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Much has been written about the act of running, a healing activity with ability for emotional liberation. In the realm of professional sports, however, the strain of rivalry can make people lose sight of this ultimate goal. Transposed from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime looks beyond trophies and medals to explore the core impetus that spurs an sports star’s dream.

Story Synopsis

The Sprint Story follows Togashi and Komiya, childhood friends whose personal journeys split when they turn professional. Previously the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi guides the more uncertain Komiya with the fundamentals. As the pair move through their youth and early maturity, Komiya progressively advances up the standings of elite competitors, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both battle fears and doubts. Encompassing more than 15 years, the narrative tracks their mental obstacles, laying bare the challenges of an sports professional’s journey, locked in a cycle of public scrutiny, achievement demands and commercial obligations.

Visual Highlights

Possibly it’s due to the source material, but the movie’s approach to these intricate issues is rather superficial; time and time again, a lead’s mental struggles just vanish after a prolonged talk with a colleague or elder. But what 100 Meters is deficient in plot refinement and tempo, it redeems itself with in dazzling visuals. Employing trace-over animation, in which animation is drawn atop real-life video, the feature creates remarkably precise sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a sprint is on full display, and the pain and the joy of contests are engraved on the athletes’ physiques.

Impactful Sequences

One notably pivotal race finishes in the downpour, with torrents of grey strokes that overwhelm the screen. More than any dialogue, these displays of stylistic brilliance capture the quasi-enlightened elation the animation aims to evoke.

100 Meters is released in Britain from 16 November.