Kite or Mezzo? [Archive]

ape2020

04-21-2006, 08:39 PM

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Avarice said:
Which one do you like better, Kite or Mezzo, and why?

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I'm kinda more partial to Mezzo due to the humor, Orange Girl, Psycho Bitch, and more upbeat ending.

But its almost like comparing apples to oranges in that Kite is a action drama while Mezzo is a action comedy. As I love Kite in its own way and its just I slightly like comedy more then drama, barely.

If you were asking for sex scenes I would say Mezzo was hotter but Kite more meaniful.

-chimp1010

ADC

04-21-2006, 08:43 PM

I'll take Kite overall for its dramatic story, but they're both quite good. Mezzo's humor and wit are priceless, and the characters are very well-designed; Kite's story is incredible, though the characters aren't quite as memorable.

(Really, just buy them both already and save yourself some angst! And you can do far worse when it comes time to buy some H.)

chloes_fork

04-21-2006, 09:07 PM

I'd have to give the "like" edge to Mezzo Forte. Its humor and energy make for more enjoyable viewing than the grim, sordid edge of Kite. Similarly, Mikura is more fun and sexy as a character than the tragic Sawa. But if the question is which should you get, the only real answer is both. They're both brilliant works from a singularly talented creator, and they actually complement each other very nicely. They're two sides of the same pulp coin.

kurage

04-21-2006, 09:28 PM

Just to add what the others have said, I'm also a bit more partial to the fight scenes in Mezzo (although the restroom battle in Kite is classic) on top of the spectacular sex scenes. Overall I'm a bigger fan of Mezzo Forte because it's such a unique animal-edgy, hip, sexy, lewd, exciting, funny, bizarre, etc., etc. The sex seems sort of out of place at times, but in the end it adds to the overall "this shit is crazy" experience imo.

But the animation is quite brilliant in both shows, so if you're asking for a recommendation, I'd have to say get both.

ape2020

04-21-2006, 11:42 PM

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kurage said:
Just to add what the others have said, I'm also a bit more partial to the fight scenes in Mezzo (although the restroom battle in Kite is classic) on top of the spectacular sex scenes.

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Yes this is one thing going for both shows is the fight scenes in both shows are masterpieces. Its one of the things that anime is really not very good at. But both Kite and Mezzo Forte have this the fluid engery that action is going on and the fights are both artistic and deadly, especially when the gun battles. Its why I mark these shows way above other girls with guns shows like Noir and Gunslinger Girls, which to me are really just drama pieces and not action shows.

-chimp1010

SnowfairyX

04-22-2006, 01:17 AM

I'd say if you have to go with one or the other, definitely go with Mezzo Forte rather than Kite. It's a pretty fun, mindless and over-the-top action series. As others have already said, the extremely hardcore sex scenes do not serve any important purpose at all other than masturbation. Don't bother with a story though, there isn't any, although I have heard that the TV series does expand on some parts of the OVA a little bit.

I have seen the less cut but not the most recent fully uncut version of Kite and would say it's merely decent and I think I'm actually being generous since I have pretty low standards. The action scenes are pretty good and that's pretty much the main positive I have to say. I personally don't think the sex scenes in this OVA serve much purpose either but it definitely makes me feel something, which is disgust. I really don't know if the sex scenes are actually intended to just disgust the viewer as much as possible or rather to appeal to people that like to see women raped. If you don't like rape, this is one to be avoided. I felt sick after watching this.

chloes_fork

04-22-2006, 01:18 AM

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Chimp1010 said:
Its why I mark these shows way above other girls with guns shows like Noir and Gunslinger Girls, which to me are really just drama pieces and not action shows.

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As much as I love Kite and MF, I don't see anything wrong with being "just" a drama piece, either. Noir and Gunslinger Girl are both brilliant in their own right.

ape2020

04-22-2006, 03:20 AM

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chloes_fork said:
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Chimp1010 said:
Its why I mark these shows way above other girls with guns shows like Noir and Gunslinger Girls, which to me are really just drama pieces and not action shows.

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As much as I love Kite and MF, I don't see anything wrong with being "just" a drama piece, either. Noir and Gunslinger Girl are both brilliant in their own right.

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No nothing wrong with that. Its just when I heard of Noir and Gunslinger girls they were thought of great examples of the Girls with Guns genre. Which to me means great action scenes. Both show don't have that and are actually pretty lame most of the time. If they just cut out most of the action scenes and only refer to them then they would have been much better. Focus on the character devolopment and don't distract with the lame gun battles and fight scenes.

-chimp1010

Njr Scrawl

04-22-2006, 04:04 AM

The gunfight in Gunsmith Cats (Kenichi Sonada) impressed me more than any in Noir. I've not bought or seen Gunsmith Girls yet. GSC & Mezzo TV are ADV UK releases.

Didn't the Mezzo creator do a sex & drugs episode in another show? I seem to remember reading somewhere.
Doubt if any version of Mezzo OVA & Kite will be released here.

SnowfairyX

04-22-2006, 04:15 AM

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Wrath of the Njr said:
Didn't the Mezzo creator do a sex & drugs episode in another show? I seem to remember reading somewhere.

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Yes. The episode title is Yellow Star (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=202&page=25) from the hentai Cool Devices.

ape2020

04-22-2006, 04:24 AM

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Wrath of the Njr said:
The gunfight in Gunsmith Cats (Kenichi Sonada) impressed me more than any in Noir. I've not bought or seen Gunsmith Girls yet. GSC & Mezzo TV are ADV UK releases.

Didn't the Mezzo creator do a sex & drugs episode in another show? I seem to remember reading somewhere.
Doubt if any version of Mezzo OVA & Kite will be released here.

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Yes Gunsmith Cats is another one that had some great gunfights. As for Yasuomi Umetsu he has done a lot of character design, including what I think your thinking about Yellow Star from the Cool Devices series. That show was very much a precuror to Kite in it was about a dirty cop that used a sex drug on his step daughter. Sawa and the girl in that show Ayana look very similar as does the dirty cop in both shows.

-chimp1010

Vicserr

04-22-2006, 07:04 AM

chloes_fork

04-22-2006, 07:40 AM

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SnowfairyX said:
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Wrath of the Njr said:
Didn't the Mezzo creator do a sex & drugs episode in another show? I seem to remember reading somewhere.

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Yes. The episode title is Yellow Star (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=202&page=25) from the hentai Cool Devices.

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It's worth noting that the extent to which Umetsu "did" "Yellow Star" was apparently limited to character design. He's not credited as writer or director, unlike Kite and MF, which are true auteur works with one guy basically in charge of everything. That people often tend to assume "Yellow Star" is a "Yasuomi Umetsu film" says a lot about the distinctiveness of his design work -- as well as about its plot and stylistic similarities to Kite. I think it's pretty clear Umetsu either influenced more than he's credited for in "Yellow Star," or else let it heavily influence his own next production.

touma

04-22-2006, 07:53 AM

I am assuming that "Mezzo" means Mezzo Forte, the single disk OVA, rather than the Mezzo TV series.
I like them both, but I prefer Mezzo Forte. Kite is much more of a serious drama. There is nothing wrong with that, it is just not the kind of show that I prefer. Mezzo Forte has more action and comedy.
They are also both good as hentai.
If you do not want hentai and would be getting one of the edited versions things might be different. I have not seen either show edited, but I think that Mezzo Forte would work better because the two sex scenes are really independent of the rest of the show and could be removed without effecting anything else. The sex in Kite is so well integrated into the show that I think that it would be hard to remove it without seriously weakening the story. But, as I say, I have not actually seen it.
It would be interesting to get some comments from somebody who has seen both the edited and unedited versions of these shows.

citicslmatts

04-22-2006, 09:17 AM

I'm going to go with Kite. Don't get me wrong - I own both, as they are each clearly awesome... But Kite just gets the edge for me.

I generally prefer my violence without the comedy... and it bothered me a little that the sex in Mezzo Forte had no real 'need' if it's compared to the sex in Kite.

Peace.

ape2020

04-22-2006, 10:12 AM

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Touma said:
It would be interesting to get some comments from somebody who has seen both the edited and unedited versions of these shows.

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I bought Kite edited from Anime Works and still have it. While there is a little difference in feel it doesn't effect it as much. When I saw it I didn't know about the edits and still I could tell the Sawa's gaurdian was a creep and was abusing her. I could tell there was some bad people all around pulling strings. Of course all the action was still there so it still a good show.

All that said I prefer the unedited version and not just for the sex. The added scenes add depth to the show and made everyone more clearer to their role. Sawa became more sympathic and thoses around her more sinister and disgusting.

-chimp1010

geraldr

04-24-2006, 08:23 AM

I'd go with Mezzo over Kite. While I think both are interesting, Mezzo has more character and humor behind it as well as extremely well done fight scenes. Kite really felt like it was practice for what Mezzo turned out to be.

Dicrel Seijin

04-25-2006, 02:58 AM

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chloes_fork said:
I'd have to give the "like" edge to Mezzo Forte. Its humor and energy make for more enjoyable viewing than the grim, sordid edge of Kite. Similarly, Mikura is more fun and sexy as a character than the tragic Sawa. But if the question is which should you get, the only real answer is both. They're both brilliant works from a singularly talented creator, and they actually complement each other very nicely. They're two sides of the same pulp coin.

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Well said. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

The main trio of Mikura, the detective, and the mechanic in Mezzo are likeable. The action frenetic. The story? Well, let's just stick to its strong points shall we? /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif There's pretty good replay value, if just for the action.

Sawa is the only character you really feel sympathy for in Kite, but not nuch else. Everyone else is just scuzzy in one way or another. the action stands toe-to-toe with Mezzo. However, the thing about Kite is that I feel the need to take a shower afterward (no, not what you think). I just feel the need to get clean afterward. Does not help in the replay value.

Billykid

04-25-2006, 07:07 AM

chloes_fork

04-25-2006, 08:14 AM

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Billykid said:
However, I give the slight nod to the Japanese on Kite but totally prefer wholeheartedly the English dub on Mezzo Forte. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

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Even as a notorious scorner of dubs, I have to agree that MF's is excellent. Perfectly cast and performed. I've voluntarily watched it more than once, and coming from me, that's really saying something.

SmoothTex

04-27-2006, 12:46 PM

I like Mezzo Forte better because I can spank the monkey without feeling too creepy.

As usual, I have revealed too much.

Digital Boy

04-27-2006, 01:02 PM

Mezzo's funny and all... but Kite is just so damn good and serious.

citicslmatts

04-27-2006, 04:12 PM

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Chimp1010 said:
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Touma said:
It would be interesting to get some comments from somebody who has seen both the edited and unedited versions of these shows.

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...I prefer the unedited version and not just for the sex. The added scenes add depth to the show and made everyone more clearer to their role. Sawa became more sympathic and those around her more sinister and disgusting.

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That is exactly what I think too. The edited version of Kite lost much of the evil which IMO was necessary to show that her mentor was such a hypocrite. I'm not really a hentai fan, so the sex is perhaps a little graphic in places for my taste, but some of it certainly is necessary if you ask me.

I can't say the same for Mezzo though, the sex in that is less incidental to the story line...

Chloe

04-27-2006, 07:42 PM

I agree with ICM in that I like Kite better. I just am not as comfortable with humor mixed in with the sex scenes as most people I guess, but the action was better for me in Kite then in Mezzo. The bathroom sequence is just incredible! I prefer the grittier titles anyway I guess, so I think that will bias most people's opinions re: these two more then any other factor. I did find Kite to be slightly more coherent story wise though.

I rented the edited Kite before I bought the unedited version. I really feel although the sex scenes DO add a bit to the character's background, they really were tacked on. Kite is FINE w/o those scenes, adding them just makes Sawa and the others more clearly defined, but you don't need it.

I've only seen Mezzo from the unedited perspective; has any one seen both? I'm curious if the sex scenes in Mezzo felt as tacked on as they were in Kite. I kind of get that feeling already, since I don't think they added very much to what little story there was.

Off topic a bit; is the Mezzo TV any good? I mean I like Kite and Mezzo as is, but they are not world-shaking. I don't think I would expect much from Mezzo TV, but what are your opinions of it?

slrcosmos

04-27-2006, 09:30 PM

Now for Kite, which edition would you recommend? I've seen the edited version and I did feel like something was missing. I notice that there's a director's cut and a special edition. Are they pretty much the same?

ADC

04-27-2006, 09:49 PM

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slrcosmos said:
Now for Kite, which edition would you recommend? I've seen the edited version and I did feel like something was missing. I notice that there's a director's cut and a special edition. Are they pretty much the same?

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The special edition has the least material cut — uncut? I don't know for sure, but I think so. The director's cut has more material removed, about 30–60 seconds' difference. So you want to go with the special edition.

(And pretend that the AnimeWorks version doesn't exist.)

SnowfairyX

04-27-2006, 10:16 PM

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Kingmole said:
I've only seen Mezzo from the unedited perspective; has any one seen both? I'm curious if the sex scenes in Mezzo felt as tacked on as they were in Kite. I kind of get that feeling already, since I don't think they added very much to what little story there was.

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I thought the thread pretty much covered much of this part already with several responses /images/graemlins/icon_rolleyes.gif. Anyway, if you thought the sex scenes felt "tacked on" in Kite, there would be absolutely no question that you would think the same and most likely even more so with Mezzo Forte. For some reason, I thought it was kind of hilarious how unecessary and hardcore the sex scenes were admidst the rest of the series. I've really never seen anything quite like it /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif.

touma

04-27-2006, 10:49 PM

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SnowfairyX said:Anyway, if you thought the sex scenes felt "tacked on" in Kite, there would be absolutely no question that you would think the same and most likely even more so with Mezzo Forte. For some reason, I thought it was kind of hilarious how unecessary and hardcore the sex scenes were admidst the rest of the series. I've really never seen anything quite like it /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif.

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Yep, the sex scenes in Mezzo Forte could be used to illustrate the concept of "gratuitous sex." They weren't so much tacked on to the show, it was more like they were thrown against it and stuck there. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif
I love them. If there was a whole DVD of scenes like that it would be the greatest hentai ever. /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif

kakugo

04-27-2006, 11:05 PM

A-Kite is a masterpiece as far as I'm concerned, an exciting noir love letter to the films of Luc Besson. It beat The Matrix by a good year for perfect bullet time, and really takes what serious action animation can do to the limits. It isn't perfect, and the re-writes that Umetsu made to the script to turn it in to an adult title may be to blame for the mood swinging around from time to time, but it's still one of my all time favorite anime titles, hentai or otherwise.

Mezzo Forte, despite my undying love for A-Kite, is probably the superior OVA though. Umetsu's dark and brooding city is transformed in to a candy colored world that, despite lifting imagery (and even a certain assasin) right from A-Kite, is seeing the world through a rosy funhouse mirror. No matter how over the top Mezzo Forte gets it's sense of humor makes it all fit nicely, playing Umetsu's visual style for a sense of wonder rather than drama. I like A-Kite better than Mezzo Forte, but if I had to rate them I'd begrudgingly admit that - with or without the intense and TOTALLY gratuitous sex scenes - Mezzo Forte is better on almost every level.

And Mezzo TV is... cheap. It's got the same zany sense of humor that Mezzo Forte had, but it lacks the fluid, gorgeous animation that brought Mikra and the rest of the cast to life. I still like it. If you like Umetsu's storytelling, Mezzo TV is great stuff. But if you just want the spectacle and gory sexy over the top fun of A-Kite and Mezzo Forte you may come away feeling a bit let down. The first episode is jaw-dropping, but... the budget bottoms out pretty quick thereafter.

ADC

04-27-2006, 11:11 PM

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Kakugo said:
And Mezzo TV is... cheap. It's got the same zany sense of humor that Mezzo Forte had, but it lacks the fluid, gorgeous animation that brought Mikra and the rest of the cast to life. I still like it. If you like Umetsu's storytelling, Mezzo TV is great stuff. But if you just want the spectacle and gory sexy over the top fun of A-Kite and Mezzo Forte you may come away feeling a bit let down. The first episode is jaw-dropping, but... the budget bottoms out pretty quick thereafter.

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I never got any further than the first disc of Mezzo TV, so if this is a spoiler or important plot point or anything, please feel free to mark it as such or PM me or something, but I have to ask: Why is it that Mikura's eyes are blue in the TV show after being yellow-orange in the OVA? This was kind of jarring.

touma

04-27-2006, 11:26 PM

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ADC said:Why is it that Mikura's eyes are blue in the TV show after being yellow-orange in the OVA? This was kind of jarring.

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Hmm...
I have watched all of Mezzo Forte twice and Mezzo three times (the whole show,that is. No need to discuss how many times I have watched the gratuitous sex scenes /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif).
I never noticed the difference in her eyes. If there was a reason for it I missed that too.

Vicserr

04-28-2006, 07:55 AM

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Kingmole said:
Off topic a bit; is the Mezzo TV any good? I mean I like Kite and Mezzo as is, but they are not world-shaking. I don't think I would expect much from Mezzo TV, but what are your opinions of it?

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Well, I liked Mezzo DSA, it was spunky and funny, the animation quality took a dive comparing it to Mezzo Forte and the general kookiness of the characters and some of the stories made the show very engaging for me, and the OP rocks!

chloes_fork

04-28-2006, 08:27 AM

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ADC said:
Why is it that Mikura's eyes are blue in the TV show after being yellow-orange in the OVA? This was kind of jarring.

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I put it down to a simple tweak to the character design. (Mikura's default hairstyle was changed too, though I think she does wear the little pigtails briefly in the OVAs.) Personally, whatever the reason, I think it's a change for the worse: Mikura's golden eyes, much like Sawa's crimson ones in Kite, give the characters a doll-like quality that's part of Umetsu's unique aesthetic. With the blue eyes, Mikura loses something to me, becoming just a bit more generic-anime-girl. /images/graemlins/sad.gif

And props to Kakugo for his post above. Nice analysis. Yours are always among the more intelligent and informed posts in any hentai-related thread.