The legendary creative group HEADGEAR presents a completely new work in the Patlabor series: Mobile Police Patlabor EZY. Comments filled with “Patlabor love” have arrived from a total of 14 celebrities from various fields, including Hideaki Anno, Nobuyuki Sakuma, Sumito Owara, and Erena Mano. Additionally, the second-week visitor gift has been decided to be logo stickers.
The new animated work Mobile Police Patlabor EZY officially kicked off its project in earnest after announcing production in 2017, screening a pilot film at an event in 2022, and then declaring “2026 Project Launch” in September 2024. The film began its theatrical release in three chapters starting May 15, 2026 (Friday).
Now, voices of joy and praise have been pouring in from celebrities who have loved Patlabor for many years and were eagerly awaiting the new work, as well as creators who are friends with director Yutaka Izubuchi. Hideaki Anno, known for the Evangelion series and Shin Godzilla, commented: “I found it interesting how director Izubuchi and the staff, who depict an everyday world where giant robots are not out of place, have straightforwardly and purely expressed what they have always held onto, what they newly gained, and what they lost within the long history and broad worldview.” Anno, who also served as planner and executive producer for the 2016 Mobile Police Patlabor REBOOT and has a deep connection with director Izubuchi, offered his thoughts on this work from his unique perspective.
Actor Erena Mano, who played the lead in the live-action The Next Generation Patlabor, gave her seal of approval: “The atmosphere of Special Vehicles Section 2 somehow feels nostalgic, the squad members are once again full of personality, and of course, the Ingram is cool!” TV producer Nobuyuki Sakuma, right in the heart of the Patlabor generation, said passionately: “My heart pounded at the start, then I thought ‘you gotta be kidding me,’ and at the end it was ‘this is it!’ While watching, I remembered: it’s because they mess around this seriously that I loved Patlabor.” Manga artist Sumito Owara, who has long publicly been a fan, expressed his joy: “Ah!! This is Patlabor!!! Thank you, Patlabor! Go for it, our Patlabor!!”
Additionally, comments filled with “Patlabor love” also arrived from legendary staff involved in the production of EZY, such as composer Kenji Kawai, who is indispensable to the Mobile Police Patlabor series, and special effects director Shinji Higuchi, whose participation was revealed in director Izubuchi’s remarks at the completion stage greeting. Comments from a total of 11 other celebrities, including free announcer Yoshinori Yoshida, designer and manga artist Tsukasa Kotobuki, and film director Kohei Yoshino, have also arrived. The full text is provided below.
Furthermore, it has been decided that as a second-week visitor gift for File 1, stickers featuring various logos will be distributed for a limited period from Friday, May 22 to Thursday, May 28. In addition to the work logo, there is the logo of Special Vehicles Section 2 (which says “Patlabor!”), as well as corporate logos such as Shinohara Heavy Industries and the one carried by Hercules Powered that appears in the film—a super luxurious set that lets you get all six designs you’ll want to collect on a single sheet. Each one can be peeled off and stuck onto your smartphone or PC, making them perfect for everyday use.
Second Week Visitor Gift for Mobile Police Patlabor EZY
And already, the work will be fully talked about! A post-release staff talk has been scheduled. The staff talk for this work is titled “Bucchan’s Room” and will be a must-see event for fans, where director Izubuchi invites staff related to the work and creators from various fields to frankly discuss all sorts of topics. For the commemorative first session, Part 1, the guest visiting this room is producer Taro Maki. Pay attention to the “Patlabor” talk that director Izubuchi and Maki can only have after the release.
Full Comment Texts
Fuyuma Osaka (Novelist)
Nearly 40 years since the original OVA, and nearly 30 years since the then-setting of 1998, Patlabor has returned. Keeping the theme of “what would happen if police robots actually existed?” while the characters and gadgets are refreshingly new, both new fans and old fans are sure to enjoy it. Director Mamoru Oshii is not involved, but Oshii fans especially should watch it right up to the very end!
Hideaki Anno (Director, Producer)
I found it interesting how director Izubuchi and the staff, who depict an everyday world where giant robots are not out of place, have straightforwardly and purely expressed what they have always held onto, what they newly gained, and what they lost within the long history and broad worldview. Personally, I was moved by director Izubuchi’s character in squeezing Mamoru Oshii’s name into the staff roll. He’s a good person.
Tsunehiro Uno (Critic)
If you think “there’s no way it’s any good,” instead of complaining, the only option is to create something new. I’m very excited about the appearance of a project that feels like that kind of adult resolve.
Sumito Owara (Manga Artist)
Ah!! This is Patlabor!!! Thank you, Patlabor! Go for it, our Patlabor!!
Kenji Kawai (Composer)
More than half my life with Patlabor—unbelievable.
Tsukasa Kotobuki (Designer, Manga Artist)
When I first saw the original, I was still in my teens, but now that I’m nearly 60, the mildly light flavor was just right, and I enjoyed it all the way through. Although I also had a feeling I wanted it to be richly fatty enough to give me heartburn.
Nobuyuki Sakuma (TV Producer)
My heart pounded at the start, then I thought “you gotta be kidding me,” and at the end it was “this is it!” While watching, I remembered: it’s because they mess around this seriously that I loved Patlabor. Coolness and laughter, newness and nostalgia, inheritance and destruction—a wonderful new work that does it all.
Osamu Suzuki (Startup Factory Representative)
When I was a child, Patlabor was the future. But unlike other anime, it wasn’t a future too far away. It was a future just a little ahead, one you could reach if you tried, so I was incredibly excited. And now this work shows us a future a little ahead from the present, within reach. AI, automation, the role of humans. Because it’s connected to reality, it’s immensely interesting. In the midst of that, people worry, people protect. The soul of Patlabor is there. New and hot—no, it was extremely hot.
Nobuyoshi Habara (Animation Director)
A work that seems easy but is full of hard-hitting devices. Each episode weaves in awareness of modern social issues, while dialogue is filled with words that evoke the 80s, and the layout and lens choices remind me of the latest live-action (or rather, special effects?). The meticulous detail in every part is wonderful, and I think it’s structured so you can enjoy every nook and cranny. I’m looking forward to the developments leading to the finale!!
Shinji Higuchi (Storyboard, Episode 3 and Opening)
If our iDOL, senior Izubuchi, is doing it! If our iDOL, senior Izubuchi, asked me! If our MENTOR, Mr. Ito, is doing it! If our MENTOR, Mr. Ito, asked me! Would any fool hesitate? Would any fool refuse? If I don’t do it, who will? Right and strong—that’s how it is.
Erena Mano (Actor)
The atmosphere of Special Vehicles Section 2 somehow feels nostalgic, the squad members are once again full of personality, and of course, the Ingram is cool! I experienced the world of Patlabor as Noa Izumi in the live-action version, so I hoped that Special Vehicles Section 2 would continue even as times change. I’m very happy to see a new work!
Mafia Kajita (Entertainment Mercenary)
A crystal of service spirit aimed at Patlabor fans in all directions. I want to offer boundless praise for depicting “what happened to Special Vehicles Section 2 afterward” in a way that everyone wanted to know and can accept. …The fooling around is also top-notch.
Yoshinori Yoshida (Announcer)
Patlabor truly saved my life. I could talk about this endlessly, but what sets Patlabor apart from other works is that labor exists just beyond our daily sense of life. The feeling of “I can ride it!” still exists in 2026!
Kohei Yoshino (Film Director)
I feel like I’ve been given an answer to my long-standing personal question of “What is Patlabor?” that is clearer and more thorough than anything else. Seeing that orange uniform still gets me excited.
Mobile Police Patlabor EZY File 1 Post-Release Staff Talk: Bucchan’s Room Part 1
Content: Screening of Mobile Police Patlabor EZY File 1 & Staff Talk
Venue: Shinjuku Piccadilly (Tokyo)
Panelists (planned): Yutaka Izubuchi (Director), Taro Maki (Producer)
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 19:15 screening
Price: 2500 yen (tax included) uniform
*Upcharge seats available.
*Advance tickets, various complimentary tickets, and SMT Members coupons cannot be used.
