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Much has been recorded about the art of running, a restorative movement with capacity for cathartic release. In the realm of elite athletics, though, the strain of contests can cause individuals to overlook of this ultimate goal. Reimagined from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime looks beyond trophies and medals to examine the core impetus that fuels an athlete’s ambition.

Story Synopsis

100 Meters chronicles Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose life paths separate when they enter elite competition. Previously the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi guides the less self-assured Komiya with the essentials. As the pair enter their youth and early maturity, Komiya consistently improves up the leaderboard of top athletes, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both struggle with anxieties and insecurities. Encompassing more than 15 years, the tale follows their psychological barriers, revealing the challenges of an sports professional’s journey, trapped in a cycle of societal observation, achievement demands and sponsorship demands.

Artistic Strengths

Possibly it’s due to the original work, but the animation’s answer to these complex dilemmas is rather superficial; time and time again, a character’s inner doubts simply disappear after a prolonged talk with a colleague or elder. But what 100 Meters is deficient in story nuance and rhythm, it makes up for in breathtaking graphics. Utilizing rotoscoping, in which drawn art is traced over filmed sequences, the feature creates stunningly detailed sprinting scenes. The bodily strain of a sprint is on full display, and the struggle and triumph of rivalry are engraved on the protagonists’ forms.

Unforgettable Scenes

One especially significant race ends in the rain, with torrents of grey strokes that engulf the frame. Beyond spoken words, these displays of stylistic brilliance embody the near-transcendent euphoria the film aims to evoke.

100 Meters is released in Britain from 16 November.