DVD | Mezzo: Shell 1

Japanese anime is curious stuff. Confusing at times, but always engaging in some peculiar way.

The basic premise of Mezzo is a trio who call themselves the DSA, and who hire themselves out for all types of dangerous work. They tend to live on the edge, not only of danger but also poverty as they live in a leaking old bus.

The head of DSA is an ex-Cop with a penchant for noodles, the technical brains is Harada, an interesting guy who builds androids in his pare time. The brawn, and in true Japanese style, the beauty of the team is Mikura, a pink haired girl who handles the guns and the fighting.

The story line is rather sparse – it’s more action orientated fare – with each episode basically being stand alone. That is with the exception of episode five which mirrors episode 4, but from Mikura’s point of view, where there paths accidentally keep merging.

The only other point that seems to gel the episodes together is a mysterious sniper who seems intent, but inept at taking out the head of DSA. Maybe this story line will come to fruition in later episodes.

All in all it’s a blend of Disney with a heap of Matrix style action, and Japanese humour – the type of humour you’re not sure weather it’s intentional or not.