New York City is poised to host the East Coast premiere of the highly anticipated anime film “100 Meters” (Hyakuemu) on October 8. The screening, presented by Japan Society, will feature director Kenji Iwaisawa in attendance for a post-screening Q&A session, offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with the creative mind behind the film.
Event Details and Ticketing
The premiere is scheduled for October 8 at 7:00 p.m. in New York. Tickets for the event are available for purchase through the Japan Society’s official website. This special screening provides a prime chance for anime enthusiasts and filmgoers on the East Coast to experience the movie and interact with its director.
About “100 Meters” (Hyakuemu)
“100 Meters” is an anime film adaptation of Uoto’s manga, a heartfelt sports drama that delves into themes of friendship, rivalry, and perseverance. The narrative centers on Togashi, a naturally gifted track star, whose life takes a turn when he encounters Komiya, a determined transfer student lacking natural talent. Togashi’s efforts to teach Komiya ignite a fierce competitive spirit in the latter, leading them to reunite years later as rivals on the track, where they race not just for victory, but for their identities and pride.
The film’s emotional depth and engaging storyline have generated significant buzz, particularly following its sold-out Work-in-Progress session at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. “100 Meters” premiered in Japan on September 19, 2025, and is slated for a North American release in select theaters on October 10 and nationwide from October 12-14, 2025, distributed by GKIDS.
Production and Creative Team
The anime film is produced by Rock ‘n’ Roll Mountain, with additional production support from Pony Canyon, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), and Asmik Ace. The project boasts a talented creative team:
- Director: Kenji Iwaisawa
- Character Designer & Executive Animation Director: Keisuke Kojima
- Art Director: Keikankun Yamaguchi
- Screenplay: Yasuyuki Muto (known for Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway and Tokyo Revengers)
- Music Composer: Hiroaki Tsutsumi (known for Jujutsu Kaisen, Tokyo Revengers, and Dr. Stone)
- The film’s theme song, “Rashisa,” is performed by Official HiGE DANdism.
The voice cast for the film includes Tori Matsuzaka as Togashi and Shota Sometani as Komiya, alongside Koki Uchiyama, Kenjiro Tsuda, Rie Takahashi, Atsumi Tanezaki, Aoi Yuki, and Tomokazu Sugita in supporting roles.
Director Kenji Iwaisawa’s Vision
Kenji Iwaisawa rose to prominence with his debut independent film, “ON-GAKU: OUR SOUND,” a deadpan music comedy. This earlier work, which involved over 40,000 hand-drawn frames and utilized rotoscoping animation, garnered multiple award nominations, including Best Independent Animated Feature at the Annie Awards. “100 Meters” marks his second collaboration with North American distributor GKIDS. Iwaisawa’s direction is noted for its bold rotoscope animation, bringing a lifelike quality to every movement and emotion in “100 Meters”.
Broader Release and Anticipation
Following its Japanese debut, “100 Meters” is part of a wave of anticipated anime films. Critics and fans alike are eager to see how the film balances high-speed animation with its heartfelt storytelling, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the pursuit of goals against personal struggles. The North American premiere at Japan Society will undoubtedly contribute to the growing anticipation surrounding its wider theatrical release in October.
