PATLABOR MOBILE POLICE review: A fusion of futuristic police and robots

The Full Story and Appeal of the "Mobile Police Patlabor" OVA Series

Introduction

Mobile Police Patlabor, released as an OVA in 1988, is known as a work that breathed new life into the animation industry. This series was planned and released with the aim of overturning the conventional wisdom of original video animation (OVA) at the time in terms of format, price, and content. Here, we will explain in detail the whole picture and its appeal.

Overview

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

April 25, 1988

■Release and sales

・Distributor: Bandai Visual Co., Ltd., Tohokushinsha Co., Ltd.

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

6 episodes (original) + 1 episode (additional)

■Original Story

・Original work by Headgear Masami Yuuki

■ Director

・Director: Mamoru Oshii

■ Production

Produced by Bandai, Tohokushinsha, Studio Deen

■Works

©HEADGEAR/BANDAI VISUAL/TFC

Commentary

Vol. 1 of "Mobile Police Patlabor" was released in April 1988, and was originally planned to be a 6-volume series. However, due to the enthusiastic support of fans, Vol. 7 was added. In addition to the main story, Vol. 1 1/2 and Vol. 6 1/2 exist, which are intended to provide commentary on the work, and Vol. 7 1/2 was released around the time the first theatrical version, "Mobile Police Patlabor the Movie," was released. These additional episodes and commentary videos add even more depth to the work.

cast

The cast of this film is as follows:

• Akira Izumi/Miina Tominaga
• Yuma Shinohara/Toshio Furukawa
• Shinji Mikiyasu/Fumata Kazunari
• Isao Ohta/Michihiro Ikemizu
• Hiromi Yamazaki/Daisuke Gori
• Kanuka Clancy/Inoue Yo
• Shigeo Shiba / Shigeru Chiba
• Seitaro Sakaki/Osamu Saka
• Kiichi Goto/Ryusuke Obayashi
• Shinobu Nagumo/Ryoko Sakakibara

Main Staff

The following staff members are involved in the production of this work:

• Original character design: Masami Yuki (serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday)
• Screenplay by Kazunori Ito
• Mechanical design: Yutaka Izubuchi
• Character design: Akemi Takada
• Director: Mamoru Oshii
• Music by Kenji Kawai
• Art by Hiromasa Ogura
• Produced by Studio Deen
• Produced by Bandai Visual, Tohokushinsha

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: 2nd Platoon, Get Into Action!
• Episode 2: Long Shot
• Episode 3: The 450 Million Year Trap
• Episode 4: L's Tragedy
• Episode 5: The Second Division's Longest Day (Part 1)
• Episode 6: The Second Division's Longest Day (Part 2)
• Episode 7: Special Vehicle Unit Heads North

Appeal and evaluation of the work

Set in a near-future Tokyo, Mobile Police Patlabor depicts the exploits of Special Vehicle Section 2, which uses giant robots called "Labors" to solve crimes. The film combines director Mamoru Oshii's meticulous direction with Masami Yuki's character ideas, Akemi Takada's character designs, and Yutaka Izubuchi's mechanical designs, making it a work that stands out for its visual beauty and clever storytelling.

In particular, the human drama of the characters depicted in the process of solving each case deeply moves viewers. For example, in episode 1, "Deploy Second Platoon!", the members of Special Vehicle Section 2 come together for the first time and the process of building bonds as a team is depicted. Also, in episode 3, "The 450 Million Year Trap", the technical problems of the Labors and the characters' struggle to solve them are depicted realistically.

Furthermore, episodes 5 and 6, "The Longest Day of the Second Division," depict the Second Division coming together to face a major incident, making them both tense and moving. Through these episodes, viewers can feel the growth and bond between the members of the Second Division.

Additional episodes and explanatory videos

Vol. 7, "Special Vehicle Unit, North," an additional episode of this work, depicts the members of the Special Vehicle Unit 2 traveling to Hokkaido to tackle a new case. This episode was produced in response to fan requests, and is positioned as the final episode of the series. In addition, the explanatory videos in Vol. 1 1/2 and Vol. 6 1/2 provide detailed information about the background of the work and behind-the-scenes stories, making it a must-see for fans.

Music and Art

The music for this series was composed by Kenji Kawai, whose unique melodies enhance the atmosphere of the series. In particular, the theme song for the Second Special Vehicle Unit will leave a deep impression on viewers. Hiromasa Ogura's art realistically depicts a near-future Tokyo, enriching the worldview of the series.

Recommendations and related works

Mobile Police Patlabor has been made into not only an OVA series, but also a movie version and a TV series, and is loved by a wide range of viewers. In particular, the first movie version, Mobile Police Patlabor: The Movie, is known as a masterpiece that fully displays the talents of director Mamoru Oshii. The sequel, Mobile Police Patlabor 2: The Movie, has also been highly praised for its profound themes and beautiful visuals.

If you enjoyed this work, we also recommend the following related works:

• "Mobile Police Patlabor the Movie"
• "Mobile Police Patlabor 2 the Movie"
• "Mobile Police Patlabor TV Series"

Through these works, you can feel the further achievements and growth of the members of the Second Special Vehicle Unit. In addition, other works by director Mamoru Oshii, such as "Ghost in the Shell" and "The Sky Crawlers," can also be enjoyed with deep themes and beautiful images.

Conclusion

Mobile Police Patlabor began as an OVA series and has captivated many fans. Its detailed storytelling, beautiful visuals, and the human drama of the characters deeply move viewers. It is a work that you should definitely enjoy in its entirety, including the additional episodes and explanatory videos. You can also gain a deeper understanding and be moved by watching related works and other works by director Mamoru Oshii.