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A great deal has been documented about the art of running, a healing activity with ability for therapeutic unburdening. In the realm of elite athletics, however, the pressure of contests can cause individuals to overlook of this primary objective. Reimagined from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime transcends prizes and accolades to examine the existential drive that drives an sports star’s dream.

Story Synopsis

The 100-Meter Film traces Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose career trajectories split when they go pro. Formerly the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi helps the more uncertain Komiya with the basics. As the duo enter their teens and their 20s, Komiya consistently improves up the standings of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both struggle with worries and uncertainties. Encompassing more than 15 years, the tale documents their mental obstacles, revealing the struggles of an competitor’s existence, locked in a pattern of media attention, result pressures and sponsorship demands.

Creative Merits

Maybe it’s down to the source material, but the animation’s answer to these complicated problems is a bit simplistic; repeatedly, a character’s inner doubts quickly dissolve after a lengthy conversation with a colleague or elder. But what 100 Meters is deficient in plot refinement and tempo, it compensates for in dazzling visuals. Employing rotoscoping, in which cartooning is traced over real-life video, the movie produces exquisitely intricate sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a race is visibly evident, and the suffering and elation of competition are imprinted on the characters’ bodies.

Memorable Moments

One particularly momentous race ends in the downpour, with cascades of monochrome brushwork that engulf the frame. More than any dialogue, these displays of creative mastery embody the near-transcendent euphoria the movie aims to evoke.

The Sprint Film is released in Britain from the 16th of November.