Wikipedia

Patlabor

Mobile Police Patlabor(Japanese:Cơ động cảnh sát パトレイバー,Hepburn:Kidō Keisatsu Patoreibā),also known asPatlabor(aportmanteauof "patrol" and "labor" ),[3]is a Japanesescience fictionmedia franchisecreated by Headgear, a group consisting of manga artistMasami Yūki,directorMamoru Oshii,screenwriterKazunori Itō,mecha designerYutaka Izubuchi,and character designerAkemi Takada.

Mobile Police Patlabor
Manga volume 1 cover, featuring Noa Izumi
Cơ động cảnh sát パトレイバー
(Kidō Keisatsu Patoreibā)
GenreAction,police comedy,[1]science fiction[2]
Created byHeadgear
Manga
Written byMasami Yuki
Published byShogakukan
English publisher
ImprintShōnen Sunday Comics
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Sunday
DemographicShōnen
Original runMarch 23, 1988–May 11, 1994
Volumes22
Original video animation
The Early Days
Directed byMamoru Oshii
Written byKazunori Ito
Music byKenji Kawai
StudioStudio Deen
Licensed by
ReleasedApril 25, 1988–June 25, 1989
Episodes7(List of episodes)
Light novel
Written byMichiko Yokote
Published byFujimi Shobō
ImprintFujimi Fantasia Bunko
DemographicMale
Original runOctober 1990–October 1993
Volumes5
Light novel
Tokyo War
Written byMamoru Oshii
Published byFujimi Shobō
ImprintFujimi Fantasia Bunko
DemographicMale
Original runApril 1994–May 1994
Volumes2
Original video animation
Patlabor Minimum
Directed byKenji Kamiyama
Written byMamoru Oshii
Music byKenji Kawai
StudioProduction I.G
Licensed by
ReleasedMarch 30, 2002
Runtime
  • 14 minutes (#1)
  • 12 minutes (#2)
  • 12 minutes (#3)
Original net animation
Patlabor Reboot
Directed byYasuhiro Yoshiura
Written byYasuhiro Yoshiura, Kazunori Ito
Music byKenji Kawai
Studio
ReleasedOctober 15, 2016
Runtime7 minutes
Movie timeline
TV timeline

The popular franchise includes a manga, a TV series, twoOVAseries, three feature-length movies, twolight novelseries, and a short film compilation, namedMinipato(ミニパト)because of itssuper deformed(chibi) drawing style.[4]The series has been adapted into video games and licensed products fromOSTto toys.Patlaboris known for usingmecha– designed byYutaka Izubuchi– not just for police or military purposes, but also for industrial and municipal jobs.

The series is one of the earlier examples of what is called a "media mix"in Japan, where there is no one source material: Multiple forms of media (inPatlabor's case the anime and manga) are worked on at the same time independently of each other.[4]

Plot

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See also:List of Patlabor characters

The story takes place in what was, at the time of release, the near future of 1998–2002. Robots called "Labors" are employed in heavy construction work. TheTokyo Metropolitan Policehas its own fleet of Patrol Labors ( "Patlabors"; as opposed to patrol cars) to combat crimes/terrorism and deal with accidents involving Labors. Thestory arcsusually revolve around Tokyo Metropolitan Police Special Vehicle Section 2, Division 2. Noa Izumi is the main protagonist of the series, but all of Division 2 play roles. Hata and Kusumi are main protagonists of the thirdPatlaborfilm.

The Next Generationtakes place in 2013, with an entirely new cast with the exception of Shige and Buchiyama in maintenance, but the new members of SV2 have similar names and personalities to the old ones.

The feature films follow a separate continuity, referred to as the "movie timeline", as opposed to the "TV timeline", with theEarly DaysOVA following the "movie timeline", and theNew FilesOVA following the "TV timeline".[citation needed]In addition, the manga follows its own continuity.

The Next Generationfeatures episodes that directly reference the TV series, while its final episode and movie are a direct sequel to the second movie.

Media

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Manga

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Released by Shogakukan throughShonen Sundaymagazine from 1988 to 1994, the 22-volume series takes place in a separate timeline.

Japanese volumes

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Original release:

  1. ISBN4091221211,July 1988
  2. ISBN409122122X,September 1988
  3. ISBN4091221238,December 1988
  4. ISBN4091221246,July 1989
  5. ISBN4091221254,December 1989
  6. ISBN4091221262,March 1990
  7. ISBN4091221270,June 1990
  8. ISBN4091221289,September 1990
  9. ISBN4091221297,January 1991
  10. ISBN4091221300,April 1991
  11. ISBN4091226019,July 1991
  12. ISBN4091226027,October 1991
  13. ISBN4091226035,December 1991
  14. ISBN4091226043,March 1992
  15. ISBN4091226051,May 1992
  16. ISBN409122606X,October 1992
  17. ISBN4091226078,April 1993
  18. ISBN4091226086,June 1993
  19. ISBN4091226094,September 1993
  20. ISBN4091226108,December 1993
  21. ISBN4091233112,March 1994
  22. ISBN4091233120,August 1994

Bunkobanrelease:

  1. ISBN4091932711,January 2000
  2. ISBN409193272X,January 2000
  3. ISBN4091932738,March 2000
  4. ISBN4091932746,March 2000
  5. ISBN4091932754,May 2000
  6. ISBN4091932762,May 2000
  7. ISBN4091932770,July 2000
  8. ISBN4091932789,July 2000
  9. ISBN4091932797,September 2000
  10. ISBN4091932800,September 2000
  11. ISBN4091932819,November 2000

North America volumes

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Vizreleased first two volumes of the manga as individual comics in 1997 and 1998, then released them as volumes:

  1. ISBN1569312877,1998
  2. ISBN1569313377,1998
Crossover
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As of August 26, 2024, a crossover manga between Patlabor and Zoids is scheduled for 2025, written by Kazunori Ito.[5]

Anime

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See also:List of Patlabor episodes

The Early Days OVA

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  • Mobile Police Patlabor(1988–1989, OVA, 7 episodes)

Also referred to asThe Early Days.Details the origins of the Tokyo MPD's 2nd Special Vehicles Section, otherwise known as SV2.

Movies

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A series of random labor incidents across theGreater Tokyo Areaputs the SV2 on the case. The incidents turn out to be part of a dead programmer's diabolical plot to create a much bigger rampage.

A secret group of terrorists engineer a crisis in Tokyo in the winter of 2001–2002. The members of SV2's Section 2, who have been reassigned to other duties since the events ofWXIII,reunite one more time to stop the threat.

Taking place a year afterPatlabor: The Movie,the film features two MPD detectives who investigate the case of missing scientists working on agenetic engineeringproject that runs amok in Tokyo Bay. SV2's Section 2 is later called in to help rein in the danger.

TV series and OVA sequel

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Taking place in a different continuity, the series features more adventures of SV2 Section 2, which includes an arc involving their efforts to combat an advanced Schaft Enterprises Labor called the Type J9 Griffon.

Also referred to asPatlabor 2,the series contains episodes that took place at several points between certain episodes in the TV series and after the latter's final episode. The OVA also features the conclusion of the Griffon story arc.

A three-part series of short films known as "Mobile Police Patlabor Minimum: Minipato"were shown before screenings ofWXIIIin 2002,Minipatouses paper puppets, CGI, and claymation to explain the rationale behind the whole concept of the series, especially how the Labors functioned in a realistichard sciencefiction setting.

Patlabor REBOOT

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Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor REBOOTis a short animated film released as part ofJapan Animator Expo2016 featuring a modernised version ofPatlaborwith new characters and utilising CG for the Labors,[6]animated byStudio Kharaand Studio Rikka.[7]

Patlabor EZY

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On November 24, 2016, it was announced that a newPatlaborproject had started.[8]Patlabor EZYwas announced atAnnecy International Animated Film Festivalin 2017.[9]Kazunori Ito said on his Twitter account in June 2017 that he is involved in the project.[10]In August 2018, GENCO opened social media accounts to promotePatlabor EZY.[11]

A pilot was reported to have debuted in August 2022.[12]During the "Mobile Police Patlabor Bucchake Talk!" event at Wonder Festival 2022, Yutaka Izubuchi said thatEZYis set to debut in 2024.[13]

In October 2023, MOVeLOT revealed that they're working on an Ingram-type mech in relation toEZY.[14]They invited anyone to follow their social media accounts for updates on the progress.[15]They reported in June 2024 that a working Ingram will be publicly unveiled in August with a ceremony held in mid-September.[16]

On September 12, 2024, the two-minute pilot was shown at theater screenings for the firstPatlabormovie in Japan.[17]

The show's staff announced on September 20, 2024 that it will be produced byJ.C.Staffand will air in 2026.[18]

Live-action series

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Main article:The Next Generation: Patlabor

At the 2013Tokyo Anime Fair,Tohokushinsha Film Corporationannounced a live-actionPatlaborproject to be launched in 2014.[19]On July 4, 2013, Mamoru Oshii announced that he would be involved in the project, in an unspecified capacity.[20]

On September 25, 2013, it was announced that Japanese actorsErina Manowould star as pilot Akira Izumino, Seiji Fukushi as Yūma Shiobara, Rina Oota as Ekaterina Krachevna Kankaeva ( "Kasha" ),Shigeru Chibareprising his anime role as chief Shigeo Shiba and Toshio Kakei as Captain Keiji Gotōda.[21]

CalledThe Next Generation: Patlabor,the project consisted of a drama series and movie. The drama series is divided into 14 "short story" episodes released to blu-ray and DVD and exclusively aired on BS Digital and Star Channel airing from 2014 and 2015, with limited advanced theatrical screenings dividing the series into 7 "chapters", each comprising two episodes. The movieTHE NEXT GENERATION Patlabor: Shuto Kessen( "Showdown in the Capital City" )(THE NEXT GENERATION パトレイバー thủ đô quyết chiến)released in theaters on May 1, 2015, and a director's cut version of the movie was released on October 10, 2015.[22]

The Next Generationtakes place in thePatlaborworld's version of 2013 Tokyo, and is a sequel to the TV series, the OVA series and the second movie. The completion of the Babylon Project led to disuse of Labors, and Japan is in the midst of a recession. Labors falling into disuse also means there is also no place for the patrol labor squads, which have been shrunk to only one division.[22]

The drama series follows the new members of SV2 as they solve cases and get into trouble like their predecessors did.

In the movie, followers ofYukihito Tsugecarry out terrorist attacks on Tokyo, re-enacting Tsuge's coup, and SV2 has to stop them.

Novels

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Patlabor 1-5

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Novels taking place in the same universe as theEarly DaysOVA and first movie.

  • Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor: Fuusoku 40 Meter(Kazunori Ito) – October 1990
  • Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor 2: Syntax Error(Michiko Yokote) – March 1992
  • Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor 3: Third Mission(Michiko Yokote) – September 1992
  • Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor 4: Blackjack (Zenpen)(Michiko Yokote) – July 1993
  • Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor 5: Blackjack (Kouhen)(Michiko Yokote) – October 1993

TOKYO WAR

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  • TOKYO WAR: Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor (Zenpen)(Mamoru Oshii) – April 1994
  • TOKYO WAR: Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor (Kouhen)(Mamoru Oshii) – May 1994

Novelization of the second movie.

  • TOKYO WAR MOBILE POLICE PATLABOR(Mamoru Oshii) – June 2005

A hardcover edition combining the two older volumes.

The Next Generation

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Novels taking place in the world ofThe Next Generation.

  • THE NEXT GENERATION Patlabor 1: Yuuma no Yuuutsu(Kei Yamamura) – March 2014
  • THE NEXT GENERATION Patlabor 2: Akira no Ashita(Kei Yamamura) – April 2014
  • THE NEXT GENERATION Patlabor 3: Shiroi Kasha(Kei Yamamura) – June 2014
  • THE NEXT GENERATION Patlabor: Akai Kasha(Kei Yamamura) – February 2015

The fourth novel by Yamamura is not numbered.

  • THE NEXT GENERATION Patlabor: TOKYO WAR 2 Haiiro no Yuurei(Mamoru Oshii and Kei Yamamura) – May 2015

Novelization of the live action movieShuto Kessen,which is also a sequel to theTOKYO WARnovels.

Other

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  • Bankuruwase: Keishi-chou Keibi-bu Tokushu Sharyou Ni-ka(Mamoru Oshii) - January 2011

A sequel to Patlabor taking place in the present day with a new generation of SV2 members, later used as inspiration forThe Next Generation.

  • Kouseki no Otoko(Mamoru Oshii) - 2015

Not a novel but short story included in the anthologyTag: Watashi no Aibou(2015) taking place in thePatlaborworld.

Video games

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AllPatlaborvideo games were released exclusively in Japan.

Patlaborgames

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Appearances

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Licensing

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All of the mainPatlaboranime productions have been released overseas in some form. All the movies have been translated into English and are available in Region 1, 2 & 4 DVD format. Most of the manga is not available in North America in English, and the video games, novels and live action series have also not been released outside of Japan.

The TV series and OVAs were released in the U.S. byCentral Park Media.The first two movies were released byManga Entertainment,but later remastered and re-released in 2006 byBandai Visual.The third movie (along with "Mini-Pato" ) was released byGeneon Entertainment(formerly Pioneer). Twelve sections of themangahave been translated and published byViz Communicationsas single issues and in two trade paperbacks, but later dropped the manga before completing it.

Mini-Pato is available on DVD in regions 1, 2, and 4 in the Limited EditionPatlabor WXIIIDVD packages.

In 2006,Bandai Visual'sHonneamiselabel re-released the first two movies on DVD in North America with extensive bonus features and an alternate English track, andBeez Entertainmenthandled distribution in the UK.

Madmanhas the distribution rights for the movies in Australia and New Zealand in association withManga EntertainmentUK &TFC,Madman have been refused the rights to the Bandai Visual dubs of the films. In 2011, Madman Entertainment announced that they had secured the rights to the Early Days OVA series and the TV series fromTFC,but announced on April 13, 2012, that due to unforeseen circumstances, Madman had indefinitely delayed their release into Australia and did not elaborate on the reasons.[23]However, Madman has since rescheduled the first OVA for DVD and Blu-ray release on June 19, 2013. In July 2013,MVM Filmshas licensed the first OVA & TV series for distribution in the UK and will release them on Blu-ray and DVD.

In 2013,Maiden Japan(in conjunction withSection23 Films) acquired the licence to thePatlaborOAV series, and released it onBlu-rayand DVD on April 30, 2013.[24]They subsequently licensed and released the TV series on July 16, 2013;[25]the second OVA series on February 17, 2015;[26]and all of the films, with the first film released on May 5, 2015.[27]

Headgear

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Headgear(ヘッドギア,Heddogia)is a group consisting of five main writers and artists who work in the Japaneseanime/mangafield. The group was set up so that all the creators could retain full copyright to their work, achieve greater publicity for their work and sell their manga to anime sponsors for film production. The members areMasami Yuki,Yutaka Izubuchi,Kazunori Itō,Akemi Takada,andMamoru Oshii.Together they worked on the anime seriesPatlaborand the two episodeOVATwilight Q.

Other staff involved with Headgear includeKenji Kawai,Naoyuki Yoshinaga, Takayama Fumihiko,Kenji Kamiyama,andMiki Tori.[28]

Reception and legacy

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The manga received the 36thShogakukan Manga Awardforshōnenin 1991.[29]Guillermo del Torohas cited the series as an influence forPacific Rim.[30]In 2018, the Japan Anniversary Association recognized August 10 as "Patlabor Day".[2]

References

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  1. ^"Maiden Japan Licenses Patlabor OVAs!".Anime News Network.January 15, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 12,2020.Maiden Japan today announced its acquisition of the classic police action-comedyPatlabor.
  2. ^abLoveridge, Lynzee (August 9, 2018)."August 10 Declared Patlabor Day in Japan".Anime News Network.RetrievedAugust 10,2018.
  3. ^""The Next Generation PATLABOR" Life-size AV-98 Ingram Deck-up Arena Event on October 24 ".
  4. ^ab"About Patlabor | cơ động cảnh sát パトレイバー công thức サイト".July 17, 2020.
  5. ^"Cơ động cảnh sát パトレイバー: ゾイドコラボ đệ 2 đạn 2025 năm phát bán y đằng cùng điển kịch bản gốc の マンガも".August 26, 2024.
  6. ^"Animator Expo Site Streams 'Mobile Police Patlabor Reboot' Short Anime".Anime News Network.November 23, 2016.RetrievedNovember 27,2020.
  7. ^"Studio Rikka Official Website"(in Japanese).RetrievedJanuary 15,2019.
  8. ^"Patlabor Producer Taro Maki: New Patlabor Project Starting".Anime News Network.November 25, 2016.RetrievedNovember 29,2020.
  9. ^"Pluto Anime, New Patlabor EZY Anime Series Projects Revealed".Anime News Network.June 14, 2017.RetrievedOctober 2,2023.
  10. ^"Kazunori Ito Confirms He is Attached to" Patlabor EZY "Project".Crunchyroll.June 14, 2017.RetrievedJuly 10,2024.
  11. ^"Mobile Police Patlabor Opens Its Official Website, Twitter, Instagram for New Project" EZY "".Crunchyroll.August 9, 2018.RetrievedJuly 10,2024.
  12. ^"Patlabor EZY Pilot Video to Play This Summer".Anime News Network.August 5, 2023.
  13. ^"'Patlabor EZY' will be unveiled as early as 2024, and director Yutaka Izubuchi will announce it at 'Mobile Police Patlabor Bucchake Talk'".Gigazine.July 24, 2022.
  14. ^"“パトレイバーEzy” "Đáp thừa / thao 縦できるイングラム" の khung máy móc khai phát スタート ".October 2, 2023.
  15. ^"Đáp thừa hình ロボット lĩnh vực を拡 trương するMOVeLOTは, cùng lĩnh vực の プレイヤーでもある kabushiki gaisha BRAVE ROBOTICS cập び đuôi lộ y khoa khí giới kabushiki gaisha と3 xã gian で の kỹ thuật dìu dắt を ký kết したことをお biết らせします".
  16. ^"Pilotable Patlabor Robot Mecha to Be Unveiled in August".Anime News Network.June 26, 2024.RetrievedJuly 3,2024.
  17. ^"Cơ động cảnh sát パトレイバー: Kịch trường bản リバイバル chiếu tân tác “Ezy” パイロットフィルム cũng ánh ".September 12, 2024.
  18. ^Mateo, Alex (September 20, 2024)."Patlabor EZY Anime Project Unveils Visual, Staff, 2026 Start".Anime News Network.RetrievedSeptember 20,2024.
  19. ^Thật viết bản cơ động cảnh sát パトレイバー プロジェクト の エキストラ・ホームページです.(in Japanese). Unknown. Archived fromthe originalon June 25, 2013.RetrievedJune 27,2013.
  20. ^Thật viết bản “Cơ động cảnh sát パトレイバー” に áp giếng thủ の tham gia が quyết định!(in Japanese). Cinema Today. July 4, 2013.RetrievedJuly 4,2013.
  21. ^"Former Idol Erina Mano Stars in Multi-Part Live-Action Patlabor".Animenewsnetwork. September 25, 2013.RetrievedDecember 17,2013.
  22. ^ab"The Next Generation パトレイバー".patlabor-nextgeneration.Archived fromthe originalon March 5, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 15,2022.
  23. ^"Madman Release of Patlabor OVA Indefinitely Delayed".Anime News Network.RetrievedJanuary 15,2013.
  24. ^Hodgkins, Crystalyn (January 15, 2013)."Maiden Japan Licenses Patlabor Video Anime Series".Anime News Network.RetrievedJanuary 15,2013.
  25. ^"Maiden Japan Licenses Mobile Police Patlabor TV Anime Series".Anime News Network.RetrievedMarch 21,2013.
  26. ^"Maiden Japan Adds Patlabor The New Files OVA".Anime News Network.October 22, 2014.
  27. ^"Section23 Films Adds Patlabor Film, The World God Only Knows OVAs".Anime Network. January 22, 2015.
  28. ^"Headgear".Schaft Enterprises.RetrievedJanuary 1,2014.
  29. ^Tiểu học quán truyện tranh thưởng: Lịch đại được thưởng giả(in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived fromthe originalon September 29, 2007.RetrievedAugust 19,2007.
  30. ^Boucher, Geoff (July 29, 2013)."Guillermo del Toro: My 10 Favorite Robots | Photo 10 of 11".EW.RetrievedDecember 17,2013.
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