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Plenty has been recorded about the practice of running, a restorative movement with ability for emotional liberation. In the realm of elite athletics, however, the stress of competition can lead athletes to forget of this ultimate goal. Transposed from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime looks beyond trophies and medals to investigate the core impetus that drives an athlete’s ambition.

Plot Overview

The 100-Meter Film traces Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose personal journeys separate when they turn professional. Once the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi guides the more uncertain Komiya with the fundamentals. As the duo enter their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya steadily accelerates up the standings of elite competitors, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both struggle with worries and uncertainties. Spanning more than 15 years, the tale documents their mental obstacles, laying bare the struggles of an athlete’s life, trapped in a pattern of societal observation, result pressures and endorsement requirements.

Creative Merits

Maybe it’s because of the original work, but the animation’s answer to these complicated problems is a bit simplistic; time and time again, a protagonist’s uncertainties simply disappear after a prolonged talk with a peer or a senior. But what the film lacks in story nuance and rhythm, it makes up for in breathtaking graphics. Employing live-action tracing, in which drawn art is superimposed on real-life video, the film creates stunningly detailed sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a race is clearly shown, and the struggle and triumph of contests are imprinted on the characters’ bodies.

Unforgettable Scenes

One especially significant race concludes in the rain, with sheets of grey strokes that overwhelm the frame. Apart from conversation, these bursts of creative mastery encapsulate the quasi-enlightened elation the animation aims to inspire.

The Sprint Film is in UK cinemas from November 16.