100-Meter Dash Review – Mesmerising Anime of Emerging Sports Stars in Search for Mind-Body Elevation
Plenty has been documented about the act of running, a therapeutic exercise with potential for therapeutic unburdening. Within the context of professional sports, however, the pressure of contests can lead athletes to forget of this fundamental aim. Transposed from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s mesmerising anime transcends awards and honors to investigate the core impetus that drives an competitor’s aspiration.
Story Synopsis
The Sprint Story follows Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose career trajectories separate when they enter elite competition. Previously the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi assists the more uncertain Komiya with the fundamentals. As the twosome enter their adolescence and adulthood, Komiya steadily accelerates up the ranking of top athletes, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both confront fears and doubts. Covering more than 15 years, the tale tracks their psychological barriers, exposing the difficulties of an competitor’s existence, locked in a loop of media attention, achievement demands and sponsorship demands.
Artistic Strengths
Perhaps it’s down to the original work, but the animation’s answer to these intricate issues is somewhat facile; time and time again, a lead’s mental struggles simply disappear after a extended discussion with a colleague or elder. But what the film lacks in plot refinement and tempo, it redeems itself with in stunning imagery. Employing rotoscoping, in which animation is superimposed on live-action footage, the feature generates exquisitely intricate dash moments. The athletic effort of a dash is visibly evident, and the struggle and triumph of competition are etched on the athletes’ physiques.
Unforgettable Scenes
One especially significant race concludes in the storm, with torrents of grey strokes that engulf the frame. Apart from conversation, these displays of artistic excellence capture the near-transcendent euphoria the movie aims to inspire.
The 100-Meter Anime is released in Britain from November 16.
