100-Meter Dash Review – Mesmerising Animation of Young Athletes in Quest for Physical and Spiritual High
Plenty has been written about the practice of running, a restorative movement with capacity for emotional liberation. Within the context of professional sports, though, the pressure of competition can lead athletes to forget of this primary objective. Transposed from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s spellbinding anime transcends prizes and accolades to examine the inner motivation that spurs an competitor’s aspiration.
Story Synopsis
The Sprint Story traces Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose career trajectories separate when they turn professional. Once the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi helps the more uncertain Komiya with the fundamentals. As the twosome move through their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya progressively advances up the standings of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both confront fears and doubts. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative follows their internal hurdles, revealing the challenges of an sports professional’s journey, locked in a cycle of societal observation, result pressures and commercial obligations.
Creative Merits
Maybe it’s down to the source material, but the movie’s approach to these complex dilemmas is somewhat facile; frequently, a lead’s mental struggles quickly dissolve after a extended discussion with a colleague or elder. But what 100 Meters falls short in narrative subtlety and pacing, it redeems itself with in breathtaking graphics. Employing rotoscoping, in which cartooning is drawn atop live-action footage, the film produces exquisitely intricate sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a dash is clearly shown, and the suffering and elation of rivalry are engraved on the characters’ bodies.
Impactful Sequences
One notably pivotal race concludes in the downpour, with sheets of grey strokes that engulf the screen. Beyond spoken words, these bursts of artistic excellence capture the near-transcendent euphoria the animation aims to provoke.
The 100-Meter Anime is in UK cinemas from 16 November.
