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Patlabor EZY Brings Back Isao Ota, Director Izubuchi Explains Decision

The return of Isao Ota, a fan-favorite character from the original series, signals that Patlabor EZY is deliberately bridging the old and new casts to satisfy long-time viewers while introducing the franchise to a new audience.

Reporting from 7 sources: Comic Natalie, Cinema Today, Denfaminicogamer, Yahoo! News Japan (Entertainment), and 3 more.

Patlabor EZY Brings Back Isao Ota, Director Izubuchi Explains Decision

The new anime project "Mobile Police Patlabor EZY" has brought back the popular character Isao Ota, voiced by Chikao Ohtsuka, who made a surprise appearance at a stage greeting in Tokyo on May 16. Director Yutaka Izubuchi explained the decision, saying he wanted to bring the character out "in a delicious way." Ota is a veteran member of the former Special Vehicles Section 2 from the original OVA series. The stage greeting also featured cast members Sumire Uesaka, Kikunosuke Toya, and Chikahiro Kobayashi. Separately, a new one-shot manga by original creator Masami Yuki, titled "Patlabor 2026," was published in Weekly Spirits on May 18, marking the first new manga in the franchise in 32 years. The anime project consists of eight episodes split into three theatrical chapters. "File 1" opened on May 15, "File 2" is scheduled for August 14, and "File 3" for March 2027. The project has also received recommendation comments from 14 figures including Hideaki Anno, Sumito Owara, and Kenji Kawai.

Director Yutaka Izubuchi said he wanted to bring the character out "in a delicious way," according to the stage greeting report. The surprise appearance was made by voice actor Chikao Ohtsuka, who has voiced Ota since the original OVA series.

The stage greeting also included cast members Sumire Uesaka, Kikunosuke Toya, and Chikahiro Kobayashi. Michihiro Ikemizu, who voices Isao Ota, also attended.

Separately, a new one-shot manga by original creator Masami Yuki, titled "Patlabor 2026," was published in Weekly Spirits on May 18. It is the first new manga in the franchise in 32 years. The issue also includes a feature article on "Patlabor EZY" and first-look character design roughs by Yuki.

The anime project has received recommendation comments from 14 figures. Hideaki Anno said he was "moved by director Izubuchi's character in pushing Mamoru Oshii's name into the staff roll." Composer Kenji Kawai wrote: "More than half my life Patlabor Unbelievable." Shinji Higuchi, who storyboarded episode 3 and the opening, said: "If our iDOL, senior Izubuchi, is doing it! If our MENTOR, Mr. Itō, is doing it! Where is the fool who hesitates?"

Second-week visitors to "File 1" screenings starting May 22 will receive logo stickers featuring six designs, including the Special Vehicles Division 2 logo and the Shinohara Heavy Industries logo. A talk event "Bucchan's Room Part 1" with director Izubuchi and producer Tarō Maki will be held at Shinjuku Piccadilly on May 26.

Synthesized by Yomimono from the 7 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.

Patlabor EZY Brings Back Isao Ota, Director Izubuchi Explains Decision

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