‘On-Gaku’ Director Iwaisawa’s ‘100 Meters’ Races to NorAm with GKIDS

GKIDS is prepping another visually and narratively compelling Japanese animated feature for release in North America, boarding 100 Meters (Hyakuemu) as a producing partner and distributor. The footrace drama is directed by Kenji Iwaisawa, who rose to international prominence with his animated indie rock movie On-Gaku: Our Sound.

100 Meters will release across NorAm in October in the original Japanese and a new English-language version, following its September 19 debut in Japan. The project was previewed at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival as part of the Work-in-Progress lineup.

Synopsis: 100 Meters follows Togashi, a naturally gifted track star. In sixth grade, he meets Komiya, a transfer student who is full of determination but lacks technique. In teaching him, Togashi gives Komiya a new purpose: to win no matter what. Years pass by, and Togashi and Komiya meet again as rivals on the track and reveal their true selves.

Based on the original manga by Uoto (Orb: On the Movements of the Earth), 100 Meters is in production at studio Rock’n Roll Mountain, and is produced by Pony Canyon, Tokyo Broadcasting System and Asmik Ace alongside GKIDS.

Iwaisa directs from a screenplay by Yasuyuki Muto (Tokyo Revengers, Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway). The creative team also includes character designer & executive animation director Keisuke Kojima, art director Keikankun Yamaguchi and composer Hiroaki Tsutsumi. Producers include Yūsuke Terada, Yūki Katayama, and Akane Taketsugu.

Just ahead of the GKIDS announcement, the official website for the 100 Meters manga launched a teaser trailer, which revealed the composer, the two lead Japanese voice actors and the Japan release date.

Tori Matsuzaka, who largely performs in live-action such as in the TV series adaptation of In This Corner of the World and the 2022 Whisper of the Heart film, will voice Togashi. Matsuzaka’s animated film roles include Hello World and New Dimension! Crayon Shin-can the Movie: Battle of Supernatural Powers ~Flying Sushi~.

Shōta Sometani will play Komiya. He is best known for his lead roles in the live-action films Himizu and Parasyte, but has notably recorded voice roles for acclaimed animated features including Mamoru Hosoda’s Wolf Children, The Boy and the Beast and Belle, and Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume.

[Sources: Variety / Anime News Network]