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Plenty has been written about the act of running, a healing activity with ability for therapeutic unburdening. In the sphere of elite athletics, however, the pressure of rivalry can make people lose sight of this ultimate goal. Adapted from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime goes past awards and honors to investigate the core impetus that drives an athlete’s ambition.

Story Synopsis

The Sprint Story chronicles Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose personal journeys diverge when they enter elite competition. Once the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi helps the less self-assured Komiya with the basics. As the duo move through their youth and early maturity, Komiya steadily accelerates up the leaderboard of elite competitors, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both struggle with worries and uncertainties. Covering more than 15 years, the tale tracks their internal hurdles, laying bare the challenges of an athlete’s life, caught in a cycle of societal observation, achievement demands and sponsorship demands.

Creative Merits

Maybe it’s because of the source material, but the film’s response to these complex dilemmas is a bit simplistic; repeatedly, a lead’s mental struggles quickly dissolve after a extended discussion with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what 100 Meters is deficient in plot refinement and pacing, it redeems itself with in stunning imagery. Employing live-action tracing, in which drawn art is drawn atop live-action footage, the film creates stunningly detailed running sequences. The athletic effort of a dash is clearly shown, and the suffering and elation of contests are engraved on the characters’ bodies.

Memorable Moments

One particularly momentous race ends in the rain, with cascades of charcoal lines that engulf the screen. Beyond spoken words, these bursts of stylistic brilliance encapsulate the quasi-enlightened elation the animation aims to inspire.

The 100-Meter Anime is released in Britain from 16 November.