100 Meters Review – Mesmerising Anime of Emerging Sports Stars in Quest for Physical and Spiritual High
A great deal has been written about the practice of running, a therapeutic exercise with potential for cathartic release. Within the context of competitive games, though, the stress of competition can cause individuals to overlook of this fundamental aim. Transposed from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime looks beyond prizes and accolades to explore the inner motivation that fuels an sports star’s dream.
Story Synopsis
The Sprint Story follows Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose career trajectories separate when they go pro. Previously the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi assists the less confident Komiya with the essentials. As the duo enter their youth and early maturity, Komiya steadily accelerates up the leaderboard of top athletes, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both struggle with anxieties and insecurities. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative tracks their psychological barriers, laying bare the challenges of an competitor’s existence, trapped in a cycle of public scrutiny, achievement demands and endorsement requirements.
Artistic Strengths
Maybe it’s because of the source material, but the film’s response to these complex dilemmas is somewhat facile; repeatedly, a protagonist’s uncertainties just vanish after a prolonged talk with a colleague or elder. But what the anime falls short in story nuance and tempo, it compensates for in breathtaking graphics. Employing live-action tracing, in which drawn art is superimposed on real-life video, the movie generates stunningly detailed dash moments. The athletic effort of a dash is clearly shown, and the suffering and elation of contests are imprinted on the athletes’ physiques.
Unforgettable Scenes
One notably pivotal race concludes in the storm, with cascades of monochrome brushwork that overwhelm the frame. Apart from conversation, these flourishes of creative mastery embody the near-transcendent euphoria the film aims to provoke.
The Sprint Film is released in Britain from 16 November.
