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Much has been documented about the art of running, a healing activity with capacity for emotional liberation. In the sphere of competitive games, however, the strain of contests can lead athletes to forget of this ultimate goal. Adapted from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime transcends prizes and accolades to explore the existential drive that fuels an sports star’s dream.

Narrative Summary

The 100-Meter Film traces Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose personal journeys diverge when they go pro. Formerly the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi assists the less confident Komiya with the basics. As the pair move through their youth and early maturity, Komiya consistently improves up the standings of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both confront fears and doubts. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative documents their psychological barriers, revealing the difficulties of an sports professional’s journey, caught in a loop of public scrutiny, achievement demands and sponsorship demands.

Artistic Strengths

Perhaps it’s due to the source material, but the film’s response to these intricate issues is rather superficial; time and time again, a lead’s mental struggles quickly dissolve after a prolonged talk with a colleague or elder. But what the anime lacks in narrative subtlety and pacing, it compensates for in dazzling visuals. Employing live-action tracing, in which drawn art is superimposed on real-life video, the feature creates stunningly detailed sprinting scenes. The physical exertion of a dash is clearly shown, and the struggle and triumph of rivalry are engraved on the protagonists’ forms.

Unforgettable Scenes

One especially significant race ends in the rain, with cascades of charcoal lines that overwhelm the frame. Apart from conversation, these bursts of creative mastery encapsulate the near-transcendent euphoria the movie aims to evoke.

The Sprint Film is in UK cinemas from 16 November.