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Plenty has been recorded about the practice of running, a restorative movement with ability for therapeutic unburdening. In the realm of competitive games, though, the stress of rivalry can lead athletes to forget of this ultimate goal. Adapted from the same-named comic, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime transcends awards and honors to explore the inner motivation that spurs an athlete’s ambition.

Story Synopsis

The Sprint Story follows Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose personal journeys separate when they enter elite competition. Formerly the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi helps the less self-assured Komiya with the basics. As the pair progress into their youth and early maturity, Komiya progressively advances up the standings of top athletes, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both struggle with fears and doubts. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative tracks their internal hurdles, laying bare the challenges of an athlete’s life, caught in a loop of societal observation, performance expectations and commercial obligations.

Artistic Strengths

Possibly it’s due to the source material, but the film’s response to these intricate issues is rather superficial; frequently, a character’s inner doubts just vanish after a lengthy conversation with a colleague or elder. But what the film falls short in story nuance and rhythm, it redeems itself with in stunning imagery. Employing trace-over animation, in which cartooning is drawn atop live-action footage, the movie generates exquisitely intricate sprinting scenes. The physical exertion of a dash is clearly shown, and the suffering and elation of competition are engraved on the athletes’ physiques.

Unforgettable Scenes

One particularly momentous race ends in the storm, with sheets of grey strokes that overwhelm the scene. Beyond spoken words, these displays of artistic excellence encapsulate the near-transcendent euphoria the film aims to provoke.

The 100-Meter Anime is released in Britain from 16 November.