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Much has been recorded about the act of running, a restorative movement with ability for cathartic release. Within the context of elite athletics, however, the strain of rivalry can make people lose sight of this fundamental aim. Transposed from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime goes past trophies and medals to investigate the inner motivation that spurs an competitor’s aspiration.

Narrative Summary

The Sprint Story chronicles Togashi and Komiya, youth companions whose career trajectories split when they go pro. Previously the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi helps the less confident Komiya with the essentials. As the twosome enter their teens and their 20s, Komiya consistently improves up the standings of top athletes, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both struggle with anxieties and insecurities. Encompassing more than 15 years, the narrative follows their internal hurdles, laying bare the struggles of an competitor’s existence, locked in a cycle of media attention, performance expectations and sponsorship demands.

Visual Highlights

Maybe it’s because of the source material, but the animation’s answer to these complicated problems is a bit simplistic; repeatedly, a lead’s mental struggles simply disappear after a lengthy conversation with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what the anime lacks in plot refinement and tempo, it redeems itself with in stunning imagery. Utilizing live-action tracing, in which animation is drawn atop real-life video, the feature creates remarkably precise sprinting scenes. The bodily strain of a sprint is clearly shown, and the suffering and elation of contests are etched on the protagonists’ forms.

Memorable Moments

One notably pivotal race ends in the rain, with cascades of charcoal lines that engulf the scene. Beyond spoken words, these flourishes of creative mastery encapsulate the almost spiritual high the animation aims to inspire.

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