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A great deal has been documented about the act of running, a restorative movement with potential for therapeutic unburdening. In the sphere of professional sports, however, the strain of contests can make people lose sight of this primary objective. Transposed from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime goes past trophies and medals to examine the existential drive that spurs an competitor’s aspiration.

Plot Overview

100 Meters traces Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose personal journeys separate when they enter elite competition. Formerly the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi assists the less confident Komiya with the essentials. As the duo move through their teens and their 20s, Komiya progressively advances up the standings of top athletes, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both battle anxieties and insecurities. Spanning more than 15 years, the story tracks their mental obstacles, exposing the difficulties of an sports professional’s journey, trapped in a pattern of media attention, result pressures and sponsorship demands.

Artistic Strengths

Maybe it’s because of the original work, but the animation’s answer to these complicated problems is rather superficial; frequently, a character’s inner doubts simply disappear after a prolonged talk with a peer or a senior. But what 100 Meters lacks in plot refinement and pacing, it makes up for in breathtaking graphics. Utilizing trace-over animation, in which animation is drawn atop live-action footage, the film generates exquisitely intricate sprinting scenes. The bodily strain of a sprint is clearly shown, and the suffering and elation of contests are etched on the characters’ bodies.

Memorable Moments

One particularly momentous race finishes in the downpour, with torrents of charcoal lines that overwhelm the frame. Apart from conversation, these bursts of creative mastery capture the quasi-enlightened elation the film aims to provoke.

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