In this 2005 anime series, ex-war photographer Tatsumi Saiga has found himself in a slump, reduced to tabloid photojournalism. A career-saving assignment to infiltrate a secret fetish organization of Tokyo's ultra-wealthy nearly costs him his life, but he is saved when the group's 15-year-old “divine goddess” Kagura kisses him, passing along the sudden talent to kill (by explosion) any person or object he photographs. The bulk of this 24-episode series finds Saiga and Kagura on the run from both the members of the fetish club and the shady corporation that finances its depraved activities. Speed Grapher would like to fancy itself as a commentary on greed and exploitation (as well as the disproportionate distribution of economic wealth), and at odd moments its social concerns achieve a kind of heart-on-sleeve status, but for the most part this visually stylish anime is boorish on an intellectual level. Presented on a dual-language six-disc boxed set, suitable for 17-up, this series is fairly graphic in regard to its blood-soaked violence and kinky sex—Kagura's life-altering kiss is, shall we say, not a meek chaste peck—but with a few exceptions, the actual animation is fairly lackluster. DVD extras include a three-part documentary on the voice actress for Kagura, cast auditions, character profiles, outtakes, and booklets. Fans of edgy anime may be drawn to Speed Grapher's outrageous disregard for good taste, but this should be considered strictly optional for very adventurous collections. Aud: P. (P. Hall)
Speed Grapher: The Complete Series
(2005) 6 discs. 575 min. DVD: $69.98. Funimation (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 1-4210-1114-X. Volume 23, Issue 3
Speed Grapher: The Complete Series
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