otaku : patlabor story lines

first viewing:

First few episodes of Patlabor on TV (fansub) at local collage anime club in about the mid '90s, which lead to my purchase of the original OAV, which was also my first subtitled purchase.

list of labors:
Shinohara Heavy Industries	Hishii Heavy Industries
police labors: MPL-96 Asuka MPL-97S Python AVS-99 Helldiver AV-98 Ingram AV-98-I Ingram (Ingram economy model) AV-98-II Ingram (Mark II mass production prototype) AV-X0 Zero AV-0 Zero Peacemaker AV-2 variant AV-98T Dolphin (used mostly for training) fire/rescue labors: ARV-99 Rescue Labor construction labors: TFV-97EX 'Crabman' (high-leg) TFV-97 'Crabman' KV-98 [KV-93R] 'Pickle' ASV-99 'Boxer' military labors: HAL X-10 (experimental heavy attack labor) ARL-99 Helldiver	fire/rescue labors: CRL-98 Pyro-Buster construction labors: AL-97 Atlas HL-96 Tyrant 2000 HL-97 Bulldog HL-98 Hercules H21 HL-99 Rex 2500 ML-98 Selkie H10 military labors: AL-97B Samson
Shaft Industries (Japan/USA/Europe)
SRX-70 Saturn (with Toyohata Heavy Industries) Type 7 Brocken (Europe) M5 Abraham (USA) 'Phantom' (Japan) TYPE J9 'Griffon' (Japan) BEL1999 Caldia (Europe) (Ark automated security labor)

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mobile police patlabor (1988-1989, OAV, 7 episodes)

about: With the rapid development of robotics in the late 20th century came the Labor -- a humanoid type, multipurpose construction machine -- which was rapidly employed in all aspects of industry and heavy construction. However these machines also created a new menace to society: Labor crimes. To combat this threat, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department established the "Special Vehicles, Section 2," comprised of specially designed Patrol Labors. Theses are the stories of the SV2 -- The Patlabor Squad.

series start: What are the Members or the newly established Second Unit supposed to do? They've been ordered to apprehend a terrorist Labor -- and there new Labors are stuck in traffic en route from the factory!

rating: 4.0/5.0	comments:
The Original OAV anime, has a good story line, but not the best, there's something about the look & feel of it, the character designs are almost super deformed but not really, or sort-of child like and not as crisp as the later TV designs. The animation is smooth, but there's something kind of messy and very dark about it. Over all it's still good if you like Mobile Police Patlabor.

mobile police patlabor (1989-1990, TV, 47 episodes)

about: The not-too-distant future saw the invention the Labor: a humanoid, multipurpose construction machine -- which also made a pretty cool terrorist weapon. To combat the Tokyo Metropolitan P.D. established the "Special Vehicles, Section 2," comprised of specially designed Patrol Labors -- Patlabors.

series start: When Noa Izumi , a new recruit for the SV2 arrives, disaster looms in the near future. The Ingram, the newest model Patrol Labor, is stolen right out of the factory by a rival company!

rating: 5.0/5.0	comments:
The best of Patlabor! Clean sharp designs, good animation, very funny, and loaded with great situations. My most favorite. If you like Patlabor, and haven't seen it, go and see it now!

mobile police patlabor p-series (1990-1992, OVA, 16 episodes)

about: The hit series Patlabor continues with this great follow up to the TV show, and picks up the pace right from where it left off!

series start: While the Second Unit is away on routine assignment, Captain Nagumo's First Unit is called-in to deal with an unidentified, black Labor. The SV2's nemesis -- The Griffon -- is back for a rematch. But the First Unit has a new weapon at it's disposal -- the Type-0 "Peacemaker" Labor. But is the new Labor a match for the griffon's deadly speed and awesome strength? -

rating: 5.0/5.0	comments:
The OAV follow up the TV show and just as great, a little confusing when it came out, because it came out before the TV show, which was screwy. See the TV show, then see this. Great great stuff!

patlabor the movie (1989)

about: The year is 1999 and Tokyo's Mobile Police have a new weapon in the war on crime -- advanced robots called Labors are used to combat the criminals who would use the new technology for illegal means. The suicide of a mysterious man on the massive Babylon Project construction site sets off a cascade of mysterious events that may signal the destruction of Tokyo. What is the connection between the suicide, the new Mobile Police AV-XO Zero Labor, and a berserk prototype tank? When Patlabor cops Noa Izumi and Azuma Shinohara investigate an unexplained wave of rogue Labors rampaging across the city, they uncover a sinister revenge plot to infect Tokyo's eight thousand Labor population with the deadly BABEL virus. With the future of the city hanging in the balance and a typhoon poised to trigger the devastation. Noa, Azuma and their teammates must destroy the source of the virus -- the giant Babylon Project tower in Tokyo Bay -- in a die hard battle to the finish.

rating: 4.5/5.0	comments:
Very movie like, great story and animation, Mamoru Oshii love's his cinematic pans. Good action and flow, out on DVD now so go out an d get it and fire up your entertainment center, and have some fun!

patlabor the movie 2 (1993)

about: The year is 2002, three years after the events of Patlabor 1, The destruction of the United Nations labor team in South East Asia (1999) signals the beginning of a deadly terrorist plan that threatens to send shock waves thought out Japan's military. With evidence of an impending military takeover, the scattered members of the original Special Vehicles, Section 2 must gather to defend the city against danger. To make matters worse, the mastermind behind the operation is none other that Nagumo's former teacher and ex-lover Tsuge. Can Nagumo stay true to her oath to uphold the law in the face of Tsuge's destructive plan for revenge? The countdown to armed revolution and panic on the streets of Tokyo begins now...
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rating: 4.5/5.0	comments:
Another very cinematic movie, you almost for get it's animated, you get a taste of the style Oshii used in Ghost in the Shell, that hash lighting look. Still filled with long scenes and pans with little or no dialog, very visual. Good stuff.

MiniPato: Mobile Police Patlabor Minimum (2002, OAV, 3 episodes)

about: Hyper-realistic Mobile Police Patlabor world evolves into a Digital Paper Puppet Theatre? Reproducing a cardboard cut effect with sophisticated digital animation techniques, this hilarious mini series in 3 auto-conclusive episodes is directed by Ghost in the Shell S.A.C.'s Kenji Kamiyama. A different episode was screened on a weekly shift as part of the theatrical release of WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3.

Episode 1: Roar, Revolver Cannon!
In which Captain Goto in person holds a highly formative lecture about Labor weaponry.
Episode 2: Oh, Glorious Model 98 AV!
In which Shigeo Shiba exposes through the history of robot animation the extraordinary characteristics of the glorious Model 98 AV Ingram.

Episode 3: The Secret of Special Vehicle Unit Section 2!
In which Captain Nagumo finally discloses all the truth about Section 2 cooking facilities.

rating: 5.0/5.0	comments:
All too short, but very funny & entertaining. The visuals a surreal treat which makes buying WWXIII special edition DVD well worth the cost. a Patlabor fans must see.

patlabor the movie 3: WXIII (wasted 13) (2002)

about: Veteran police detective Takeshi Kusumi and his young partner Shinichiro Hata search for the cause of several deadly Labor accidents in and around Tokyo Bay. Each detective applies their own style of investigation and soon uncover a labyrinth of deceit with connections to the Japanese and American militaries! As they continue their investigation, Kusumi begins to suspect that Hata's new girlfriend, Saeko, a genetic research scientist may be involved. However, neither man is prepared for their encounter with the ravenous biological weapon, WXIII: Wasted Thirteen. While the detectives are the only survivors of the encounter, the government covers up the incident, and they must work with the military to lure the monster into a brutal showdown with the Patlabors of Special Vehicle Division, Section 2! -Official English Site
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rating: 3.5/5.0

comments:

Visually pleasing, & a great movie, attention to detail is wonderful. However, the SV2 take more of a supporting role in this film, it focuses mainly on the detective's story. The SV2 still have an important roll, but do not show up truly till later in the film. This may not be a favorite to the die-hard Patlabor fan, but still very much worth a look. Special Edition DVD contains the MiniPato Shorts.