24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughts from a lover of great stories, March 23, 2008
This review is from: Speed Grapher: Box Set (DVD)
"Speed Grapher" is something I watched out of pure curiosity. I seemed different from most of the anime I've seen. I am so glad I did! Since other reviewers have already given a warning about its explicit content I won't bother to repeat it. I'd like to talk about how cool the story is!
At first, "Speed Grapher" feels like a kind of knock off of "Eyes Wide Shut", except with a curious photographer instead of a curious rich doctor. However, it doesn't take long before the story becomes its own roller coaster of intrigue, corruption and heroism and you get taken along for the ride wondering, "Wow! When did that happen?"
Each of the characters are finely developed. Though many of them play archetypical roles, none of them feel like archetypes. Every one has complex, realistic motives and you don't find it hard to believe that these people might actually exist. They live in a near-futuristic society in the aftermath of a worldwide war following the collapse of the global economy. There's something incredibly creepy about this. We can see signs of the economy cracking in our lives today. It makes the whole thing hit home much more than your average alien or supernatural invasion.
I must not be much of an animation connoisseur because I thought the art style fit the story very well. It's stark, simple, and the characters are much more realistic. Exaggerated wardrobes, anatomy and flowing, sweeping lines work great for most anime shows, but I don't know if they would've helped here. Of course I'm not an animator, but the harshness actually added to the story, I think, by emphasizing the intricacies of the plot as opposed to the visuals.
And what a plot! I gotta say it, Suitengu is officially one of my favorite villains, not just in anime but anywhere. Unlike many villains in SF&F he is not blatantly evil just because he needs to be evil for the sake of the story. His background is harsh and complex and his motives make sense. He crafts an evil plot with patience and intricacy, showing a ruthless inner knowledge of how to manipulate pleasure and human need, and how to strike at his enemies in the most effective way, all the while showing an inner pain that's all too human. And I've rarely seen a villain who manages to redeem himself AND accomplish his dastardly plan all at the same time in a manner that's completely convincing. You gotta admire a character that well crafted.
And then there's the show's "monsters". I've seen my share of anime/manga mutants, but the Euphorics (or Euphorians) definitely win the title of the most disturbing. Saiga and Suitengu remain relatively normal but get a load of the prime minister! And that creepy priest all made of cables and wires. And I swear I will never be able to look at dentists quite the same way again.
The story whips up so many varied emotions. For all its bare breasts and politicians smacking girl-toys with riding crops, the sensuality of the show is concentrated mostly on the scenes where Saiga is trying hard not to take Kagura's picture even though he wants to so badly. That's one of the reasons why I don't think the animation is all that terrible. Scenes like that don't take much action. And I don't think sensuality or sexiness is the intention. Only the creepy rich people have much to do with it directly. All the main characters oppose it in some way, fighting it, falling victim to it or manipulating it.
I won't, of course, disclose the ending, but I can assure you it's epic, satisfying and happy. Never mind judging its value as an anime. All in all, I'd say that "Speed Grapher"'s greatest strength is in just being an awesome story. It's a worthy edition to anyone's video library, and certainly anyone's anime collection. Give it a try. I'm willing to bet you'll be breathless by the end.
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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hard Core R rated but Still Good Anime, March 8, 2008
This review is from: Speed Grapher: Box Set (DVD)
I just bought this set a few says ago from SunCoast the brief description amazon provides is pretty much the arc of the storyline I will give some more information though the kiss Kagura gives to Saiga is a catalyst to activate a special virus some people have that gives them unusual abilities.The way is after Kagura kisses Saiga it gives him the ability to blow up anything he takes a picture of.The series is very hard-core with violence,language,and sex the sex scene are mostly r-rated that means topless scenes that you would see in the usual movies of that rating.The violence is very gory and bloody torn bodies,toture,and gruesome unusual deaths.The Video is wide-screen 5.1 english audio or 2.0 japanese audio again with Funimation Films the english voice actors have done a superb job as well as the japanese voice actors the video quality for the most part is crystal clear.I very much enjoyed this series but I will tell you this is not meant for young children as mentioned above there is very little comedy in this series as it is somewhat in the range
of Basilisk in drama but much darker.I am trying not to put people off of getting this but I do want people to know what they are getting into with
this still great series....
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I can't even explain how truly amazing this anime is..., December 29, 2009
This review is from: Speed Grapher: Box Set (DVD)
I picked up Speedgrapher on a whim. The price was right, and I wanted to add something new to my collection. I couldn't have made a better decision. I enjoy watching anime, it's a private passion of mine. I especially enjoy watching anime that has a deep and hidden meaning that really makes you think. There are certain things that only the art of an anime can bring to life. Speegrapher is one of those anime that seems to bring about a deeper meaning. It clashes realism with fiction, and tells a remarkable story. This is something I can almost see a movie being made out of...but of course it wouldn't carry the beauty that this anime brings out.
The Box Set-
Speegrapher is a beautifully pakaged Box set that includes character cards that actually add value to show. You can read in greater detail the backstory of each character, as some are almost a complete mystery. The CD's are packaged nicely and each disk contains bonus features which is a nice touch.
The Story-
This is the meat of it all. Speedgrapher is about a photographer who's passion for a "real picture worth taking" drives him to discover a secret society full of the most elite and notorious minds that control the media,financial,and Judicial powers of Japan. This secret society is a club in which these powerful and notorious faces can enjoy all the sins life has to over without fear of judgement being cast on them. However this clubs serves as a front for something even more sinister which hides behind the scenes.
The Characters-
Speedgrapher has some of the most memorable Hero's and Villians you may ever see. This is a anime where you fall in love with the villians just as much as you do the heroes. If you enjoy films like that then you'll love Speedgrapher. The characters are all extremely well developed and that even includes the jealous girlfriend. This is a very unpredictable and unexpected Anime which why out of respect to those that may wish to watch it I will stay away from "details". Discovering the characters and the story behind them is a strong part of the plot of Speedgrapher. What I love about this anime so much is that the characters a real. You can watch this anime and see them as real people. It's hard to make an anime where a character seems like just that an "anime" character. They seem only believable in their world, but the characters of speedgrapher manage to break that barrier and bring out real life emotions in an artistic anime masterpiece.
The Overall-
Speedgrapher is an adult anime meaning this is not Bleach,Samauri Champloo,or Cowboy Bebop(all animes which I also love). This is an anime that depicts the ugliness of humanbeings, and has a real message behind it. It you like anime's that make you think than this is one for you to pick up and watch. If you like action this is also good to pick up and watch. Even if your an adult that's not into anime, but you dabbled in it than I definitely recommend this one. It has a slow start, but a great finish, and it shouldn't be missed by any anime fan.
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