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Studio : GONZO
Licenced by : FUNimation
Length : 24 Episodes
Year : 2005
Genre : Mature - Fantasy - Henshin - Action - Gore
Synopsis :
In a city where money buys life everyday, and the gap between rich and poor has never been greater, Saiga, a famous battlefield photographer, investigates a secret club where the elite gather to have their darkest desires fulfilled.
Added : 2005-10-30
Synopsis by : Ada Palmer
Last update : 2008-06-21
Last update details : Song modified
Score : 9
Number of reviews : 10
Link(s) :
Official #1 : Pani Poni at Square Enix (Jp)
Song(s) :
OP1 : Duran Duran - Girls on Film
ED1 : Shione Yukawa - Hill of Poppies
ED2 : Yoriko - Break the Cocoon
Release(s) :
2012-08-16 -- Episode(s) 1-24 by Exiled-Destiny. BT Link
2005-10-17 -- Episode(s) 24 by Shinsen-Subs. BT Link
2005-10-10 -- Episode(s) 24 by Shinsen-Subs. BT Link
Found 40 releases. Click here to [ Find them! ]
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Posted by : Terentius 
Posted on : 2008-06-11  
I’ve heard of music being used as a weapon in anime, but photography? I was highly skeptical, until I started watching Speed Grapher. Review based on MVM UK (FUNimation Productions) DVD release.
Animation
Gonzo has a reputation as a studio that has always produced very good quality animation. Speed Grapher was no exception. The character designs were good, with the Euphorian designs in particular being worthy of note. The animation had a very dark and almost ‘underground’ feel to it. In the context of Saiga’s investigation of the mysterious club, it turned out to be rather fitting. I was slightly disappointed in the action scenes. They almost seemed rather low-key and understated. There were scenes involving gore and violence, but it never reached to the point of being excessive.
Story
I must give credit where it is due - the story was something that I had not expected. IT was original, dramatic, and emotionally involving, I found it a real joy to watch. There were some very surprising plot twists and turns that kept the adrenaline and excitement going. I initially was not happy with the last episode, but upon reaching the epilogue, I was left feeling both satisfied and saddened with the conclusion of a very good story.
Characters
Nearly all of the major characters were very deep with some great background history. Initially, characters like Suitengu were stereotypically bad until the recap episodes. These episodes around the halfway mark of the series really shone a different light on the antagonists. So much so I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for them and their goals. I can often tell if the characters are good if I end up torn between rooting for either the good or bad guys.
Music/Sound
The OP had a very 80’s ‘synth disco’ feel to it. It brought back memories, but others may find it annoying. The first ED was very melancholic and much slower paced than the OP. The second ED was much more upbeat and positive. Even though most of the score was just a rehash of the OP, I still found it to be rather suitable for the dramatic and action scenes.
I alternated between both DVD languages, and I have to say, I found the English used in the Japanese version (Japlish) quite commendable. I have heard some terrible attempts at spoken English in some titles, but Speed Grapher’s efforts were decent.
Summary
The DVD release has your usual fare of textless OP and ED as well as trailers. In addition, some of the later discs have interviews with a few of the Japanese voice actors, as well as auditions with a number of the English VAs.
This was thoroughly entertaining and a real joy to watch. The 24 episodes flew by and apart from the financial audit recap episode, very little in the way of ‘filler’ was present. It had a very good story, with believable characters and note-worthy animation. The reason it misses out on a 10 was due to some of the action sequences. Speed Grapher was definitely worth the effort. Recommended viewing.
Posted by : MrSentimental
Posted on : 2007-01-19
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Lots of interesting characters, and a plot that kept my attention throughout. Sure there were some episodes that were slow (like the financial recap episode). So, I would have cut things down to maybe 21 episodes or so. Some of the plot twists had me unexpectedly feeling for characters I thought at first weren't that interesting. The action was OK, but nothing great. Some of the special powered characters were cool (like the "dancer"), and some I was just glad to see go.
The artwork was OK, but not the big draw with this series. I liked the music during the episodes, and I liked the second ending theme.
I haven't been seeing lots of real good stuff lately, so this was real enjoyable. 9 out of 10 Rating. 4 1/2 STARS.
Posted by : boysnextdoor
Posted on : 2006-09-09 
Let me start off by saying this...
THE ENGLISH DUB IS THE MOST HORRIBLE THING I HAVE EVER HEARD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. IT MAKES FULL METAL ALCHEMIST ENGLISH DUBS SEEM AMAZING... OR AT THE VERY LEAST WATCHABLE. AS SOON AS I HEARD TSUJIDO'S VOICE IN ENGLISH.. I LITERALLY STARTED ROLLING ON THE FLOOR SCREAMING. MY FAMILY MEMBERS CAN ATTEST TO THIS.... IF YOU INTEND TO WATCH THIS ANIME... DO IT IN JAPANESE.
This anime is very complicated to explain.. but its been done by other people on this page so im not going to waste your time with another synopsis.
First of all.. the animation is very good. It's better than a lot of animes I've seen recently, it's not the most detailed thing ever but it works well especially with the action scenes, and the character designs.
The characters are really deep, they all have a hidden side and their own personal storyline. As the show goes on, the pasts of all the characters come into view and poor Kagura seems stuck int he middle of everyone's personal battle, for example, Saiga's "girlfriend" a trigger-happy police detective- is eccentric enough to kill anyone without thinking about it, but undergoes a strong personality change whenever she's around saiga. (shes still eccentric as hell... and says she "cant do anything unless she has a gun in her hand" but is dramatically different from when she is on the streets)
The action scenes are perfect. I mean, Tsujido using the SAME BATTLE STRATEGY every time gets predictable, but it's funny to see him think that eventually, he might have a chance in defeating Saiga. the scenes are well animated, and well thought out, theres no drawn out fightng. Theres an obvious strategy and each villain has a different twist to their power (and personality) so it makes it seem like youre going through a video game and each villain is a different level. It's very cool
I've said it before but the Japaese dub is amazing and the English dub is the worst thing I've ever heard in my life. For example my favorite character is Tsujido (a black haired lackey of suitengu with a nose patch) (a nose patch is exactly what you might think a nose patch would be) anyway, in the japanese version Tsujido has a little bit higher voice than most of the leading male characters but in the english dub, he sounds like Wrath from Full Metal Alchemist. I was horrified and of course... they gave Kagura a nice high-pitched, nails-on-a-chalkboard typical anime cliche english dub voice.
The storyline definitely unfolds from the first episode. It seems very predictable but the first few episodes don't even scratch the surface of the plot of the series. The storyline keeps guessing and is pushed along by each character's secrets.
The only catch is there is alot of nudity (the plot line is centered around a secret club for godsakes, so expect many fishnet-clad women and minor bondage refrences. It works well with the story. but it's not necessarily something you would want to watch with your little sibling.)
Anyway... I would give ths a 10 because it's very well done and everything is thought out to the very end. I highly reccomend it to anyone who like high-action, high-nudity animes that keep you guessing until the very end.
Posted by : forevergone
Posted on : 2006-01-04
Potential.
In life, it's either those that make the cut, or the ones that don't. The world revolves around this fundamental principle. It's things that start off with potential, something that can become greater and it's no different with Speed Grapher. It had so much potential in the beginning, the storyline, characters, animation, and the list goes on. But it's always near the end that this potential, this small glimpse of hope, diminishes right before your very eyes.
The storyline in the beginning was unique. It was one of a kind, really. Such exquisite use of story-telling, it was of the highest magnitudes among the series this year. Saiga, a war photographer, has his life changed when he is assigned to uncover the whereabouts of the enigmatic Suigentou and his mystical club. Right in the beginning, the series already lures you in with action packed sequences and suspenseful moments. It only gets better as you dwelve deeper into the series. But near the end, it's where things turn sour. If the plot had actually been consistent and carried through properly, Speed Grapher would definitely be one of the best for 2005.
There's not much to be said about animation. It's Gonzo, afterall so it should be pretty self explanatory by now.
Music was a huge forte in Speed Grapher. One aspect that I loved was during the dramatized, suspenseful moments in Speed Grapher. The music was the type that would keep you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails, trying to figure what would happen next. The OP and ED fit well into context with the overall atmosphere of the show, so it's good in that area as well.
Overall, Speed Grapher had so much fire in the beginning. I don't know what happened in the end but it just completely threw me off. In anycase, it's an oddly entertaining thriller with enticing nude scenes that will get you off in no time.
8/10
Posted by : Disconnected
Posted on : 2005-12-17
This is one of the best animes I was starting to watch in the summer of 2005. Wow and this is a great one. When I started watching the first episodes i was amazed because all these things (that could happen right now, but were hella odd), were really creative and amazing. It just catched me in right then. This shit about euphoria and people acquiring powers they would like since childhood.
This is why I rated Speed grapher with a 10.
Drawings: it's well drawn, nothing too fancy because this anime is focusing on story! remember that. it's not too detailed.
Music: I loved the music basically because it was perfect for this anime. girls on film heh,... can't forget that intro. the main character takes pictures and the song itself is about girls on pictures so i think it's great. the endings weren't too good to my expectatives (always skipped them). Background music was omg... just too well-going with every sort of situation.
Fighting scenes: this is sort of bloody, and battles are intense and full of suspenseful situations. It's good and this made Speed Grapher entertaining.. because there was suspense and fights everywhere.
Story: the story is too creative for a human mind, if u ask me.. noone would come up with things like the ones shown on Speed grapher, not even in Matrix heh. This story has love (i think the goddess and the main guy had some sort of thing.. even tho they said thruout the anime that euphoric people couldn't have orgasms), action, suspense, blood. everything u want! It wasn't too complicated, from the beggining all the cards are starting to show up, then like in the end, all the cards are there for u.
total: 10. This anime is a MUST-WATCH because of it's interesting sotryline, music, fights and omg.. just watch it!
Posted by : yoshikuni
Posted on : 2005-10-15
YEAH! SPEED GRAPHER ROCKS!! Well, I just finished watching this anime a few hours ago and I think its good ^^
Story (8/10) - I like the story!!! Seriously, it is very cool although it's kind of hentai =_=" you know the sex part and the whatsoever... But it is really worth to watch to
Characters (8/10) - I like Saiga and Kagura the most! They're really good looking.. I have to admit that Saiga was handsome =_=" Ohhh I like Kagura's mother too. She's sexy! ^^
Animation (10/10) - Wahahahaha I have to give 10 points for the animation and the graphic design! It's very artistic and the outline is very cool!!!! You have to watch the opening video! I like the color blending and the outline color
Music (7/10) - The 1st ending song is kind of sucked up because the singer's voice was not that good.. I think =P but I like the opening song! Sounds like a cowboy theme ^^
Overall.. I really enjoyed watching this anime a lot! You guys have to watch this anime all right? ^^
Posted by : faebinder
Posted on : 2005-07-21
Wow, this one was actually entertaining. I have to mention that this is probably an anime more suited for adults as there are a lot nudity, sexual scenes and some depravity. Oddly, all this adds to the story and doesnt detract from it... details.
Animation: 9/10. Great quality. Excellent drawing, all characters have their own style. No single indivisual as the 'generic' anime character. Fight scenes fluid.
Sound: 10/10. If I have to give a 10 to this anime, it would be for the sound. The opening from the Pet Shop Boys was very appropriate. Great work with the sound.
Story: 9/10. Excellent story. A little on the odd side (So far watched till episode 13) but it is never boring. I am not sure if there were many surprises in the series but I believe there definately was a strong continuous pull to watch. The story is a combination of romance/action/super powers. Intriguing.
Characters: 10/10. Probably the second best thing about the anime. The characters were very solid. All characters had their own explained personality and uniqueness. The best thing about the characters is that how many of them had a solid theme to them. You can put your finger down and say "Character so and so is a psycho cop with a gun fetish."
I recommend it for any 16+. I don't believe I will buy it just because it is not my style of anime but if I was into story + super powers, this would be a great pick.
Posted by : admgamer
Posted on : 2005-06-30
I first watched Speed Grapher when it first came out, viewing the first two episodes. I was slightly impressed with such things as the animation and the kind of underground Japanese society, but I gave up on it as I couldn't categorize what this anime meant to me.
But after reading reviews and the slight hype over this being the number one anime release this spring, I watched the rest of the series up until now and am impressed a bit more because I'm giving it a chance.
Watch it if you want something perfectly normal with a twist.
Posted by : hara
Posted on : 2005-05-19
This is one of the most interesting and original anime I've seen this season. The whole story takes place in Tokyo from the underground point of view; rich gangsters and attractive women.
If you start watching this series you may think the whole production seems strange and in fact it is really strange but very original. The characters are unique and they all have either dark secrets or behave somehow in a excentric way. The character designs are quite plain and have simple hair but the animation is splendid. There is alot of movement in the picture and the characters are very dynamicly animated. Also, one of the best things about this series is the music. The opening is in 80s style and the background music is great. The storyline is easy too understand and very well told - so there is always tension in this show.
I recommend this series only to mature anime fans because of some graphic violence and some sexual allusions that should not be seen by children.
Posted by : Fox
Posted on : 2005-04-11
This has to be one of the best anime out right now for the 2005 anime spring releases!
Speed Grapher is a beautifully orchestrated piece of art! (So far from what I can tell.)
The animation is fluid,
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