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Much has been written about the art of running, a healing activity with potential for cathartic release. In the realm of professional sports, yet, the strain of competition can lead athletes to forget of this primary objective. Reimagined from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime goes past trophies and medals to examine the existential drive that fuels an sports star’s dream.

Story Synopsis

100 Meters traces Togashi and Komiya, childhood friends whose personal journeys diverge when they turn professional. Once the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi assists the less self-assured Komiya with the basics. As the pair progress into their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya progressively advances up the ranking of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both battle worries and uncertainties. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative documents their mental obstacles, exposing the struggles of an sports professional’s journey, locked in a loop of societal observation, achievement demands and endorsement requirements.

Creative Merits

Perhaps it’s due to the source material, but the film’s response to these complex dilemmas is rather superficial; time and time again, a lead’s mental struggles simply disappear after a prolonged talk with a colleague or elder. But what the anime is deficient in plot refinement and rhythm, it compensates for in stunning imagery. Employing rotoscoping, in which animation is superimposed on live-action footage, the feature generates 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.

Unforgettable Scenes

One especially significant race ends in the rain, with torrents of monochrome brushwork that overwhelm the screen. Beyond spoken words, these bursts of artistic excellence capture the near-transcendent euphoria the film aims to evoke.

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