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Plenty has been written about the practice of running, a therapeutic exercise with potential for cathartic release. In the realm of competitive games, however, the pressure of contests can lead athletes to forget of this fundamental aim. Reimagined from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime goes past prizes and accolades to investigate the inner motivation that drives an athlete’s ambition.

Plot Overview

The 100-Meter Film traces Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose career trajectories diverge when they go pro. Formerly the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi assists the less self-assured Komiya with the fundamentals. As the pair move through their teens and their 20s, Komiya progressively advances up the ranking of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both struggle with fears and doubts. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative follows their mental obstacles, laying bare the struggles of an athlete’s life, locked in a cycle of societal observation, achievement demands and commercial obligations.

Visual Highlights

Maybe it’s due to the original work, but the movie’s approach to these intricate issues is a bit simplistic; time and time again, a protagonist’s uncertainties just vanish after a lengthy conversation with a peer or a senior. But what 100 Meters is deficient in story nuance and tempo, it redeems itself with in stunning imagery. Employing live-action tracing, in which cartooning is drawn atop real-life video, the feature creates stunningly detailed dash moments. The athletic effort of a dash is clearly shown, and the pain and the joy of contests are engraved on the athletes’ physiques.

Memorable Moments

One particularly momentous race ends in the downpour, with torrents of charcoal lines that engulf the frame. Beyond spoken words, these bursts of artistic excellence capture the quasi-enlightened elation the movie aims to evoke.

100 Meters is in UK cinemas from 16 November.