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Plenty has been documented about the art of running, a restorative movement with ability for therapeutic unburdening. In the sphere of professional sports, though, the stress of rivalry can lead athletes to forget of this ultimate goal. Reimagined from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime looks beyond prizes and accolades to examine the existential drive that drives an competitor’s aspiration.

Plot Overview

The 100-Meter Film chronicles Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose career trajectories split when they go pro. Formerly the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi guides the more uncertain Komiya with the essentials. As the twosome move through their youth and early maturity, Komiya progressively advances up the ranking of elite competitors, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both battle fears and doubts. Covering more than 15 years, the story follows their psychological barriers, revealing the struggles of an athlete’s life, locked in a cycle of public scrutiny, performance expectations and commercial obligations.

Artistic Strengths

Possibly it’s down to the original work, but the film’s response to these complex dilemmas is somewhat facile; repeatedly, a lead’s mental struggles just vanish after a lengthy conversation with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what the anime falls short in story nuance and rhythm, it redeems itself with in dazzling visuals. Employing trace-over animation, in which animation is traced over live-action footage, the film produces stunningly detailed dash moments. The athletic effort of a sprint is clearly shown, and the struggle and triumph of contests are engraved on the protagonists’ forms.

Memorable Moments

One notably pivotal race ends in the storm, with sheets of monochrome brushwork that engulf the frame. More than any dialogue, these flourishes of stylistic brilliance encapsulate the almost spiritual high the movie aims to provoke.

The 100-Meter Anime is showing in the United Kingdom from 16 November.