View source for Patlabor

{{short description|Anime and manga franchise}} 
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name = Mobile Police Patlabor
| image = Patlabor manga cover.jpg
| caption = Manga volume 1 cover, featuring Noa Izumi
| ja_kanji = 機動警察パトレイバー
| ja_romaji = Kidō Keisatsu Patoreibā
| genre = [[Action fiction|Action]], [[comedy|police comedy]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Maiden Japan Licenses Patlabor OVAs! |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2013-01-15/maiden-japan-licenses-patlabor-ovas |website=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=January 12, 2020 |date=January 15, 2013 |quote=Maiden Japan today announced its acquisition of the classic police action-comedy ''Patlabor''.}}</ref> [[science fiction]]<ref name="Patlabor Day"/><!-- Note: Use and cite reliable sources to identify genre/s, not personal interpretation. Please don't include more than three genres (per [[MOS:A&M]]). -->
| creator = [[#Headgear|Headgear]]
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type         = manga
| author       = [[Masami Yuki]]
| publisher    = [[Shogakukan]]
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher
 |NA = [[Viz Media]] (dropped)
}}
| imprint      = Shōnen Sunday Comics
| magazine     = [[Weekly Shōnen Sunday]]
| first        = March 23, 1988
| last         = May 11, 1994
| volumes      = 22
| volume_list  = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = ova
| title           = The Early Days
| director        = [[Mamoru Oshii]]
| producer        =
| writer          = [[Kazunori Ito]]
| music           = [[Kenji Kawai]]
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee|AUS=[[Madman Entertainment]]|NA={{ubl|[[Central Park Media]] (former)|[[Section23 Films#Maiden Japan|Maiden Japan]]}}|UK=[[MVM Films]]}}
| studio          = [[Studio Deen]]
| first           = April 25, 1988
| last            = June 25, 1989
| runtime         =
| episodes        = 7
| episode_list    = List of Patlabor episodes#Mobile Police Patlabor: The Early Days
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type        = light novel
| author      = [[Michiko Yokote]]
| publisher   = [[Fujimi Shobō]]
| imprint     = [[Fujimi Fantasia Bunko]]
| magazine    =
| first       = October 1990
| last        = October 1993
| volumes     = 5
| volume_list =  
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type        = light novel
| title       = Tokyo War
| author      = Mamoru Oshii
| publisher   = Fujimi Shobō
| imprint     = Fujimi Fantasia Bunko
| magazine    =
| first       = April 1994
| last        = May 1994
| volumes     = 2
| volume_list =  
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = ova
| title           = MiniPato
| director        = [[Kenji Kamiyama]]
| producer        =
| writer          = Mamoru Oshii
| music           = Kenji Kawai
| studio          = [[Production I.G]]
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee|AUS=Madman Entertainment|NA={{ubl|Central Park Media (former)|Maiden Japan}}}}
| released        = March 30, 2002
| runtime         = {{ubl|14 minutes (#1)|12 minutes (#2)|12 minutes (#3)}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = ona
| title           = Reboot
| director        = [[Yasuhiro Yoshiura]]
| producer        = 
| writer          = Yasuhiro Yoshiura
Kazunori Ito
| music           = Kenji Kawai
| studio          = {{ubl|[[Khara (studio)|Studio Khara]]|Studio Rikka}}
| licensee        = 
| released        = October 15, 2016
| runtime         = 7 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title = Movie timeline
| content =

* ''Mobile Police Patlabor: The Early Days''
* ''[[Patlabor: The Movie]]''
* ''[[Patlabor 2: The Movie]]''
* ''[[WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3]]''
* ''[[The Next Generation: Patlabor]]''

}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title = TV timeline
| content =

* ''[[Patlabor: The TV Series]]''
* ''[[Patlabor: The New Files]]''

}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}

{{nihongo|'''''Mobile Police Patlabor'''''|機動警察パトレイバー|Kidō Keisatsu Patoreibā|lead=yes}}, also known as '''''Patlabor''''' (a [[portmanteau]] of "patrol" and "labor"),<ref>{{cite web | url=http://2014.tiff-jp.net/news/en/?p=8249 | title="The Next Generation PATLABOR" Life-size AV-98 Ingram Deck-up Arena Event on October 24 | access-date=April 1, 2023 | archive-date=May 31, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531101448/http://2014.tiff-jp.net/news/en/?p=8249 | url-status=live }}</ref> is a Japanese [[science fiction]] [[media franchise]] created by Headgear, a group consisting of manga artist [[Masami Yuki|Masami Yūki]], director [[Mamoru Oshii]], screenwriter [[Kazunori Itō]], mecha designer [[Yutaka Izubuchi]], and character designer [[Akemi Takada]].

The popular franchise includes a manga, a TV series, two [[OVA]] series, three feature-length movies, two [[light novel]] series, and a short film compilation, named {{nihongo|''Minipato''|ミニパト}} because of its [[super deformed]] (chibi) drawing style.<ref name="AP">{{cite web | url=https://patlabor.tokyo/about/ | title=About Patlabor &#124; 機動警察パトレイバー公式サイト | date=17 July 2020 | access-date=May 15, 2022 | archive-date=March 31, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331073057/https://patlabor.tokyo/about/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The series has been adapted into video games and licensed products from [[soundtrack|OST]] to toys. ''Patlabor'' is known for using [[mecha]] – designed by [[Yutaka Izubuchi]] – not just for police or military purposes, but also for industrial and municipal jobs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hyoe |first1=Narita |title=Untranslated Pick of the Month: Patlabor |url=http://j-pop.com/archive/manga/6/picks/picks2.html |website=J-Pop |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980214185323/http://j-pop.com/archive/manga/6/picks/picks2.html |archive-date=14 February 1998 |date=1997 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Plot==
{{See also|List of Patlabor characters}}

The story takes place in what was, at the time of release, the near future of 1998–2002. [[Mecha]] called "labors" are used in heavy construction work. The [[Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department|Tokyo Metropolitan Police]] has its own fleet of patrol labors ("patlabors"; as opposed to patrol cars) to combat crimes/terrorism and deal with accidents involving labors. The [[story arc]]s usually revolve around Tokyo Metropolitan Police Special Vehicle Section 2, Division 2. Labor pilot Noa Izumi is the protagonist of the series, but all of Division 2 play roles. Detectives Hata and Kusumi are the main protagonists of the third ''Patlabor'' film.<ref name="Ruh Book">{{cite book |last1=Ruh |first1=Brian |title=Stray Dog of Anime: The Films of Mamoru Oshii |date=16 July 2004 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |location=New York |isbn=978-1-4039-6334-5 |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9781403982797 |access-date=24 December 2025}}</ref>

Due to being released simultaneously, the manga, TV series, and feature films all take place in separate continuities. The movie timeline includes the ''Early Days'' OVA and the three animated ''Patlabor'' films. The TV timeline includes the original TV series as well as the ''New Files'' OVA. Masami Yuki's manga is separate from both, although some TV episodes and the third film draw their plots from it.<ref name="About Patlabor">{{cite web |title=About Patlabor |url=https://patlabor.tokyo/about/ |website=Patlabor Official Website |date=July 17, 2020 |publisher=Genco Inc |access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref>

''The Next Generation'' series and film take place in 2013, with an entirely new cast (except for Shige and Buchiyama in maintenance), but the new members of SV2 have similar names and personalities to the old ones. Although some of its episodes reference the TV series, the final episode and movie are a direct sequel to ''Patlabor 2''.<ref>{{cite web |title=THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- Series Guide |url=https://www.scifijapan.com/tokusatsu-fx/the-next-generation-patlabor-series-guide |website=SciFi Japan |access-date=24 December 2025 |date=2014}}</ref>

The upcoming ''Patlabor EZY'' series will be set in the TV timeline.<ref name="About Patlabor" />

==Media==
===Manga===
Released by Shogakukan through ''[[Shonen Sunday]]'' magazine from 1988 to 1994, the 22-volume series takes place in a separate timeline.<ref>{{cite web |title=Patlabor - The Movie |url=https://bfidatadigipres.github.io/anime/2022/04/13/patlabor/ |website=British Film Institute}}</ref>

====Japanese volumes====
Original release:
# {{isbn|4091221211}}, July 1988 
# {{isbn|409122122X}}, September 1988
# {{isbn|4091221238}}, December 1988
# {{isbn|4091221246}}, July 1989
# {{isbn|4091221254}}, December 1989
# {{isbn|4091221262}}, March 1990
# {{isbn|4091221270}}, June 1990
# {{isbn|4091221289}}, September 1990
# {{isbn|4091221297}}, January 1991
# {{isbn|4091221300}}, April 1991
# {{isbn|4091226019}}, July 1991
# {{isbn|4091226027}}, October 1991
# {{isbn|4091226035}}, December 1991
# {{isbn|4091226043}}, March 1992
# {{isbn|4091226051}}, May 1992
# {{isbn|409122606X}}, October 1992
# {{isbn|4091226078}}, April 1993
# {{isbn|4091226086}}, June 1993
# {{isbn|4091226094}}, September 1993
# {{isbn|4091226108}}, December 1993
# {{isbn|4091233112}}, March 1994
# {{isbn|4091233120}}, August 1994

[[Bunkoban]] release:
# {{isbn|4091932711}}, January 2000
# {{isbn|409193272X}}, January 2000
# {{isbn|4091932738}}, March 2000
# {{isbn|4091932746}}, March 2000
# {{isbn|4091932754}}, May 2000
# {{isbn|4091932762}}, May 2000
# {{isbn|4091932770}}, July 2000
# {{isbn|4091932789}}, July 2000
# {{isbn|4091932797}}, September 2000
# {{isbn|4091932800}}, September 2000
# {{isbn|4091932819}}, November 2000

====North America volumes====
[[Viz Media|Viz]] released first two volumes of the manga as individual comics in 1997 and 1998, then released them as volumes. However, due to a lack of sales, Viz dropped the series and the remaining 20 volumes have not been officially translated:<ref>{{cite web |last1=Surat |first1=Daryl |title=Mobile Police Patlabor |url=https://otakuusamagazine.com/mobile-police-patlabor/ |website=Otaku USA Magazine |access-date=26 December 2025 |date=18 October 2010}}</ref> 
# {{isbn|1569312877}}, 1998
# {{isbn|1569313377}}, 1998

=====Crossover with ''Zoids'' franchise=====
As part of ''[[Zoids]]''<nowiki/>'s 40th anniversary celebrations, a crossover manga between ''Zoids'' and ''Patlabor'' called ''Code Name B.U.D.D.Y'' began releasing in 2025. The manga is written by Kazunori Ito and drawn by Naoto Tsushima. The story follows the Zoid (a type of animalistic mecha) Hunter Wolf working with Special Vehicles Division 2 to protect Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Duran |first1=Misael |title=New Zoids Series Features Crossover With Classic Mecha Franchise |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/zoids-patlabor-series-mecha-crossover-manga/ |website=ComicBook |access-date=22 December 2025 |date=2 September 2025}}</ref>

===Anime===
{{See also|List of Patlabor episodes}}

====''The Early Days''====
*''Patlabor: The Early Days'' (1988–1989, OVA series, 7 episodes)
Originally known in Japan as ''Mobile Police Patlabor''. Details the origins of the Tokyo MPD's 2nd Special Vehicles Section, otherwise known as SV2.

====Movies====
*''[[Patlabor: The Movie]]'' (1989)
A series of random labor incidents across the [[Greater Tokyo Area]] puts 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.

*''[[Patlabor 2: The Movie]]'' (1993)
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 of ''WXIII'', reunite one more time to stop the threat.

*''[[WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3]]'' (2002)
Taking place a year after ''Patlabor: The Movie'', the film features two MPD detectives who investigate the case of missing scientists working on a [[genetic engineering]] project that runs amok in Tokyo Bay. SV2's Section 2 is later called in to help rein in the danger.

A three-part series of short films known as ''Mobile Police Patlabor Minimum'' (''MiniPato'') were shown before screenings of ''WXIII''. ''MiniPato'' uses paper puppets, CGI, and claymation to explain the rationale behind the whole concept of the series, especially how the Labors functioned in a realistic [[hard science fiction]] setting.

====''The TV Series'' and ''The New Files''====
*''[[Patlabor: The TV Series]]'' (1989–1990, TV, 47 episodes)
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.

*''[[Patlabor: The New Files]]'' (1990–1992, OVA, 16 episodes)
Also referred to as ''Patlabor 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.

====''Patlabor REBOOT''====
''Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor REBOOT'' is a short animated film released on October 15, 2016 as part of [[Japan Animator Expo]], featuring a modernised version of ''Patlabor'' with new characters and utilising CG for the Labors,<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-11-23/animator-expo-site-streams-mobile-police-patlabor-reboot-short-anime/.109102|title= Animator Expo Site Streams 'Mobile Police Patlabor Reboot' Short Anime|date= November 23, 2016|access-date= November 27, 2020|work= [[Anime News Network]]|archive-date= January 7, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210107164116/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-11-23/animator-expo-site-streams-mobile-police-patlabor-reboot-short-anime/.109102|url-status= live}}</ref> animated by [[Khara (studio)|Studio Khara]] and Studio Rikka.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://studio-rikka.com/|title=Studio Rikka Official Website|language=ja|access-date=January 15, 2019|archive-date=February 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206220635/http://studio-rikka.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====''Patlabor EZY''====
[[File:Patlabor Movelot Ingram AV-98 Plus.jpg|thumb|The model of the AV-98 Plus from ''EZY'' at MOVeLOT.]]

After the debut of ''Patlabor REBOOT'', producer Taro Maki announced in November 2016 that a new ''Patlabor'' project was starting.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2016-11-24/patlabor-producer-taro-maki-new-patlabor-project-starting/.109161|title= Patlabor Producer Taro Maki: New Patlabor Project Starting|date= November 25, 2016|access-date= November 29, 2020|website= [[Anime News Network]]|archive-date= December 9, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201209071530/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2016-11-24/patlabor-producer-taro-maki-new-patlabor-project-starting/.109161|url-status= live}}</ref> ''Patlabor EZY'' was formally announced at [[Annecy International Animated Film Festival]] in June 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-14 |title=Pluto Anime, New Patlabor EZY Anime Series Projects Revealed |website=[[Anime News Network]] |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-14/pluto-anime-new-patlabor-ezy-anime-series-projects-revealed/.117465 |access-date=2023-10-02 |language=en |archive-date=June 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617002823/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-14/pluto-anime-new-patlabor-ezy-anime-series-projects-revealed/.117465 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

A two-minute pilot for ''EZY'' was debuted in 2022 at special ''Patlabor'' screenings and exhibitions, and was played before the 35th-anniversary screenings of ''Patlabor the Movie'' in theaters in Japan.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-19/patlabor-ezy-pilot-video-to-play-this-summer/.187826 | title=Patlabor EZY Pilot Video to Play This Summer | website=[[Anime News Network]] | date=5 August 2023 | access-date=July 21, 2022 | archive-date=July 21, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721120557/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-19/patlabor-ezy-pilot-video-to-play-this-summer/.187826 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://mantan-web.jp/article/20240911dog00m200054000c.html | title=機動警察パトレイバー：劇場版リバイバル上映 新作「Ezy」パイロットフィルム併映 | date=September 12, 2024 | access-date=October 6, 2024 | archive-date=October 7, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007102545/https://mantan-web.jp/article/20240911dog00m200054000c.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

As part of ''EZY'''s promotional events, the robotics company MOVeLOT developed a full-scale Ingram 98 Plus, which opened to the public in 2024 (although the model is only from the torso up—it has no legs).The model Ingram is large enough to allow a pilot to sit in the cockpit, and its arms and hands can be manipulated via gloves with attached Wi-Fi sensors.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Liu |first1=Stephanie |title=MOVeLOT is Developing a Real-Life Patlabor Ingram |url=https://www.siliconera.com/movelot-is-developing-a-real-life-patlabor-ingram/ |website=Siliconera |access-date=24 December 2025 |date=3 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Iikura-Gross |first1=Ken |title=Gear Up & Pilot a Life-Size Ingram Mecha From Patlabor the Mobile Police |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2024-09-15/gear-up-and-pilot-a-life-size-ingram-mecha-from-patlabor-the-mobile-police/.215309 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref>

''Patlabor EZY'' is set to air in 2026. It will be eight episodes long and follow an anthology format, with each episode's plot being standalone from the others. Studio [[J.C.Staff]] is creating the anime, with Yukuta Izubuchi as director, Kazunori Itō as scriptwriter, Masami Yuuki as character designer, Takamitsu Satou as animation director, Akemi Takada as costume designer, and Kenji Kawaii as composer.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rouse |first1=Isaac |title=James Cameron's favorite sci-fi anime is getting a follow-up series |url=https://www.polygon.com/patlabor-ezy-anime-8-episode-series-ova/ |website=Polygon |access-date=24 December 2025 |date=15 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Loo |first1=Egan |title=Patlabor EZY Anime to Be 8 Parts Long |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2025-12-13/patlabor-ezy-anime-to-be-8-parts-long/.232055 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=24 December 2025 | date=13 December 2025}}</ref>

===Live-action series===
{{main|The Next Generation: Patlabor}}
[[File:The Next Generation Patlabor - 3.jpg|right|thumb|A deck-up event of the live-action Ingram in 2014 in Nagoya City.]]
''The Next Generation: Patlabor'' is a live-action series and film created by Mamoru Oshii, starring [[Erina Mano]] as pilot Akira Izumino, Seiji Fukushi as Yūma Shiobara, Rina Oota as Ekaterina Krachevna Kankaeva ("Kasha"), [[Shigeru Chiba]] reprising his anime role as chief mechanic Shigeo Shiba and Toshio Kakei as Captain Keiji Gotōda.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-09-25/former-idol-erina-mano-stars-in-multi-part-live-action-patlabor |title=Former Idol Erina Mano Stars in Multi-Part Live-Action Patlabor |publisher=Animenewsnetwork.com |date=2013-09-25 |access-date=2013-12-17 |archive-date=September 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925181555/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-09-25/former-idol-erina-mano-stars-in-multi-part-live-action-patlabor |url-status=live }}</ref>

The drama series was divided into 14 "short story" episodes, which were aired on BS Digital and Star Channel from 2014 and 2015 and in 7 limited advance theatrical screenings of two episodes each, alongside blu-ray and DVD releases. The movie {{Nihongo|''THE NEXT GENERATION Patlabor: Shuto Kessen'' ("Showdown in the Capital City")|THE NEXT GENERATION パトレイバー 首都決戦 }} released in theaters on May 1, 2015, and a director's cut version of the movie was released on October 10, 2015.<ref name="web.archive.org">{{cite web |url=https://patlabor-nextgeneration.com/ |title=The Next Generation パトレイバー |website=patlabor-nextgeneration.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305234536/https://patlabor-nextgeneration.com/ |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

''The Next Generation'' takes place in 2013 Tokyo. The completion of the Babylon Project has 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.<ref name="web.archive.org"/> The TV series, which consists of largely unconnected episodes, follows the new members of SV2 as they solve cases and get into trouble like their predecessors did. The film is a direct sequel to ''Patlabor 2'', in which followers of [[Patlabor 2: The Movie|Yukihito Tsuge]] carry out terrorist attacks on Tokyo, re-enacting Tsuge's coup, and SV2 has to stop them.

"Deck-up" events, where the full-scale, 9-meter tall AV-98 Ingrams used for filming are lifted from their carrier and into a standing position, were used for promoting The Next Generation at events around Japan (such as the Tokyo Motorcycle Show).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chapman |first1=Paul |title=“The Next Generation – Patlabor” AV-98 Ingram Guards Tokyo Motorcycle Show 2015 |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2015/3/9/the-next-generation-patlabor-av-98-ingram-guards-tokyo-motorcycle-show-2015 |website=Crunchyroll |access-date=24 December 2025 |date=9 March 2015}}</ref> Even after the end of the series, the deck-up events continue to prove popular, and the Ingram often makes an appearance at festivals around Japan.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Komatsu |first1=Mikikazu |title=Crowdfunding for "Patlabor" 1/1 Scale AV-98 Ingram's Restoration Project Reaches Its Goal in Just One Day |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2022/12/27/crowdfunding-for-patlabor-11-scale-av-98-ingrams-restoration-project-reaches-its-goal-in-just-one-day |website=Crunchyroll |access-date=24 December 2025 |date=30 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Y! Festa Oppama 2024: Patlabor Deck Up and Exciting Stage Performances Await! |url=https://www.guidoor.jp/yokosuka/new-and-now/y-festa-oppama-2024/ |website=Yokosuka Travel Guide |access-date=24 December 2025 |date=22 October 2024}}</ref>

===Novels===
====Patlabor 1-5====
Novels taking place in the same universe as the ''Early Days'' OVA 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====
* ''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====
Novels taking place in the world of ''The 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 movie ''Shuto Kessen'', which is also a sequel to the ''TOKYO WAR'' novels.

===Other===
* ''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 for ''The Next Generation''.
* ''Kouseki no Otoko'' (Mamoru Oshii) - 2015
Not a novel but short story included in the anthology ''Tag: Watashi no Aibou'' (2015) taking place in the ''Patlabor'' world.

===Video games===
All ''Patlabor'' video games were released exclusively in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Patlabor |url=https://mechabay.com/about-patlabor |website=MechaBay}}</ref>

====''Patlabor'' games====
* ''Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor'' ([[Family Computer Disk System]] – January 24, 1989)
* ''Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor: Nerawareta Machi 1990'' ([[Game Boy]] – August 25, 1990)
* ''Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor: 98-Shiki Kidou Seyo!'' ([[Mega Drive]] – October 23, 1992)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yarwood |first1=Jack |title=You Can Now Play This Sega Mega Drive Patlabor Game In English, Thanks To Fans |url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/06/you-can-now-play-this-sega-mega-drive-patlabor-game-in-english-thanks-to-fans |website=TimeExtension |date=9 June 2025}}</ref>
* ''Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor: Griffon-hen'' ([[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine Super CD-ROM²]] – September 30, 1993)
* ''Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor'' ([[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] – April 22, 1994)
* ''Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor: Game Edition'' ([[PlayStation]] – November 30, 2000)<ref>{{cite web |title=MOBILE POLICE PATLABOR - GAME EDITION |url=https://psxdatacenter.com/games/J/M/SLPS-02239.html |website=PlayStation Data Center |access-date=24 December 2025}}</ref>
* ''Patlabor: Come Back Mini-Pato'' ([[PlayStation Portable]] – November 2, 2005)

====Appearances====
* ''[[Super Robot Wars]] Operation Extend'' ([[PlayStation Portable]] – July 18, 2013)
* ''[[Kyoei Toshi]]'' ([[PlayStation 4]] – October 19, 2017)

==Licensing==
All of the main ''Patlabor'' anime 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. by [[Central Park Media]]. The first two movies were released by [[Manga Entertainment]], but later remastered and re-released in 2006 by [[Bandai Visual]]. The third movie (along with "Mini-Pato") was released by [[Geneon Entertainment]] (formerly Pioneer). Twelve sections of the [[manga]] have been translated and published by [[Viz Communications]] as 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 Edition ''Patlabor WXIII'' DVD packages.

In 2006, [[Bandai Visual]]'s [[Honneamise]] label re-released the first two movies on DVD in North America with extensive bonus features and an alternate English track, and [[Beez Entertainment]] handled distribution in the UK.

[[Madman Entertainment|Madman]] has the distribution rights for the movies in Australia and New Zealand in association with [[Manga Entertainment]] UK & [[Tohokushinsha Film Corporation|TFC]], but they have been refused the rights to the Bandai Visual dubs of the films. In 2011, Madman received the rights to the OVA and TV series from TFC, and began releasing them in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Madman Release of Patlabor OVA Indefinitely Delayed|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-04-15/madman-release-of-patlabor-ova-indefinitely-delayed|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=15 January 2013|archive-date=September 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917112915/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-04-15/madman-release-of-patlabor-ova-indefinitely-delayed|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hayward |first1=Jon |title=Australian Release List - Madman and Siren Visual Releases February 19 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-19/australian-release-list-madman-and-siren-visual-releases-february-19 |website=Anime News Network |date=18 February 2014}}</ref> [[MVM Films]] has the licenses for the OVA  & TV series for distribution in the UK and released them on DVD in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wolf |first1=Ian |title=Anime Review - Mobile Police Patlabor |url=https://animeuknews.net/2013/11/patlabor-mobile-police/ |website=Anime UK News |date=25 November 2013}}</ref>

In 2013, [[Section23 Films#Maiden Japan|Maiden Japan]] (in conjunction with [[Section23 Films]]) acquired the licence to the ''Patlabor'' OAV series, and released it on [[Blu-ray]] and DVD on April 30, 2013.<ref name="maidenjp1">{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|title=Maiden Japan Licenses Patlabor Video Anime Series|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-01-15/maiden-japan-licenses-patlabor-video-anime-series|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=January 15, 2013|date=January 15, 2013|archive-date=January 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116165202/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-01-15/maiden-japan-licenses-patlabor-video-anime-series|url-status=live}}</ref> They subsequently licensed and released the TV series on July 16, 2013;<ref>{{cite web|title=Maiden Japan Licenses Mobile Police Patlabor TV Anime Series|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-03-20/maiden-japan-licenses-mobile-police-patlabor-tv-anime-series|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=21 March 2013|archive-date=March 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322220439/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-03-20/maiden-japan-licenses-mobile-police-patlabor-tv-anime-series|url-status=live}}</ref> the second OVA series on February 17, 2015;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-22/maiden-japan-adds-patlabor-the-new-files-ova/.80214|title=Maiden Japan Adds Patlabor The New Files OVA|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2014-10-22|access-date=October 23, 2014|archive-date=October 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010123304/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-22/maiden-japan-adds-patlabor-the-new-files-ova/.80214|url-status=live}}</ref> and all of the films, with the first film released on May 5, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-22/section-23-films-adds-patlabor-film-the-world-god-only-knows-ovas/.83587|title=Section23 Films Adds Patlabor Film, The World God Only Knows OVAs|publisher=Anime Network|date=2015-01-22|access-date=January 22, 2015|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408204903/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-22/section-23-films-adds-patlabor-film-the-world-god-only-knows-ovas/.83587|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Headgear==
{{nihongo|'''Headgear'''|ヘッドギア|Heddogia}} is a group consisting of five main writers and artists who work in the Japanese [[anime]]/[[manga]] field.  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 are [[Masami Yuki]], [[Yutaka Izubuchi]], [[Kazunori Itō]], [[Akemi Takada]], and [[Mamoru Oshii]]. Together they worked on the anime series ''Patlabor'' and the two episode [[OVA]] ''[[Twilight Q]]''.<ref name="AnimeEncyclopedia">{{cite book |last1=Clements |first1=Jonathan |author1-link=Jonathan Clements |title=The Anime Encyclopedia |date=2001 |publisher=[[Stone Bridge Press]] |isbn=9781322875743 |edition=3rd |chapter=Headgear |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E03KBgAAQBAJ&dq=%22Twilight+Q%22+%22headgear%22&pg=PT839}}</ref>

Other staff involved with Headgear include [[Kenji Kawai]], Naoyuki Yoshinaga, Takayama Fumihiko, [[Kenji Kamiyama]], and [[Miki Tori]].<ref name=patlabor>{{cite web |publisher=Schaft Enterprises |title=Headgear |url=http://www.patlabor.info/headgear.htm |accessdate=1 January 2014 |archive-date=September 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928151650/http://www.patlabor.info/headgear.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Reception and legacy==
Writing about ''Patlabor the Movie's'' 35th anniversary, Matt Schley of [[The Japan Times]] called the film surprisingly prescient, and that the movie "keeps the fun and irreverence of the small-screen series while adding a more contemplative touch".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schley |first1=Matt |title=At 35, ‘Patlabor’ now looks awfully prescient |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2024/09/20/film/patlabor-the-movie-rerelease/ |website=The Japan Times |access-date=24 December 2025 |date=20 September 2024}}</ref> Tim Maughan of [[Reactor (magazine)|Reactor Magazine]] described ''Patlabor 2'' as one of the most important anime films for anyone to watch, an "unmissable, if challenging, work...due to its uncompromising approach to its political themes and its breathless, stark cinematic beauty".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maughan |first1=Tim |title=10 Anime Films You Should See Before You Die |url=https://reactormag.com/10-anime-films-you-should-see-before-you-die/ |website=Reactor |publisher=Tor Publishing |access-date=26 December 2025 |date=31 August 2018}}</ref> Stephen Holden of [[The New York Times]] praised ''WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3'' for its noir-like ambience and score, calling it a "visually absorbing futuristic fantasy" but said that its subplots were too murky to follow.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holden |first1=Stephen |title=FILM REVIEW; Machines, Noir Mood And Mayhem |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/10/movies/film-review-machines-noir-mood-and-mayhem.html?searchResultPosition=3 |website=The New York Times |access-date=24 December 2025 |date=10 January 2003}}</ref> A report commissioned by Japan's [[Agency for Cultural Affairs]] credits ''Patlabor: The Early Days'' with revitalizing the OVA format for mecha anime and establishing the standard six-episode OVA format.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hikawa |first1=Ryusuke |title=Japanese Animation Guide: The History of Robot Anime |journal=Manga, Animation, Games, and Media Art Information Bureau |date=2013 |url=https://mediag.bunka.go.jp/projects/project/images/JapaneseAnimationGuide.pdf |access-date=24 December 2025}}</ref>

The manga received the 36th [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] for [[shōnen]] in 1991.<ref name="ShogakukanAward">{{cite web|url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html |script-title=ja:小学館漫画賞：歴代受賞者 |publisher=Shogakukan |language=ja |access-date=August 19, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094941/http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html |archive-date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref>  In 2018, the Japan Anniversary Association recognized August 10 as "Patlabor Day".<ref name="Patlabor Day">{{cite web |last=Loveridge |first=Lynzee |title=August 10 Declared Patlabor Day in Japan |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-08-09/august-10-declared-patlabor-day-in-japan/.135301 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |date=2018-08-09 |access-date=2018-08-10 |archive-date=August 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811161228/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-08-09/august-10-declared-patlabor-day-in-japan/.135301 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Patlabor's realistic mecha design has influenced several other robots both in fiction and in reality. When Japan's [[National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology]] (AIST) were developing humanoid robots, they invited Yukuta Izubuchi to create the exterior design and look of the robot because of his work on Patlabor.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Šabanović |first1=Selma |title=Inventing Japan’s ‘Robotics Culture’: The Repeated Assembl of Science, Technology, and Culture in Social Robotics. |journal=Social Studies of Science |date=2014 |volume=44 |issue=3 |page=342-367 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/43284236 |access-date=24 December 2025}}</ref> [[Guillermo del Toro]] has cited the series as an influence for ''[[Pacific Rim (film)|Pacific Rim]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Boucher |first=Geoff |url=https://ew.com/gallery/guillermo-del-toro-my-10-favorite-robots/?slide=405318#405318 |title=Guillermo del Toro: My 10 Favorite Robots &#124; Photo 10 of 11 |publisher=EW.com |date=2013-07-29 |access-date=2013-12-17 |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129074842/https://ew.com/gallery/guillermo-del-toro-my-10-favorite-robots/?slide=405318#405318 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Mobile Police Patlabor}}
* {{anime News Network|ova|408}}
* {{anime News Network|company|371|HEADGEAR}}

{{Patlabor}}
{{Navboxes|list1=
{{Masami Yuki}}
{{Weekly Shōnen Sunday - 1980–1989}}
{{Shogakukan Manga Award - Shōnen}}
{{Studio Deen films}}
{{Production I.G OVAs}}
{{Studio Khara}}
{{Studio Rikka}}
}}

[[Category:Patlabor| ]]
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