Ranked #1834

The Animatrix: World Record

Sports anime I suspect aren't immensely popular when you have magical girls floating about and guys with over-compensating swords fighting for some cause or another. Very little do we see something closer to a human reality, where there is real strife, real ambition, and real tragedy. How ironic that this is all seen in the Matrix, that fake existence created for human beings by machines.

World Record is one of the shorts in The Animatrix. The story follows a sprinter who wants to make a mark in history: he wants to set a world record nobody could ever top--he's good, but he wants to be the best. However, in his attempt to push his body beyond its limits, he meets the limits of his world--the Matrix.

The art was exceptional and totally unique. It has a dark, almost cell-shaded-esque appearance. It would not be out of place in a comic book or visual novel, as there is a definitive western influence on the artwork. The animation was top-notch. The scenes where the protagonist is running, we see the muscles in his face, arm, legs contort and move fluidly; it was excellent.

The sound totally complemented the anime. It was energy-filled, but not poppy or light; it was heavy with cyber-punk, tribal, electronic beats. It was very good.

Some characters only appear briefly, but for ten minutes, they serve their purpose well. The sprinter is self-assured and determined but very stoic, his friend is excitable and concerned and there is a reporter who has a very cool scene with him where he brushes her off, only for her to reveal being a fan of his. The protagonist was not just his personality--I have to make mention of his body frame, which in itself almost served as another character. Some guys have their cool cars, giant mechs, wands, annoying sidekick, but his instrument is his body and it gets as much attention as any other character.

I enjoyed the hell out of this anime. It's pretty inspiring just to see how much a human being is capable of once he or she decides to apply themselves to be bigger and better than what they are, to strive for excellence, to taste success and failure and everything in between that.

One of the best shorts in The Animatrix. Definitely worth a watch. read more

Story
Based on a world record trying to be set through almost impossible circumstances but the athelete beleives he can do it...can the ordinary guy who has never been out of the Matrix do it?

Animation
Animation was good nice and detailed.

Sound
Nice sound, cant fault it.

Characters
Athelete and his trainer...

Enjoyment
Enjoyed this, kind of makes you think about some things in life, between fact and fiction