The anime 「機動警察パトレイバー EZY（Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor EZY / EZY）」 has gathered endorsements from 14 notable figures in the industry, including Hideaki Anno, Sumito Oowara, Kotobuki Tsukasa, and Nobuyoshi Habara, as well as direct collaborators on the project such as composer Kenji Kawai and Shinji Higuchi. Also contributing their comments were novelist Touma Ohsaka, critic Tsunehiro Uno, Nobuyuki Sakuma, Osamu Suzuki, Erina Mano, Mafia Kajita, Naoki Yoshida, and film director Kohei Yoshino.

On the merchandise side, starting from 「File 1」 Week 2 on May 22, theaters will distribute logo stickers featuring all six logos in the series: the Special Vehicles Section 2 (特車二課), Shinohara Heavy Industries (篠原重工), and various corporate logos tied to Hercules Powered — the ultimate model in the Hercules line.

Talk Event at Shinjuku Piccadilly

On May 26, a special talk event titled 「ぶっちゃんの部屋 パート1」 will be held at Shinjuku Piccadilly in Tokyo at 7:15 PM, with director Yutaka Izubuchi and producer Taro Maki taking the stage. Advance online ticket sales opened on May 21, and any remaining seats will be sold at the theater box office on the day of the event.

Endorsements from Notable Figures

Hideaki Anno: This work honestly reflects what director Izubuchi’s team has built and preserved over the years — what’s been gained, and what’s been lost in creating a world of giant robot police. It came out straightforward and earnest. I especially like the humanity at the heart of director Izubuchi, who still keeps Oshii-san’s name in the credits. He’s a genuinely good person.

Sumito Oowara: Whoa!! This is unmistakably Patlabor!!! Thank you, Patlabor! Keep going, our Patlabor!!

Kenji Kawai: I honestly can’t believe that more than half my life has been spent with Patlabor.

Kotobuki Tsukasa: I was a youngster when I first watched it, and now I’m approaching 60. The laid-back charm of this series suits my age perfectly — I could watch it endlessly. I’d love for it to be even longer.

Nobuyoshi Habara: It looks easy but hides a complex sophistication. Every episode quietly weaves contemporary social issues into the dialogue, which overflows with nostalgia for the 1980s, while the cinematography and lens choices evoke the new era of live-action filmmaking. The meticulous attention to every angle is remarkable, and the more I watch, the more I look forward to the next episode.

Shinji Higuchi: If Izubuchi-senpai is our idol — we do it. If Izubuchi-senpai asks — we do it. If Ito-sensei is our mentor — we do it. If Ito-sensei asks — we do it. Who on earth is going to refuse or say no? Certainly not me. So who will? Correct and resolute — that’s what it takes.

Touma Ohsaka: Nearly 40 years since the first OVA, and nearly 30 years since 1998 — the final chapter of the Patlabor story — and Patlabor is back. The theme of “what would really happen if there were giant robot police” remains as fresh as ever, yet with all-new characters and equipment. Both old fans and new fans are sure to love it, and I especially hope the Oshii fans watch it through to the very end!

Tsunehiro Uno: If you think “it probably won’t be any good,” don’t just sulk about it — roll up your sleeves and make something new yourself. The boldness of an adult fully committing to this project is genuinely exciting.

Nobuyuki Sakuma: I started out anxious, then got surprised in the middle, and by the end I thought “That’s it!” The more I watch, the more I realize I love Patlabor because it’s truly earnest and funny at the same time — the drama, the comedy, the freshness, the nostalgia, the continuation, the destruction — all packed into this magnificent new work.

Osamu Suzuki: For me, Patlabor as a child meant the future — but unlike other anime, it wasn’t a distant or far-off future. It was a future just around the corner, and this new work still captures that near-future quality. Whether it’s AI, automation, or the role of human beings, it all connects to a sense of reality that makes it genuinely fun — and the spirit of Patlabor is very much alive.

Erina Mano: The atmosphere of Special Vehicles Section 2 gives you a strangely nostalgic feeling. Each member has a vivid personality, and Ingram is as cool as ever! Having previously played Izumi Noa in the live-action version, I want Special Vehicles Section 2 to keep going no matter how much the era changes. I’m so glad to see this new work!

Mafia Kajita: Born from the passionate desire to serve all Patlabor fans, I invite you to watch without hesitation the appealing portrayal of “life after that at Special Vehicles Section 2” — and its comedy is outstanding too.

Naoki Yoshida: Patlabor truly kept my life going. What sets Patlabor apart from other works is that the Labors are woven into the fabric of everyday life — the feeling of “we made it!” is still very much alive even in 2026.

Kohei Yoshino: I feel as though I’ve received the clearest and most detailed answer to the long-standing personal question of “What is Patlabor?” — and every time I see that grey uniform, I still get excited.

Release Schedule and Story Structure

• File 1 (currently screening): comprises episodes「トレンドは#第二小隊」「閑中妙あり」「ホンモノが一番」
• File 2 — August 14, 2026: comprises episodes「ワインと銃弾」「あさき夢みし」「恋のサバイバル」
• File 3 — March 2027: comprises episodes「おもちゃの国・前編」「おもちゃの国・後編」

Staff

• Presented by: HEADGEAR
• Director: Yutaka Izubuchi
• Script and Series Composition: Kazunori Ito
• Original Character Design: Masami Yuuki
• Costume Design Consultant: Akemi Takada
• Character Design / Chief Animation Director: Takamitsu Sato
• Scene Composition: Kozou Kaihou
• Mechanical Design: Kanetake Ebikawa, Toshiaki Ihara
• Display Design: Yoshinori Sayama
• Art Director: Masanori Kikuchi, Yuta Akiyama
• Color Design: Yukiko Ito
• Director of Photography: Yoshio Okochi
• Editing: Maki Sendo (REAL-T)
• CG Director: Hitoshi Moriizumi
• CG: GAZEN, J.C.STAFF CG Division
• Sound Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi
• Sound Effects: Kaori Yamada
• Sound Production: Magic Capsule
• Music: Kenji Kawai
• Executive Producer: Taro Maki
• Producer: Yuya Machida
• Animation Producer: Yuji Matsukura (J.C.STAFF)
• Animation Production: J.C.STAFF
• Production: GENCO
• Distribution: Shochiku ODS / Bandai Namco Filmworks

Voice Cast

• Kuga Towa: Sumire Uesaka
• Amatori Kippei: Kikunosuke Toya
• Hirata Saki: Ami Koshimizu
• Hazama Akihiko: Chikahiro Kobayashi
• Yanai Yuta: Setsuji Sato
• Yunoki Yakuma: Yume Matsumura
• Saeki Kimika: Megumi Hayashibara
• Shiba Shigeo: Shigeru Chiba
• Terada Kurumi: Mariya Ise
• Saito Yoichi: Hiroki Maeda
• Kunikida Kanji: Hochu Otsuka
• Yasui Kotaro: Kazuhiro Yamaji

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Source: natalie