100 Meters (manga)

100 Meters
First tankōbon volume cover
ひゃくえむ。
(Hyakuemu)
GenreSports (track and field)
Manga
Written byUoto
Published byKodansha
ImprintKC Deluxe
MagazineMagazine Pocket
Original runNovember 6, 2018August 6, 2019
Volumes5
Anime film
Directed byKenji Iwaizawa
Produced by
  • Yūsuke Terada
  • Yūki Katayama
  • Akane Taketsugu
Written byYasuyuki Mutō
Music byHiroaki Tsutsumi
StudioRock 'n' Roll Mountain
Licensed byGKIDS
Released
  • June 9, 2025 (2025-06-09) (Annecy)
  • September 19, 2025 (2025-09-19) (Japan)
  • December 31, 2025 (2025-12-31) (Worldwide)
Runtime106 minutes[1]

100 Meters (Japanese: ひゃくえむ。, Hepburn: Hyakuemu) is a Japanese sports drama manga series written and illustrated by Uoto. It was serialized online via Kodansha's Magazine Pocket website and app from November 2018 to August 2019 and was collected in five tankōbon volumes. An anime film adaptation, produced by Rock 'n' Roll Mountain and directed by Kenji Iwaizawa, featuring the voice talents of Tori Matsuzaka, Shota Sometani, Kenjiro Tsuda, and Koki Uchiyama.[2][3] The film had its world premiere on June 12 at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, followed by a release in Japan on September 19 and a limited US release on October 12.[4] The film released globally on Netflix December 31, 2025.[5]

100 Meters follows athletes Togashi and Komiya, with Togashi introducing Komiya to the world of sprinting, not realizing he would go on to become his biggest rival. The film received positive reviews, with praise for its rotoscoped animation and the score of Hiroaki Tsutsumi.[6][7] The film was also nominated for several awards, including Animation of the Year at the 49th Japan Academy Film Prize.[8]

Plot

Togashi is a talented runner who has become well known as the fastest grade school sprinter. One day a boy named Komiya transfers to his class, and despite seeing him running the day before, he is actually the slowest when they race in class. The next day, Togashi catches Komiya and asks him why he is running. Komiya explains that he doesn't get along with people and feels he has nothing, so he runs because its blurs reality and lets him escape. Togashi says that being the fastest runner can solve his problems, like it does for him, and it was up to him to make that happen.

Togashi starts training Komiya after school, and he begins to improve, but Togashi is concerned how obsessed Komiya becomes. The Sports Day for their school arrives, and Togashi wins his race easy. During Komiya's race, he has a strong start, but falls soon after. With Togashi cheering him in, he gets up and makes a frantic dash to the finish line, winning his first-ever race. Togashi is invited to an interview alongside Nigami, a star junior high runner. They race, and Nigami is surprised how good Togashi is, despite the age difference. Later, Komiya asks Togashi for a race, which Togashi agrees to. Togashi takes an early lead, but Komiya has a final burst that gives him the win. Komiya says goodbye and limps away, having injured himself during the race. The next day, they are told that Komiya had to move because of his family, much to Togashi's surprise.

Togashi is now in high school and had won the junior high championships for the 100 metres all three years, but his performance has declined recently because of pressure. He meets Asakusa, who tries to recruit him for the track and field club to save it from being shut down. At first he refuses, but after talking with her more, he changes his mind. He feels inspired again helping the club, but they need one more runner for a relay that they need to win to keep the club alive. They end up recruiting Nigami, who has quit sprinting after a back injury and mounting pressure to perform, but is reinvigorated after racing Togashi again. They race Nigami's former rivals and end up getting second place, but the club gets to continue anyways.

Komiya ends up going to Nishizawa high, a school known for track and field, and the former school of the national champion Zaitsu. Komiya meets Zaitsu, who gives him advice, and Komiya tells Zaitsu he wants to beat his national record. Komiya ends up beating Tsuneda, their team captain, to advance to the national high school championship. Nigami ends up qualifying for the championship as well, but is defeated by Komiya in his heat. Heavy rain falls during the final, and even though Togashi is the favorite, Komiya end up winning, leaving Togashi shocked in the rain.

Ten years in the future, Togashi runs for an agency, but has struggled to produce results. He talks with his senior, Kaido, who asks what he is racing for. Feeling inspired after reflecting on Kaido's words, Togashi realizes that he wants to race Komiya again. After a series of wins, he finally qualifies for the national championship. However, his momentum is brought to a halt after he suffers a muscle strain during practice. His doctor recommends he stop running and rest until next season, but his agency warns him his contract will be terminated if he does not run in the championship next week. Seeing this as his final chance, he decides to compete.

At the championship, Togashi wins his semifinal heat, with Kabaki finishing second. In a surprise finish, Kaido ends up winning his heat, with Komiya in second. Zaitsu is eliminated, and he announces his retirement afterwards. The final race arrives, with everyone preparing in their own ways. They line up and the race starts, with Kabaki, Kaido, Komiya, and Togashi coming out ahead. Togashi and Komiya take the lead and reminisce about when they raced as kids. The final shot shows them both smiling as they cross the line, the winner left unclear.

Characters

Togashi (トガシ)
Voiced by: Tori Matsuzaka,[2] Atsumi Tanezaki (young)[9] (Japanese); Joe Zieja[10] (English)
A naturally talented runner who has been famous since grade school for his potential. He dominates the 100 meter throughout junior high, but starts to decline with the mounting pressure on him. After his loss to Komiya, he struggles the next ten years to produce results, doubting himself and unsure what he is racing for. He eventually finds his purpose and goes all out to beat Komiya.
Komiya (小宮)
Voiced by: Shota Sometani,[2] Aoi Yūki (young)[9] (Japanese); Mark Whitten[10] (English)
An outcast who struggles to fit in, he becomes obsessed with sprinting after meeting Togashi. He recovers from his injury throughout junior high and starts sprinting again in high school. He has anxiety related to his injury, but he eventually overcomes it to beat Togashi. He is obsessed with chasing records, not thinking about anything else.
Zaitsu (財津)
Voiced by: Koki Uchiyama[3] (Japanese); David Cui Cui[10] (English)
The current national record holder and most famous sprinter in Japan. He is an alumni of the Nishizawa high school that Komiya attends. He has been labeled the undisputed champion of Japanese sprinting, but has become bored with no one to challenge him.
Nigami (仁神)
Voiced by: Jun Kasama[9] (Japanese); Adin Rudd[10] (English)
Became famous as a junior high runner and is the son of a famous athlete. He stops racing because of a back injury and the pressure of fulfilling his family reputation. He lives as a shut-in until Togashi and Asakusa convince him to join their relay, which reinvigorates his passion for the sport.
Kaidō (海棠)
Voiced by: Kenjiro Tsuda[3] (Japanese); Matthew Waterson[10] (English)
An older sprinter at the same agency as Togashi. He has always been second to Zaitsu and has continued to try and overcome him, tired of living in his shadow. He has an intense personality, but is supportive of Togashi.
Asakusa (浅草)
Voiced by: Rie Takahashi[9]
A kind and talkative runner who convinces Togashi to join the track and field club at Iwani Daini high school. Despite not being as talented as Togashi, she supports him and helps him find his rhythm with sprinting again.
Kabaki (樺木)
Voiced by: Yuma Uchida[9]
A fellow sprinter at the same agency as Togashi. Despite being younger, he is on the same level as Kaido and Togashi.
Tsuneda (経田)
Voiced by: Haruki Ishiya[9]
A second year at Nishizawa high and captain of the track team. He struggles seeing Komiya so successful, especially with his unconventional form.
Onomichi (尾道)
Voiced by: Tomokazu Sugita[9]
A runner at Nigami's former school who has been overshadowed by Nigami his entire career. He is the self-proclaimed rival of Nigami.
Shiina (椎名)
Voiced by: Yuki Tanaka[9]
A friend of Asakusa and the other girl in the track club at Iwani Daini high.
Numano (沼野)
Voiced by: Junya Enoki[9]
A first year of the Nishizawa team and is friendly with Komiya.
Morikawa (森川)
Voiced by: Hiiro Ishibashi[9]
A young athlete who won the high school nationals. He was inspired by Togashi to take up running.

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Uoto, 100 Meters is based on a one-shot called 100'M, which won a Special Encouragement Award at the 97th Weekly Shonen Magazine Newcomer Manga Awards.[11] 100 Meters was serialized on Kodansha's Magazine Pocket website and app from November 6, 2018, to August 6, 2019.[12] Its chapters were collected into five tankōbon volumes from June 7 to October 9, 2019.[13][14]

No. Release date ISBN
1June 7, 2019[13]978-4-06-516405-1
2July 9, 2019[15]978-4-06-516439-6
3August 9, 2019[16]978-4-06-516441-9
4September 9, 2019[17]978-4-06-516440-2
5October 9, 2019[14]978-4-06-516883-7

Anime film

An anime film adaptation was announced by the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on May 24, 2024.[18][19] The film was animated by Rock 'n' Roll Mountain, produced by Pony Canyon, TBS and Asmik Ace, and directed by Kenji Iwaizawa, with characters designed by Keisuke Kojima and music composed by Hiroaki Tsutsumi.[4] Unlike Iwaizawa's previous film, On-Gaku: Our Sound, which was produced over 7 years and with a team of animators with little industry experience, 100 Meters was made with a team of experienced animators.[20] The film primarily relies on a technique of animation called rotoscoping, where animators use reference film of a scene to animate motion in a more lifelike way.[21][22] In addition to this technique, the film also includes a long take shot that lasts three minutes and forty seconds, made up of 9800 frames that took over a year to animate.[23][24]

The film had its world premiere on June 12 at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.[4] It was released in Japan by Pony Canyon and Asmik Ace on September 19, 2025.[2] The film's theme song is "Rashisa" performed by Official Hige Dandism.[25] GKIDS licensed the film for an official English release and released it in North American cinemas on October 10, 2025.[26][27] The film was later released for streaming on Netflix on December 31, 2025.[28]

Reception

Box office

100 Meters released in Japan on September 19, 2025, with an opening weekend of ¥102,666,040 or US$693,848, ranking number 8 in Japan that weekend.[29] It would go on to earn ¥473,112,184 or US$3,034,548 during its run in Japan.[30][31] The film had a limited release domestically through GKIDS October 10–12, 2025, earning US$62,131 opening day and US$140,991 gross. The film would end with a worldwide gross of US$3,611,916.[30]

The film was released for streaming on Netflix on December 31, 2025. Netflix announced that 100 Meters ranked #6 over the week between December 29 and January 4 for global top 10 of non-English films, garnering 15,000,000 views.[29] The film was also ranked in the top 10 films overall for the week in Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.[29]

Critical reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 18 critics' reviews are positive.[32] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[33]

The film received generally positive reviews from critics. Phuong Lee from The Guardian rated the film 3 out of 5, writing "what 100 Meters lacks in narrative subtlety and pacing, it makes up for in dazzling visuals".[6] He would go on to praise the running sequences and the use of rotoscoping to add detail and bring out the physical exertion of the sport. William Bibbiani of TheWrap called 100 Meters a "winner" and praises the exploration of existentialism and the inner struggle of being an athlete throughout the film.[34] Kevin Cormack of Anime News Network likens the film's rotoscoped animation to that of The First Slam Dunk by Takehiko Inoue, pointing to the latter as a benchmark for how the technique can be used to great success.[35] The film was included in the top ten list of 2025 for Ally Johnson of RogerEbert.com.[36]

Steven Scaife of Slant Magazine praises the use of varied techniques to capture the thrill of the sport, in particular the oner shot in the rain.[37] Blake Simons of the British Film Institute was more critical. He praised the score of Hiroaki Tsutsumi, calling it a "hair-raising, blood-pumping blast of brass and synth", but called the action "dull and predictable".[7] Mike Schley of The Japan Times again praises the use of rotoscoping, attributing it to the "naturalistic style rarely seen in anime", as well as the use of varied animation techniques during the sprint sequences to build tension. He does go on to point out the film's loss of narrative focus when it shifts attention from Togashi and Koyama to secondary characters like Kaido and Zaitsu, arguing that their extended philosophical monologues distract from the central rivalry.[22]

Accolades

Award Year Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
New York Film Critics Circle Awards December 2, 2025 Best Animated Film 100 Meters Nominated [38]
Hochi Film Awards December 2, 2025 Best Animated Picture 100 Meters Nominated [39]
Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival December 17, 2025 AkaShachi Award (audience voted) 100 Meters Won [40][41]
Iris Prize Kenji Iwaisawa Won [40][42]
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards December 19, 2025 Best Animated Film 100 Meters Runner up [4]
Japan Academy Film Prize March 13, 2026 Animation of the Year 100 Meters Pending [8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "100 Meters (2025)". Irish Film Classification Office. November 7, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 20, 2025). "Kenji Iwaisawa's 100M Film Reveals Cast, Composer, September 19 Debut in Teaser". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 13, 2025). "Kōki Uchiyama, Kenjirō Tsuda Join Cast of Kenji Iwaisawa's 100 Meters Anime Film". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "100 Meters Anime Film Wins Runner-Up Best Animated Film Award from Florida Film Critics Circle". Anime News Network. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  5. ^ Netflix Anime (December 1, 2025). 100 METERS | Official Trailer | Netflix. Retrieved January 15, 2026 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ a b Le, Phuong (November 10, 2025). "100 Meters review – mesmerising anime of young athletes in search of physical and spiritual high". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  7. ^ a b "100 Meters review: Sports anime veers off track". BFI. November 10, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  8. ^ a b "49th Japan Academy Film Prize Announces 'Excellence' Award Winners". Anime News Network. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Cayanan, Joanna (June 25, 2025). "100 Meters Anime Film Reveals 10 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d e "100 Meters Anime Film Streams English Dub Trailer (Updated With Cast)". Anime News Network. February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  11. ^ "『チ。』作者・魚豊の初連載作品『ひゃくえむ。』がアツい! 「100m」に命を賭けた男たちの生き様". Real Sound|リアルサウンド ブック (in Japanese). June 3, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
  12. ^ 誰よりも速く100mを走ればいい、マガポケ新連載「ひゃくえむ。」. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 6, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  13. ^ a b ひゃくえむ。(1) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  14. ^ a b ひゃくえむ。(5) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  15. ^ ひゃくえむ。(2) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  16. ^ ひゃくえむ。(3) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  17. ^ ひゃくえむ。(4) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  18. ^ 魚豊の原点「ひゃくえむ。」2025年に劇場アニメ化 監督は「音楽」の岩井澤健治. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  19. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 24, 2024). "Annecy Reveals ON-GAKU: Our Sound Director Kenji Iwaisawa's New Film Hyakuemu (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  20. ^ Campbell, Kambole (June 14, 2025). "'On-Gaku: Our Sound' Director Kenji Iwaisawa Returns to Annecy With Rotoscoped Sprint Drama '100 Meters'". Variety. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  21. ^ Team, N. F. I. (July 16, 2021). "Rotoscoping: Everything You Need to Know". NFI. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  22. ^ a b Schley, Matt (September 11, 2025). "'100 Meters' brings kinetic energy to rivalry drama". The Japan Times. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  23. ^ Natasha Inc. "「ひゃくえむ。」総作画枚数は約9800枚、圧巻の長回しワンカットシーン冒頭を公開(動画あり)". コミックナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  24. ^ "100 Meters Anime Film's Clip Shows 1st Minute of Long Take Animation Showcase". Anime News Network. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  25. ^ Loo, Egan (July 17, 2025). "100 Meters Anime Film's Trailer Unveils More Staff, Official HiGE DANDISM's Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  26. ^ Mateo, Alex (April 21, 2025). "GKIDS to Screen Kenji Iwaisawa's 100 Meters Film in N. American Theaters in October". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  27. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (April 21, 2025). "GKIDS Boards Kenji Iwaisawa's Animated Feature '100 Meters' as Producing Partner and North American Distributor (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  28. ^ Tai, Anita (December 1, 2025). "Netflix Adds 100 Meters Anime Film on December 31". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  29. ^ a b c "100 Meters Anime Film Reaches Netflix Global Top 10 for Non-English Films". Anime News Network. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  30. ^ a b "100 Meters". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  31. ^ "100 Meters (2025)". www.the-numbers.com. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  32. ^ "100 Meters". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  33. ^ "100 Meters Reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  34. ^ Bibbiani, William (October 11, 2025). "'100 Meters' Review: Kenji Iwaisawa's Existential Anime Sports Drama Is a Winner". TheWrap. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  35. ^ "100 Meters Anime Film Review". Anime News Network. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
  36. ^ "Two Thumbs Up! The Individual Top Tens of 2025 | Features | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. December 11, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  37. ^ Scaife, Steven (October 6, 2025). "'100 Meters' Review: A Breathtaking Animation Showpiece". Slant Magazine. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  38. ^ "AwardsWatch - New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO) Winners: Ethan Hawke, Jacob Elordi, Jessie Buckley, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and More". AwardsWatch. December 15, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  39. ^ "【魚拓】報知映画賞…実写邦画歴代2位「国宝」が最多6部門8ノミネート 「爆弾」「栄光のバックホーム」などが続く - スポーツ報知". ウェブ魚拓 (in Japanese). Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  40. ^ a b "【第1回ANIAFF】「ひゃくえむ。」が観客賞&岩井澤健治監督に個人賞 グランプリ金鯱賞はカナダの先住民文化がテーマ「エンドレス・クッキー」 : 映画ニュース". 映画.com (in Japanese). Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  41. ^ "AWARD-WINNING WORKS | AICHI NAGOYA INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL". aniaff.com. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  42. ^ "アワード | AICHI NAGOYA INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL". aniaff.com. Retrieved February 9, 2026.