial; frequently, a lead’s mental struggles simply disappear after a prolonged talk with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what 100 Meters falls short in story nuance and pacing, it compensates for in stunning imagery. Employing rotoscoping, in which animation is superimposed on live-action footage, the movie generates stunningly detailed sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a race is visibly evident, and the struggle and triumph of rivalry are etched on the characters’ bodies.

Memorable Moments

One especially significant race finishes in the downpour, with torrents of grey strokes that engulf the frame. Beyond spoken words, these bursts of creative mastery embody the near-transcendent euphoria the movie aims to evoke.

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