100 Meters Anime Streaming Guide: Uoto’s manga adaptation arrives New Year’s Eve—the critically acclaimed sports film from “Orb” creator features stunning rotoscope animation and rivals’ journey
Netflix is closing 2025 with an anime sleeper hit. “100 Meters,” the most-anticipated anime movie of the year, is exclusively heading to Netflix on December 31, 2025, giving global audiences access to director Kenji Iwaisawa’s critically acclaimed track and field drama that premiered in Japanese theaters on September 19. The film—based on the first manga by Uoto (creator of the acclaimed “Orb: On the Movements of the Earth”)—flew under many radars during its limited theatrical run but is positioned to become Netflix’s biggest anime release of the year-end period.
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100 Meters Anime: Streaming Details at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | December 31, 2025 (Netflix exclusive) |
| Audio | Japanese voice-overs with English subtitles |
| English Dub | Not confirmed for Netflix launch |
| Theatrical Release | Japan (Sept 19), US/UK/Singapore (Oct 12-14) |
| Director | Kenji Iwaisawa (“On-Gaku: Our Sound”) |
| Studio | ROCK’N ROLL MOUNTAIN |
| Runtime | 1 hour 42 minutes |
| Genre | Sports drama with rotoscope animation |
What Is 100 Meters About?
100 METERS follows Togashi, a track star who is born to run. As a kid, he is naturally gifted and wins every 100-meter race without effort. But 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.
The narrative explores how childhood friendship evolves into fierce athletic rivalry—a coming-of-age story grounded in the physical and psychological demands of competitive sprinting. For fans of introspective sports anime like “Ping Pong: The Animation” or “Run with the Wind,” 100 Meters delivers emotional depth beyond typical sports triumph formulas, according to early reviews.
Why 100 Meters Stands Out: Rotoscope Animation
100 METERS stands out as Netflix’s most unique anime offering of 2025. With its fluid animation and apparent focus on realism, 100 METERS shares more than a little in common with the best sports anime of all time, Ping Pong: The Animation. The film uses rotoscoping—animation traced over live-action footage—to create stunningly detailed running sequences that capture the kinetic intensity of actual sprinters mid-race.
This technique, while divisive among purists, allows the film to convey muscle tension, breathing rhythm, and physical exhaustion in ways traditional animation cannot replicate. Critics have noted the visuals compensate for occasional pacing issues, making the sprint sequences genuinely breathtaking experiences, according to Rotten Tomatoes reviews.
Cast and Creative Team
Voice Cast:
- Tori Matsuzaka as Togashi
- Shota Sometani as Komiya
- Jun Kasama as Nikami
- Koki Uchiyama as Zaitsu
- Kenjiro Tsuda as Kaido
Creative Team:
- Director: Kenji Iwaisawa (previously helmed “On-Gaku: Our Sound”)
- Scriptwriter: Yasuyuki Muto (Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway)
- Character Designer/Chief Animation Director: Keisuke Kojima
- Animation Production: ROCK’N ROLL MOUNTAIN
Iwaisawa’s previous work on “On-Gaku”—about delinquents forming a band—earned cult acclaim for its unconventional visual style, making him an ideal fit for adapting Uoto’s introspective manga.
Why Netflix Waited Until December 31
While Netflix might think of big shonen series like Dandadan as the main money-makers, it is their more thoughtful anime that have the biggest impact. All signs point to 100 METERS’ December 31st release being huge for Netflix. The New Year’s Eve timing positions the film as inspirational counter-programming to holiday blockbusters—perfect for viewers seeking motivation to kick off 2026 with renewed determination.
The release also avoids direct competition with Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, which dominated theatrical box offices earlier in 2025 but cater to different audiences than 100 Meters’ reflective sports drama demographic.
Critical Reception and Festival Success
100 METERS was featured at Annecy 2024 as part of the Work-in-Progress lineup and at Annecy 2025 as part of the Official Selection category—validating its artistic credibility within animation festival circuits. The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is considered the industry’s most prestigious event, comparable to Cannes for live-action cinema.
Early audience reactions from the limited US theatrical run (October 12-14 via GKIDS distribution) praised the film’s emotional resonance, with viewers reporting tears during the climactic race sequences. The film’s ability to make sprinting—a 10-second event—cinematically compelling for 102 minutes demonstrates masterful pacing and character work, according to festival coverage.
Uoto’s Growing Legacy
The film marks the first manga work by Uoto, who later created the critically acclaimed “Orb: On the Movements of the Earth”—a series exploring heliocentrism’s persecution in medieval Europe that became one of Netflix’s standout anime adaptations in 2024-2025. Fans of “Orb’s” philosophical depth and historical gravitas will find similar thematic richness in 100 Meters’ exploration of purpose, rivalry, and self-discovery through athletics.
How to Watch on December 31
Simply log into your Netflix account and search for “100 Meters” starting December 31, 2025. The film will stream with Japanese audio and English subtitles globally. No word yet on English dub availability, though GKIDS’ theatrical release included dubbed screenings, suggesting a dub exists that may arrive on Netflix post-launch.
Also Read: Best Sports Anime 2025 | Netflix Anime Releases December
