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Much has been written about the art of running, a healing activity with ability for cathartic release. In the sphere of elite athletics, however, the stress of rivalry can make people lose sight of this primary objective. Reimagined from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime goes past trophies and medals to investigate the existential drive that spurs an competitor’s aspiration.

Narrative Summary

100 Meters traces Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose career trajectories split when they turn professional. Previously the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi helps the less self-assured Komiya with the essentials. As the twosome move through their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya steadily accelerates up the ranking of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both confront anxieties and insecurities. Spanning more than 15 years, the story documents their psychological barriers, exposing the difficulties of an athlete’s life, caught in a loop of societal observation, performance expectations and sponsorship demands.

Creative Merits

Perhaps it’s down to the source material, but the film’s response to these complicated problems is rather superficial; frequently, a protagonist’s uncertainties quickly dissolve after a lengthy conversation with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what 100 Meters falls short in plot refinement and rhythm, it compensates for in dazzling visuals. Utilizing trace-over animation, in which cartooning is traced over real-life video, the film creates stunningly detailed sprinting scenes. The physical exertion of a dash is clearly shown, and the struggle and triumph of rivalry are imprinted on the protagonists’ forms.

Memorable Moments

One notably pivotal race finishes in the downpour, with torrents of charcoal lines that engulf the frame. Beyond spoken words, these displays of stylistic brilliance encapsulate the near-transcendent euphoria the animation aims to provoke.

100 Meters is in UK cinemas from 16 November.