100-Meter Dash Review – Mesmerising Anime of Young Athletes in Quest for Physical and Spiritual High
Plenty has been documented about the practice of running, a therapeutic exercise with ability for emotional liberation. In the realm of professional sports, though, the strain of rivalry can cause individuals to overlook of this fundamental aim. Transposed from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime goes past prizes and accolades to investigate the inner motivation that fuels an athlete’s ambition.
Story Synopsis
100 Meters follows Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose career trajectories split when they go pro. Previously the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi guides the less confident Komiya with the basics. As the twosome move through their youth and early maturity, Komiya steadily accelerates up the leaderboard of elite competitors, while Togashi is stuck in a slump; both battle fears and doubts. Encompassing more than 15 years, the narrative documents their psychological barriers, laying bare the difficulties of an competitor’s existence, trapped in a cycle of media attention, performance expectations and endorsement requirements.
Artistic Strengths
Possibly it’s down to the source material, but the movie’s approach to these complex dilemmas is rather superficial; time and time again, a character’s inner doubts quickly dissolve after a extended discussion with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what 100 Meters is deficient in narrative subtlety and rhythm, it makes up for in dazzling visuals. Employing rotoscoping, in which drawn art is drawn atop real-life video, the movie creates exquisitely intricate sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a dash is visibly evident, and the suffering and elation of competition are imprinted on the characters’ bodies.
Unforgettable Scenes
One especially significant race concludes in the rain, with torrents of charcoal lines that engulf the scene. More than any dialogue, these flourishes of stylistic brilliance embody the almost spiritual high the movie aims to provoke.
The 100-Meter Anime is showing in the United Kingdom from 16 November.
