In the relentless world of competitive sports, where every fraction of a second can define a destiny, what truly drives an athlete to push past their perceived limits? It’s often not just the pursuit of victory, but the profound human connection forged through shared struggle and rivalry. This essence is brilliantly captured in the upcoming anime film 100 Meters (Hyakuemu), which recently unveiled a new trailer, expanding its impressive staff roster and confirming Official HiGE DANDISM as the voice behind its powerful theme song.
The Propulsive Narrative of 100 Meters
The 100 Meters anime film is an adaptation of Uoto’s acclaimed sports manga, “Hyakuemu”. The narrative centers on two track stars, Togashi and Komiya, whose lives become intertwined through their shared passion for the 100-meter dash. Togashi, a naturally gifted runner, effortlessly wins races from a young age. However, his journey takes a pivotal turn in sixth grade when he encounters Komiya, a transfer student who, despite lacking natural talent, possesses an unyielding determination. Togashi’s act of teaching Komiya ignites a new purpose within Komiya: to win at all costs. Years later, their paths cross again as rivals on the track, where they confront their true selves.
The film had its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 12, 2025, as a “work in progress” screening. It is set to debut in Japanese theaters on September 19, 2025, with GKIDS distributing the film in North American theaters in October 2025.
Orchestrating the Visuals: Key Staff Members
The creative force behind 100 Meters boasts a talented team, with many familiar names from the critically acclaimed On-Gaku: Our Sound. Kenji Iwaisawa, known for his distinctive directorial style in On-Gaku: Our Sound, is helming the 100 Meters film at animation studio Rock ‘n’ Roll Mountain. The production credits include Pony Canyon, TBS TV, and ASMIK Ace, with GKIDS also joining as a co-producer and distributor for the North American release.
Other pivotal staff members include:
- Director: Kenji Iwaisawa
- Screenplay: Yasuyuki Mutō, known for his work on Tokyo Revengers
- Character Designer & Chief Animation Director: Keisuke Kojima
- Art Director: Keikankun Yamaguchi
- Music Composer: Hiroaki Tsutsumi
- Color Key Artist: Eiko Matsushima
- Compositing Director of Photography: Maaki Komazuki
- Editing: Ayumu Miyazaki
- Music Director: Takahiro Ikeda
- Sound Design: Masaru Ōkawara
- Producers: Yūsuke Terada, Yūki Katayama, and Akane Taketsugu
- Casting: Mai Ikeda and Anju Matsumoto
- Sound Production: Eisuke Imanishi
The animation style of 100 Meters utilizes rotoscoping, a technique also employed in Iwaisawa’s previous work, On-Gaku: Our Sound.
The Voices of Determination: Cast Ensemble
The film features a compelling voice cast bringing its dynamic characters to life:
- Togashi: Tori Matsuzaka (Library Wars)
- Komiya: Shota Sometani (Parasyte)
- Young Komiya: Aoi Yūki
- Young Togashi: Atsumi Tanezaki
- Saizu: Kōki Uchiyama
- Kaidō: Kenjirō Tsuda
- Nigami: Jun Kasama
- Asakusa: Rie Takahashi
- Shiina: Yuki Tanaka
- Kabanoki: Yūma Uchida
- Numano: Junya Enoki
- Kyōden: Haruki Ishiya
- Morikawa: Hiiro Ishibashi
- Onomichi: Tomokazu Sugita
The Anthem of “Rashisa”: Official HiGE DANDISM’s Theme Song
The new trailer for 100 Meters prominently features the film’s official theme song, “Rashisa,” performed by the popular Japanese band Official HiGE DANDISM. This marks the band’s first new song in approximately eight months. The band members expressed that they created the song based on their impressions of the original manga, intending it as “a song of praise for everyone who strive hard against the ‘absolutes’ — the absolutely unbeatable foes and the absolutely unsurmountable obstacles we create for ourselves”. A preview of “Rashisa” can be heard around the 40-second mark of the new trailer. An exclusive jacket illustration by original manga author Uoto, inspired by the song, has also been released.
The collaboration between Official HiGE DANDISM and the 100 Meters film is set to amplify the emotional depth and intensity of the narrative, providing an auditory experience that resonates with the characters’ struggles and triumphs on the track. As the film approaches its theatrical release, the synergy between its compelling story, the dedicated staff, and the powerful theme song promises a memorable cinematic experience for anime and sports fans alike.
