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A great deal has been documented about the act of running, a healing activity with capacity for cathartic release. Within the context of competitive games, yet, the pressure of competition can make people lose sight of this ultimate goal. Reimagined from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime goes past awards and honors to investigate the core impetus that drives an sports star’s dream.

Narrative Summary

100 Meters follows Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose personal journeys split when they enter elite competition. Formerly the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi helps the less self-assured Komiya with the fundamentals. As the twosome move through their teens and their 20s, Komiya progressively advances up the standings of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both battle anxieties and insecurities. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative documents their psychological barriers, laying bare the challenges of an competitor’s existence, trapped in a cycle of societal observation, performance expectations and sponsorship demands.

Artistic Strengths

Maybe it’s because of the base story, but the movie’s approach to these complex dilemmas is a bit simplistic; time and time again, a lead’s mental struggles just vanish after a lengthy conversation with a peer or a senior. But what the anime lacks in narrative subtlety and pacing, it makes up for in dazzling visuals. Utilizing trace-over animation, in which animation is superimposed on filmed sequences, the film creates remarkably precise sprinting scenes. The bodily strain of a race is clearly shown, and the suffering and elation of contests are etched on the athletes’ physiques.

Unforgettable Scenes

One especially significant race concludes in the storm, with sheets of charcoal lines that engulf the frame. Beyond spoken words, these displays of artistic excellence embody the almost spiritual high the film aims to inspire.

The 100-Meter Anime is released in Britain from November 16.