2025's Best Spokon Anime Is This 100%-Fresh Masterpiece You Probably Missed

100 Meters is an unfairly overlooked full-length anime that received unanimous critical acclaim. The project proves that fresh and powerful expressions can be found in even the most traditional genres, such as spokon.

Created by talented enthusiasts, 100 Meters is less about sports and more about human nature, using the treadmill as a metaphor for life's journey.

What Is '100 Meters' About?

Spanning a decade and a half, the story follows two runners: the naturally gifted Togashi and the stubborn Komiya, who uses running to escape the harsh realities of life.

Their paths cross in middle school when Togashi becomes a coach for the newcomer. However, fate soon separates them. 100 Meters follows Togashi's development as an athlete who constantly doubts himself despite his innate talent.

'100 Meters' Is Made by Talented Artists, Including the 'Orb: On the Movements of the Earth' Creator

The project brought together some of the most prominent figures in contemporary Japanese animation. The script is based on the manga by Uoto, who is known for his philosophical work, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth.

Kenji Iwaisawa, a self-taught animator who had already made a name for himself with his self-funded feature debut, On-Gaku: Our Sound, which won several prestigious awards.

This creative partnership gave the movie depth and a bold visual language, distinguishing 100 Meters from most anime.

'100 Meters' Is a Spokon Anime That Talks Not Only About Sports

Although 100 Meters is technically about track and field, its true topic is much broader. Uoto uses running as a jumping-off point to reflect on escapism, the search for motivation, and the need to prove oneself to others.

Director Iwaisawa reworks the source material, eliminating entire storylines to focus on what truly matters: universal ideas about overcoming obstacles, the importance of worthy opponents, and the complexity of simple things.

The result is a story that speaks to viewers in the language of universal human values rather than athletic records.

'100 Meters' Is a Real Feast for Fans of Inventive and Original Animation

In 100 Meters, Iwaisawa utilizes his favorite technique, rotoscoping, in a unique way. While the actors' original movements are recognizable, there's never any doubt that this is anime.

The movie captivates with its expressive technical palette, which includes rapidly shifting contours, dynamic first-person scenes, abrupt changes in camera angles, and a transformation in visual style.

The sound design is also exceptional – for instance, in the relay race scene, the music's volume changes in time with the mounting tension.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of '100 Meters'?

• 100 Meters has 100% from critics and 92% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.1/10.

• On Letterboxd, 100 Meters scored 3.8/5.0.