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Much has been documented about the art of running, a healing activity with ability for emotional liberation. Within the context of competitive games, however, the pressure of rivalry can make people lose sight of this ultimate goal. Transposed from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime goes past awards and honors to examine the inner motivation that spurs an competitor’s aspiration.

Plot Overview

100 Meters follows Togashi and Komiya, childhood friends whose career trajectories separate when they enter elite competition. Once the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi guides the less confident Komiya with the fundamentals. As the duo move through their youth and early maturity, Komiya consistently improves up the leaderboard of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both confront worries and uncertainties. Spanning more than 15 years, the story documents their psychological barriers, exposing the struggles of an sports professional’s journey, trapped in a loop of public scrutiny, result pressures and commercial obligations.

Artistic Strengths

Perhaps it’s due to the base story, but the film’s response to these intricate issues is a bit simplistic; frequently, a character’s inner doubts just vanish after a lengthy conversation with a peer or a senior. But what the anime lacks in story nuance and rhythm, it redeems itself with in stunning imagery. Employing live-action tracing, in which drawn art is traced over real-life video, the film generates exquisitely intricate dash moments. The physical exertion of a dash is visibly evident, and the pain and the joy of competition are imprinted on the characters’ bodies.

Memorable Moments

One especially significant race ends in the rain, with torrents of grey strokes that engulf the scene. Apart from conversation, these bursts of artistic excellence encapsulate the almost spiritual high the film aims to provoke.

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