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Much has been written about the art of running, a healing activity with ability for cathartic release. In the realm of competitive games, though, the pressure of contests can lead athletes to forget of this ultimate goal. Adapted from the original graphic novel, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime goes past awards and honors to examine the core impetus that drives an sports star’s dream.

Narrative Summary

The Sprint Story follows Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose career trajectories split when they turn professional. Previously the fastest grade-schooler in Japan, Togashi assists the less self-assured Komiya with the basics. As the twosome move through their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya progressively advances up the leaderboard of elite competitors, while Togashi is mired in a rut; both confront worries and uncertainties. Encompassing more than 15 years, the story documents their psychological barriers, laying bare the struggles of an competitor’s existence, caught in a cycle of public scrutiny, result pressures and endorsement requirements.

Visual Highlights

Maybe it’s down to the source material, but the film’s response to these complex dilemmas is rather superficial; frequently, a protagonist’s uncertainties quickly dissolve after a prolonged talk with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what the film lacks in story nuance and tempo, it makes up for in stunning imagery. Utilizing rotoscoping, in which animation is superimposed on real-life video, the feature creates exquisitely intricate sprinting scenes. The athletic effort of a race is visibly evident, and the struggle and triumph of competition are engraved on the characters’ bodies.

Unforgettable Scenes

One particularly momentous race finishes in the storm, with cascades of charcoal lines that overwhelm the scene. More than any dialogue, these displays of stylistic brilliance embody the almost spiritual high the film aims to provoke.

The 100-Meter Anime is in UK cinemas from November 16.