Forum - View topicREVIEW: Speed Grapher DVD 1
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Zac
ANN Executive Editor
 Posts: 7912 Location: Anime News Network Technodrome |
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"It’s entirely possible that this series will overcome its shaky initial outing and become something more than what it promises to be" Not optimistic enough for you? I'm not withdrawing anything from the review. If volume 2 or 3 or whatever suddenly become good enough to recommend purchasing the show I'll say so in the review for those volumes, but I stand by what I said. I don't really get why so many of you think the review should be changed to reflect your opinion.
I'm glad you also felt compelled to come in here and talk about how you already saw most of the series fansubbed and then spoil future episodes for us! THANKS! It's also really awesome how you come in here and disagree with the review and tell us all how good the show is but also tell us how you're not going to buy it because the opening theme song is different! You're totally awesome dude! This is probably the most egregious response I've seen so far. "I saw it and it's great, but I'm not going to buy it for some stupid petty reason". That makes me sick. Apparently some of you are just flat-out not reading any of the other responses in the thread. If you had, you'd understand that the "I saw the fansubs and the show gets better!" responses are frowned upon. If you want to defend the show, then defend the first four episodes since that's all the review talks about. No I am not going to change the review to reflect your opinion nor am I going to remove anything from the review if down the road the show redeems itself. No, we don't care that you already downloaded the whole thing. No, seriously, we don't. |
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HitokiriShadow
 Posts: 6251 |
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I didn't find the premise to be silly like you did, but I can certainly see how you could. I'ts been a while since I saw Speed Grapher and I saw the broadcaster, so I can't really agree or disagree with the rest.
As for the sex, was that mainly in the club scenes (i.e. they just added it in the background) or did they add new footage that wasn't in the broadcast version to begin with?
I saw it in the store yesterday and it looked great. These two piece boxes seem to be becoming quite popular. [off-topic] I can't wait for mine to ship. I think its taking a while to ship because they have to use a bigger box (for this and the FMA tin) and want to wait for more of my order in order to get the most out of the bigger box. That's the only reason I can think that they haven't shipped it yet since they've had it "Reserved for [my] Order" for about two weeks now. Fortunately, I'm in no particular hurry so it's not a big deal. [/off-topic] What did you think of the extras? You mentioned the box, but not the extras. If you got a pre-release version, I suppose you may not have gotten the extras though. |
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Murakami07
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Ok, I've noticed a glitch with my copy of SG vol.1 (box ed.). I've noticed that in episodes 1-3, the video hiccups right after the first chapter. I haven't tested it on another player yet but I will this afternoon to be sure. I have made sure that my DVD player is clean (used compressed air) and that the disc was not scratched. One thing I have noticed is that according to my player, the first chapter sometimes overlaps with the second. Like it'll say that the first chapter still has about a minute left before the second chapter begins. I'm not sure if it's related to my problem but that is what I have noticed.
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Killer 7
Posts: 68 Location: "America,F&&k Yeah"! |
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Nor do i, but atleast i got to enjoy the series without being put off by some critic's review. Yeah sure i respect your honset opinion, but what if i was put off from buying or renting the series post critique? ("oh it must go downhill from there, i don't think i'm gonna checkout the rest of Speedgrapher..") Spoilers you say? what i mentioned regarding the 16th episode wasn't that major or sensational to be covered in black bars.no revelations,no suprises.nada. Yeah call me dumb or better yet a purist for contemplating on buying the DVDs because i object to the omission of the classic Duran Duran song. It fits within the series and i can't think of a more suitable theme for the intro. It's like releasing the Miami Vice DVDs with some lame substitute song as a theme/intro. But if the Funi release contains nice extras/features, then i'm there. As a lurker for almost 2 years, it's fun to see that things haven't changed here that much.fer instance; you still giving bitchslaps to your detractors or those who's comments you passionatley object to. andoh how i love your sarcasm..the best since stewie griffin. It's all good,feel free to ignore my posts from now on.i take no offense either way and regarding fansubs, i'm not a hardcore fansub viewer,but it's nice to try before you buy. Have a nice day "dude". |
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sabriyahm
 Posts: 292 Location: Georgia |
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I don't get what you mean by a critic putting someone off a show. I don't understand what you think the purpose of a review is. Generally I read reviews of shows taking into consideration the reviewer. If I have usually agreed with them in the past (In Zac's case that would be an affirmative) I really pay attention to the review. This review has taken Speed Grapher out of my Netflix queue. If it's something I am neutral about, a reviewer I am unfamiliar with can usually sway me. If it is something I am really firm and excited about an unfamiliar reviewer (or even Zac) is not going to stop me from at least checking it out. There is nothing wrong with a review putting someone off watching a show. That's sort of the point of a review. There's a whole lot of anime out there and only 24 hours in a day. On a side note I too am irritated by the whole if you watch to episode 22 it gets good. That to me is a bad series. Especially if it's a 26 episode series. I think the comments that are more helpful were all the people who thought the sex and violence wasn't over the top. Or comparisons to other shows. That's helpful information. The whole Later in episode umteen it's good really isn't moving my opinion on this first disc. If anything it reaffirms the review. Skip the crap and wait for the good stuff. |
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Deltakiral
 Posts: 3338 Location: Glendora, CA (Avatar Hei from Darker than BLACK) |
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First off at least Funi try to get the right to Duran Duran song, but it just wasn't economically possible. I mean if they had to pay the going rate for that song, this series could of been 8 volumes (Instead of 6) and each volume costing more. Yes that would be a great thing if Funi would be able to get the song but it didn't happened. The extras are pretty cool actually there is a nice voice actor testing audio that is pretty interesting. Also the box alone and slip covers are some of the best ever. I think this box is my favorite, it beautiful. It made me sad when I unwrapped the shrinkwrap from it. Onto the actual review at hand, having just scene this volume I am going to agree mostly with what Zac said. I threw this dvd in when my GF was over and she was very disgusted by the "club" scenes. In fact I thought it was a little over done with all the sexual content found it that part, but overall I did think that blood wasn't way too over the top. But it did a good job in showing how violent Saiga was. I don't know if I would of rated this show as low as Zac (Overall (dub) : C+ Overall (sub) : C) but then again C+ for the dub isn't all that bad. I didn't get a chance to listen to the entire volume with Subs but the sampling I did I thought it was still very good. I think that Chris Sabat does a great job as Saiga, although I do a fear a little Strongarm alchemist hear and there. One character that I didn't like (more I felt like it was mismatch for me) in the dub was that of head boss whom name escape me at the moment. But other than that the I had fun with this volume and I am looking forward to vol 2, I am not sure why people think Zac bad mouth this title, maybe because of the questionable storyline that Zac went off on a little bit. Till next time, Delta Kiral |
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Killer 7
Posts: 68 Location: "America,F&&k Yeah"! |
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To both Saybriyehm and Deltakiral: Eh, yes i do understand the purpose of a review is and i athough i respect the reviewer's honest opinion, i myself disagreed with the review. (that is my god given right,am i right?) since i for i enjoyed the series througout it's entirety. The sex and violent scenes were not over the top or too gratuitious I.E. Urotsukidoji or Violence Jack Helltown, the sex scenes were obviously implemented for detailing the ongoings and undoings witihin a scandalous club. And as for the violence, most of the protagonists/diet members (AKA euphorias) were people with monsteresque abilities. so combine them with a guy with a cannon for a camera, and your'e bound to see "bloody results". it's a mature rated series for criss sakes. I liked Speedgrapher,not for it's sex and violence,but because of the story and concept which is somewhat fresh compared to all the cookie cutter/hybrid concepts today. I liked it and that's just me. now if i had put Zac on blast for giving the series a negative review, then that would put me in the wrong. Apparantly ol Zac didn't like the fact that i mentioned watching the fansubs let alone my contemplating buying the series because the intro didn't include "Girls on film",it's frivolous, but it was a cool adidtion to what i deem a good series. and i will checkout the first volume just to compare and see where it goes,. i don't care for english dubs. (i'm a purist SOB) but props go to funi for having the interest in releasing the DVDs and i never mentioned that they were behind the Duran Duran song not being included. it's always legal BS. remove it from your Netflix queue,that's on you after all some people hate Evangelion (like me)Hellsing and Gungrave.then there are those that like Trinity Blood,DBZ,Naruto,elfen Lied etc. Watch the first 2 episodes, if your'e not completley swayed. If you don't like it then,it's not your thing. at least you didn't waste your money,just your time and an empty rental slot/queue. |
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serudo
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I absolutely agree with the writer! This serie was a totally waste of money. We saw better animations in the worst animes, when I first saw the animation I couldn't believe what I'Ve seen. It's terrrible. And all the stereotypic characters( oh, and we haven't mentioned the lot of stealings from other animes/video games), and this liar about the sex and the extreme graphic violence! It's an absolute nonsense! And in Japan they have to buy(if there's a fool who throws money away for this)12 DVDs because they dare to put on 2 episodes in one DVD.
Don't buy it! There are MILLION better series! |
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Killer 7
Posts: 68 Location: "America,F&&k Yeah"! |
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Follow up: I watched the first episode of the (store bought) Funi release and i wasn't as disapointed as i thought.
So far i have watched the first episode :GASP: dubbed! The voice actors did a nice job providing the characters dialogue. However i did find Ayer's Shutengu to be a bit over the top and Bob's voice was too much of a self parody but as i mentioned previously that character was a bit stereotypical to begin with. The intro theme serves as a lame substitute for the original song. (y'know,the one that i bitched about not being included in the Funi licensed DVDs.) as a matter of fact, it sounds like ol skool porn. only thing that's missing is the "WAKA WAKA" guitar riffs. hah. atleast they still have that soothing ending theme;"Hinageshi no oka" and the extras really did nothing for me like the typical art gallery and the voice auditions was a nice touch but couldv'e been better. I would have loved to see those board discussions/press release interviews with the director and the original cast,discussing the concepts and characters. oh well maybe next time.
Is this a rant or are you just trolling? with so many run-on sentences and exclamation marks..yeah i think so. You claim that SG had "stolen" from other animes/video games,so why don't you name one if not two? IE Trinity blood stole from Hellsing. The same goes for your rant about the animation,Sex and violence.(Btw who are you calling a liar?) some of you fail to get it, it's a mature rated series,and iv'e seen more deploable if not questionable scenes of sex and violence in other animes.like Blue Gender where it's very detailed,especially the gratuitous violence. It seems someone has exagerrated in regards to SG's mature content. and i would prefer it's animation way over the shoddy work of Gilgemesh,where most of the protagonists' faces look like the olsen twins. Meh,meh and meh. As for a "Million" better series out there..name at least 5..and if you say Naruto, then i stand uncorrected and your point has no validity,thus your comments are...unreliable.thus you are a lemming who would follow the "leader". |
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Key
Moderator
 Posts: 18466 Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley) |
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Um, you're not in a position to be casting aspersions on anyone else's grammar. (You do know that "I" is supposed to be capitalized, right?)
The "exclusive underground club which caters to perverse interests" has been used in numerous anime titles, among them sCRYed - although admittedly that one wasn't about sex. A sex-specific one was used in the live-action Eyes Wide Shut (from which the early episodes borrow heavily) and innumerable hentai titles and live-action porno movies, and many of the supporting characters here are borrowed from such titles, so the concept is hardly a fresh one. The new angle here comes only from the "killer snapshots" concept ahnd Kagura's situation, although that's enough for me to not call the series a total rip-off.
Granted, some posters have gotten worked up over content that isn't especially graphic overall. The bigger issue for me was how well the graphic content that was present was used. It looked to me like it was more thrown in just to make the series feel more "mature" rather than an integral component, as it is with Gantz, Blue Gender, or Elfen Lied.
I could probably name at least 30 off the top of my head without mentioning Naruto, but forum rules don't tolerate unannotated lists.  I think I could get away with five, though, so let's try Blue Gender, Boogiepop Phantom, Bubblegum Crisis, BGC 2040, and (as long as you ignore the clumsy English dubs) Banner/Crest of the Stars - and that's just in the "B"s.
Don't get me wrong, I thought the series was interesting enough to keep watching, but based only on the first volume it's not even close to being a top-tier title.
This is dangerously close to flaming, friend. ANN's forum mods aren't very tolerant of this kind of thing. |
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Killer 7
Posts: 68 Location: "America,F&&k Yeah"! |
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In case you have'nt read my earlier post, i did mention the "Eyes Wide Shut" reference and I can mention other Anime series that have borrowed more from other souce materials like the ones you had previously mentioned IE Scryed=Xmen,Blue Gender=Aliens and every other post apocalypse series.To say SG borrowed fron live action porno movies is kinda grasping at straws,don't you think?
and not too mention aliens who mouths resemble a vagina and the obvious protagonist who goes from being a scared,naive guy to a stoic "freedom fighter" yeah, that's more of a been there done that feel.That's Ohata for ya. I guess it's up to one's personal tastes.fer instance,you prefer dubbed Anime and i prefer to watch it in it's native language.
yeah but it gets better in the following episodes and to me there were less fillers than certain series."patience grasshopper".
Me dangerous? cool. But seriously Key,my lemming comment may seem a bit out of hand,but when you have a poster who trashes a series without explanation nor reason,to me it sounds like a rant or merely jumping on the bandwagon.(not to mention that i think he called me a liar, in my defense of SG's sex and violence scenes.)At least the reviewer gave a concise explanation of why he gave it such a mediocre rating.What got it in his head that i expected him to change his review..i don't know. well, that's Zac for ya.
Not for nada,but there is/was a lot of flaming going on;insults,condesension,profane language etc. most from the posters and some from the ANN staff,some get away with just a slap on the wrist for saying far worse..*AHEM* and then there are those who get banned. If someone is gonna call me out, i have that obligation to return fire (without beligerent insults or profanity) other than that your message is duly noted. |
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Key
Moderator
Posts: 18466 Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley) |
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No, there are some out there with concepts and presentations very similar to the first episode of SG (and some "soft porn," too, for that matter - the kind of thing that pops up on late night Cinemax), so it's hardly "grasping at straws."
There's a lot more to Yuji's transformation in that series than the norm for such anime, but this isn't the right place to discuss it. <Thread drift alert!> |
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uwf
Posts: 2 |
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yeah anime is so realistic!! (sarcasm!), like magical 10 year old girls, giant mecha & robots, made up worlds, flying castles in the sky, and magic. I haven't been able to get the utter stupidity of your comment out of my mind for 1 and a half months so i finally had to reply to it.
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Deltakiral
Posts: 3338 Location: Glendora, CA (Avatar Hei from Darker than BLACK) |
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Wow so it took you a month and a half to write that about one of my post.....bravo. And I guess my stupidity (as you put it) must have force you to post for the first time in over 2 years.....I think I will give myself a pat on the back. Yes there lots of anime deal with fantasy setting that will never happen in real life. However there are anime that have very dramatic and life like decisions. I used the word realistic because I meant it, I don't know your viewing habits but perhaps you should expand your horizon. Because there are anime's that don't have magical fantasy worlds and show how are actions can have great consequences to them. Monster for example, an anime that is powerful because of it's storytelling along with it's moral issues and question that are asked as the story unfolds. So if you wish to have a discussion with me about anime, instead of making childish remarks about something I said I would like to hear that. Till next time, Delta Kiral Last edited by Deltakiral on Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:47 am; edited 1 time in total |
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joel_s95387
Posts: 1804 Location: California... The Village Hidden In The Porn |
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I love when people try to make other people look like idiots, and they are the one who are just sound stupid. Who knows how long your stupidity will stay in our minds. Here are a couple of realistic series that i've seen... Colorful! - Although many expressions are over the top, this is a really realistic series that reminds me a lot of my high school buddies. Human Crossings - No stuff that you mentioned that is in all of the anime you've seen. I haven't seen Diamond Daydreams, but I hear it too is good and pretty much takes place in the real world. Aren't these classified under "Slice-of-Life"... well maybe not for Colorful!. |
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