100 Meters Review – Mesmerising Anime of Young Athletes in Quest for Physical and Spiritual High
A great deal has been documented about the act of running, a therapeutic exercise with ability for therapeutic unburdening. In the sphere of elite athletics, however, the stress of rivalry can cause individuals to overlook of this fundamental aim. Adapted from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime looks beyond trophies and medals to investigate the core impetus that spurs an athlete’s ambition.
Story Synopsis
The Sprint Story chronicles Togashi and Komiya, childhood friends whose life paths split when they go pro. Formerly the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi assists the more uncertain Komiya with the essentials. As the twosome progress into their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya progressively advances up the leaderboard of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both confront fears and doubts. Covering more than 15 years, the tale documents their mental obstacles, revealing the challenges of an sports professional’s journey, trapped in a cycle of societal observation, achievement demands and sponsorship demands.
Visual Highlights
Maybe it’s due to the original work, but the animation’s answer to these intricate issues is rather superficial; time and time again, a protagonist’s uncertainties just vanish after a lengthy conversation with a peer or a senior. But what the film falls short in story nuance and rhythm, it redeems itself with in breathtaking graphics. Employing live-action tracing, in which animation is superimposed on real-life video, the feature generates stunningly detailed running sequences. The bodily strain of a sprint is on full display, and the suffering and elation of rivalry are imprinted on the athletes’ physiques.
Unforgettable Scenes
One particularly momentous race concludes in the storm, with cascades of charcoal lines that engulf the scene. Beyond spoken words, these flourishes of stylistic brilliance embody the almost spiritual high the film aims to evoke.
100 Meters is showing in the United Kingdom from the 16th of November.
