‘100 Meters’ Review: An Intense Anime Exploration of Competition and Ambition

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“100 Meters” is a compelling story about two very different runners, Togashi and Komiya, and their lifelong rivalry as they strive to become the best. Based on a popular manga, the beautifully hand-drawn animated film shows the intense physical and emotional toll their pursuit of greatness takes on them. While the story and characters are interesting, the film’s frequent time jumps create an uneven flow.

The film begins with a quick, dynamic sequence showing Togashi (Atsumi Tanezaki) and his intense ambition to win gold in the 100-meter race. We then see a flashback of young Togashi effortlessly winning races at school, leaving his peers in awe. Even as a child, Togashi was considered Japan’s top young runner, and his progress was closely followed by the media and sports fans.

The Agony & Thrill of Running

After school, Togashi walked home beside a river when he saw a boy speed by, then immediately collapse in pain. Togashi helped him up, and the boy was grateful, but he quickly hurried away, looking dejected and with his face hidden by messy hair. The next day, Togashi was surprised to learn that Komiya (voiced by Aoi Yûki) was the new student in his class. Komiya was so shy he struggled to introduce himself, and was quickly made fun of.

Togashi is interested in helping Komiya get better at running, but he’s puzzled when Komiya collapses after each practice. Komiya confesses that pushing himself this hard is a way to forget about his difficult life, and Togashi has already noticed Komiya’s worn-out clothes and shoes. As they train for an upcoming track meet, they’re introduced to Nigami, a famous older runner. Everyone is impressed by Nigami, but Komiya surprisingly believes Togashi has what it takes to win against him.

Fierce Competition


GKIDS

100 Meters is a compelling story about the intense emotions of competition, portraying running as an addiction with difficult consequences when stopped. Togashi initially excels among his peers, but he faces a new challenge when competing against the nation’s top runners. This is where he truly discovers his potential and what it takes to succeed. He’s forced to push himself harder than ever before, as his previous strategies no longer work. The story asks a crucial question: how much does Togashi truly desire to be the best?

The second part of the story shows Togashi as a high school student, but he’s surprisingly not running track – a shock to those who used to admire his talent. The story explores what led him to step away from what seemed like a promising future. *100 Meters* powerfully portrays the intense pressure young athletes face from every direction. It’s incredibly challenging to constantly perform at a high level and live up to everyone’s expectations. The fear of failure, and disappointing those who support you, can be crushing. What once brought Togashi joy has become a heavy weight, but his inner fire hasn’t completely gone out. The question remains: can he find the strength to return to his former glory?

Komiya, played by Shôta Sometani, goes missing from the story only to reappear as a more mature high school student. He’s transformed from a quiet, reserved person into someone confident and aware of his potential, though still struggling with personal problems. The film, *100 Meters*, honestly portrays the impact of mental health and anxiety on athletic performance, showing how the mind can be a significant obstacle. It introduces several new runners, all driven to win but each with their own ways of dealing with pressure. Komiya receives both support and rivalry as he navigates his challenges, and his journey takes a drastically different direction than that of Togashi, making for a compelling watch.

Haters Gonna Hate


GKIDS

Director Kenji Iwaisawa, known for *On-Gaku: Our Sound*, and screenwriter Yasuyuki Muto, who has worked on titles like *Afro Samurai* and *Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway*, have created a compelling adaptation. The animation stays true to the original’s complex themes. Characters are designed with sharp lines and expressive faces, making their emotions clear. The racing sequences are particularly intense, using both blurred motion to convey speed and slow-motion to highlight key moments. These scenes vividly capture the runners’ physical and emotional strain – it’s hard to tell where the pain ends and the exhilaration begins. The depiction of what happens after the race is also striking, offering a powerful portrayal of either triumph or defeat without giving away any key plot points.

The final confrontation between Togashi and Komiya is likely to be controversial. While it fits the story, it probably won’t deliver the satisfying conclusion many viewers are hoping for. The ending feels rushed, and the story doesn’t flow well, creating significant problems with the film *100 Meters*.

100 Meters (originally titled Hyakuemu) is currently in limited theatrical distribution from GKIDS.

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2025-10-15 23:51