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A great deal has been recorded about the art of running, a restorative movement with ability for therapeutic unburdening. Within the context of elite athletics, yet, the pressure of rivalry can lead athletes to forget of this primary objective. Reimagined from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime looks beyond trophies and medals to explore the inner motivation that drives an competitor’s aspiration.

Plot Overview

The Sprint Story follows Togashi and Komiya, childhood friends whose personal journeys diverge when they enter elite competition. Formerly the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi helps the more uncertain Komiya with the basics. As the duo enter their youth and early maturity, Komiya consistently improves up the standings of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both battle worries and uncertainties. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative follows their internal hurdles, exposing the challenges of an competitor’s existence, caught in a pattern of public scrutiny, achievement demands and endorsement requirements.

Visual Highlights

Possibly it’s due to the source material, but the movie’s approach to these intricate issues is rather superficial; time and time again, a character’s inner doubts just vanish after a prolonged talk with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what 100 Meters is deficient in plot refinement and rhythm, it compensates for in stunning imagery. Employing rotoscoping, in which cartooning is drawn atop real-life video, the film creates remarkably precise running sequences. The physical exertion of a dash is on full display, and the pain and the joy of competition are etched on the characters’ bodies.

Memorable Moments

One notably pivotal race concludes in the downpour, with sheets of charcoal lines that overwhelm the frame. More than any dialogue, these bursts of artistic excellence encapsulate the quasi-enlightened elation the animation aims to inspire.

100 Meters is released in Britain from 16 November.