Hyakuemu (100 M) --- more than just a sports anime!

I really like it when a movie goes beyond my expectations. It happened yesterday when I watched an animated film called Hyakuemu, also known as 100 M. I was looking for some sports anime to watch just for the thrill, but I got more than that. Let's talk about it.

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From the title itself, the movie is related to the track and field sport, the 100-meter race. It revolved around the life of Togashi.

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Togashi, the one above, was a natural runner. He was born with a skill that excels in the field compared to children his age. When he was a sixth grader, he met Komiya, the one below, who is a transfer student.

Komiya is the type of person who's full of determination, but didn't have enough technique to polish his skills. Because of this, Togashi ended up teaching him. However, after their first unofficial race against each other in their elementary days, Komiya had to move again.

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Years later, the two met again on the track as rivals both in high school and as professionals.

The plot sounds pretty simple, right? Well, it is, but as I've mentioned, this animated film is more than just sports. It's because, as the runners continued their journey as athletes, the
story's narrative focused more on the psychological aspect of each player.

Why do you run? Is giving your whole life for a mere 10-second run worthwhile? Answering these questions through the film is what made it more interesting. It's quite philosophical and psychological. I consider it the latter as well because every character in the story was showing how they cope with their anxiety, frustrations, and mental conditions.

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There's this particular scene in the movie where Togashi talked with two young boys who were discussing their forms when running. They were preparing for their Sports Day at school. Togashi approached them, giving them advice that was more directed to himself, and he ended up bawling. That scene was amazing, and the way the art and animation style changed following his emotions was perfect.

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They left the result of the final race unknown. It reminded me of Prince of Stride. I was a bit disappointed by that... however, for this movie, that kind of ending was a message in itself. They did something different instead of showing the result, and it was just powerful. <3

So yeah... it was a great watch!

I'll end this post here... See you around!