🔗 Share this article

Much has been documented about the art of running, a restorative movement with capacity for cathartic release. In the realm of professional sports, however, the strain of competition can make people lose sight of this fundamental aim. Transposed from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime transcends trophies and medals to examine the core impetus that drives an sports star’s dream.

Narrative Summary

The Sprint Story chronicles Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose personal journeys separate when they turn professional. Once the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi assists the more uncertain Komiya with the basics. As the twosome progress into their teens and their 20s, Komiya steadily accelerates up the ranking of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both battle fears and doubts. Encompassing more than 15 years, the narrative documents their internal hurdles, laying bare the struggles of an sports professional’s journey, locked in a loop of media attention, performance expectations and commercial obligations.

Artistic Strengths

Perhaps it’s down to the base story, but the film’s response to these intricate issues is a bit simplistic; repeatedly, a character’s inner doubts just vanish after a extended discussion with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what the anime lacks in story nuance and rhythm, it redeems itself with in stunning imagery. Using live-action tracing, in which animation is superimposed on real-life video, the feature produces remarkably precise sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a sprint is visibly evident, and the suffering and elation of competition are etched on the characters’ bodies.

Memorable Moments

One especially significant race concludes in the rain, with cascades of grey strokes that immerse the scene. More than any dialogue, these bursts of artistic excellence capture the quasi-enlightened elation the movie aims to inspire.

100 Meters is released in Britain from November 16.