100 Meters Review – Mesmerising Animation of Young Athletes in Search for Physical and Spiritual High
Plenty has been recorded about the act of running, a healing activity with capacity for therapeutic unburdening. In the realm of elite athletics, however, the strain of contests can cause individuals to overlook of this primary objective. Reimagined from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime looks beyond trophies and medals to explore the existential drive that drives an competitor’s aspiration.
Narrative Summary
100 Meters chronicles Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose personal journeys split when they enter elite competition. Formerly the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi guides the more uncertain Komiya with the basics. As the pair move through their teens and their 20s, Komiya consistently improves up the standings of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both struggle with anxieties and insecurities. Covering more than 15 years, the story documents their mental obstacles, laying bare the challenges of an competitor’s existence, trapped in a cycle of societal observation, performance expectations and commercial obligations.
Visual Highlights
Maybe it’s because of the original work, but the movie’s approach to these complicated problems is somewhat facile; frequently, a lead’s mental struggles quickly dissolve after a prolonged talk with a peer or a senior. But what the anime lacks in story nuance and rhythm, it compensates for in stunning imagery. Utilizing live-action tracing, in which cartooning is drawn atop real-life video, the film produces exquisitely intricate sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a race is clearly shown, and the pain and the joy of contests are etched on the athletes’ physiques.
Memorable Moments
One particularly momentous race ends in the storm, with cascades of grey strokes that overwhelm the screen. More than any dialogue, these bursts of stylistic brilliance capture the near-transcendent euphoria the movie aims to evoke.
100 Meters is in UK cinemas from the 16th of November.
