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Much has been written about the practice of running, a therapeutic exercise with capacity for cathartic release. Within the context of elite athletics, yet, the pressure of contests can lead athletes to forget of this primary objective. Adapted from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime goes past trophies and medals to investigate the inner motivation that drives an athlete’s ambition.

Plot Overview

100 Meters follows Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose life paths diverge when they go pro. Formerly the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi helps the more uncertain Komiya with the fundamentals. As the duo progress into their teens and their 20s, Komiya steadily accelerates up the leaderboard of elite competitors, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both struggle with fears and doubts. Covering more than 15 years, the narrative follows their internal hurdles, laying bare the difficulties of an competitor’s existence, caught in a pattern of societal observation, performance expectations and endorsement requirements.

Creative Merits

Maybe it’s down to the original work, but the film’s response to these complicated problems is somewhat facile; frequently, a protagonist’s uncertainties just vanish after a prolonged talk with a peer or a senior. But what the film falls short in narrative subtlety and tempo, it redeems itself with in stunning imagery. Using live-action tracing, in which drawn art is traced over real-life video, the film creates remarkably precise dash moments. The physical exertion of a dash is visibly evident, and the struggle and triumph of competition are etched on the athletes’ physiques.

Memorable Moments

One particularly momentous race concludes in the storm, with cascades of grey strokes that engulf the screen. Apart from conversation, these bursts of artistic excellence embody the near-transcendent euphoria the animation aims to inspire.

100 Meters is in UK cinemas from 16 November.