PatLabor The Mobile Police - The New Files OVA Series

Watch PatLabor The Mobile Police - The New Files OVA Series

  • 1990
  • 1 Season

Patlabor: The Mobile Police - The New Files OVA Series is a science fiction anime show that takes place in a future version of Tokyo. The show primarily follows the Special Vehicles Division 2 of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, which is responsible for dealing with crimes and accidents caused by labors - large, humanoid robots that have become commonplace in the future.

The show is split into 16 episodes, with each episode featuring a standalone story. While some episodes may have overarching themes, most can be watched out of order without affecting the viewer's understanding of the show's world and characters.

The first thing that strikes viewers about Patlabor is the show's striking animation. The character designs may appear outdated when compared to modern anime, but the show's mechanical designs remain stunning. The labors are designed with a sense of weight and size that gives them a fearsome presence on the screen. The show often delves into the technical aspects of the labors - how they're built, how they work, and how they can go wrong. For those who enjoy action and giant robot battles, Patlabor delivers with thrilling sequences that highlight the unique skills of the labor pilots.

However, Patlabor is more than just a show about mecha battles. The show's focus on characters and their relationships is what sets it apart from other anime series from its time. The main characters of the show - police officers Isao Ohta, Shinobu Nagumo, and Kiichi Goto - are a tightly-knit team with their share of quirks and flaws. While each episode may feature a different protagonist, the trio always have a presence, and the secondary cast members are introduced and fleshed out over the course of the series.

What makes the show particularly unique in this regard is how it blends its slice-of-life elements with its police procedural elements. Most episodes feature some element of comedy or everyday life, as the characters balance work, hobbies, and their personal lives. Some episodes make light of how the police department has to deal with the PR aspect of their work, while others have characters pining after each other or getting wrapped up in misunderstandings. Even when the show tackles more serious themes, such as terrorism or corrupt corporations, it never loses its sense of humor or the feeling that its cast of characters are real people.

One particularly noteworthy aspect of Patlabor is how it handles its world-building. Much like Blade Runner or Ghost in the Shell, the show creates a version of a future Tokyo that feels plausible and lived-in. In this future, video phones are commonplace, and automated transportation is ubiquitous. The labors are employed in everything from construction work to use by military, and as such, the police force must be constantly adapting to newer and more powerful models. The show highlights how the presence and necessity of labors has created a shift in culture - in one episode, a man laments how the traditional art of Japanese woodworking has been replaced with labor-driven mass production. As a result, the show's world feels both futuristic and grounded in reality.

While the show may not feature an overarching plot or villain, it still manages to have a story of its own. Throughout its episodes, Patlabor tackles themes such as the loss of innocence, corruption, and the consequences of one's actions. Characters who start out as seemingly insignificant may develop in ways that surprise the viewer, and the show even takes on a touch of environmentalism by demonstrating how careless actions towards the environment can backfire in ways that nobody could have foreseen.

In conclusion, Patlabor: The Mobile Police - The New Files OVA Series is an underrated gem in the world of anime. While its animation may be dated by today's standards, the show's dedication to its characters and world-building is what keeps viewers invested. The show's ability to blend its comedy and slice-of-life elements with its more serious themes makes it stand out from other anime series of its time. For those looking for a unique take on the sci-fi genre, Patlabor remains a must-watch.

PatLabor The Mobile Police - The New Files OVA Series
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Seasons
All Quiet in the Second Unit
16. All Quiet in the Second Unit
April 23, 1992
While Division 2 are on vacation, the team is finding it hard to stay away from work and Ota decides to try and impress the new cadets at the Police Academy.
Woman Who Came from the Stars
15. Woman Who Came from the Stars
March 19, 1992
Noa has a rough day that only gets worse, she discovers a whole base where aliens are a real enemy and Earth is under attack.
Snow Rondo
14. Snow Rondo
February 20, 1992
Asuma is invited to a school reunion and when he runs into an old crush, things get awkward. At the crime scene Noa has to make some tough decisions that might be affected by Asuma's reunion after all.
The Dungeon Again
13. The Dungeon Again
January 23, 1992
An albino alligator in the Toykyo Zoo and an escapee from a mental institution make for a wild ride in this episode full of surprises!
Goma Who Came With the Rain
11. Goma Who Came With the Rain
November 21, 1991
Noa finds a cute surprise inside a cardboard box and tries to keep her labor of love a secret. The rescue interferes with a mission and things go badly.
It's Called Amnesia
10. It's Called Amnesia
September 26, 1991
Ota's dreams are getting a little too intense. Goto tries to make sense of it all and track Ota down before he hurts himself, or anyone else.
VS
9. VS
August 21, 1991
Kanuka prefers her privacy and Kumagami doesn't see what the big deal is. If Division 2 is able to mediate the argument, they may not feel as compelled to drink themselves into a stupor, but how likely is that?
Seven Days of Fire
8. Seven Days of Fire
July 25, 1991
Can mechanics fix a labor overnight? Do they deserve a private life after they get busted with loads of inappropriate magazines and distractions? Find out what hapens when discipline leads to revolt!
Black Trinary
7. Black Trinary
June 23, 1991
What do you get when a 40-gallon drum attached to a propane tank explodes? A trip to the bath house of course! Suspects are being tracked down, but Division 2 realizes that they're in search of a person with a super-specific and odd trait.
View Rate 90%
6. View Rate 90%
May 23, 1991
A hostage situation demands the team's attention and Goto has a unique idea that could be the perfect solution.
A Miserable Day
5. A Miserable Day
April 25, 1991
Noa has a toothache and Asuma has the best of intentions. A stolen Labor is reported and Noa may be holding everyone back.
Game Over
4. Game Over
February 21, 1991
Noa's battery is low and the Griffin is quickly gaining ground! Kurosaki consider's using a bomb while Kumagami is looking for Utsumi in the hotel. Can this chaos come to a halt?
Greatest Showdown in History
3. Greatest Showdown in History
January 24, 1991
The Griffin is a menace to Division 2 and Momoko can't wait to tell the full story. Goto and Kamagumi have other plans for her to help identify the Labor specialists.
Schaft's Counterattack
2. Schaft's Counterattack
December 25, 1990
What's left of Division 1 Labors contribute to the rising tension. Noa is afraid of the Griffin while the relationship between Utsumi and Kumagami is being questioned elsewhere.
Griffin Resurrected
1. Griffin Resurrected
November 22, 1990
Utsumi and Bud return to Japan for another challenge. Detective Matsui makes discoveries about Labor specialists and as more information surfaces, the Patlabors are in imminent danger.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    November 22, 1990
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