100 Meters Review – Mesmerising Animation of Young Athletes in Search for Physical and Spiritual High
Much has been recorded about the practice of running, a therapeutic exercise with potential for cathartic release. Within the context of professional sports, though, the pressure of rivalry can lead athletes to forget of this ultimate goal. Transposed from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime goes past trophies and medals to explore the existential drive that spurs an sports star’s dream.
Story Synopsis
The 100-Meter Film traces Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose life paths diverge when they turn professional. Once the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi guides the less self-assured Komiya with the basics. As the twosome progress into their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya consistently improves up the leaderboard of elite competitors, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both battle anxieties and insecurities. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative documents their psychological barriers, revealing the struggles of an competitor’s existence, trapped in a loop of societal observation, performance expectations and endorsement requirements.
Artistic Strengths
Possibly it’s down to the original work, but the film’s response to these intricate issues is somewhat facile; time and time again, a protagonist’s uncertainties simply disappear after a extended discussion with a peer or a senior. But what 100 Meters falls short in story nuance and pacing, it compensates for in breathtaking graphics. Using rotoscoping, in which cartooning is drawn atop live-action footage, the feature creates stunningly detailed running sequences. The athletic effort of a dash is visibly evident, and the struggle and triumph of contests are etched on the protagonists’ forms.
Memorable Moments
One notably pivotal race finishes in the rain, with torrents of grey strokes that overwhelm the frame. Beyond spoken words, these displays of artistic excellence capture the almost spiritual high the animation aims to inspire.
The 100-Meter Anime is released in Britain from 16 November.
