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A great deal has been documented about the act of running, a healing activity with capacity for emotional liberation. In the sphere of elite athletics, though, the pressure of rivalry can make people lose sight of this ultimate goal. Transposed from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime looks beyond trophies and medals to examine the core impetus that spurs an athlete’s ambition.

Narrative Summary

The 100-Meter Film traces Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose personal journeys split when they go pro. Formerly the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi guides the less confident Komiya with the essentials. As the duo progress into their teens and their 20s, Komiya consistently improves up the ranking of top athletes, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both confront anxieties and insecurities. Covering more than 15 years, the story documents their internal hurdles, laying bare the difficulties of an athlete’s life, trapped in a cycle of public scrutiny, performance expectations and commercial obligations.

Creative Merits

Maybe it’s down to the original work, but the movie’s approach to these complicated problems is somewhat facile; time and time again, a lead’s mental struggles quickly dissolve after a lengthy conversation with a peer or a senior. But what 100 Meters lacks in plot refinement and pacing, it compensates for in dazzling visuals. Utilizing rotoscoping, in which cartooning is superimposed on real-life video, the movie generates stunningly detailed running sequences. The bodily strain of a sprint is clearly shown, and the pain and the joy of rivalry are engraved on the characters’ bodies.

Memorable Moments

One particularly momentous race ends in the storm, with cascades of grey strokes that overwhelm the screen. Apart from conversation, these displays of artistic excellence embody the quasi-enlightened elation the film aims to inspire.

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