Spoilers will run amok.

I’m on a bit of an old cell-drawn anime streak lately, specially with a bit of mecha flare. Rather than pure robot action, I’ve wanted to explore those features that focus more on plot. This one belongs to a franchise I was never familiar with, but I’ve read it follows a different continuity than the show it’s based on. That being said, the storyline is not much based on action and the slow pacing might be a challenge for some. I would say it did took its time. Let’s fire this up.

(Credit: Production I. G.)

Patlabor: The Movie (1989) is directed by Mamoru Oshii and written by Kazunori Ito based on the story by Masami Yuki and Headgear. In a futuristic Tokyo of 1999, the heavy work is done by the Labors, mecha capable of doing heavy work. The Tokyo Police’s 2nd Special Vehicles has been assigned to help neutralize malfunctioning Labors with their own, “patlabors” mechas. The task is primarily handled by Division II which are known screwballs and often cause extensive damage doing their work. As police detective Matsui seeks for leads to the rising streak of Labors running amok, the Division II’s team commander Captain Gotoh slyly tricks Sgt. Asuma Shinohara to do the legwork. After eavesdropping the conversation, pilot Noa Izumi ends being dragged herself into the investigation.

The results are good, not if you’re expecting an all-out battle, but rather a more slow paced detective story with a lot of the beats just showing up as dialog during contemplative moments. Visually, it still contains a lot of interesting mecha design, but there’s a lot of developments that are informed after it happened. This film doesn’t stop to explain everything, and lots of moments do require keen ears. This results in a very slow burn anime that only has a few distinctive action beats.

Highly recommended for niche anime watchers with a few reservations. The slow pacing might be challenging given the mecha genre is mostly known for action. Depending on the DVD transfer, your copy might betray its age in quality, but if you can get past that it’s still worth a watch for both classic anime enthusiasts and new mecha fans.

That will do for now.