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A great deal has been written about the practice of running, a therapeutic exercise with ability for emotional liberation. In the sphere of elite athletics, yet, the strain of rivalry can make people lose sight of this fundamental aim. Adapted from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime transcends prizes and accolades to examine the core impetus that drives an athlete’s ambition.

Narrative Summary

The Sprint Story chronicles Togashi and Komiya, childhood friends whose life paths split when they turn professional. Once the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi guides the more uncertain Komiya with the basics. As the pair enter their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya steadily accelerates up the leaderboard of top athletes, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both struggle with fears and doubts. Spanning more than 15 years, the story documents their mental obstacles, laying bare the struggles of an competitor’s existence, caught in a cycle of public scrutiny, performance expectations and sponsorship demands.

Creative Merits

Perhaps it’s down to the base story, but the movie’s approach to these intricate issues is somewhat facile; frequently, a character’s inner doubts quickly dissolve after a extended discussion with a colleague or elder. But what 100 Meters falls short in plot refinement and tempo, it makes up for in breathtaking graphics. Utilizing trace-over animation, in which drawn art is drawn atop live-action footage, the feature produces remarkably precise dash moments. The athletic effort of a sprint is on full display, and the pain and the joy of competition are imprinted on the characters’ bodies.

Unforgettable Scenes

One notably pivotal race concludes in the downpour, with sheets of monochrome brushwork that engulf the scene. More than any dialogue, these flourishes of creative mastery capture the almost spiritual high the animation aims to inspire.

The 100-Meter Anime is in UK cinemas from 16 November.