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A great deal has been recorded about the art of running, a restorative movement with capacity for therapeutic unburdening. In the sphere of elite athletics, yet, the strain of competition can lead athletes to forget of this primary objective. Transposed from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime looks beyond prizes and accolades to explore the core impetus that drives an competitor’s aspiration.

Plot Overview

The 100-Meter Film chronicles Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose life paths separate when they turn professional. Previously the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi guides the less confident Komiya with the fundamentals. As the twosome move through their teens and their 20s, Komiya consistently improves up the standings of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both confront worries and uncertainties. Spanning more than 15 years, the tale tracks their mental obstacles, exposing the challenges of an athlete’s life, trapped in a pattern of societal observation, result pressures and sponsorship demands.

Artistic Strengths

Perhaps it’s due to the original work, but the movie’s approach to these complicated problems is rather superficial; repeatedly, a protagonist’s uncertainties just vanish after a prolonged talk with a peer or a senior. But what the anime is deficient in narrative subtlety and rhythm, it compensates for in stunning imagery. Using trace-over animation, in which animation is traced over filmed sequences, the film creates stunningly detailed sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a sprint is clearly shown, and the suffering and elation of contests are etched on the characters’ bodies.

Impactful Sequences

One particularly momentous race concludes in the rain, with sheets of monochrome brushwork that overwhelm the screen. Beyond spoken words, these bursts of stylistic brilliance embody the almost spiritual high the film aims to inspire.

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