100 Meters Review – Mesmerising Animation of Emerging Sports Stars in Quest for Physical and Spiritual High
A great deal has been written about the art of running, a therapeutic exercise with potential for emotional liberation. In the realm of elite athletics, though, the pressure of contests can lead athletes to forget of this fundamental aim. Adapted from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime goes past trophies and medals to investigate the inner motivation that fuels an sports star’s dream.
Story Synopsis
The Sprint Story traces Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose career trajectories diverge when they go pro. Once the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi guides the less confident Komiya with the fundamentals. As the pair progress into their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya steadily accelerates up the ranking of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both struggle with worries and uncertainties. Encompassing more than 15 years, the story tracks their internal hurdles, revealing the difficulties of an competitor’s existence, trapped in a pattern of public scrutiny, achievement demands and endorsement requirements.
Visual Highlights
Possibly it’s down to the source material, but the movie’s approach to these complex dilemmas is somewhat facile; repeatedly, a protagonist’s uncertainties quickly dissolve after a lengthy conversation with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what 100 Meters is deficient in narrative subtlety and rhythm, it makes up for in breathtaking graphics. Using trace-over animation, in which cartooning is traced over filmed sequences, the film produces remarkably precise dash moments. The physical exertion of a race is clearly shown, and the pain and the joy of rivalry are engraved on the athletes’ physiques.
Unforgettable Scenes
One especially significant race concludes in the downpour, with torrents of charcoal lines that overwhelm the screen. Beyond spoken words, these displays of stylistic brilliance encapsulate the quasi-enlightened elation the animation aims to inspire.
The 100-Meter Anime is in UK cinemas from November 16.
