Yuuki Masami’s manga “Patlabor 2026” appears in the 25th issue of Shogakukan’s young men’s manga magazine Weekly Big Comic Spirits, which went on sale from May 18, 2026. It features a front-page color spread and is the first new one-shot manga in 32 years.
The Mobile Police Patlabor series was born on April 25, 1988 as a six-episode OVA (original video animation). It was created by the creative group HEADGEAR, consisting of manga artist Yuuki Masami, mechanical designer Yutaka Izubuchi, scriptwriter Kazunori Ito, character designer Akemi Takada, and director Mamoru Oshii. The setting is Tokyo at the end of the 20th century, where robots with cherry blossom emblems on their chests patrol the city streets. The story depicts the activities of the Special Vehicle Section 2 members who pilot robots called Ingram to fight criminals, sometimes comedic and sometimes serious. The OVA, theatrical films, manga, and TV anime all became hits.
On May 15, the new anime Patlabor EZY began theatrical release with File 1, consisting of three episodes: “Trend is #Second Platoon,” “Idle in the Midst of Bustle,” and “The Real Deal.” The work is directed by Yutaka Izubuchi, with script and series composition by Kazunori Ito, original character drafts by Yuuki Masami, and costume design cooperation by Akemi Takada. The cast includes Sumire Uesaka, Kikunosuke Togawa, Ami Koshimizu, Naohiro Kobayashi, Setsuji Sato, Yume Matsumura, and Megumi Hayashibara. File 2, featuring episodes “Wine and Bullets,” “Fleeting Dreams,” and “Love Survival,” is scheduled for release on August 14.
The newly published “Patlabor 2026” in Weekly Big Comic Spirits is a one-shot manga that serves as the first new Patlabor manga episode since the series concluded in 1994—32 years ago. Penned by Yuuki Masami with a front-page color spread, it connects the past and the future in a present-day episode not to be missed.
The magazine also features a special article on Patlabor EZY, and includes a bonus “Mobile Police Patlabor” komasticker. Be sure to pick up the issue.
Weekly Big Comic Spirits issue 25, featuring Yuuki Masami’s manga “Patlabor 2026,” is available at a special price of 570 yen. The digital edition of the same issue also includes the one-shot manga, so check it out as well.
