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REVIEW: Speed Grapher 3 LE




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Richard J.



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Sic Semper Tyrannis.
PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:47 am Reply with quote
Key's Review wrote:
Although Gonzo does get a bit creative in recostuming Kagura and Saiga, and Ginza and the younger version of Shinsen seen in flashbacks have good and distinctive designs, everything lacks the sharpness, prettiness, and vibrancy one normally expects from a Gonzo title; it’s certainly far inferior to the company’s other current releases like Basilisk and Trinity Blood. The animation is likewise unimpressive.
Ouch! Considering how little most people think of the animation and art in Trinity Blood, Speed Grapher must REALLY not stand up.

Key's Review wrote:
Fortunately the English dub continues to be quite solid, invariably elevating the caliber of the material at least a little bit. The same can’t be said for the Japanese performances, which aren’t bad but are lackluster.
Again, ouch. Only you Key are brave enough to say that the English dub trumps the Japanese. Just mentioning that you want to see a dub on a release will get you called a moron by some on this forum. Rolling Eyes

Another solid review. Fair and balanced, though it's pretty clear you are not going to be joining any Speed Grapher fan clubs.
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luffypirate



Joined: 06 Oct 2006
Posts: 3186
PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:28 am Reply with quote
i should probably get punched in the face for saying this but i absolutly love this show. the animation is complete garbage (especially for a gonzo production. i find myself cringing in disgust every episode lol) but i just cant get enough of it. its so ridiculously campy i just had to buy it. i cant wait for volume 4 haha Anime exclamation
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DriftRoot



Joined: 20 Jun 2003
Posts: 222
Location: NH
PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:47 am Reply with quote
This may sound weird, but even though this show is not one I'll ever watch again and not one that rates more than a "B-" in my book o' anime, it's still one I'm really glad I saw, just because it's so unique (good and bad) in so many ways. Definately stands out from the crowd, you could say.
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HitokiriShadow



Joined: 09 May 2005
Posts: 6251
PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:38 pm Reply with quote
[quote="Richard J."]
Key's Review wrote:
Although Gonzo does get a bit creative in recostuming Kagura and Saiga, and Ginza and the younger version of Shinsen seen in flashbacks have good and distinctive designs, everything lacks the sharpness, prettiness, and vibrancy one normally expects from a Gonzo title; it’s certainly far inferior to the company’s other current releases like Basilisk and Trinity Blood. The animation is likewise unimpressive.
Ouch! Considering how little most people think of the animation and art in Trinity Blood, Speed Grapher must REALLY not stand up.

I don't remember the animation being too terrible, but I'm not a good judge of those things and its been a while since I saw the series.

I think that if you can get past the early, more monster-of-the-weekish episodes and the animation (again, I didn't really notice it at the time), you'll find a fairly good series. This point in the series is where you get more focus on the plot, the nature of the Euphorias and what the heck Suitengu is up to. Aside from an upcoming recap episode (done in a somewhat interesting way, though, and there was something new in the episode, if I recall correctly) and an entire episode dedicated to fighting a Euphoria, the series just gets better from here.
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Richard J.



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Sic Semper Tyrannis.
PostPosted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:14 pm Reply with quote
HitokiriShadow wrote:
I think that if you can get past the early, more monster-of-the-weekish episodes and the animation (again, I didn't really notice it at the time), you'll find a fairly good series.
I'll take your word for it and place this as a "wait for boxset" on my To Buy list. The concept sounded sort of interesting but the negative reviews have kept me on the sidelines with this one.

Still, I'd read a lot negative reviews of Kiddy Grade too and ended up liking that series. (Very disjointed in places but a fun series with likable, interesting characters and intriguing plot lines.)

Are you picking up the current release or waiting for a boxset?
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britannicamoore



Joined: 05 Dec 2005
Posts: 2618
Location: Out.
PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 3:30 am Reply with quote
i want to see this show. but i opted to wait for the Gonzo pack with both Vol. 1 of Desert Punk & Speed Grapher. Or was it Trinty Blood & Speed...oh well. Pak for cheaper here I come!
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Deltakiral



Joined: 07 Oct 2004
Posts: 3338
Location: Glendora, CA (Avatar Hei from Darker than BLACK)
PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 5:19 am Reply with quote
britannicamoore wrote:
i want to see this show. but i opted to wait for the Gonzo pack with both Vol. 1 of Desert Punk & Speed Grapher. Or was it Trinty Blood & Speed...oh well. Pak for cheaper here I come!


Actually if you got to TRSI they have both of those packs on sale. Basilisk Vol 1 and Trinity Blood Vol 1 and also there is a pack for Speed Grapher Vol 1 and Desert Punk Vol 1.
These are both on sale for 19 dollars each so that's a great way to save money and also get two different shows, for me I think that TB and Basilisk set is pretty cool, however you could get the SG and DP set and be completely happy with that as well.

Delta
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britannicamoore



Joined: 05 Dec 2005
Posts: 2618
Location: Out.
PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:19 pm Reply with quote
Deltakiral wrote:
britannicamoore wrote:
i want to see this show. but i opted to wait for the Gonzo pack with both Vol. 1 of Desert Punk & Speed Grapher. Or was it Trinty Blood & Speed...oh well. Pak for cheaper here I come!


Actually if you got to TRSI they have both of those packs on sale. Basilisk Vol 1 and Trinity Blood Vol 1 and also there is a pack for Speed Grapher Vol 1 and Desert Punk Vol 1.
These are both on sale for 19 dollars each so that's a great way to save money and also get two different shows, for me I think that TB and Basilisk set is pretty cool, however you could get the SG and DP set and be completely happy with that as well.

Delta


the store I went to didn't have them. Either that, or they were too lazy to go get me one from the back. I'll get it tomorrow morning when i'm picking up the Wii.
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Keonyn
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Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Coon Rapids, MN
PostPosted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:12 am Reply with quote
A good review and I have to say I completely agree with it, although honestly I'd probably have rated it lower. This series intrigued me when I first heard of it but at this point I have to say it's a major disappointment. While there's the chance it might improve, if I've had to sit through this many episodes to get to some quality content then it fails regardless in my book.
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Randall Miyashiro



Joined: 12 Jun 2003
Posts: 2451
Location: A block away from Golden Gate Park
PostPosted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:31 pm Reply with quote
Am I the only one here (besides luffy) who absolutely loves this series? Although most of the villains are over the top (no more than Basilisk) I find the themes serious and mature. I for one find the show more interesting in comparison to both Basilisk and Trinity Blood and much better than the awful Desert Punk.

The artwork really works for me, and while it's ultra 2D style (which is taken to the extreme in the cardboard foldout) is different from other Gonzo shows, I find it unique and attractive. I understand if it's not everyones cup of tea, but I'm glad that Gonzo is experimenting with shows like this and Gankutsuou.

The series themes resonate with me. Saiga's best photo is being used in a way he never wanted it. He can no longer do the only thing that he was good at. A girl who seems to have everything really has nothing. Saiga is one of the best protagonists and I sum it up in the quote "money has no power over this man" which I believe is his real super power. If anything the show is a bit heavy handed in it's preachiness, but is definitely not another pointless series.

I haven't watched the dub yet, but I really have been enjoying the Japanese track since the series is somewhat of a road trip around Japan.

I understand and will agree that he bad guy of the week (or two weeks) format is counterproductive to both the plot and seriousness of the series, but don't agree with most of the other criticisms of the series. With the completion of FMA and Gankutusuou this is my favorite R1 series currently being released with Eureka 7 and Fantastic Children close behind.
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