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A great deal has been recorded about the act of running, a therapeutic exercise with ability for therapeutic unburdening. In the realm of professional sports, however, the pressure of rivalry can make people lose sight of this fundamental aim. Adapted from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime transcends trophies and medals to explore the inner motivation that fuels an competitor’s aspiration.

Narrative Summary

The 100-Meter Film follows Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose personal journeys diverge when they go pro. Previously the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi helps the more uncertain Komiya with the fundamentals. As the twosome progress into their teens and their 20s, Komiya steadily accelerates up the leaderboard of top athletes, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both battle anxieties and insecurities. Encompassing more than 15 years, the tale follows their mental obstacles, exposing the difficulties of an athlete’s life, locked in a cycle of societal observation, result pressures and endorsement requirements.

Creative Merits

Possibly it’s down to the original work, but the animation’s answer to these intricate issues is somewhat facile; time and time again, a lead’s mental struggles quickly dissolve after a lengthy conversation with a peer or a senior. But what the film is deficient in narrative subtlety and pacing, it redeems itself with in dazzling visuals. Utilizing trace-over animation, in which animation is drawn atop real-life video, the movie produces exquisitely intricate running sequences. The bodily strain of a sprint is visibly evident, and the suffering and elation of rivalry are imprinted on the protagonists’ forms.

Unforgettable Scenes

One notably pivotal race ends in the storm, with cascades of grey strokes that overwhelm the frame. More than any dialogue, these displays of stylistic brilliance capture the quasi-enlightened elation the movie aims to inspire.

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