Mobile Police Patlabor EZY Premiere Held: The Legendary Series Returns in the 2030s!
The legendary mecha series Mobile Police Patlabor has made a spectacular return to the screens after a long hiatus with Mobile Police Patlabor EZY. At the premiere of "File 1" held at Shinjuku Piccadilly in Tokyo on May 15, 2026, members of the legendary creative collective HEADGEAR, the force behind the series, came together. Director Yutaka Izubuchi, screenwriter Kazunori Ito, and character designer Masami Yuki emphasized that this new project is not just a work of nostalgia, but a new chapter that blends the series' legacy with the technology of the 2030s.
The Patlabor universe became one of the most unique examples of its genre when it first entered our lives in 1988 with its realistic robot designs and stories addressing social issues. The series, which focuses on a near future where giant robots (Labors) are widely used in construction and the world of crime, was created by the HEADGEAR group, which included giants like Mamoru Oshii. The new project EZY, while preserving the spirit of the original series, moves the story to the Japan of the 2030s, a time when the workforce is shrinking and AI automation is at its peak. In this new era, Special Vehicles Section 2 (SV2) continues to fight against technological crimes with modernized AV-98Plus Ingram models.
There were also emotional moments at the event. Mariko Nagai, who has been responsible for the iconic songs of the series since its original run, performed the new project's closing theme, "Baton". Nagai described this process as "like a second spring of youth," noting that it symbolizes the bond between the old and new generations. Character designer Masami Yuki stated that returning to the series after 30 years was for him
