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Much has been written about the act of running, a restorative movement with ability for emotional liberation. In the sphere of professional sports, yet, the strain of contests can cause individuals to overlook of this fundamental aim. Reimagined from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime looks beyond awards and honors to explore the existential drive that drives an competitor’s aspiration.

Narrative Summary

The 100-Meter Film follows Togashi and Komiya, childhood friends whose life paths separate when they enter elite competition. Formerly the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi helps the less confident Komiya with the fundamentals. As the duo move through their youth and early maturity, Komiya steadily accelerates up the leaderboard of top athletes, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both battle anxieties and insecurities. Encompassing more than 15 years, the narrative follows their mental obstacles, laying bare the difficulties of an competitor’s existence, trapped in a loop of societal observation, achievement demands and sponsorship demands.

Visual Highlights

Perhaps it’s because of the source material, but the movie’s approach to these intricate issues is somewhat facile; time and time again, a lead’s mental struggles just vanish after a prolonged talk with a colleague or elder. But what the anime lacks in plot refinement and rhythm, it compensates for in breathtaking graphics. Using trace-over animation, in which cartooning is superimposed on live-action footage, the movie generates remarkably precise sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a race is on full display, and the pain and the joy of rivalry are imprinted on the characters’ bodies.

Memorable Moments

One especially significant race ends in the rain, with sheets of monochrome brushwork that engulf the screen. Beyond spoken words, these flourishes of creative mastery capture the near-transcendent euphoria the film aims to inspire.

The Sprint Film is released in Britain from November 16.