Patlabor Ultimate

I have been waiting, in hope, for an affordable re-release of the original Patlabor! I have been a, sort of underground, Patlabor fan for several years, but I could not bring myself to pay the ridiculous price it originally was. However, let's move on to an actual review.First, I am reluctant to even call Patlabor an anime. It's more of a toned-down animated sci-fi. I, myself, am really not an amine fan, but more of a general sci-fi fan. I say this meaning that Patlabor can be enjoyed by all kinds of people, not just anime fans. In fact many anime fans are fond of Patlabor because of how conservative and simple it is. Patlabor is very different from other mech shows, such as Gundam, Macross, and Eureka 7. In fact, Patlabor is only partially about mechs. The mechs in Patlabor are more like a futuristic symbol or a team mascot than a plot builder.Patlabor is about a lousy Tokyo police unit called SV2 (Special Vehicles Unit 2). In the "future" (1999, ten years after the series was created), labors (mechs) are used for general construction work. However, in a large city like Tokyo, crime involving labors rose and now is not uncommon. Hence, the creation of police patrol labor units or patlabors. The series starts out by introducing the members of SV2 with them ... well, not doing much of anything. I admit, I too was thrown off by the series sort of awkward and boring introduction. I was especially thrown off by the lack of background sounds, and choppy, redundant dialogue. But keep watching, this is done on purpose! Patlabor, in both the OVA and TV series, starts off with SV2 doing simple everyday police missions (but with mechs), comedic filler episodes, and with SV2, as I said before, sitting around the unit doing nothing.However, this method of story development makes the characters so much more relatable and real than in the violent, overly dramatic, typical action cartoon. But keep watching, the series builds a lot of intensity in episodes 5, 6, and 7. I promise desire for action will not go unsatisfied, as this group of lousy, ordinary cops are put into extraordinary situations. This is the beauty of the show.So if your hoping for an unoriginal robots-fighting-and-blowing-things-up show (not that there is anything wrong with those), this is not Patlabor. However if you want something feel-good with a good story and funny characters but ends with a bang, Patlabor is the show for you. If you enjoy the OVA, watch the movies and TV series. The best Patlabor has to offer is actually movies 1 and 2. The great thing about the OVA series is that it is sort and cheap. So if it doesn't impress you, which honestly it does not appeal to everyone, you have not wasted a lot of time and money.

When I was a wee anime fan this show would pop up on rare occasions. It's an anime that is usually overlooked because the team that created it, created a studio just for this then disbanded after the project was done. As giant robot anime goes it's not out there. There are no aliens, no "evil" scientists and for the exception of one giant see monster nothing superbly out there.Instead, its a police force from an alternate reality were evolutions in technology created the laborer. Giant robots used for a multitude of tasks from construction to military applications. Of course, this comes with a new form of crime, labor crime. To combat this a police division is created. They are then equipped with Patrol laborers (shortened Patlabor) they head into the streets.Most of the draw of this anime comes from the characters and how they handle the scenarios that crop up on a daily basis. At first, the new recruits are looked upon as misfits and for the most part rightly so. But as their individual personality are allowed to shine through, and then showing off their personal skills the motley crew gain recognition.This a great show for people who like the down to earth cop dramas, into giant robots, or into charecter stylized shows.

New anime has lost a charm that can never be replicated. With its youth centric culture and storylines where high school life is at the forefront, there’s absolutely no reason why to continue with the genre, when you have grown up with grown up problems. But here comes the oldschool, with its interesting concepts, fun stories and pleasing aesthetics that reminds you how good anime can be! Patlabor is more than giant robot anime. It’s more than a police procedural. It’s a fun grab bag of comedy, drama, action, adventure, character development and absolutely no high school drama! So if you’re an adult and have no interest in protagonists that are trying to get into a university or saving the world because they’re 15 and are an orphan, give Patlabor a chance! You won’t regret it!

I love this collection so much!!! Audio and Video quality is phenomenal (1080p/HD DTS). This collection makes owning all of the Patlabor anime so easy and it is so cheap. Seriously, you get over 34 hours worth of entertainment. This series has always been hard to find and/or expensive. Buy it now while you can or you might regret it later if it goes out of print. Also if anyone is interested I would recommend watching the tv series timeline first then the movie timeline. Plus they have a viewing order for both timelines printed on the collection.

I grew up with this series. and when i found out that it was coming out in one big box set i had to pick it up. If you never have seen the series and are a fan of mecha then get this classic series.

I watched this back in the 90's when anime was still relatively new to the US It was great then and its still great now... defiantly worth a look

Fantastic OVA! I have always wanted to see the Patlabor series. Being a fan of 1980s mecha anime, I found it quite difficult to resist checking this out when I saw a Blu-Ray edition being released.The picture quality is quite amazing. I'd never seen an anime with such clean and pristine quality that you can literally see the paint and quality of the animation cel in some scenes. It is phenomenal!The show itself is quite surprising, I thought it may have a a serious tone, coming from Mamoru Oshii of Ghost in the Shell fame, but the OVA is quite lighthearted. Not to mention, there is a considerable lack of mecha action from what looks to be primarily a mecha anime. It is focused on the the formation of the police unit that utilize the Patlabors to curb Labor (robot) crime. Quite a different spin on the genre.The show is two handfuls of episodes plus three movies within this part of Patlabor canon. The TV series exists on its own.Great Blu-Ray, great purchase!

Love this stuff, I’m really glad I bought it. If you love mecha action, with a mix of slice of life fun, you’ll love Patlabor!

Es buena pero puede ser que el ritmo de la serie no sea para generaciones nuevas, a veces un poco lenta.La calidad de la edicion es la norma en este tipo de compilaciones, esta bien presentado, aunque el diseño del cover no se me hizo nada extraordinario. Recomiendo en general verla si te gustan los robots y el anime.

全部（映画版・テレビ版・OVA版）いりで映像もBDなので綺麗何よりこのセットが当時（2019年）は1万円以下で購入できたので英語の字幕も問題なし。久しぶり観たけど今でも色褪せない、やっぱりパトレイバーはいいですね。みんなキャラがとても個性的で魅力があり、気分が沈んでる時に見ると元気をもらえます。

まだTVシリーズの途中で、こまかいところですが...劇中にでてくる看板や機器のモニターに表示される日本語への字幕表現について。もともとの手書き日本語を塗りつぶしてその上から英語字幕をかぶせ...ということはなく当時の映像そのままに日本語から少しずらした位置に英語字幕が表示されています。私はもともと何が書いてあったのかわからないような字幕表示の仕方が気になってしまうタチなので一応記しておきます。

I enjoyed it I thought there would be more episodes.