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Plenty has been written about the art of running, a restorative movement with ability for emotional liberation. In the sphere of elite athletics, yet, the pressure of contests can make people lose sight of this primary objective. Transposed from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime transcends prizes and accolades to examine the core impetus that drives an competitor’s aspiration.

Plot Overview

The Sprint Story traces Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose personal journeys split when they go pro. Formerly the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi assists the less confident Komiya with the fundamentals. 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. Spanning more than 15 years, the tale follows their internal hurdles, laying bare the struggles of an sports professional’s journey, locked in a loop of public scrutiny, achievement demands and endorsement requirements.

Visual Highlights

Maybe it’s because of the original work, but the animation’s answer to these intricate issues is rather superficial; frequently, a character’s inner doubts simply disappear after a prolonged talk with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what 100 Meters lacks in story nuance and tempo, it compensates for in stunning imagery. Utilizing rotoscoping, in which animation is traced over live-action footage, the film produces remarkably precise dash moments. The physical exertion of a dash is visibly evident, and the suffering and elation of contests are imprinted on the athletes’ physiques.

Memorable Moments

One particularly momentous race finishes in the storm, with sheets of charcoal lines that overwhelm the scene. More than any dialogue, these displays of creative mastery embody the quasi-enlightened elation the animation aims to provoke.

The 100-Meter Anime is showing in the United Kingdom from November 16.