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A great deal has been documented about the practice of running, a healing activity with potential for therapeutic unburdening. Within the context of elite athletics, however, the pressure of competition can cause individuals to overlook of this fundamental aim. Reimagined from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime transcends awards and honors to explore the core impetus that fuels an competitor’s aspiration.

Story Synopsis

100 Meters chronicles Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose life paths diverge when they enter elite competition. Once the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi assists the less confident Komiya with the fundamentals. As the pair enter their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya steadily accelerates up the leaderboard of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both struggle with fears and doubts. Spanning more than 15 years, the tale follows their mental obstacles, laying bare the challenges of an athlete’s life, trapped in a loop of media attention, performance expectations and endorsement requirements.

Creative Merits

Maybe it’s down to the original work, but the movie’s approach to these intricate issues is a bit simplistic; frequently, a character’s inner doubts just vanish after a prolonged talk with a peer or a senior. But what 100 Meters falls short in narrative subtlety and tempo, it redeems itself with in stunning imagery. Employing rotoscoping, in which cartooning is superimposed on filmed sequences, the film produces remarkably precise running sequences. The athletic effort of a sprint is visibly evident, and the struggle and triumph of rivalry are imprinted on the protagonists’ forms.

Unforgettable Scenes

One especially significant race finishes in the downpour, with torrents of monochrome brushwork that immerse the screen. Apart from conversation, these flourishes of stylistic brilliance embody the near-transcendent euphoria the animation aims to inspire.

100 Meters is in UK cinemas from the 16th of November.