I would argue that TV/second OVA series is the heart most Patlabor fandom, if for no other reason than the 1st OVA series was out of print for YEARS. The TV series is like 1st OVA, only more so. The quality of the episodes varies the most, some are pretty dumb, others are classic. For example the Oishii -directed one that consists of the crew ordering Lunch, 3 different times. Or the time everyone gets dragged off by Gotoh to the Oden stands under the tracks for a few drinks.. 2nd OVA has many of the "funniest" episodes, but also the most character-focused ones. But the Labors themselves are rarely seen. We once did a panel on "best mecha episodes with no mecha in them" for a con. We had to set a limit of one Patlabor episode, or it would have been too easy.. We chose the one with the mad bomber, that is a loose remake of an episode of Urusei Yatsura and borrows the floating censor balls from it.
Man I miss this anime, I watched this before watching Eva so this was my first introduction to anime sometime in 2002 or 2003 but I think I get all my citypop 90s fantasies from it
This was one of the movie series that got looped on late night when anime was just beginning to break in to our markets. I fell so in love with the grounded feel and the soul of the thing. To this day it's what I tend to weigh other newer properties against. For two cents on the TV series by default the budget is a bit more stretched but it builds more of a serialized feel with a focus on case of the week. But the police procedural and also robot feel remains pretty solid. It's a bit less intense, but it makes a decent watch. Almost a comfort food in a way.
Patlabor is an absolute gem. I would definitely say the TV series is a must watch. Its a slice of life rendition of Patlabor but the light hearted comedy is so endearing and hilarious. Honestly though compared to most other mecha animes (especially Gundam), Patlabor's less cynical and dramatic plotline is pretty refeshing.
I would argue that TV/second OVA series is the heart most Patlabor fandom, if for no other reason than the 1st OVA series was out of print for YEARS. The TV series is like 1st OVA, only more so. The quality of the episodes varies the most, some are pretty dumb, others are classic. For example the Oishii -directed one that consists of the crew ordering Lunch, 3 different times. Or the time everyone gets dragged off by Gotoh to the Oden stands under the tracks for a few drinks..
2nd OVA has many of the "funniest" episodes, but also the most character-focused ones. But the Labors themselves are rarely seen. We once did a panel on "best mecha episodes with no mecha in them" for a con. We had to set a limit of one Patlabor episode, or it would have been too easy.. We chose the one with the mad bomber, that is a loose remake of an episode of Urusei Yatsura and borrows the floating censor balls from it.
Man I miss this anime, I watched this before watching Eva so this was my first introduction to anime sometime in 2002 or 2003 but I think I get all my citypop 90s fantasies from it
This was one of the movie series that got looped on late night when anime was just beginning to break in to our markets. I fell so in love with the grounded feel and the soul of the thing. To this day it's what I tend to weigh other newer properties against. For two cents on the TV series by default the budget is a bit more stretched but it builds more of a serialized feel with a focus on case of the week. But the police procedural and also robot feel remains pretty solid. It's a bit less intense, but it makes a decent watch. Almost a comfort food in a way.
Patlabor is one of my personal favorite animes.
Patlabor is an absolute gem. I would definitely say the TV series is a must watch. Its a slice of life rendition of Patlabor but the light hearted comedy is so endearing and hilarious.
Honestly though compared to most other mecha animes (especially Gundam), Patlabor's less cynical and dramatic plotline is pretty refeshing.