Patlabor
Encyclopedia
Patlabor also known as , is an anime
and manga
franchise created by Headgear
, a group consisting of director Mamoru Oshii
, writer Kazunori Itō
, mecha designer Yutaka Izubuchi
, character designer Akemi Takada
, and manga artist Masami Yūki
.
The popular franchise included a manga, a TV series, two OVA series, three feature length movies, and a short film compilation, named because of its super-deformed drawing style. The series has been adapted into video games and licensed products from 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.
Animations from Patlabor were used extensively in the music video "Juke Joint Jezebel
" by KMFDM
. The manga received the 36th Shogakukan Manga Award
for shōnen
in 1991.
has its own fleet of Patlabor robotic police officers to combat crimes and deal with accidents involving Labors. The story arc
s usually 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.
The feature films follow separate continuities, referred to as the "movie timeline" and the "TV timeline." The different OVA series follow either the movie or TV timelines.
Mobile Police Patlabor began in 1988 as a 6 episode OVA series, along with a serial written and drawn by Masami Yuki
in Shogakukan
's Shōnen Sunday
Comics to help promote the OVA. The OVA was later translated into English by VIZ Media
.
1989 - 1992:
A 7th OVA episode was added afterwards to help promote the first Patlabor movie in 1989. Soon after the first movie was released, a 47 episode TV series directed by Naoyuki Yoshinaga was released. The storyline from the TV series was completed in a 16 episode OVA which began after the TV series finished. This OVA ended in April 1992.
1993:
A second movie was released in August 1993.
1994 - 2002:
Work on another OVA was started in 1994, and this OVA evolved into the third movie, which was released in 2002. During the same time, "Mini-Pato" was released in theaters, playing before the third movie.
The first two Patlabor movies are directed by Mamoru Oshii
(Ghost in the Shell
) and produced by the venerable development house Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, Blood: The Last Vampire
) with music from Kenji Kawai
(Ghost in the Shell).
series. Along with WXIII, it is the last story told within the universe. Minipato was screened in Japanese cinemas before the start of WXIII in such a way that, to see the complete series, viewers were made to see WXIII three times.
The animation style uses a combination of paper puppets and CGI, with a claymation sequence in the first episode.
The whole thing explains how the mechas were conceived: they had to break down, they ran on batteries, there was operating costs, a need for a hefty support crew... Also, a general explanation on ballistics and a review of the armament (and a voluntarily poorly done attempt at explaining the discrepancy between the stated and obvious caliber difference in the robots' sidearms) were added. It also contains a frank explanation on how the anime was calibrated to market. The whole thing is treated humorously, in a way reminiscent of Gunbuster
's scientific additions.
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 Beez Entertainment
handled distribution in the UK. Madman
has the distribution rights for the movies in Australia and New Zealand in association with Manga Entertainment
UK, Madman have been refused the rights to the Bandai dubs of the Movies.
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
and manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
franchise created by Headgear
Headgear (artist group)
Headgear is a group consisting of 5 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...
, a group consisting of director Mamoru Oshii
Mamoru Oshii
Mamoru Oshii is a Japanese filmmaker, television director, and writer. Famous for his philosophy-oriented storytelling, Oshii has directed a number of popular anime, including Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer, Ghost in the Shell, and Patlabor 2...
, writer Kazunori Itō
Kazunori Ito
is a Japanese anime screenwriter and artist who is well known for his work in the .hack Franchise and his writing for the Ghost in the Shell movie. Itō also provided the art for .hack//Another Birth. He is a member of the artist group known as Headgear....
, mecha designer Yutaka Izubuchi
Yutaka Izubuchi
is a Japanese anime designer and director. Izubuchi is credited for designing costumes, characters and creatures, but most of his designs are mechanical...
, character designer Akemi Takada
Akemi Takada
is a Japanese manga artist born on March 31, 1955 in Tokyo, Japan. She is a popular anime character designer, noted for her long collaboration with director Mamoru Oshii. She graduated from Tama Art University, after which she worked for Tatsunoko Pro. She is currently a freelance manga artist with...
, and manga artist Masami Yūki
Masami Yuki
, real name Shūji Satō , is a manga artist.Yuki graduated from Kutchan High School. He is a member of the artist group known as Headgear...
.
The popular franchise included a manga, a TV series, two OVA series, three feature length movies, and a short film compilation, named because of its super-deformed drawing style. The series has been adapted into video games and licensed products from OST
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to toys. Patlabor is known for using mecha
Mecha
A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
- designed by Yutaka Izubuchi
Yutaka Izubuchi
is a Japanese anime designer and director. Izubuchi is credited for designing costumes, characters and creatures, but most of his designs are mechanical...
- not just for police or military purposes, but also for industrial and municipal jobs.
Animations from Patlabor were used extensively in the music video "Juke Joint Jezebel
Juke Joint Jezebel
"Juke Joint Jezebel" is a song by industrial rock group KMFDM from their 1995 album Nihil. It is KMFDM's most widely known song to date, with around three million copies of the song sold in various forms.-History:...
" by KMFDM
KMFDM
KMFDM is an industrial band led by German multi-instrumentalist Sascha Konietzko, who founded the group in 1984 as a performance art project...
. The manga received the 36th Shogakukan Manga Award
Shogakukan Manga Award
The is one of Japan's major manga awards, sponsored by Shogakukan Publishing. It has been awarded annually for serialized manga since 1955 and features candidates from a number of publishers.The current award categories are:...
for shōnen
Shonen
The term refers to manga marketed to a male audience aged roughly 10 and up. The Kanji characters literally mean "few" and "year", respectively, where the characters generally mean "comic"...
in 1991.
Storyline
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. The Tokyo Metropolitan PoliceTokyo Metropolitan Police Department
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department serves as the police force for the entire Tokyo metropolis. Founded in 1874, it is headed by a superintendent general, who is appointed by the National Public Safety Commission and approved by the prime minister.The Metropolitan Police, with a staff of more...
has its own fleet of Patlabor robotic police officers to combat crimes and deal with accidents involving Labors. The story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
s usually 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.
The feature films follow separate continuities, referred to as the "movie timeline" and the "TV timeline." The different OVA series follow either the movie or TV timelines.
Release history
1988:Mobile Police Patlabor began in 1988 as a 6 episode OVA series, along with a serial written and drawn by Masami Yuki
Masami Yuki
, real name Shūji Satō , is a manga artist.Yuki graduated from Kutchan High School. He is a member of the artist group known as Headgear...
in Shogakukan
Shogakukan
is a Japanese publisher of dictionaries, literature, manga, non-fiction, DVDs, and other media in Japan.Shogakukan founded Shueisha which founded Hakusensha. These are three separate companies, but are together called the Hitotsubashi Group, one of the largest publishing groups in Japan...
's Shōnen Sunday
Shonen Sunday
, first published on March 17, 1959, is a weekly shōnen manga magazine published in Japan by Shogakukan. Contrary to its title, Weekly Shōnen Sunday issues are released on Wednesdays.- History :...
Comics to help promote the OVA. The OVA was later translated into English by VIZ Media
VIZ Media
VIZ Media, LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, is an anime, manga, and Japanese entertainment company. It was founded in 1986 as VIZ LLC. In 2005, VIZ LLC and ShoPro Entertainment merged to form the current VIZ Media LLC, which is jointly owned by Japanese publishers Shogakukan and Shueisha, and...
.
1989 - 1992:
A 7th OVA episode was added afterwards to help promote the first Patlabor movie in 1989. Soon after the first movie was released, a 47 episode TV series directed by Naoyuki Yoshinaga was released. The storyline from the TV series was completed in a 16 episode OVA which began after the TV series finished. This OVA ended in April 1992.
1993:
A second movie was released in August 1993.
1994 - 2002:
Work on another OVA was started in 1994, and this OVA evolved into the third movie, which was released in 2002. During the same time, "Mini-Pato" was released in theaters, playing before the third movie.
The first two Patlabor movies are directed by Mamoru Oshii
Mamoru Oshii
Mamoru Oshii is a Japanese filmmaker, television director, and writer. Famous for his philosophy-oriented storytelling, Oshii has directed a number of popular anime, including Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer, Ghost in the Shell, and Patlabor 2...
(Ghost in the Shell
Ghost in the Shell (film)
"See You Everyday" is different from the rest of the soundtrack, being a pop song sung in Cantonese by Fang Ka Wing. It can be faintly heard playing in the marketplace scene, when Batou is hunting the ghost-hacked puppet....
) and produced by the venerable development house Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, Blood: The Last Vampire
Blood: The Last Vampire
Blood: The Last Vampire is a 2000 anime film produced by Production I.G and SPE Visual Works and directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo. The film premiered in theaters in Japan on November 18, 2000...
) with music from Kenji Kawai
Kenji Kawai
, born April 23, 1957 in Shinagawa, Tokyo, is a Japanese music composer, for motion pictures, anime movies, video games and televised programs. He has contributed to the musical scores for numerous films from Japan and other countries in Asia, working in film genres as diverse as anime, horror,...
(Ghost in the Shell).
Patlabor the Movie (1989)
The plot follows a string of incidents involving labors going berserk. The reason is unknown and it is up to the SV.2 team to figure it out. This film continues the movie timeline.Patlabor: The TV Series/Mobile Police Patlabor (1989-1990, TV, 47 episodes)
The TV series features an alternate telling of how Section 2 was formed. The main story arc involves the Griffon Labor. This begins the TV timeline.Mobile Police Patlabor P-Series (1990-1992, OVA, 16 episodes)
This series is also referred to as OVA 2. Most of the episodes are placed in various points throughout the TV timeline. There are several episodes in the OVA series that takes place after the end of the TV series, including the conclusion to the Griffon storyline. Also known as "The New Files" for the DVD release.Patlabor 2 the Movie (1993)
Terrorists attack Tokyo and it's up to the Patlabor Special Vehicles 2nd Division to stop them. This movie has similar premise to episodes 5 and 6 of the original OVA. This movie continues the movie timeline.WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3 (Wasted 13) (2001)
A monster has been feeding on Tokyo Bay. Two detectives are on the case. This is a side story to Patlabor, and takes place in the movie timeline, between the other two movies. It is based on a part of the manga and has a similar premise to a story in the original OVA series. WXIIIs actual release date is 2001, as it premiered in a film festival that year. However, public release was made the following year to coincide with the release of Minipato.Mobile Police Patlabor Minimum: Minipato (2002, 3 short films)
Minipato consists of three parts, each part 13 minutes in length. It is an adjunct to the Patlabor animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series. Along with WXIII, it is the last story told within the universe. Minipato was screened in Japanese cinemas before the start of WXIII in such a way that, to see the complete series, viewers were made to see WXIII three times.
The animation style uses a combination of paper puppets and CGI, with a claymation sequence in the first episode.
The whole thing explains how the mechas were conceived: they had to break down, they ran on batteries, there was operating costs, a need for a hefty support crew... Also, a general explanation on ballistics and a review of the armament (and a voluntarily poorly done attempt at explaining the discrepancy between the stated and obvious caliber difference in the robots' sidearms) were added. It also contains a frank explanation on how the anime was calibrated to market. The whole thing is treated humorously, in a way reminiscent of Gunbuster
Gunbuster
Gunbuster, known in Japan as is a six episode anime OVA series created by Gainax in 1988. It was the directorial debut of Hideaki Anno, best known as the director of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The title is a combination of the titles of classic tennis anime Aim for the Ace!, whose plot inspired...
's scientific additions.
Police Labors
- AV-95 Gorilla (Shinohara Heavy Industries)
- MPL-96 Asuka (Shinohara Heavy Industries)
- MPL-97S Python (Shinohara Heavy Industries)
- MPL-97T (Shinohara Heavy Industries, Training Labor for MPL-97S Python operators)
- AV-98 Ingram (Shinohara Heavy Industries)
- AVS-98-I Ingram (Shinohara Heavy Industries) Ingram economy model
- AVS-98-II Ingram (Shinohara Heavy Industries) Ingram Mark II mass production prototype
- AV-98T Dolphin/Doafun (Shinohara Heavy Industries, Training Labor for AV-98 Ingram operators)
- Type-99 Road Runner (Quick response traffic control Labor)
- AV-X0 Zero (Shinohara Heavy Industries, Prototype, designated AVR-0 in the Manga)
- AV-0 Zero Peacemaker (Shinohara Heavy Industries, Descendent of AV-X0)
- AV-02 Clash Buster (Shinohara Heavy Industries)
- AV-02T Lehrer (Shinohara Heavy Industries, Training Labor for AV-02 Clash Buster operators)
Military Labors
- AL-97 Atlas (Hishii Industries)
- AL-97B Samson (Hishii Industries)
- AL-97S Improved "Hannibal" (Hishii Industries)
- RADHA (United Nations Military Labor, six legged)
- ALX-99 Helldiver Prototype (Shinohara Heavy Industries)
- ARL-99 Helldiver (Shinohara Heavy Industries) Japan Ground Self Defense Force Paradrop Labor (parachute-deployed)
- HAL X-10 (JGSDF prototype, four legged tank Labor, Manufactured by Shinohara Heavy Industries and Hishii Industries)
- Type-5G/1C Grau-Bear (Schaft Enterprises Europe)
- Type-6Q/2C Chimaera (Schaft Enterprises Europe)
- Type-7 "Brocken" (Schaft Enterprises Europe, West Germany Military Labor)
- M-5 Abraham (Schaft Enterprises USA)
- Type-R13EX "Phantom" (Schaft Enterprises Japan, Test Type Military Labor)
- Type-J9 'Griffon' (Schaft Enterprises Japan, Experimental Military Labor)
- Attack Labor L00 Doshka (Kronstadt Tank Works / Leningrad Science Academy, Russian four legged military Labor [Also called X-99 Ivan])
Fire and Rescue Labors
- CRL-98 Pyro-Buster (Hishii Industries)
- ARV-99 Rescue Labor (Shinohara Heavy Industries)
Civilian (Industrial) Labors
- ASUKA-SSL96 Taisyo (Shinohara Heavy Industries)
- HL-96 Tyrant 2000 (Hishii Industries)
- HL-97 Bulldog (Hishii Industries)
- TFV-97 Crabman (Shinohara Heavy Industries, four legged)
- TFV-97 EX "Crabman Hi-Leg" (Shinohara Heavy Industries, four legged)
- HL-98 Hercules H-21 (Hishii Industries)
- ML-98 Celkee/Selkie H-10 (Hishii Industries)
- ASV-99 Boxer (Shinohara Heavy Industries)
- HL-99 Rex 2500 (Hishii Industries)
- SOV-9900S SeaView
- Ghamborgini (Civilian recreation Labor, Italian speed model, parody of LamborghiniLamborghiniAutomobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini , is an Italian car manufacturer. The company was founded by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, with the objective of producing a refined grand touring car to compete with established offerings from marques like...
, made by Plevidensa)
Licensing
All of the Patlabor productions have been released in the United States in some form, except for most of the manga. All the movies have been translated into English and are available in stores in Region 1, 2 & 4 DVD format. Both the entire TV series, and the 2 OVAs are available on DVD in Region 1.The TV series and OVAs were released in the U.S. by Central Park Media
Central Park Media
Central Park Media was an American multimedia entertainment company based in New York City, New York, that was active in the distribution of East Asian cinema, television series, anime, manga and manhwa titles in North America prior to its bankruptcy in 2009...
. The first two movies were released by Manga Entertainment
Manga Entertainment
Manga Entertainment is a producer, licensor and distributor of Japanese animation in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand...
, but later remastered and re-released in 2006 by Bandai Visual
Bandai Visual
, is a Japanese anime, film production and distribution enterprise, established by Bandai Co., Ltd. and a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc., which is based in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Since the reorganisation of Namco Bandai Holdings in 2006, Bandai Visual now heads the group's Visual and...
. The third movie (along with "Mini-Pato") was released by Geneon Entertainment (formerly Pioneer). Twelve sections of the manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
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
Bandai Visual
, is a Japanese anime, film production and distribution enterprise, established by Bandai Co., Ltd. and a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc., which is based in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Since the reorganisation of Namco Bandai Holdings in 2006, Bandai Visual now heads the group's Visual and...
's Honneamise label re-released the first two movies on DVD in North America with extensive bonus features, and Beez Entertainment
Beez Entertainment
Beez Entertainment is a European anime distributor, and they also distribute anime soundtracks. They mainly act as the European branch for Bandai Visual as it is owned by Namco Bandai Holdings...
handled distribution in the UK. Madman
Madman Entertainment
Madman Entertainment is an Australian company that distributes international films as well as Japanese anime and manga in Australia and New Zealand. The company is owned by Funtastic Limited and is one of the major entertainment companies in Australia. It employs 130 people and has an annual...
has the distribution rights for the movies in Australia and New Zealand in association with Manga Entertainment
Manga Entertainment
Manga Entertainment is a producer, licensor and distributor of Japanese animation in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand...
UK, Madman have been refused the rights to the Bandai dubs of the Movies.
Video games
All these titles were released exclusively in Japan.- Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor (Famicom Disk System - January 24, 1989)
- Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor (Game BoyGame BoyThe , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
- August 25, 1990) - Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor: 98-Shiki Kidou Seyo! (Mega Drive - October 23, 1992)
- Kidō Keisatstsu Patlabor: Griffon-hen (Turbo CDTurboGrafx-16TurboGrafx-16, fully titled as TurboGrafx-16 Entertainment SuperSystem and known in Japan as the , is a video game console developed by Hudson Soft and NEC, released in Japan on October 30, 1987, and in North America on August 29, 1989....
- September 30, 1993) - Kidō Keisatsu PatlaborKidō Keisatsu Patlabor (Super NES video game)is a 1994 Japan-exclusive video game that was released to the Super Famicom. It is based on the manga of the same title.-Summary:The Labors were robots created by the big industries and was used in construction and public work. However, however many people used the Labors for criminal purposes...
(Super FamicomSuper Nintendo Entertainment SystemThe Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
- April 22, 1994) - Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor: Game Edition (PlayStationPlayStationThe is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
- November 30, 2000) - Patlabor: Come Back Mini-Pato (PlayStation PortablePlayStation PortableThe is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
- November 2, 2005)
External links
- "Untranslated Pick of the Month" -(J-pop.com review of manga)