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lb:patlabor [2024-09-19 19:40:36] – [Division 2 - Sergeant Kumagami Takeo] ninjasrlb:patlabor [2025-05-04 08:00:25] (current) – ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation ninjasr
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 ====== Kidō Kēsatsu Patlabor ====== ====== Kidō Kēsatsu Patlabor ======
-{{ lb:img:patlabor.png }}+{{ img:b:r:patlabor.png?460 }}
 {{ruby|機動|きどう}}{{ruby|警察|けいさつ}}パトレイバー(Mobile Police Patlabor)((:fn:>//Patlabor// is pronounced Patlëbèr in English ([[lb:English-7|E7]]) and Patorēbā in Japanese. The term is a combination of ‘pat’ from ‘patrol’ and ‘labor’, similar to the Japanese パトカー(Patokā/Patrol Car).)) is a Japanese multi-media [[lb:mecha]] franchise created by Headgear. Perhaps most notable as the pioneer of the ‘media-mix’ concept((:fn:>Basically, releasing entries in multiple mediums at (roughly) the same time. Slightly different from adapting something into multiple mediums.)).\\ {{ruby|機動|きどう}}{{ruby|警察|けいさつ}}パトレイバー(Mobile Police Patlabor)((:fn:>//Patlabor// is pronounced Patlëbèr in English ([[lb:English-7|E7]]) and Patorēbā in Japanese. The term is a combination of ‘pat’ from ‘patrol’ and ‘labor’, similar to the Japanese パトカー(Patokā/Patrol Car).)) is a Japanese multi-media [[lb:mecha]] franchise created by Headgear. Perhaps most notable as the pioneer of the ‘media-mix’ concept((:fn:>Basically, releasing entries in multiple mediums at (roughly) the same time. Slightly different from adapting something into multiple mediums.)).\\
 The franchise takes place 10 years into the future (from the 1980s) in Japan. The development of hyper-technology allowed the creation of the labors – mechas used in construction work. Labors quickly expanded into other industries, becoming an important tool in day-to-day life. Unfortunately, as the number of labors increased, the amount of crime committed with labors also increased. This forced the police to adopt their own labors to fight crime - and thus came the Patrol-Labors...Patlabors.\\ The franchise takes place 10 years into the future (from the 1980s) in Japan. The development of hyper-technology allowed the creation of the labors – mechas used in construction work. Labors quickly expanded into other industries, becoming an important tool in day-to-day life. Unfortunately, as the number of labors increased, the amount of crime committed with labors also increased. This forced the police to adopt their own labors to fight crime - and thus came the Patrol-Labors...Patlabors.\\
 Ever since I read the manga, Patlabor proudly stands as one of my personal favorites. Ever since I read the manga, Patlabor proudly stands as one of my personal favorites.
 <WRAP centeralign> <WRAP centeralign>
-[[playground:patlabor:vocal]] – Will not be available for a while.+[[lb:patlabor:vocal]]
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
 +{{tag>anime manga otaku speculah}}
 ===== Notes ===== ===== Notes =====
 ==== Canon ==== ==== Canon ====
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 Another aspect of interest is that Patlabor doesn't take itself super seriously. While it does aim to be realistic and believable, it's also willing to have some fun. This does, unfortunately, lead to a tonal clash when going from the films to...anything else, as the films choose to be super-serious. The way I'd sum it up though is that Patlabor knows when it should take itself seriously and when it doesn't have to. Some of the best stories in Patlabor are those that toe the line.\\ Another aspect of interest is that Patlabor doesn't take itself super seriously. While it does aim to be realistic and believable, it's also willing to have some fun. This does, unfortunately, lead to a tonal clash when going from the films to...anything else, as the films choose to be super-serious. The way I'd sum it up though is that Patlabor knows when it should take itself seriously and when it doesn't have to. Some of the best stories in Patlabor are those that toe the line.\\
 Patlabor differentiates itself from other franchises in one other key way: the different stories are basically disconnected from each-other. There are multiple continuities which are mostly independent of each-other. There are reoccurring elements, but what each series/film chooses to focus on is a bit of a gamble. It often comes off as if a basic outline was created that was then distributed to different people, who then actually created each of the stories.\\ Patlabor differentiates itself from other franchises in one other key way: the different stories are basically disconnected from each-other. There are multiple continuities which are mostly independent of each-other. There are reoccurring elements, but what each series/film chooses to focus on is a bit of a gamble. It often comes off as if a basic outline was created that was then distributed to different people, who then actually created each of the stories.\\
-Patlabor quickly became one of my favorites. However, it differentiates itself from my other favorites in that it took a while to grow on me.((:fn:>To add a note to this. Generally, I've found that something becomes my favorite fairly quick - I'm not, however, someone who has passing favorites. Examples of this would be [[playground:lwa]], [[lb:kaminomi]], [[lb:toaru]] and //REDLINE//. I'd realize they'd be my favorite after one watch, or a re-watch. Patlabor was different.)) I enjoyed the initial OVA and the films but it wasn't until I read the manga and watched the TV anime that it would truly be numbered among my favorites. The likely reason for this is that most of the franchise is fairly mediocre in quality. Good, but not great. Additionally, I think that the franchise creators had forgotten the appeal at some point.((:fn:>I blame the films for this in particular as they chose to focus on the SV2 less and less as they went on. Comparatively, every other entry in the series focuses on them.)) I'll elaborate more on this in the later sections.\\+Patlabor quickly became one of my favorites. However, it differentiates itself from my other favorites in that it took a while to grow on me.((:fn:>To add a note to this. Generally, I've found that something becomes my favorite fairly quick - I'm not, however, someone who has passing favorites. Examples of this would be [[lb:lwa]], [[lb:kaminomi]], [[lb:toaru]] and //REDLINE//. I'd realize they'd be my favorite after one watch, or a re-watch. Patlabor was different.)) I enjoyed the initial OVA and the films but it wasn't until I read the manga and watched the TV anime that it would truly be numbered among my favorites. The likely reason for this is that most of the franchise is fairly mediocre in quality. Good, but not great. Additionally, I think that the franchise creators had forgotten the appeal at some point.((:fn:>I blame the films for this in particular as they chose to focus on the SV2 less and less as they went on. Comparatively, every other entry in the series focuses on them.)) I'll elaborate more on this in the later sections.\\
 Basically, while Patlabor is overall of an average quality, I still enjoy it and number it among my favorites. Patlabor has a lot of concepts that are ingenious, but the execution of those concepts often falls short. If there is going to be a Patlabor reboot, I'd hope they manage to execute those concepts better. Besides this, there are other things that are a little off, but I go into more detail later. Basically, while Patlabor is overall of an average quality, I still enjoy it and number it among my favorites. Patlabor has a lot of concepts that are ingenious, but the execution of those concepts often falls short. If there is going to be a Patlabor reboot, I'd hope they manage to execute those concepts better. Besides this, there are other things that are a little off, but I go into more detail later.
 ==== OVA - The Early Days (1988-1989) ==== ==== OVA - The Early Days (1988-1989) ====
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 The animation in this film, particularly in the fight scenes, is really good...I'd argue //very// good for the time. The animation style is a bit unusual...if I were to describe it, I'd call it ‘high-res Patlabor’. It doesn't match the style of the original OVA, TV anime or manga, but it isn't especially jarring.\\ The animation in this film, particularly in the fight scenes, is really good...I'd argue //very// good for the time. The animation style is a bit unusual...if I were to describe it, I'd call it ‘high-res Patlabor’. It doesn't match the style of the original OVA, TV anime or manga, but it isn't especially jarring.\\
 My first watch of the film left me confused, because I had no idea why the antagonist was doing what he was doing. The motivations were a complete mystery to me. To be fair, I was watching it away from home and I tend to have difficulty focusing in those situations, for whatever reason. It's entirely possible I simply missed something and it'll be clear on a re-watch. Alternatively, it could be like the second movie, where it //is// possible to piece it together, but it's not entirely clear. My first watch of the film left me confused, because I had no idea why the antagonist was doing what he was doing. The motivations were a complete mystery to me. To be fair, I was watching it away from home and I tend to have difficulty focusing in those situations, for whatever reason. It's entirely possible I simply missed something and it'll be clear on a re-watch. Alternatively, it could be like the second movie, where it //is// possible to piece it together, but it's not entirely clear.
 +
 +----
 +
 +So, I've re-watched it and, depending on my mood, I'll either re-write this completely soon...or I won't.\\
 +Basically, I think the antagonist's motivations are still quite difficult to understand, but I'm guessing he's like Ted Kaczynski.\\
 +This film has more in common with the manga than the later Patlabor 2, which is odd. Tonally, it actually feels strangely in-line with the Early Days, despite it being more serious.\\
 +The labor animation and the actions scenes are top-notch and probably the best in the series.\\
 +I enjoyed it more than I did the first time, so I now consider it among the ‘acceptable’ portion of the Patlabor franchise for my own re-watching.
 === Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor 2 (1993) === === Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor 2 (1993) ===
 This film takes place a few years after the first one and portrays the Division 2 cast having moved on from the SV2, now working in different jobs. The first major mistake! and one that would negatively affect the rest of the film continuity. Here though, as a standalone, it's alright.\\ This film takes place a few years after the first one and portrays the Division 2 cast having moved on from the SV2, now working in different jobs. The first major mistake! and one that would negatively affect the rest of the film continuity. Here though, as a standalone, it's alright.\\
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   * Nagumo's hair color was changed from black to brown, despite her having black hair in all other continuities.   * Nagumo's hair color was changed from black to brown, despite her having black hair in all other continuities.
   * Patlabor possibly assumes that content from other continuities is still canon in some form, aligning with my own views on canon. The best example of this has to do with Ota's labor: Ota's labor is customized in the anime, although they never explain why. However, they //do// in the manga – it's because he damaged his labor so often they ran out of spare parts, so they started giving him prototype parts instead((:fn:>However, it //is// kinda implied that he customized his labor because of his own preferences. I don't see why both can't be true.)).   * Patlabor possibly assumes that content from other continuities is still canon in some form, aligning with my own views on canon. The best example of this has to do with Ota's labor: Ota's labor is customized in the anime, although they never explain why. However, they //do// in the manga – it's because he damaged his labor so often they ran out of spare parts, so they started giving him prototype parts instead((:fn:>However, it //is// kinda implied that he customized his labor because of his own preferences. I don't see why both can't be true.)).
 +  * Recently, I realized that the TV anime has an advantage the other parts of the franchise don't: you see Kanuka and Kumagami working in the SV2. So fans of both can be reasonably satisfied with their presence.
 On a personal note, I actually started watching it twice. I stopped watching after Episode 2 the first time, since I didn't expect the TV anime to be in its own continuity (I didn't know yet). I regretted this decision after actually watching the series. On a personal note, I actually started watching it twice. I stopped watching after Episode 2 the first time, since I didn't expect the TV anime to be in its own continuity (I didn't know yet). I regretted this decision after actually watching the series.
  
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 === AV-98 ‘Ingram’ === === AV-98 ‘Ingram’ ===
 The Ingram is considered the peak of labor technology in basically all the continuities. The only two exceptions I'm aware of would be the film timeline - where they're considered the peak only in the beginning - and the Patlabor reboot where their status is unknown((:fn:>Two others also count here: MiniPato and the novel. I haven't read the novel and MiniPato is a parody. Although, I'll have to check the episode about the Ingram again.)). In ‘The Next Generation’ the Ingram is considered a relic of the past. The manga and TV timeline both introduce a newer Shinohara model - but both timelines quickly show that the Ingram is still superior. Notably, the main antagonist of the manga even explicitly says this, if I remember correctly((:fn:>Utsumi does not say this in the manga, which I can say for sure after having re-read it. It's possible he says this in the TV anime instead and I got confused.)). However, it's notable that the series never makes it clear whether the //Ingram// is the ‘best’ labor or whether it's //Izumi//'s unit that's the best.\\ The Ingram is considered the peak of labor technology in basically all the continuities. The only two exceptions I'm aware of would be the film timeline - where they're considered the peak only in the beginning - and the Patlabor reboot where their status is unknown((:fn:>Two others also count here: MiniPato and the novel. I haven't read the novel and MiniPato is a parody. Although, I'll have to check the episode about the Ingram again.)). In ‘The Next Generation’ the Ingram is considered a relic of the past. The manga and TV timeline both introduce a newer Shinohara model - but both timelines quickly show that the Ingram is still superior. Notably, the main antagonist of the manga even explicitly says this, if I remember correctly((:fn:>Utsumi does not say this in the manga, which I can say for sure after having re-read it. It's possible he says this in the TV anime instead and I got confused.)). However, it's notable that the series never makes it clear whether the //Ingram// is the ‘best’ labor or whether it's //Izumi//'s unit that's the best.\\
-The Ingram is certainly the peak of labor technology (for a time), but other labors like the Griffon and future Shinohara models((:fn:>What the next model is varies by continuity.)) outclass it in that department. Yet, despite being ‘inferior’, it continues to outperform those superior models. It's important to keep in mind though that this is based on //Izumi//'s performance. Her unit, Alphonse, is one of only two that we ever see in the entire series((:fn:>Excluding the mass-production model which doesn't count!)). //Her// unit manages to beat technologically superior labors...but does her unit represent all Ingrams? I think the implication, in the manga, suggests that it doesn't.\\+The Ingram is certainly the peak of labor technology (for a time), but other labors like the Griffon and future Shinohara models((:fn:>What the next model is varies by continuity.)) outclass it in that department. Yet, despite being ‘inferior’, it continues to outperform those superior models. It's important to keep in mind though that this is based on //Izumi//'s performance. Her unit, Alphonse, is one of only two that we ever see in the entire series((:fn:>Excluding the mass-production model which doesn't count!)). //Her// unit manages to beat technologically superior labors...but does her unit represent all Ingrams? I think the implication, in the manga, is that it doesn't.\\
 I initially assumed that the Ingram was simply the best, but now I'm not so sure. To be fair, I may have previously missed the obvious signs, for whatever reason, that it was just Alphonse and not all Ingrams that are great. I initially assumed that the Ingram was simply the best, but now I'm not so sure. To be fair, I may have previously missed the obvious signs, for whatever reason, that it was just Alphonse and not all Ingrams that are great.
 ==== The World ==== ==== The World ====
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     * My speculation was going rampant for a bit, but the abandoned English release makes something a bit more clear: The manga's storyline was created entirely by Masami Yūki (one of the members of Headgear). The OVA was created by Headgear collectively.     * My speculation was going rampant for a bit, but the abandoned English release makes something a bit more clear: The manga's storyline was created entirely by Masami Yūki (one of the members of Headgear). The OVA was created by Headgear collectively.
     * This is potentially interesting due to the strange relationship between the manga and the rest of the franchise, particularly the TV continuity. At times it's hard to tell if the manga adapts the TV anime or if the TV anime adapts the manga.     * This is potentially interesting due to the strange relationship between the manga and the rest of the franchise, particularly the TV continuity. At times it's hard to tell if the manga adapts the TV anime or if the TV anime adapts the manga.
-  * [[you>v=re3FeV1LS6E|Patlabor | Your Next Favorite]] – maybe I should watch it? I'll think about it and report later.+  * [[you>re3FeV1LS6E|Patlabor | Your Next Favorite]] – maybe I should watch it? I'll think about it and report later.
lb/patlabor.1726774836.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025-01-05 17:26:47 (external edit)
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