100 Meters

Today I want to share my review and impressions of 100 Meters (Hyaku Emu). This manga is the previous work by Uoto, the author who created the immensely popular Chi: On the Movements of the Earth—now a huge hit on Netflix. Given Chi’s popularity, you might have already read it, so instead, I'd like to focus on sharing my thoughts on 100 Meters. 100 Meters showcases everything that makes Uoto’s work special, sprinkled with remarkable insights and striking expressions throughout. Right from the start, Uoto offers a unique perspective that might seem exaggerated to the average reader: would anyone seriously think such grand thoughts about a mere 100-meter dash? Yet, Uoto boldly hits readers with this narrative on just the second page of the manga: "That distance grants power to time. That distance defines human worth. To that distance, he devoted his life. That distance—100 meters." I couldn’t help but shout, "Uoto-sensei, you’ve done it again!" (laughs) Who would think of describing a 100-meter race like that? With just these opening lines, the manga instantly pulls you into its captivating world. The story is skillfully divided between the protagonist’s childhood and adulthood, and—similar to Chi—is succinctly completed within fewer than ten volumes, never losing its appeal or excitement. The biggest charm of 100 Meters (and perhaps Uoto’s greatest strength as an author) lies in his extraordinary ability to depict characters staking their entire existence on their passion. In Chi, characters risk their lives to prove their belief in heliocentrism in a world ready to execute them for their views. Similarly, in 100 Meters, the protagonist commits his entire life to the short yet profound distance of just 100 meters, a conviction that resonates powerfully through every page. Whether it's 10 seconds or 9 seconds, humans can never outrun even a small motorbike. Yet precisely because humans give everything they have to this brief, explosive moment, readers are moved by an incomparable sense of joy and excitement. The runners don't care about what's next, the meaning of running, or its worth—they simply want to run! A short yet deeply profound battle decided in around 10 seconds—100 Meters is truly a remarkable read. I highly recommend you experience it for yourself.

May 29, 2025