← all stories
機動警察パトレイバー EZY
The Patlabor EZY anime project has begun its theatrical rollout in Japan, with File 1 released on May 15, 2026, and File 2 and File 3 scheduled for August 14, 2026, and March 2027, respectively.
Synthesized from 7
Yomimono stories · updated
May 25
The Patlabor EZY project, first announced in 2017, finally reached screens in May 2026 with a theatrical anthology format. The series consists of eight episodes split into three films. File 1 opened on May 15, 2026, at #8 in the Japanese box office. File 2 follows on August 14, 2026, with episodes four through six, and File 3 arrives in March 2027 with the final two episodes as a two-part story. Episodes 1 through 6 are standalone anthology entries, while episodes 7 and 8 form a continuous story.
The project is set in the 2030s, where Labors have become commonplace and are increasingly replaced by autonomous robots. The Special Vehicles Division 2 still uses a tuned-up version of the SV-98 Ingram. The cast includes Sumire Uesaka as Towa Kuga, Kikunosuke Toya as Kippei Atori, Ami Koshimizu as Saki Hirata, Chikahiro Kobayashi as Akihiko Hazama, Setsuji Sato as Yuta Yanai, Yume Matsumura as Hachikuma Yuzuki, and Megumi Hayashibara as Kimika Saeki. Shigeru Chiba reprises his role as Shigeo Shiba. The popular original character Isao Ota, voiced by Chikao Ohtsuka, also returns, with director Yutaka Izubuchi explaining he wanted to bring the character out "in a delicious way."
Yutaka Izubuchi directs at J.C. Staff, with Kazunori Ito writing the script and Kenji Kawai returning as composer. Mori Calliope performs the opening theme, and Mariko Nagai performs the ending theme. The Blu-ray for File 1 launched on May 22, 2026, exclusively through A-on STORE and Premium Bandai, including the ending theme CD, video extras, and a double-sided jacket with art by Masami Yuuki and Akemi Takada. Original creator Masami Yuki also drew a new one-shot manga, the first new Patlabor manga in 32 years, which connects directly to Patlabor EZY and is available for free on the Biccomi platform.
Key facts
- Release format
- Eight episodes split into three theatrical films. File 1 released May 15, 2026. File 2 on August 14, 2026. File 3 in March 2027. ↗
- Setting
- Set in the 2030s, where Labors are commonplace and increasingly replaced by autonomous robots. SV2 uses a tuned-up version of the SV-98 Ingram. ↗
- Director and studio
- Yutaka Izubuchi directs at J.C. Staff. ↗
- Writer and composer
- Kazunori Ito writes the script. Kenji Kawai returns as composer. ↗
- Opening and ending performers
- Mori Calliope performs the opening theme. Mariko Nagai performs the ending theme. ↗
- Returning character Isao Ota
- Isao Ota, voiced by Chikao Ohtsuka, returns from the original OVA series. ↗
- New one-shot manga
- Masami Yuki drew a new one-shot manga, the first new Patlabor manga in 32 years, connecting to Patlabor EZY, available for free on Biccomi. ↗
- Blu-ray release
- File 1 Blu-ray launched May 22, 2026, exclusively through A-on STORE and Premium Bandai, with ending theme CD and extras. ↗
Timeline
- May 25, 2026 Masami Yuki Draws New Patlabor One-Shot, First in 32 Years
- May 21, 2026 Patlabor EZY 'File 1' Opens at #8, Live-Action Shōjiki Fudōsan Debuts at #4 in Japan
- May 20, 2026 Patlabor EZY File 1 Blu-ray Launches May 22 With CD Bonus
- May 19, 2026 Patlabor EZY Video Introduces SV2 Members Ahead of First Film
- May 18, 2026 Patlabor EZY Brings Back Isao Ota, Director Izubuchi Explains Decision
- May 17, 2026 Patlabor EZY Cast and Staff Reflect on Returning to the Franchise at Opening Day Event
- May 16, 2026 Patlabor EZY Premieres in Japanese Theaters This Week
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Facts
- Release
- ona · 2026-05-17 · 2026-05-17
- Release
- movie · 2026-05-15 · JP · 2026-05-18
- Release
- manga · 2026-05-25 · Japan · 2026-05-25
Connections
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/ezy.
CC BY 4.0.
Claim activity
When a claim about 機動警察パトレイバー EZY was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against
open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
- Disputed ona 2026-05-17 May 28 · source
- Confirmed movie 2026-05-15 JP May 28 · source
- Disputed movie 2026-05-22 Japan May 28 · source
- Confirmed saru produces ezy May 28 · source
- Confirmed headgear produces ezy May 28 · source
- Disputed manga 2026-05-25 Japan May 28 · source
All coverage
9h ago
Pia Co., Ltd. will release "Mobile Police Patlabor Shiba Shigeo Pia" on August 5, 2026, a dedicated fan magazine for the character from the new theatrical anime "Mobile Police Patlabor EZY." The A4, 96-page all-color volume includes an exclusive cover illustration by Akemi Takada, bonus postcards, an A3 poster of famous scenes and quotes, and interviews with voice actor Shigeru Chiba and director Yutaka Izubuchi. To mark the release, the previously out-of-print "Izumi Noa Pia" and "Goto Kiichi Pia" will return as e-books.
Jun 27
A retrospective screening and talk event for Mobile Police Patlabor EZY File 1 will be held on July 26, 2026, at United Cinemas Toyosu. Director Yutaka Izubuchi, screenwriter Kazunori Ito, and storyboard artist Shinji Higuchi will appear. Attendees receive a printed booklet of the 130-page Episode 3 storyboard.
Jun 17
To celebrate the theatrical run of Mobile Police Patlabor EZY, the Filmarks Culture Wear collaboration T-shirt from the 2025 revival screenings of Patlabor: The Movie and Patlabor 2: The Movie is being re-released. The shirt features the map footage from a key scene in the first film, with English text based on the movie poster copy. It now comes in XXL and is available for made-to-order purchase through the Filmarks Store from June 19 to July 9.
Jun 6
Bandai Spirits has announced the RG 1/48 scale plastic model kit of the AV-98Plus (Ingram Plus) from the film "Mobile Police Patlabor EZY." The kit is scheduled for release on June 6, 2026, priced at 6,050 yen including tax. The Ingram Plus is an upgraded version of the Type 98 AV Ingram that first entered service in 1998. In the film, set in the 2030s, the unit has been repeatedly overhauled over nearly 40 years, leading some police officers to mock it as a "junker." The RG kit includes gimmicks such as an opening and raising cockpit hatch, a revolver cannon stored in the legs that can be drawn out, and a stun stick that can be pulled from the shield. It also features an internal frame, real metallic gloss injection for silver parts, a deployable chest floodlight, and a pilot figure. The package illustration was revealed on June 3, drawing positive social media reactions about the box art and the mecha's profile. Some fans expressed hope for a future kit of the Type Zero from the same film.
Jun 6
Director Yutaka Izubuchi, scriptwriter Kazunori Ito, and original character designer Masami Yuuki discuss the creation of 'Mobile Police Patlabor EZY.' The team says the high bar set by the original series made them think the project was impossible, but a sense of mission drove them forward. The new generation of characters was created by shifting roles from the original cast rather than directly copying them.
Jun 4
Bandai Spirits Hobby Division has released new product images of the RG 1/48 AV-98Plus (Ingram Plus) plastic model kit from Mobile Police Patlabor EZY. The kit features an internal frame for wide articulation, metallic gloss injection on silver parts, a deployable chest searchlight, a stun stick that stores in the shield, and detailed cockpit hatches with a lift mechanism. The legs include a revolver cannon drawer gimmick and deployable spare ammunition. It is scheduled for release on June 6, 2026, priced at 6,050 yen.
Jun 2
Yutaka Izubuchi, mechanical designer and HEADGEAR member, directed a Patlabor title for the first time with the theatrical film Mobile Police Patlabor EZY. In an interview, he discussed the series' 38-year history, the meaning of the title, and the ending theme by Mariko Nagai.
May 29
The third-week visitor gift for Mobile Police Patlabor EZY File 1 is a B6-size Ingram Plus Deck-Up Card that can be cut out and stood up. A talk event called Bucchan's Room Part 2 has also been announced, with guests including scriptwriter Kazunori Ito and original character designer Masami Yuuki.
May 25
Masami Yuki has drawn a new complete one-shot manga for Patlabor, the first new work in the franchise in 32 years. The one-shot connects directly to the upcoming new series Patlabor EZY and is available for free on the Biccomi platform.
May 21
The Patlabor EZY 'File 1' film opened at #8 in the Japanese box office, while the live-action Shōjiki Fudōsan film debuted at #4. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie returned to #1 in its fourth weekend, and Detective Conan: Highway no Datenshi held at #3 in its sixth weekend.
May 20
Bandai Namco Filmworks releases the Blu-ray for the first chapter of the new Patlabor series on May 22, 2026, exclusively through A-on STORE and Premium Bandai. The limited-quantity disc includes the ending theme CD by Mariko Nagai, video extras, and a double-sided jacket with art by Masami Yuuki and Akemi Takada.
May 19
Bandai Namco Filmworks released a new video for the Patlabor EZY anime project on Thursday, introducing the main characters of the Special Vehicles Division 2. The project consists of eight episodes released as three theatrical films. The first film, File 1, debuted on May 15, 2026, and contains the first two episodes in an omnibus format. File 2 follows on August 14, 2026, with episodes four through six, and File 3 arrives in March 2027 with the final two episodes as a two-part story. The story is set in the 2030s, where Labors have become commonplace and are increasingly replaced by autonomous robots. SV2 still uses a tuned-up version of the SV-98 Ingram. The cast includes Sumire Uesaka as Towa Kuga, Kikunosuke Toya as Kippei Atori, Ami Koshimizu as Saki Hirata, Chikahiro Kobayashi as Akihiko Hazama, Setsuji Sato as Yuta Yanai, Yume Matsumura as Hachikuma Yuzuki, and Megumi Hayashibara as Kimika Saeki. Shigeru Chiba reprises his role as Shigeo Shiba. Yutaka Izubuchi directs at J.C. Staff, with Kazunori Ito writing the script. Mori Calliope performs the opening theme, and Mariko Nagai performs the ending theme.
May 18
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.
May 17
At the opening day stage greeting for "Patlabor EZY" File 1 in Tokyo on May 15, director Yutaka Izubuchi, writer Kazunori Ito, character designer Masami Yuuki, and singer Mariko Nagai discussed the new series' origins, character choices, and the return of the franchise after years of development.
May 16
The long-delayed Patlabor sequel, Patlabor EZY, begins its theatrical rollout in Japan on Friday, May 15. First announced in 2017, the project went quiet for years before resurfacing with a multi-part release plan. The series consists of eight episodes split into three chapters. File 1 hits theaters this week, File 2 follows on August 14, and File 3 arrives in March 2027. Episodes 1 through 6 are standalone anthology entries, while episodes 7 and 8 form a continuous story. The sequel is set a few decades after the original Patlabor and follows a new cast of characters in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Special Vehicle Unit Section 2 Division 2. They pilot an upgraded version of the classic Ingram mecha, the AV98Plus Ingram Plus, and deal with problems caused by AI and autonomous robots. Yutaka Izubuchi, who directed Rahxephon and worked as mechanical designer on the original Patlabor, directs the series at J.C.Staff. Writer Kazunori Ito and composer Kenji Kawai return from the original staff. The opening theme is performed by VTuber Mori Calliope. A life-sized Ingram mecha was spotted on a truck in Tokyo ahead of the premiere.