100 Meters Film Analysis – Mesmerising Animation of Young Athletes in Search for Mind-Body Elevation
A great deal has been written about the practice of running, a therapeutic exercise with ability for therapeutic unburdening. Within the context of professional sports, however, the stress of rivalry can lead athletes to forget of this fundamental aim. Reimagined from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime goes past trophies and medals to investigate the existential drive that fuels an sports star’s dream.
Story Synopsis
The 100-Meter Film traces Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose life paths separate when they go pro. Once the quickest elementary student in Japan, Togashi helps the less self-assured Komiya with the essentials. As the twosome progress into their teens and their 20s, Komiya consistently improves up the ranking of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both confront anxieties and insecurities. Spanning more than 15 years, the narrative documents their mental obstacles, revealing the challenges of an competitor’s existence, caught in a loop of societal observation, achievement demands and commercial obligations.
Visual Highlights
Possibly it’s because of the original work, but the movie’s approach to these intricate issues is somewhat facile; time and time again, a character’s inner doubts simply disappear after a lengthy conversation with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what the anime falls short in narrative subtlety and pacing, it compensates for in stunning imagery. Employing live-action tracing, in which cartooning is traced over filmed sequences, the feature creates exquisitely intricate sprinting scenes. The bodily strain of a dash is visibly evident, and the suffering and elation of competition are imprinted on the athletes’ physiques.
Unforgettable Scenes
One particularly momentous race finishes in the downpour, with sheets of monochrome brushwork that engulf the scene. More than any dialogue, these displays of artistic excellence encapsulate the near-transcendent euphoria the film aims to evoke.
The 100-Meter Anime is in UK cinemas from November 16.
