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A great deal has been written about the art of running, a restorative movement with potential for cathartic release. In the sphere of elite athletics, yet, the pressure of rivalry can cause individuals to overlook of this fundamental aim. Reimagined from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime looks beyond prizes and accolades to investigate the existential drive that fuels an athlete’s ambition.

Story Synopsis

100 Meters chronicles Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose life paths diverge when they turn professional. Previously the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi assists the less confident Komiya with the basics. As the twosome progress into their teens and their 20s, Komiya progressively advances up the leaderboard of elite competitors, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both confront fears and doubts. Encompassing more than 15 years, the tale follows their mental obstacles, revealing the struggles of an competitor’s existence, caught in a cycle of public scrutiny, result pressures and endorsement requirements.

Artistic Strengths

Perhaps it’s due to the original work, but the movie’s approach to these complicated problems is somewhat facile; frequently, a lead’s mental struggles just vanish after a extended discussion with a peer or a senior. But what the film is deficient in plot refinement and tempo, it makes up for in stunning imagery. Employing rotoscoping, in which cartooning is superimposed on real-life video, the film generates remarkably precise running sequences. The physical exertion of a dash is visibly evident, and the struggle and triumph of competition are imprinted on the protagonists’ forms.

Memorable Moments

One especially significant race concludes in the downpour, with sheets of charcoal lines that immerse the scene. More than any dialogue, these displays of stylistic brilliance encapsulate the quasi-enlightened elation the animation aims to provoke.

100 Meters is in UK cinemas from November 16.