Jex
Member
The Patlabor franchise is fairly well respected among a certain generation of anime fan, but outside of that group most people will probably never have heard of it. Which is a shame because the majority of the works are excellent, and most certainly worthy of your attention.
Introduction
(The Anime Encyclopaedia, 2006, Helen McCarthy)Helen McCarthy said:
The Patlabor Franchise
The Patlabor franchise is divided into two similar, but decidedly distinct, continuities. The first branch includes the original seven part OVA series, followed by the two movies. The second branch includes the TV series followed by the second OVA. The first continuity becomes decidedly more 'classic Oshii' as it progresses through the movies, while the second branch stays more consistently light-hearted in tone.
While there are two continuities it's not the case that you will wish to experience one, and not the other. While similar themes are explored within the Patlabor franchise it's not like one half is a repeat of the other. The OVA is an enjoyable light-hearted real-robot show. The movies are technological thrillers. The TV series does a great job of exploring some of the characters in more depth, with the majority of cast given their own personal episodes at some point or another. It also has a great number of excellent, stand-alone episodes. You can't really go wrong with any of these products.
Why it's worth checking out
While the Patlabor concept revolves around people piloting giant robots it would be wrong to assume that the works neatly fit into any genre. The robots are a far-cry from powerful Gundam's, largely being basic and slow machines designed to carry out a specific task, much like a forklift. In other words, they are not glamorous. The real stars are actually the realistic and well thought out characters that inhabit the Patlabor universe, and the stories that are told around them. It would be no exaggeration to say that the characters in Patlabor are among some of my favourites in anime. While at first glance everyone these characters may to be simple archetypes : the overly-energetic female, the crazed gun nut etc. a lot of work goes into giving these characters understandable drives and motivations which helps to raise them out from crowd of 'two-dimensional' characters that populate many shows.
Various parts of the franchise excel in various areas and so each Patlabor product is worth watching on it's own merits.
The First OVA
Director : Mamoru Oshii, Naoyuki Yoshinaga. Studio: Studio Deen. Episodes : 7
The start of it all. A brief, seven episode affair that introduces you to the world and characters. It also carries with it a distinctly light-hearted feel, very unlike the Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, Angels Egg) that you may be familiar with. Interestingly for a 'mecha' show it's surprisingly lacking in combat, instead opting to explore the characters in a number of comic situations that range mad scientists to ghosts.
As it's super-short I have no problem recommending all of it. Each episode is enjoyable and interesting in it's own way. It's very important viewing if you wish to check out the Patlabor movies as well.
(Cool stuff like this only really happens in the OP)
(500 Essential Anime Movies, 2008, Helen McCarthy)Helen McCarthy said:
Patlabor : The Movie
Director : Mamoru Oshii, Studio : Production I.G
Without giving too much away, this movie is set after the events of the first OVA and it details how the Patlabor team investigate a sudden raise of robot rampages within Tokyo.
The tone here is fairly different from that of the OVA, moving towards 'classic Oshii', it is largely a thriller concerned with the dangers of mankind dependency on technology.
Watching the movie without experiencing the original OVA may well be a confusing affair as it spends precious very little time introducing you to the characters, and it assumes you're already familiar with the franchise.
Like it's sequel, this remains one of the best anime movies every made, treating it's viewers as capable adults who are able to keep up with the revelations of the plot, and who won't fall asleep because they haven't seen anything explode for five minutes.
Patlabor 2 : The Movie
Director : Mamoru Oshii, Studio : Production I.G
Much of what was excellent about the previous film applies to it's sequel. The things most worthy of note is that the focus is brought onto the characters even more distinctly then before, with robot action tacking a distinct back seat.
Even with a Oshii-esque speech (if you've seen other Oshii works you will either enjoy it or you won't. Personally I'm fine with it) present, this is an amazing film, perhaps even better then the first. Certainly it's plot is even more devious and complex, creating a palpable sense of paranoia and suspicion.
Once again it shouldn't really be viewed without knowledge of the Patlabor universe and characters, especially as much of the film's enjoyment can be derived from how the plot intersects with certain key characters.
Also like the first movie one is expected to keep up with a fair amount of 'political intrigue'. If that isn't your thing, then you may not enjoy this movie, however, it's still worth giving a shot. If that doesn't resonate with your tastes you may be better served by the OVA's and TV series which are far breezier.
Patlabor : The TV Series + Second OVA(Or P-Series)
Director : Naoyuki Yoshinaga, Studio : Sunrise, Episodes 47 and Second OVA Director : Mamoru Oshii, Stuudio : Studio Deen, Episodes 16
This is where one can find the largest amount of Patlabor goodness, in a form far closer in tone to that of the original OVA's then the later movies.
While there is a background storyline of sorts that develops over the course of the show most of the series is focused on one off episodes. If you are already a fan of the characters doing the kind of things they do, it would be quite natural for you to spend your time with this show. You don't need to have seen the original OVA either, as it doesn't assume you've met the characters beforehand. I would still recommend checking out the first OVA anyway, but it isn't essential.
As Mark on Colony Drop has said, the real strength of the Patlabor TV series is it's characters. The show won't hit you over the head with it, but over time the characters progress and develop. If you aren't paying attention you may miss it, but that's kind of the point. It's beautifully understated and feels genuinely organic, making it one of my favourite things about the whole show.
As if that wasn't good enough, the shows cast of characters is actually brimming with competent, non-sexualised females. Many of them are as good as, if not better, then their male counterparts. That a show two decades old achieves this feat, where many modern shows completely fail, is a testament to just how excellent and well-written the show is.
There are many brilliant, stand out episodes as well. For example "Red Labor Landing" contains a hilarious spoof of cold war espionage. "You Win" involves the captain of Division 2 taking his out so that they can drink together, and hopefully relieve some of the tension that has been building between team-mates. Obviously, hilarity ensues.
Other episodes chose to skewer different targets to produce humour. "The Whale That Sang a Song" satires a whole host of groups - from environmentalists, the public to the media in their dealings with the case of one whale in the wrong place. Another stand-out episode involves various two elderly Yakuza who try to settle their rivalry using Labors - and hilarity ensures. You get the picture. I don't want to spoil too much of the show.
The over-arching plot has a more serious tone then rest of the series and is interesting in it's own right. It also manages to contain a number of fairly cool fight-scenes - so everyone wins.
Patlabor : TV Series may not be perfect (a few episodes are too goofy for me) it's still one of my favourite anime television shows, for all the reasons mentioned above.
And of course, the most important reason to watch Patlabor
In closing
There is little objectionable content in any of the Patlabor works, so I believe most of products would be suitable for people of any age or taste. As I have tried to emphasise above, while Patlabor contains people piloting giant robots it is far more interested in the characters themselves. This is where much of the appeal lies in this revered franchise. Furthermore, outside of the more serious movies, the tone is generally light, further widening it's appeal. Overall the best reason to recommend any of the Patlabor works is simply that they entertaining and well-put together works.
Hopefully what you have read here will at least motivate you to check out some of the superb works in the Patlabor franchise.
Further Reading
Fall 1989 TV Cartoon on TV - Patlabor (Part 1)
Fall 1989 TV Cartoon on TV - Patlabor (Part 2)
Retro Anime Thread For other retro anime goodness.
