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A great deal has been documented about the art of running, a healing activity with ability for cathartic release. Within the context of professional sports, yet, the pressure of competition can make people lose sight of this ultimate goal. Reimagined from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime goes past awards and honors to examine the inner motivation that drives an sports star’s dream.

Story Synopsis

100 Meters traces Togashi and Komiya, childhood friends whose life paths separate when they go pro. Formerly the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi assists the more uncertain Komiya with the essentials. As the duo enter their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya progressively advances up the leaderboard of top athletes, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both confront worries and uncertainties. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative follows their psychological barriers, laying bare the difficulties of an sports professional’s journey, caught in a pattern of societal observation, result pressures and sponsorship demands.

Creative Merits

Maybe it’s because of the source material, but the film’s response to these intricate issues is rather superficial; frequently, a lead’s mental struggles quickly dissolve after a lengthy conversation with a peer or a senior. But what the anime is deficient in story nuance and pacing, it makes up for in stunning imagery. Using rotoscoping, in which cartooning is drawn atop live-action footage, the film produces exquisitely intricate running sequences. The athletic effort of a race is clearly shown, and the suffering and elation of rivalry are engraved on the athletes’ physiques.

Impactful Sequences

One especially significant race ends in the rain, with cascades of grey strokes that immerse the screen. More than any dialogue, these flourishes of artistic excellence encapsulate the quasi-enlightened elation the animation aims to inspire.

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