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Patlabor
The Patlabor franchise is in an active revival phase in 2026, with the theatrical film series Patlabor EZY currently rolling out, a new game Patlabor the Case Files launching this summer, and a steady stream of merchandise and events supporting both projects.
Synthesized from 21
Yomimono stories · updated
4d ago
After years of silence, the Patlabor franchise returned in 2026 with a coordinated push across film, games, and merchandise. The centerpiece is Patlabor EZY, a theatrical anthology series split into three films. File 1 opened in Japanese theaters on May 15, 2026, at #8 in the box office. File 2 follows on August 14, and File 3 arrives in March 2027. The project is directed by Yutaka Izubuchi at J.C.Staff, with original Headgear members Kazunori Ito writing the script and Kenji Kawai composing the music. The story is set in the 2030s and follows a new generation of SV2 officers piloting an upgraded Ingram Plus.
Alongside the film, Good Smile Company and Chime Corporation are developing Patlabor the Case Files, a 3D action game for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam, launching this summer. Three original Headgear members are supervising mechanics, script, and character animation. The game features three modes: Main Mission, Another Side Mission, and Simulator Mode. A special edition includes a limited MODEROID Griffon kit and an original soundtrack CD by Kenji Kawai.
Merchandise releases have been frequent. Bandai Spirits released an RG 1/48 Ingram Plus kit on June 6. Kotobukiya reissued its D-Style AV-X0 Zero kit for January 2027. Hasegawa announced a Noa Izumi resin figure for September. Threezero added a Robo-Dou Griffon Aqua Unit figure. Good Smile Company opened pre-orders for a BRICKROID Type 99 Labor Carrier. A pop-up shop for the novel Sushi-ya no Goto, written by Kazunori Ito and set 30 years after the original series, ran in Shinjuku from June 25 to July 5. Masami Yuki published his first Patlabor one-shot manga since 1994 in May. The franchise also saw a Blu-ray release of the original Patlabor OVA in North America in late June.
Key facts
- Patlabor EZY theatrical release schedule
- File 1 opened May 15, 2026; File 2 follows August 14, 2026; File 3 arrives March 2027. ↗
- Patlabor EZY director
- Yutaka Izubuchi directs the series at J.C.Staff. ↗
- Patlabor EZY scriptwriter
- Kazunori Ito writes the script. ↗
- Patlabor the Case Files platforms
- PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. ↗
- Patlabor the Case Files release window
- Summer 2026. ↗
- Patlabor the Case Files special edition contents
- Includes a limited MODEROID Griffon the Case Files Color Ver. kit and an original soundtrack CD with 30 tracks, including the opening theme by Kenji Kawai. ↗
- Masami Yuki one-shot manga
- Masami Yuki published a new Patlabor one-shot in Weekly Big Comic Spirits on May 18, 2026, his first Patlabor manga since 1994. ↗
- Patlabor EZY box office debut
- File 1 opened at #8 in the Japanese box office. ↗
Timeline
- Jul 2, 2026 Patlabor the Case Files Game Trailer Shows Three Modes, Summer Launch
- Jul 2, 2026 Robo-Dou Griffon Aqua Unit Joins Threezero's Patlabor Figure Line
- Jul 1, 2026 North American Anime and Manga Releases for June 28-July 4
- Jul 1, 2026 Patlabor the Case Files Special Edition Opens Second Wave of Orders
- Jun 27, 2026 Patlabor EZY File 1 Retrospective Screening Set for July 26
- Jun 26, 2026 Mobile Police Patlabor Novel 'Sushi-ya no Goto' Pop-Up Shop Opens in Shinjuku
- Jun 22, 2026 Hasegawa Reveals September 2026 Releases Including You're Under Arrest! Bike Kit
- Jun 17, 2026 Patlabor: The Movie Map T-Shirt Returns for EZY Release
- Jun 11, 2026 Kotobukiya Reissues D-Style Patlabor Zero Model for January 2027
- Jun 11, 2026 Brickroid Patlabor Type 99 Labor Carrier Figure Opens Pre-Orders
- Jun 6, 2026 RG Plastic Model of Ingram Plus From Patlabor EZY Announced
- Jun 6, 2026 Patlabor EZY Director Says New Generation Was Born From a Sense of Mission
- Jun 4, 2026 Bandai Spirits Reveals RG 1/48 AV-98Plus Ingram Plus Kit From Patlabor EZY
- Jun 3, 2026 Mecha Smile Impact 2026 Early Reveals Include Patlabor Brickroid And Da-Garn Gattai
- Jun 2, 2026 Yutaka Izubuchi Takes Director Role for First Time on Patlabor EZY
- May 29, 2026 Patlabor EZY Week 3 Gift Is a Deck-Up Card
- May 21, 2026 Patlabor EZY 'File 1' Opens at #8, Live-Action Shōjiki Fudōsan Debuts at #4 in Japan
- May 19, 2026 Patlabor the Case Files Game Launches This Summer on PS5 and PC
- May 19, 2026 Patlabor EZY Video Introduces SV2 Members Ahead of First Film
- May 16, 2026 Patlabor EZY Premieres in Japanese Theaters This Week
- May 16, 2026 Masami Yūki Returns to Patlabor With New One-Shot Manga
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
- ova · June 28-July 4, 2026 · North America · 2026-07-01
- Release
- manga · 2026-06-03 · JP · 2026-06-03
- Release
- manga · 2026-05-18 · 2026-05-16
- Release
- game · summer 2026 · worldwide · 2026-05-19
Connections
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/patlabor.
CC BY 4.0.
Claim activity
When a claim about Patlabor was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against
open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
- Confirmed manga 2026-05-18 May 28 · source
- Confirmed game summer 2026 worldwide May 28 · source
- Confirmed masami y ki writes patlabor 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.
4d ago
Good Smile Company released the third trailer for Patlabor the Case Files, a 3D action game from developer Chime Corporation. The trailer highlights three primary modes: Main Mission, Another Side Mission, and Simulator Mode. The game launches this summer for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam, with support for Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean languages.
4d ago
Threezero has announced a new Robo-Dou action figure of the Griffon from Patlabor, this time equipped with a newly sculpted Aqua Unit. The 1/35 scale figure features a zinc alloy die-cast frame with 60 points of articulation, cloth covers with weathering, and metallic paint on round details. Pre-orders open July 2, 2026, with shipment scheduled for Q1 2027 at 25,490 yen.
4d ago
Anime News Network's weekly roundup lists the anime and manga titles shipping in North America from June 28 to July 4, 2026. Highlights include the Blu-ray release of Dr. Stone: Science Future Part 1, the Patlabor OVA on Blu-ray, and print debuts for Geniearth and Al the Adventurer: That Magic Shouldn't Work! The column will pause the week of July 7-13 and return in mid-July.
5d ago
Good Smile Company has started accepting a second wave of orders for the special edition of the upcoming 3D action game "Patlabor the Case Files," scheduled for release in summer 2026 on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. The special edition, priced at 11,220 yen, includes a limited plastic model kit of the Griffon in an exclusive color, the "MODEROID Griffon the Case Files Color Ver." As a first-print bonus, buyers also receive an original soundtrack CD with 30 tracks, including the opening theme "the Case Files" composed by Kenji Kawai. The special edition is available exclusively through the Good Smile Company official shop and is made to order, with limited quantities. Alongside the order announcement, the company released a third promotional video that introduces three game modes: Main Mission, Another Side Mission, and Simulator Mode. The video also shows fully voiced story segments featuring characters from the Special Vehicles Division 2nd Platoon for the first time. The game will be exhibited at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles from July 2 to July 5, where the third PV will be screened.
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 26
Genco Inc. announced on June 24 that a pop-up shop commemorating the release of the novel 'Sushi-ya no Goto' will run from June 25 to July 5 at Calendarum on the second floor of Shinjuku Marui Annex in Tokyo. The novel, written by series composition and scriptwriter Kazunori Ito and published by Bungeishunju, depicts former Special Vehicles Section 2nd Division 2nd Platoon Captain Kiichi Goto running a small sushi restaurant in Atami 30 years after the events of the original series, with visits from former squad members. The pop-up shop sells goods featuring the cover illustration by manga author Masami Yuki, including clear files, tenugui hand towels, acrylic stands, and keychains. It also carries the novel itself, a special feature magazine, and some theatrical merchandise from the ongoing 'Mobile Police Patlabor EZY FILE1' project. No advance reservation is required, but numbered tickets may be distributed on weekends due to expected congestion. Weekday hours are 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with weekend hours starting earlier. The novel is priced at 1,980 yen for the print edition and 1,900 yen for the digital edition, spanning 272 pages.
Jun 22
Hasegawa announced its September 2026 lineup via its official X account and website, featuring plastic model kits, resin figure kits, and other products. Highlights include a 'You're Under Arrest!' Suzuki GSX-R750 White Bike Version, a 'Patlabor' Noa Izumi resin figure, and a reissue of the VR-747 Temjin from 'Cyber Troopers Virtual-On' for the series' 30th anniversary.
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 11
Kotobukiya is re-releasing its D-Style plastic model kit of the AV-X0 Zero from Mobile Police Patlabor: The Movie. The deformed, non-scale model stands about 100mm tall, includes a stun stick and shield, and can swap parts to replicate the unit's runaway-state head. It is priced at 3,520 yen and ships in January 2027.
Jun 11
Good Smile Company has opened pre-orders for the BRICKROID Type 99 Labor Carrier from Mobile Police Patlabor. The 11 cm figure features a deck-up gimmick and rotating wheels, and can store the separately sold Ingram Unit 1 and 2 figures. Pre-orders are available at Rakuten Books for 3,600 yen.
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 3
Mecha Smile Impact 2026, a livestream scheduled for June 3, 2026, had its setlist and several product reveals announced early. The early reveals include a Patlabor entry in the BRICKROID series, a MODEROID Mini Gattai Henshin Getter Dragon from Getter Robo G, and a combining toy called THE Gattai for Red Geist from The Legend of the Brave Da-Garn.
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 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 19
Good Smile Company and Chime Corporation announced that Patlabor the Case Files, a 3D action game, will launch this summer for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. A second promotional video was released, and three original Headgear members are supervising mechanics, script, and character animation.
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 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.
May 16
Masami Yūki, the original manga artist of the Patlabor franchise, will publish a new one-shot story in Shogakukan's Weekly Big Comic Spirits on May 18. The one-shot marks Yūki's first Patlabor manga work since the original series ended in 1994.