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Mezzo DSA
Mezzo DSA
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Mezzo DSA
series title over a blood red background
メゾ DSA
(Mezo Dī Esu Ē)
Anime television series
Directed byYasuomi Umetsu
Produced byMariko Kusuhara
Osamu Koshinaka
Satoshi Matsui
Tsuyoshi Yoshida
Written byTakao Yoshioka
Music byFumika Yasuda
StudioARMS
Licensed by
Original networkTV Kanagawa
English network
Original run 4 January 2004 30 March 2004
Episodes13 (List of episodes)
Manga
Mezzo
Written byYasuomi Umetsu
Published byOhzora Comic Creation
PublishedApril 24, 2004
Volumes1

Mezzo DSA is a 13-episode anime series created by Yasuomi Umetsu and the first not to be licensed by Anime Works, but instead licensed by ADV Films. It is a follow-up to the 2001 OVA Mezzo Forte.

Synopsis

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Mikura, Kurokawa, and Harada are the three members of the Danger Service Agency (DSA). Mikura is the brawn of the group, Harada is the brains, and Kurokawa is just a bitter ex-cop who likes to think he's in charge. They'll take on any job as long as it involves much danger and, of course, money. Their biggest case, however, could prove to be finding out why someone wants Kurokawa assassinated.

The DSA's headquarters is an old red British double-decker bus that has been converted into living quarters for the three main characters. It has been placed on the rooftop of a two-story building which houses Mugiyama's barber shop on the ground floor. They drive an old-style pink Volkswagen Beetle.

Characters

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Major characters

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Tomohisa Harada, Mikura Suzuki, and Kenichi Kurokawa

The series concerns three characters who comprise the Danger Service Agency (D.S.A.), as well as a young acquaintance of theirs. The main characters include:

Mikura Suzuki (鈴木 海空来, Suzuki Mikura)
Voiced by: Tomoko Kotani (Japanese); Luci Christian (English)
The team's combat specialist who enjoys shooting first and asking questions later. Mikura is strong, highly proficient at fighting and using firearms, her preferred weapon being the Colt M1911A1 semi-automatic pistol. She also has a limited yet uncontrollable precognitive ability which enables her to see brief glimpses of the future. She is determined, strong willed and can be a cold blooded killer if the situation requires her to be one. She is very competitive and unsociable, but she has a kind soul deep down. She also has a love of karaoke.
Kenichi Kurokawa (黒川 健一, Kurokawa Ken'ichi)
Voiced by: Taichirō Hirokawa (Japanese); Andy McAvin (English)
The team's leader who is an ex-cop and loves eating noodles of any kind. He is partners with Mikura and Harada in the DSA, or Danger Service Agency (often referred to as the "Risk Their Lives Trio" in the press). He drives a pink Volkswagen Beetle, howls at hot women and always cracks lame puns. Mikura and Harada refer to Kurokawa as "Pops" for short. He likes to think that he is in charge, and more often than not, he arranges jobs for the DSA. His knowledge in underworld dealings is valuable to the team. He is also blackmailing his old chief for ammunition for Mikura by holding a DVD showing the chief in a compromising situation with an underaged pop star, and Kurokawa is now hunted by an assassin sent by Black Scissors. He is half Japanese and half American.
Tomohisa Harada (原田 智久, Harada Tomohisa)
Voiced by: Takumi Yamazaki (Japanese); Jason Douglas (English)
Member of the Danger Service Agency, he's a pointy-haired young man who is infatuated with Mikura, but won't admit it to himself or others. He is an expert on Gynoids, Androids, and all things technical.
Asami Igarashi (五十嵐 あさみ, Igarashi Asami)
Voiced by: Miyu Matsuki (Japanese); Sasha Paysinger (English)
A schoolgirl who is rescued by Mikura in the first episode and becomes part of the D.S.A. She is often picked on by her classmates who bully her for money. When she doesn't have as much money as they would like, they say very hurtful comments to her and push her around. Therefore she is shy and quiet. She wants to one day become a strong woman like Mikura. She witnesses Mikura at work and begins hanging around the DSA's headquarters (much to Kurokawa's dismay).
Chiyoki Mugiyama (麦山 千代奇, Mugiyama Chiyoki)
Voiced by: Yūichi Nagashima (Japanese); Vic Mignogna (English)
He is a barber. He seems sadistic, and likes to give people 'the trim' if something goes wrong. He is often the source of information for the D.S.A. However, he is also the leader of Black Scissors, a mercenary black market group who has been contracted by Kurokawa's old police captain to kill Kurokawa (mostly because Kurokawa is holding a DVD with embarrassing pictures about the captain in order to obtain ammunition).

Minor characters

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There is also a selection of minor characters in the series, some of which even have major significance with the major ones.

Sakura Sakurada (桜田 桜, Sakurada Sakura)
Voiced by: Miki Nagasawa (Japanese); Monica Rial (English)
She was at one time Mikura's best friend, both children of the streets. She and Mikura would survive by stealing for their food, until they got separated when Mikura ran interference against then-detective Kurokawa. Sakura's life afterward went on a downward spiral, trying to achieve the same. Then one night as she was about to be raped by three men, she was rescued by Momomi Momoi (桃井 桃実, Momoi Momomi), a character introduced in the original OVA as the psychotic daughter of antagonist Momokichi Momoi (桃井 桃吉, Momoi Momokichi) who singlehandedly killed the rapists. Since then, Sakura and Momomi became lesbian lovers, and Momomi had taught Sakura how to fight and defend herself. Sakura often described Momomi as beautiful as she is terrifying. Sakura was deeply in love with Momomi, so when she found out that Momomi was killed by Mikura, she set out to get revenge by killing Mikura. However, many of her early attempts were unsuccessful because Kurokawa and Harada, who were on an unrelated case, interfered. When she finally did make an attempt on Mikura's life, she ended up accidentally stabbing herself. As Sakura was dying, she had told Mikura that she found out that Momomi and Mikura were actually half-sisters (this was hinted at in Mezzo Forte). As she was about to die, a Gynoid (who was about to self-destruct, again from Kurokawa and Harada's case) came crashing out of a window. Hallucinating from her wounds, Sakura thought it was Momomi coming to embrace her. Sakura died when the Gynoid blew up.
Manon Asakura (朝倉 麻否, Asakura Manon)
Voiced by: Junko Noda (Japanese); Tiffany Grant (English)
She was an old classmate of Harada's. Harada had a crush on her, but since she was a daughter of Asakura Industries, he saw little chance of even saying hello to her. There was a time, however, when Manon talked to him, though she always insisted that they leave at a specific time. One day, Manon insisted upon staying with Harada longer. They spent the day on a Ferris wheel, but after they got off, Manon collapsed and gave instructions to be returned to her father's company. When Harada complied, he learned the horrifying truth that the "Manon" he went out with was actually a Gynoid, which was constructed by Manon and her father to test new theories in artificial intelligence interactions with normal humans. In a combination of grief and rage, Harada destroyed the lab and was later arrested by Kurokawa (who was still a police detective at the time). But Harada kept the program chip with the Gynoid Manon's programming. Years later, the true Manon inherited her father's company, and in a chance encounter was reunited with Harada and asked him if he would join the company, hoping he would be a help in their AI division. He kindly refused.
Kazuto (魚眼の和外, Gyogan no Kazuto) (aka "Fish-eye Kazuto")
Voiced by: Issei Miyazaki (Japanese); Chris Patton (English)
He is a young assassin assigned by Mugiyama to kill Kurokawa. However, he hadn't had any luck, either by circumstance, or Mikura's interference. He is fascinated by Mikura, however, and often thinks about her.

Manga

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A manga adaptation (which had the full title, Mezzo Danger Service Agency) which covered all 13 episodes in 1 tankobõn volume, was released in April 2004, a month after the anime ended. It has currently not been licensed or translated by any American company.

Anime

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The opening theme is "「スキマミマイタイ」 Suki Mami Mai Tai" by Barnabys (Shoko, Ai & Miyo) while the ending theme is 蜜 (Mitsu, lit. Honey) by Barnabys.

No.TitleOriginal release date
1"Shell of Love"
Transliteration: "koi no kara" (Japanese: 恋の殻)
January 4, 2004 (2004-01-04)
2"Shell of Stars"
Transliteration: "boshi no kara" (Japanese: 星の殻)
January 11, 2004 (2004-01-11)
3"Shell of Fear"
Transliteration: "osore no kara" (Japanese: 恐の殻)
January 18, 2004 (2004-01-18)
4"Shell of Lies, Posi"
Transliteration: "uso no kara POSI" (Japanese: 嘘の殻 EPISODE POSI)
January 25, 2004 (2004-01-25)
5"Shell of Lies, Nega"
Transliteration: "uso no kara NEGA" (Japanese: 嘘の殻 EPISODE NEGA)
February 1, 2004 (2004-02-01)
6"Shell of Memories[n 1]"
Transliteration: "oku no kara" (Japanese: 憶の殻)
February 8, 2004 (2004-02-08)
7"Shell of Sorrow[n 2]"
Transliteration: "ai no kara" (Japanese: 哀の殻)
February 15, 2004 (2004-02-15)
8"Shell of Thoughts"
Transliteration: "sou no kara" (Japanese: 想の殻)
February 22, 2004 (2004-02-22)
9"Shell of Dreams"
Transliteration: "yume no kara" (Japanese: 夢の殻)
February 29, 2004 (2004-02-29)
10"Shell of The Cursed[n 3]"
Transliteration: "noroi no kara" (Japanese: 呪の殻)
March 7, 2004 (2004-03-07)
11"Shell of Illusions"
Transliteration: "maboroshi no kara" (Japanese: 幻の殻)
March 14, 2004 (2004-03-14)
12"Shell of Origin[n 4]"
Transliteration: "in no kara" (Japanese: 因の殻)
March 21, 2004 (2004-03-21)
13"Shell of Destruction[n 5]"
Transliteration: "futokoro no kara" (Japanese: 壊の殻)
March 30, 2004 (2004-03-30)

Production notes

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Notes

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Mezzo DSA is a 13-episode Japanese television series directed by that aired from January 4 to March 28, 2004, serving as a sequel to the 2000-2001 OVA . The series centers on the Danger Service Agency (DSA), a freelance team comprising the physically adept Mikura Suzuki, the strategic Tomohisa Harada, and the former Kenichi Kurokawa, who undertake perilous, high-stakes assignments for lucrative fees. Their primary storyline revolves around investigating an plot targeting Kurokawa, blending intense action sequences with elements of and mature themes, including and suggestive content. Produced by the studio Arms, Mezzo DSA features character designs and original concepts by Umetsu, with the screenplay penned by Takao Yoshioka, and it incorporates such as the opening theme "Suki Mami " and ending "Mitsu" by the band Barnabys. The was licensed in by ADV Films upon release and later distributed on by in 2017, reflecting its appeal within the action genre despite its niche audience due to explicit elements.

Overview

Synopsis

Mezzo DSA is a 13-episode series set in a near-future characterized by advanced technology and urban unrest. The narrative revolves around the Danger Service Agency (DSA), a freelance team specializing in high-risk operations such as bodyguarding, extractions, and combat missions for paying clients. The DSA operates from a converted British serving as their fixed headquarters with living quarters, while their mobility in the city's dangerous underbelly is provided by a distinctive . The story's central plot arc ignites with an attempt on team leader Kenichi Kurokawa, a former , thrusting the DSA into a web of intrigue and escalating threats. This inciting incident transforms their typically episodic jobs into interconnected challenges tied to a broader conspiracy targeting the group. As they navigate these perils, the team uncovers layers of corruption and hidden enemies while maintaining their commitment to high-stakes work. A pivotal development occurs when the DSA rescues schoolgirl Asami Igarashi during a mission gone awry, leading to her recruitment and integration into the team, which introduces fresh dynamics to their operations. The series blends action-packed episodes with this overarching narrative, emphasizing the DSA's resilience amid mounting dangers in futuristic . Serving as a continuation of the characters from the OVA, it expands their adventures without relying on prior events.

Setting

Mezzo DSA is set in a near-future version of , characterized by a blend of and advanced high-tech elements that reflect a troubled metropolis grappling with crime and societal unrest. This backdrop provides a gritty, cyberpunk-inspired environment where everyday city life intersects with high-stakes operations, emphasizing the contrast between rundown districts and cutting-edge technology. The Danger Service Agency (DSA) operates from an unconventional headquarters: an old red British double-decker bus converted into living quarters, perched on the rooftop of a multi-story building. Below this setup lies a barber shop run by Chiyoki Mugiyama, which serves as a front for the agency's activities. For missions, the DSA relies on a distinctive pink Volkswagen Beetle, driven primarily by team leader Kenichi Kurokawa, which facilitates their mobile and discreet interventions across the city. As a private outfit, the DSA specializes in "dangerous service" assignments, taking on high-risk tasks for without any official affiliation to or government entities. This independent structure allows the core team—comprising Mikura, Kurokawa, and Harada—to handle a wide array of perilous jobs, from duties to more clandestine operations, all within Tokyo's chaotic landscape.

Characters

Major characters

Mikura Suzuki serves as the primary combat specialist of the Danger Service Agency (DSA), renowned for her exceptional physical prowess and proficiency in and firearms handling. She wields a Colt M1911A1 pistol as her signature weapon, employing it with deadly precision during high-stakes operations. Mikura possesses a rare precognitive ability, manifesting as brief flashes that provide glimpses of imminent danger, a trait carried over from her earlier exploits. Her personality is marked by high energy, impulsiveness, and a short temper, often driving her to charge headfirst into conflicts while maintaining an unyielding determination. Kenichi Kurokawa acts as the leader of the DSA, drawing on his background as a former to guide the team's endeavors. Despite his authoritative demeanor, he is often portrayed as a bitter ex-cop struggling with his past, yet he remains a steadfast coordinator for the group. Kurokawa's quirks include a deep fondness for noodles, which he frequently prepares and enjoys, and his habit of piloting the team's distinctive pink as their primary transport. Tomohisa Harada functions as the technological backbone of the DSA, specializing in hacking, , and gathering to support missions from . As the "brains" of the operation, he develops gadgets and provides critical , often contrasting the more action-oriented members with his analytical approach. Harada harbors an unspoken crush on Mikura, a dynamic occasionally teased by Kurokawa, adding a layer of personal tension to his professional contributions. Asami Igarashi, a young elementary schoolgirl, enters the DSA fold after being rescued during an early operation, transitioning from a vulnerable to a temporary team member who infuses the group with youthful innocence. Her admiration for Mikura inspires her to train in basic combat skills, though her role emphasizes emotional support and amid the agency's perilous work. Asami's presence highlights the contrast between the DSA's hardened mercenaries and the everyday world, fostering subtle growth in the team's interpersonal dynamics.

Minor characters

Chiyoki Mugiyama operates a barbershop in a back alley and frequently provides the DSA with valuable intelligence on underground dealings. Portrayed as an eccentric and sadistic figure, he derives pleasure from administering harsh "trims" to those who displease him, adding a layer of comic menace to his interactions. Secretly, Mugiyama leads the Black Scissors, a ruthless mercenary outfit that operates in the black market and becomes a recurring adversarial force against the DSA. The series features shadowy antagonists who orchestrate an elaborate plot targeting Kurokawa, employing intermediaries like the Black Scissors to execute their schemes without direct exposure. These elusive figures represent broader criminal networks seeking to eliminate threats to their operations, often manifesting through hired snipers and coordinated attacks that test the DSA's resilience. Throughout their missions, the DSA encounters various episodic clients and foes, including rival mercenaries vying for the same contracts and opportunistic informants peddling half-truths for profit. Notable among these is Manon Asakura, an advanced AI modeled after Harada's deceased former classmate, who provides technological aid but harbors unresolved emotional ties from her human past. Other one-off adversaries, such as armed groups disrupting protection jobs—like those interrupting a cursed artifact transport—offer bursts of action and highlight the precarious nature of freelance work in the .

Adaptations

Anime

The anime adaptation of Mezzo DSA consists of a 13-episode television series produced by ARMS studio. It aired weekly on TV Kanagawa from January 4, 2004, to March 28, 2004, in a late-night Sunday slot at 23:30 JST. The series was licensed for North America by ADV Films, which distributed it primarily through home video rather than a major network broadcast. ADV began releasing the series on DVD in October 2004 with volume 1 (episodes 1–4), followed by volume 2 (episodes 5–8) in December 2004, and volume 3 (episodes 9–13) in February 2005, available in both English-dubbed and Japanese audio formats with subtitles. The license later transferred to Sentai Filmworks, which reissued the complete collection on DVD in 2009. Structurally, the episodes blend standalone missions for the Danger Service Agency with an escalating overarching narrative centered on an assassination plot tied to Kurokawa's past. Unlike the original OVA Mezzo Forte, the television series omits explicit content to align with broadcast standards, focusing instead on action and character-driven intrigue. As of 2025, Mezzo DSA is available for streaming on HIDIVE, providing access to the full series with both subbed and dubbed options.

Manga

The manga adaptation of Mezzo DSA, titled Mezzo Danger Service Agency, was published as a single volume on April 24, 2004, by Ohzora Publishing Co. The 164-page volume was created by , who served as the original creator and ensured the artwork remained faithful to his character designs from the . This condenses the narrative of all 13 anime episodes into one cohesive volume, prioritizing key plot developments and character interactions while adapting the story for a static print medium. Due to the format's limitations, the exhibits a more deliberate and static pacing, eschewing the 's fluid action choreography and visual effects in favor of illustrated panels that emphasize dialogue and composition. The has never been officially licensed for release in the United States and maintains limited international availability, primarily through Japanese editions.

Production

Development

was created by , the director and character designer of the 2000–2001 OVA . The series was conceived as a television sequel to that OVA, expanding on the adventures of the Danger Service Agency. Animation production was handled by Studio ARMS, with Umetsu directing the project, providing the original concept, and designing the characters. He also contributed as chief for episode 13, episode director for episodes 1 and 13, and key animator for the opening, ending, and select episodes. The writing team adapted Umetsu's vision for broadcast, with Takao Yoshioka serving as the primary scenario writer and author for episodes 3–13, while Umetsu penned the scripts for episodes 1–2. Additional staff support included Shigenori Kageyama for the of episode 8 and work from Umetsu on episodes 1–2 and 10. Character designs maintained continuity with but featured refinements by Umetsu, including variations in protagonist Mikura Suzuki's appearance across the series and related media.

Music

The original score for the series Mezzo DSA was composed by Fumika Yasuda. The opening theme, titled "Suki Mami Mai Tai" (lit. "Gap Check-Up"), was performed by the vocal group Barnabys (comprising Shoko, Ai, and Miyo), with by Ai and by Barnabys. The ending theme, "Mitsu" (lit. "Honey"), was also performed by Barnabys, featuring composition by Ai and Shoko. The official soundtrack, TV Anime "Mezzo" Original Soundtrack, was released on CD by Scitron Digital Contents Inc. (catalog SCDC-00345) on April 21, 2004, and includes 31 tracks primarily composed by Yasuda. It features instrumental cues such as character themes (e.g., "DSA no Theme 1 - Tōjō" for the agency's introduction), action motifs (e.g., "Black Scissors no Theme"), and the TV-sized versions of the opening and ending themes, with contributions from violinist Yuka Eguchi and guitarist Goh Yamada. The album runs approximately 61 minutes and supports the series' dynamic pacing through its varied instrumental arrangements. The standalone OST provides the complete musical elements.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release in 2004, Mezzo DSA received mixed reviews from critics and anime enthusiasts, who noted its toned-down approach compared to the more explicit Mezzo Forte while praising its high production values. Anime News Network's early assessments highlighted the series' energetic English dub, particularly Luci Christian's portrayal of Mikura as capturing the character's irreverent spirit, though some found the overall narrative episodic and less ambitious than the original OVA. Philip Brophy, in a 2008 review for Empire magazine, commended the show's hyper-stylish visual design and inventive animation techniques, describing its action storyboarding as cinematic and adrenaline-fueled, but criticized the American dubbing for feeling forced and inauthentic. Critics consistently lauded the series' strong action sequences and character chemistry, which provided a feisty, punky momentum amid its comedic bounty-hunter escapades. The interplay between Mikura's spunky belligerence, Kurokawa's punk mechanic vibe, and Harada's fatherly balance was seen as a highlight, fostering humorous irreverence without descending into . However, the plots were often critiqued as formulaic, relying on self-contained "job of the week" scenarios that prioritized wacky antics over deeper storytelling, leading to occasional pacing lulls from budget constraints like looped animation. In modern retrospective reviews from 2023 to 2025, Mezzo DSA has garnered a among fans of director , appreciated for its kinetic action style and visual flair despite its unremarkable status. The Grimoire of Horror review emphasized its faithfulness to the original's tone while noting its watchable but forgettable episodic fun, appealing to those seeking lighter Umetsu fare. A 2025 episode analysis on Wrong Every Time described the as delightful, with gorgeous urban designs, weighty action choreography, and broad exaggeration in character expressions that exceed TV format expectations. The series holds an average IMDb rating of 6.4/10 based on 387 user votes, reflecting its niche appeal. The series balances comedy, sci-fi elements like futuristic tech and alien encounters, and mild fanservice in an R+-equivalent tone suitable for TV-14 audiences, though sanitized from its predecessor's adult content. This mix yields quirky, humorous cases with tangible action consequences, such as explosive chases and rubble-strewn fights, but avoids excessive to broaden .

Legacy

Mezzo DSA serves as a direct sequel to the 2000 OVA series , expanding the established lore of the Danger Service Agency (DSA) by introducing new episodic missions and character developments while omitting the explicit sexual content of its predecessor to align with television broadcast standards. This transition allowed the franchise to explore broader action-oriented narratives centered on operations, maintaining core elements like high-stakes gunplay and without the mature themes that defined the original. For director , Mezzo DSA marked a significant pivot from his earlier OVA works, such as Kite (1998) and , toward full-length television production, enabling more expansive storytelling and influencing his later projects like (2008). Released in 2004 by studio Arms, it stood as one of Umetsu's key television endeavors during a period of experimentation with serialized formats, preceding a relative slowdown in his directorial output until revivals like Galilei Donna (2013). The series' licensing by ADV Films facilitated its North American release, including DVD volumes that highlighted Umetsu's signature fluid animation and action choreography, contributing to its archival preservation. The series has cultivated a dedicated among fans of action anime, appreciated for its blend of episodic bounty-hunting tropes, vibrant character interactions, and Umetsu's distinctive visual style featuring dynamic fight scenes and exaggerated weaponry. Despite lacking direct sequels, Mezzo DSA sustains viewer interest through modern streaming availability on platforms like HIDIVE, where it remains accessible with both subtitled and dubbed options as of 2025, ensuring ongoing exposure for new audiences.

References

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