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Much has been documented about the act of running, a restorative movement with potential for cathartic release. Within the context of competitive games, though, the pressure of competition can make people lose sight of this fundamental aim. Transposed from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime transcends prizes and accolades to investigate the core impetus that drives an athlete’s ambition.

Plot Overview

The 100-Meter Film chronicles Togashi and Komiya, childhood friends whose personal journeys diverge when they turn professional. Formerly the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi helps the less self-assured Komiya with the essentials. As the duo enter their teens and their 20s, Komiya consistently improves up the standings of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both confront worries and uncertainties. Spanning more than 15 years, the tale documents their internal hurdles, laying bare the difficulties of an athlete’s life, locked in a cycle of media attention, achievement demands and sponsorship demands.

Artistic Strengths

Perhaps it’s down to the original work, but the film’s response to these complex dilemmas is somewhat facile; time and time again, a lead’s mental struggles just vanish after a extended discussion with a peer or a senior. But what the anime is deficient in story nuance and tempo, it redeems itself with in stunning imagery. Using trace-over animation, in which cartooning is traced over real-life video, the movie generates exquisitely intricate sprinting scenes. The physical exertion of a sprint is visibly evident, and the struggle and triumph of competition are engraved on the characters’ bodies.

Memorable Moments

One particularly momentous race ends in the storm, with torrents of grey strokes that immerse the frame. Beyond spoken words, these displays of creative mastery capture the near-transcendent euphoria the movie aims to evoke.

The Sprint Film is in UK cinemas from November 16.