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A great deal has been recorded about the art of running, a therapeutic exercise with potential for cathartic release. In the realm of competitive games, however, the pressure of rivalry can make people lose sight of this fundamental aim. Reimagined from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime looks beyond awards and honors to examine the core impetus that drives an athlete’s ambition.

Plot Overview

The 100-Meter Film chronicles Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose career trajectories diverge when they go pro. Once the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi assists the less confident Komiya with the basics. As the duo progress into their youth and early maturity, Komiya steadily accelerates up the standings of top athletes, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both battle fears and doubts. Encompassing more than 15 years, the narrative documents their psychological barriers, laying bare the struggles of an competitor’s existence, trapped in a cycle of media attention, result pressures and endorsement requirements.

Creative Merits

Maybe it’s because of the source material, but the film’s response to these complex dilemmas is rather superficial; time and time again, a character’s inner doubts simply disappear after a prolonged talk with a peer or a senior. But what 100 Meters is deficient in story nuance and rhythm, it compensates for in breathtaking graphics. Utilizing live-action tracing, in which animation is traced over real-life video, the feature produces stunningly detailed running sequences. The athletic effort of a sprint is clearly shown, and the pain and the joy of contests are imprinted on the characters’ bodies.

Unforgettable Scenes

One notably pivotal race ends in the rain, with cascades of monochrome brushwork that overwhelm the scene. Beyond spoken words, these bursts of artistic excellence encapsulate the near-transcendent euphoria the film aims to provoke.

The Sprint Film is released in Britain from 16 November.