Speed Grapher
(Girls on Film)
Speed Grapher follows the exploits of former war photographer Tatsumi Saiga, who investigates a secret fetish club for the ultra-wealthy called the Roppongi Club. He tries to photograph the club's "goddess," a 15-year-old; exploited girl named Kagura, but is discovered. As he is about to be killed, Kagura kisses him, granting him the ability to destroy anything he photographs. Saiga soon discovers that Kagura's body fluids, like her saliva, can give people bizarre abilities relating to their secret desires, fetishes, and obsessions. Club members strive for the honor of becoming "gifted" via Kagura's power. Saiga soon becomes entangled in this secret underground society and the powerful and corrupt Tennōzu Group mega-corporation that operates it. He attempts to free Kagura, a move that puts the two of them on the run from the Tennōzu Group and blood-thirsty members of the club with bizarre and often horrifying special powers.
Saiga and Suitengu engage in a game of cat and mouse; Saiga and Kagura manage to evade capture several times before Suitengu himself attacks Saiga, severely injuring him, and takes Kagura captive. To take over Tennōzu Group, Suitengu murders its president, Shinsen Tennōzu, who also is Kagura's mother. Kagura inherits the group, so Suitengu marries her and takes legal control of it. Saiga, having recovered from his wounds, interrupts the wedding and rescues Kagura. Together, they attempt to leave Japan but are enticed back by the prospect of defeating Suitengu once and for all. The plan, however, ends up being a trap set up by Suitengu, who captures Kagura once again. Saiga and his policewoman friend Hibari Ginza make one final attack on Suitengu's stronghold—the main building of Tennōzu Group. In addition, a group of politicians from around the world fire missiles at Tokyo to kill Suitengu. Saiga and Suitengu battle, but Saiga is unable to defeat Suitengu before going blind from overusing his power. Suitengu spares Saiga's life, and, in a final act of defiance, destroys all the money he gathered before being killed by the missiles. The world collapses into a financial crisis, but Saiga and Kagura finally reunite, no longer under threat of attack.
I wouldn’t say this is the best anime but, I did enjoy it. Although the plot was just a bit weird with Kagura being able to grant people’s wishes and desires with her own bodily fluids…that’s just a bit disturbing. You do come to like the relationship that Saiga and Kagura share I wouldn’t say it is romantic love, more like a brother-sister type of relationship.
I happened to dislike many of the characters, especially Shinsen Tennozu; she was so cruel to Kagura. Suitengu reminded me of the poor-man’s Sepiroth except a little more stylish. Suitengu’s henchmen were annoying and all incredibly gay. Really? Who wears a patch over their nose? It does not make you look dangerous, just makes you sound more nasally.
The superpowers for Saiga were a bit ridiculous. I know he had a fetish for photography but, taking a picture of anything and making it explode? Just a little far-fetched, could’ve given him a little more than that.
Overall, the series wasn’t all that great, it’s perfect for a rainy day or when you have nothing better to do.
Oh and if you watch the original Japanese version, the opening song is “Girls on Film” by Duran Duran. It only appears on the original so, keep that in mind.
Saiga and Suitengu engage in a game of cat and mouse; Saiga and Kagura manage to evade capture several times before Suitengu himself attacks Saiga, severely injuring him, and takes Kagura captive. To take over Tennōzu Group, Suitengu murders its president, Shinsen Tennōzu, who also is Kagura's mother. Kagura inherits the group, so Suitengu marries her and takes legal control of it. Saiga, having recovered from his wounds, interrupts the wedding and rescues Kagura. Together, they attempt to leave Japan but are enticed back by the prospect of defeating Suitengu once and for all. The plan, however, ends up being a trap set up by Suitengu, who captures Kagura once again. Saiga and his policewoman friend Hibari Ginza make one final attack on Suitengu's stronghold—the main building of Tennōzu Group. In addition, a group of politicians from around the world fire missiles at Tokyo to kill Suitengu. Saiga and Suitengu battle, but Saiga is unable to defeat Suitengu before going blind from overusing his power. Suitengu spares Saiga's life, and, in a final act of defiance, destroys all the money he gathered before being killed by the missiles. The world collapses into a financial crisis, but Saiga and Kagura finally reunite, no longer under threat of attack.
I wouldn’t say this is the best anime but, I did enjoy it. Although the plot was just a bit weird with Kagura being able to grant people’s wishes and desires with her own bodily fluids…that’s just a bit disturbing. You do come to like the relationship that Saiga and Kagura share I wouldn’t say it is romantic love, more like a brother-sister type of relationship.
I happened to dislike many of the characters, especially Shinsen Tennozu; she was so cruel to Kagura. Suitengu reminded me of the poor-man’s Sepiroth except a little more stylish. Suitengu’s henchmen were annoying and all incredibly gay. Really? Who wears a patch over their nose? It does not make you look dangerous, just makes you sound more nasally.
The superpowers for Saiga were a bit ridiculous. I know he had a fetish for photography but, taking a picture of anything and making it explode? Just a little far-fetched, could’ve given him a little more than that.
Overall, the series wasn’t all that great, it’s perfect for a rainy day or when you have nothing better to do.
Oh and if you watch the original Japanese version, the opening song is “Girls on Film” by Duran Duran. It only appears on the original so, keep that in mind.
1 comments:
i just loved this one. it was RAUNCHY. it wasn't the best. but they could have done alot worse.
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