Mercedes-Benz collaborated with anime studio Production I.G to create a short as a part of their Next A Class campaign, promoting the new Mercedes A-Class in Japan.

The car itself, a 2013 Mercedes A 180, is the star of the short film and is seen jumping across roads, somersaulting through the air and ramming another vehicle, all without incurring a single scratch! One can only hope it’s this durable in reality.

A commercial for the short has been running in Japan urging people to go online and view the whole film.

Directed by Mizuho Nishikubo, the anime presents a futuristic look at a reconstructed city of Tokyo that changes its form due to the time of the day. Featuring a trio of characters, Nico, Gatsu and Makito, they group together in a Mercedes-Benz A-Class 180 to chase a certain truck, which happens to be a legendary mobile noodle soup stand (itself a Mercedes-Benz 1955 Blue Wonder). But do they catch up to it? The film does have English subtitles, so click play below to enjoy and find out.

The car itself goes on sale in January 2013.

This is also not a one-off, with Production I.G. and Mercedes-Benz planning to work again in the not too distant future.

What do you make of the collaboration? Does it make you want to buy an A 180? Do you wish all car adverts were this good?

Source: NEXT A-Class

Originally published on MCM Buzz on 20 November 2012.