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A great deal has been written about the act of running, a restorative movement with capacity for emotional liberation. In the sphere of elite athletics, yet, the strain of competition can cause individuals to overlook of this primary objective. Transposed from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime looks beyond prizes and accolades to investigate the core impetus that drives an competitor’s aspiration.

Story Synopsis

The Sprint Story follows Togashi and Komiya, childhood friends whose life paths diverge when they go pro. Previously the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi guides the less confident Komiya with the basics. As the pair enter their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya progressively advances up the ranking of premier sportspeople, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both battle anxieties and insecurities. Covering more than 15 years, the narrative documents their mental obstacles, exposing the challenges of an competitor’s existence, trapped in a cycle of media attention, performance expectations and sponsorship demands.

Visual Highlights

Perhaps it’s down to the source material, but the film’s response to these intricate issues is a bit simplistic; frequently, a character’s inner doubts quickly dissolve after a prolonged talk with a colleague or elder. But what 100 Meters falls short in plot refinement and rhythm, it compensates for in dazzling visuals. Using live-action tracing, in which drawn art is superimposed on filmed sequences, the feature creates exquisitely intricate sprinting scenes. The bodily strain of a sprint is on full display, and the suffering and elation of contests are engraved on the athletes’ physiques.

Impactful Sequences

One especially significant race concludes in the downpour, with sheets of grey strokes that immerse the frame. Beyond spoken words, these flourishes of stylistic brilliance embody the quasi-enlightened elation the movie aims to inspire.

The Sprint Film is released in Britain from the 16th of November.