Watch PatLabor The Mobile Police - The New Files OVA Series

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 The character designs may appear outdated when compared to modern anime, but the show's mechanical designs remain stunning.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.