‘Patlabor’ Returns With The New ‘EZY’ Three-Part Theatrical Series, Launching In May

The iconic anime Patlabor franchise is preparing a return to the big screen. A new project, Mobile Police Patlabor EZY, has been unveiled as a three-part theatrical release that will kick off in Japan in May of this year. Film two is scheduled for August 14, 2026, and the series final entry for March 2027.

Originally created by the artist collective Headgear, Patlabor debuted in 1988 and quickly distinguished itself among the mecha genre by depicting giant robots, called labors in the series, as practical tools used for construction, infrastructure, and public safety, in addition to their obvious military roles. The new trilogy’s story will follow a police unit tasked with handling crimes and accidents involving these machines, blending science fiction with workplace comedy, procedural drama, and social commentary.

Headgear is once again producing this new version, with long-time industry vet Yutaka Izubuchi (Space Battleship Yamato 20199, RahXephon) directing. Distribution is being handled by The Shochiku Group and Bandai Namco.

An official synopsis for the trilogy, translated from Japanese, reads:

In the late 1990s, alongside rapid technological advancement, the versatile humanoid work machines known as “Labor” advanced into every field. However, this also gave rise to a new social threat: Labor crimes. To counter the escalating Labor crimes, the Metropolitan Police Department established the Special Vehicle Section 2 within its Security Department. This marked the birth of the Special Vehicles Division 2 Patrol Labor Unit, commonly known as “Patlabor.”

And so, time passed…

By the 2030s, Japan’s workforce was in steady decline, with automation driven by AI technology advancing rapidly. “Labor,” which was the once cutting-edge technology, had become firmly established as part of the social infrastructure. Standalone, piloted Labors were increasingly being replaced by autonomous robots, becoming obsolete.

But no matter how times change, the work of Special Vehicle Section 2 remains the same: protecting people and the city. Division 2, alongside the AV-98Plus Ingram—a tuned-up version of the outdated Type AV 98 Ingram—faces new technological crimes with wisdom and courage.

The franchise has previously been adapted to manga, original video animations (OVA), a television series, and multiple features, including Mamoru Oshii’s classic Patlabor: The Movie in 1989. Over the decades, it has been praised for its grounded world-building, realistic mechanical design, and thoughtful approach to near-future technology. In fact, in 2022, the military and defense industry website Task & Purpose published an article in which author Matt Sampson argued that Patlabor 2 boasted the most accurate air combat scene of all time.

Patlabor EZY has big shoes to fill, then, as the latest continuation of the long-running IP. The films will bear the responsibility of maintaining the franchise’s coveted reputation as one of anime’s most grounded takes on mecha storytelling, while introducing a new generation of fans to its unique blend of realism and satire.