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Plenty has been documented about the practice of running, a restorative movement with potential for emotional liberation. Within the context of competitive games, yet, the stress of contests can cause individuals to overlook of this fundamental aim. Transposed from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime transcends trophies and medals to investigate the core impetus that drives an competitor’s aspiration.

Story Synopsis

100 Meters chronicles Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose personal journeys separate when they go pro. Previously the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi guides the more uncertain Komiya with the fundamentals. As the pair enter their youth and early maturity, Komiya progressively advances up the ranking of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both battle anxieties and insecurities. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative follows their mental obstacles, laying bare the difficulties of an competitor’s existence, locked in a pattern of societal observation, achievement demands and endorsement requirements.

Visual Highlights

Possibly it’s due to the original work, but the animation’s answer to these intricate issues is rather superficial; frequently, a lead’s mental struggles simply disappear after a extended discussion with a peer or a senior. But what 100 Meters lacks in plot refinement and tempo, it makes up for in stunning imagery. Using trace-over animation, in which cartooning is traced over live-action footage, the feature generates remarkably precise dash moments. The athletic effort of a race is on full display, and the suffering and elation of contests are etched on the athletes’ physiques.

Memorable Moments

One particularly momentous race finishes in the rain, with sheets of monochrome brushwork that immerse the scene. Apart from conversation, these bursts of creative mastery embody the almost spiritual high the animation aims to provoke.

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