100 Meters Review – Mesmerising Animation of Emerging Sports Stars in Search for Physical and Spiritual High
Much has been written about the art of running, a restorative movement with ability for therapeutic unburdening. Within the context of competitive games, however, the stress of competition can lead athletes to forget of this primary objective. Adapted from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime looks beyond awards and honors to explore the existential drive that spurs an competitor’s aspiration.
Plot Overview
100 Meters chronicles Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose career trajectories split when they turn professional. Previously the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi guides the more uncertain Komiya with the fundamentals. As the pair enter their youth and early maturity, Komiya progressively advances up the standings of top athletes, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both struggle with fears and doubts. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative follows their mental obstacles, revealing the challenges of an sports professional’s journey, locked in a pattern of societal observation, achievement demands and endorsement requirements.
Artistic Strengths
Perhaps it’s down to the base story, but the film’s response to these complex dilemmas is a bit simplistic; repeatedly, a protagonist’s uncertainties quickly dissolve after a extended discussion with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what the anime falls short in plot refinement and tempo, it compensates for in breathtaking graphics. Employing trace-over animation, in which cartooning is traced over filmed sequences, the movie creates stunningly detailed running sequences. The athletic effort of a race is visibly evident, and the pain and the joy of competition are imprinted on the athletes’ physiques.
Unforgettable Scenes
One notably pivotal race ends in the rain, with torrents of grey strokes that immerse the scene. More than any dialogue, these flourishes of artistic excellence encapsulate the quasi-enlightened elation the movie aims to inspire.
The 100-Meter Anime is in UK cinemas from November 16.