Something I've Been Meaning to Write, About Something I've Been Meaning to Watch

I've been meaning to write this post for some time now, but keep putting it off. There's an anime series I've been meaning to re-watch, called "Speed Grapher"; I've been putting off watching it again until after I wrote this post. I am reluctant to watch the series again, for (arguably) good reasons. I will say this right now, Speed Grapher is not for younger audiences, or the faint of heart (or the easily upset/offended). It contains graphic violence, bloodshed, partial nudity, sexual references, swearing, drinking, smoking, and lots of disturbing imagery. Having said all that, it isn't a bad series.

The series takes a look at the corrupting influence of wealth, and of the pursuit of wealth. A key figure in the series is a secret club that caters to the whims of the ultra-wealthy. No matter how depraved (or illegal) your desires are, they can make it happen...provided, of course, you can afford your membership fees. If you can't, then things will end very badly for you.

All the members of this club are people of great wealth and/or power. And they are awful. Most have no problem hurting or even killing people around them, and tend to behave as if the rules don't apply to them. And they're right: the rules DON'T apply to them, not really.

But isn't that how it is in real life as well? When you achieve a certain level of wealth and power, you become disconnected from the world around you. Law enforcers will be reluctant to after you, and even if charges are pressed, you can hire the best lawyers to bail you out. And even if things to go badly, and punishment will be relatively light - a fine that would be ruinous to most is chump change to you. You have the wealth and power to cause big changes to happen, the kind of wealth and power to make businesses flourish or crash and burn, the kind of wealth and power that get someone into office or get them kicked out.

When you talk, officials listen. When you give orders, workers carry them out. Those who dare oppose your will are removed.

This is a very dangerous way of thinking, and yet it is all too common. Speed Grapher presents a rather bleak picture of what would happen if too many people fell to this way of thinking, and then someone did something very drastic. I won't give away too much, but things don't end well for a lot of people, both at the beginning of the series, and at the end.

Be careful when pursuing wealth, and always remember that you are just a human.