Beloved mecha anime makes a comeback with a new trilogy of films.

Exciting news for fans of the Patlabor franchise! A new trilogy of films is on the horizon, and the official social media channels have just revealed the release dates along with a fresh trailer.

The trailer for Patlabor EZY kicks off with nostalgic clips from the original 1988 anime before transitioning to the modern era, showcasing a revamped visual style. The character designs have been updated for today’s audience while retaining elements of their classic looks. The mecha, however, are brought to life in impressive 3D CG. The animation quality is commendable, with CG vehicles seamlessly integrated into 2D backgrounds, and the mecha movements are fluid. Action-packed moments are highlighted, including a Labor mecha facing off against a formidable mechanical snowman equipped with a menacing grip arm.

Patlabor EZY will be released in three parts: the first installment hits theaters on May 15, followed by the second on August 14. The trilogy will conclude with the final part set to debut in March of the following year, and it will also be available as an eight-episode OVA.

Originally crafted by the Headgear collective, Patlabor stands out as a distinctive mecha series that follows a team of beleaguered police officers in a near-future Tokyo, where giant robots known as Labors are just another tool of the trade. The story centers on an underfunded police unit tackling rogue Labors while grappling with their own notoriously unreliable mecha. Blending workplace comedy with mecha action, Patlabor’s unique premise continues to resonate in a crowded genre.

Patlabor EZY is helmed by director Yutaka Izubuchi at J.C. Staff, with scripts and series composition by Kazunori Ito. The CG direction is overseen by Yasutomo Moriizumi, featuring a score by Kenji Kawai, and CG production by Gazen, all under the umbrella of Genco.