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A great deal has been documented about the act of running, a restorative movement with potential for therapeutic unburdening. In the sphere of competitive games, though, the stress of rivalry can make people lose sight of this fundamental aim. Transposed from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime transcends awards and honors to examine the existential drive that drives an competitor’s aspiration.

Plot Overview

The Sprint Story chronicles Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose personal journeys separate when they turn professional. Once the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi helps the less confident Komiya with the basics. As the pair progress into their youth and early maturity, Komiya consistently improves up the standings of elite competitors, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both battle worries and uncertainties. Covering more than 15 years, the tale tracks their mental obstacles, laying bare the challenges of an sports professional’s journey, caught in a loop of public scrutiny, achievement demands and endorsement requirements.

Creative Merits

Perhaps it’s because of the original work, but the film’s response to these complicated problems is rather superficial; frequently, a character’s inner doubts simply disappear after a extended discussion with a peer or a senior. But what 100 Meters falls short in story nuance and tempo, it makes up for in breathtaking graphics. Using live-action tracing, in which drawn art is traced over real-life video, the feature creates remarkably precise dash moments. The bodily strain of a sprint is clearly shown, and the suffering and elation of competition are engraved on the protagonists’ forms.

Memorable Moments

One notably pivotal race concludes in the rain, with cascades of monochrome brushwork that overwhelm the scene. Apart from conversation, these bursts of artistic excellence encapsulate the near-transcendent euphoria the animation aims to provoke.

100 Meters is in UK cinemas from November 16.