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Plenty has been recorded about the art of running, a therapeutic exercise with capacity for cathartic release. In the sphere of professional sports, though, the stress of competition can cause individuals to overlook of this primary objective. Adapted from the eponymous manga, Kenji Iwaisawa’s enthralling anime transcends trophies and medals to explore the existential drive that fuels an sports star’s dream.

Story Synopsis

The Sprint Story traces Togashi and Komiya, early-life buddies whose career trajectories diverge when they go pro. Once the speediest young pupil in Japan, Togashi assists the less confident Komiya with the essentials. As the duo enter their teens and their 20s, Komiya steadily accelerates up the leaderboard of top athletes, while Togashi is trapped in a decline; both confront anxieties and insecurities. Spanning more than 15 years, the story documents their internal hurdles, revealing the difficulties of an sports professional’s journey, trapped in a loop of public scrutiny, result pressures and sponsorship demands.

Artistic Strengths

Perhaps it’s because of the base story, but the film’s response to these intricate issues is somewhat facile; frequently, a lead’s mental struggles simply disappear after a prolonged talk with a fellow athlete or mentor. But what the film lacks in narrative subtlety and pacing, it compensates for in dazzling visuals. Utilizing live-action tracing, in which animation is drawn atop live-action footage, the movie produces remarkably precise dash moments. The athletic effort of a dash is on full display, and the pain and the joy of rivalry are etched on the athletes’ physiques.

Unforgettable Scenes

One especially significant race finishes in the storm, with torrents of monochrome brushwork that overwhelm the scene. More than any dialogue, these flourishes of stylistic brilliance embody the quasi-enlightened elation the film aims to provoke.

The Sprint Film is in UK cinemas from the 16th of November.