SeattleOtaku
Home Reviews Seiyuu/Actors Clubs Conventions Shopping LiveJournal About Me

Patlabor Mobile Police

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 what are called Patrol Labors, or Patlabors.

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

"This is a work of fiction,
but in ten years, maybe not."

Single-handedly rescuing the latest Patlabor "Ingram" model from thieves (her 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 heavy dose of reality in each incarnation, focusing on the day-to-day tedium of being an officer as much as the action itself. Instead of physic powers and super-heroes, the Patlabors are piloted by normal people who are just doing their jobs. Of course, heavy doses of humor are included as well, from the guns-and-justice 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; both are mostly mysteries apart from the opening and final scenes.

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).

Patlabor Mobile Police (6-episode OVA)

Patlabor Mobile Police (47-episode TV)

Patlabor: The New Files (16-episode OVA)

Patlabor I (Movie)

Patlabor II (Movie)

WXIII (Wasted Thirteen): Patlabor III (Movie)

Mini-Pato (3-episode shorts, shown with WXIII)

Home Reviews Seiyuu/Actors Clubs Conventions Shopping LiveJournal About Me

Feedback Appreciated.