SeattleOtaku

The story of a girl who loved her robot…

A classic, yet realistic, giant-robot anime, Patlabor Mobile Police (or simply the titular robot model, Patlabor), uses no special powers to tell it’s story. This is good-old “cops and robbers”, with both sides using large robots as their vehicles of choice.

Story Intro

Labors are large robots that have been created to do heavy construction tasks in the wake of overpopulation. However, human nature what it is, a criminal element had started to use Labors for crime as well. The police stepped up their equipment and created their own editions, Patrol Labors, known by the common Japanese word-meshing version, “Patlabors”.

Different versions of the storyline introduce characters in different manners, but in general it follows the life and duties of the “Special Vehicles, 2nd Unit” division of the police, and in particular a new recruit, the red-haired energetic Noa Izumi, who has dreamed of piloting a Labor since childhood.

“This is a work of fiction, but in ten years, who knows?”
~ episode credits tagline

Single-handedly rescuing the latest Patlabor “Ingram” model from thieves (in her original TV introduction), she quickly realizes her dream and becomes a pilot of the new Patlabor, which she names “Alphonse”. Woe be to anyone who stands between Noa and Alphonse, however, as she’s quick to lose her temper if Alphonse is in danger of being “hurt”.

Other Notes

Patlabor serves the giant-robot genre a healthy dose of reality, focusing on the day-to-day tedium of being an officer as much as the action itself. Instead of psychic powers or super-heroes, the Patlabors are piloted by normal people who are just doing their jobs. Instead of phaser cannons and glowing swords, they use giant-robot sized revolvers, shotguns, and batons. Of course, heavy doses of humor are included as well, from the firepower-obsessed Ohta and hen-pecked Shinshi, to the cerebral humor of laid-back Captain Gotoh.

Many episodes of the OVA and TV series, as well as both movies, were directed by Oshii Mamouru, from Ghost in the Shell, Jin-Roh, and others. The movies are sometimes played on “Action” cable channels with strange results; they are mostly mysteries apart from the opening and final scenes, prompting some to joke that the only action is by the voice actors.

The third movie, WXIII, primarily follows two police investigators on a case of Labor attacks and murders; the 2nd Unit is not the primary focus this time around, although they certainly appear for action sequences.

Images can be seen at a fan site: Babylon Project (currently down, as tomobiki.com moves to another host).

I met Patlabor and RahXephon mecha designer Yutaka Izubuchi at Sakura-Con 2008, chatting about favorite anime and recent projects, and he kindly autographed my staff badge with a sketch of Alphonse. For obvious reasons, I relaminated that badge shortly afterward.

Anime Titles

Patlabor Mobile Police (1988-89, 7-episode OVA)
Patlabor I (1989, Movie)
Patlabor Mobile Police (1989-90, 47-episode TV)
Patlabor: The New Files (1990-92, 16-episode OVA)
Patlabor II (1993, Movie)
WXIII (Wasted Thirteen): Patlabor III (2001, Movie)
Mini-Pato (2001-02, 3-episode OVA, one released as a theatrical short with WXIII)