KIDOU KEISATSU PATLABOR

A Patlabor thread! By jove, I don't think I've ever seen a Patlabor thread here before during the years I've spent here.

A fantastic series, one of the most rewarding shows out there, and Patlabor 2 is arguably the greatest animated film ever made. Kazunori Itoh's script is filled with depth and detail, being timely even today.

The relation between the OVA and TV series isn't quite like Spatula described, the TV series was more of an elaboration on the original story. The OVA was meant to stay just that, but because the series became so popular, the TV series was made, essentially a retelling and following the same plotline as the manga. The OVA, TV series and manga each show a different version of how Noa joins the team, you basically need to go through each and kinda mesh them together in your head into a single history =x
If you have to go with a single story, I'd probably go with the manga's beginning, because I like the idea of Noa meeting Asuma during the exams, and it explains Asuma's position in the team better.

While Masami Yuki is definitely one of the creators, saying the series was originally penned by him is a bit incorrect. The whole series was a joint creation between Studio Headgear (Mamoru Oshii, Kazunori Ito, Yutaka Izubuchi, Kazuchika Kise, Akemi Takada, Hiromasa Ogura and Kenji Kawai) with Yuki creating and designing the characters. He made the manga alongside the rest of the series, and the anime is not an "adaptation" of the manga in that sense.

Call me biased, but I wouldn't bother with WXIII if I can help it. It's much better to start with the original OVA, follow that with the TV series and somewhere along there watch the first movie. Patlabor 2 is considered the conclusion of the story, so I guess if you wanted a timeline, it'd be

Original OVA series
TV Series (at least the first two boxes)
Patlabor - The Movie
(third box of the TV Series)
The New Files OVA series
Patlabor 2 - The Movie

With WXIII being a bit of a side story. It's based on one particular chapter of the manga, Wasted XIII (Thirteen), but because the movie hardly features the SV-2 (and is neither written by Itoh nor directed by Oshii), and is pretty different from the manga version in focus, I don't even consider it part of the timeline. It's an interesting film, and Kawai's music is great, but it's definitely not essential in the same sense that the TV series and first two movies are.

Man, what I wouldn't do for a new TV series, in collaboration with Production I.G. with Oshii back at the helm, writing with Itoh ;_; Or someone scanlating the rest of the manga for that matter. I thank Central Park Media daily for coming through and releasing all of the Patlabor series, instead of quitting midway.

Anyone beginning to watch the series, the OVA is near parody of cop shows, with the TV series getting some more serious tones especially in a few certain story arcs (though still remaining mostly humorous), while the movies are much darker, serious and somber in tone.

Also Spat, why the hell are you still searching for the first movie's OST? Didn't I already send it? Or was that the second film only? =/
Incidentally, another huge GFF Patlabor fan would be Duo Maxwell.


EDIT:
Goto is naturally the best character in the world. Ever since the Mount Fuji comment in the manga I've loved him for his always enigmatic outer shell and the way he's such a fine balance of amazingly intelligent, always likeable and sometimes goofy (all part of the act).

Also, I own the Manga Entertainment releases of the DVDs and have no complaints, but if better quality versions are released, I'll definitely lap them up. Just as long as they're not dubtitle centric or something similarly stupid. Extras are nice and all, but I don't really care what the localization team have to say about the project =/

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I mostly disliked the thought that WXIII turned into the first introduction to Patlabor for newcomers because it was more easily available for download than the TV series (before the CPM releases, of course).

Then again, I started with the first movie (subbed, VHS) and considering the movie makes no introductions about the characters, expecting you to already know who's who, it's amazing I kept up with it and loved it so much. It's still my personal favorite anime film, even if Patlabor 2 is admittedly. "better".

EDIT:
Well, as far I understood, the TV series is supposed to be a retelling, but since the set up is so different, I guess they'd have to be seen as separate universes. I've already meshed all of them in my head to form a single coherent universe, you see ;_;

Also, in the manga she has to take entry exams of sorts, where she first meets Asuma. The scene where everyone else is feeling completely ill and throwing up from the training simulator while Asuma sits unfazed, annoyedly exclaiming "That thing's defective!" is priceless and worth reading the manga alone. It also brilliantly gives you an immediate idea of how Asuma is and acts.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Pyocola

Both films will also get released in drool-worthy 10,000 unit limited editions which will feature a box, an extras disc, a 300-page book with the full, translated storyboards and another translated 180-page book with essays, interviews, art galleries etc. The downside is that the price is a massive $89.99 each (so around $60-$70 online.)

I.. I need this. I need this so bad. I generally like collector's editions of anime, but almost never buy them because they're hardly ever available here, and if they are, they're ridiculously overpriced. And usually anime DVD "extras" aren't really all that informative or interesting, I've no attachment to figurines or anything like that.

This however.. Man, either hopefully I'll win the lottery, or I'll pine for a loan from my family, because I need this so bad ;_;

Me not getting a copy would be like Megalith never getting a copy of Halo.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

It's like one big inside joke for fans of the series and wouldn't be a very effective introduction to the show.

I also like how if I order the Limited Edition from Amazon.com, and it gets stuck in customs here (which is more than probably), I'd end up paying closer to €65 (around $78) for it. Damnit, I need a collaborator in this ;_;

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I'm in luck apparently, a friend of my aunt lives in Albany and another friend is going to visit her at the end of this month, so I might be able to order the pack from amazon and she can pick it up and bring it home when she returns, hopefully without alerting customs. And if they do want to take toll for it, she can claim it's worth $40, in which case they won't touch it.

What I'll do when the second movie is release, I have no idea, though ;_;


EDIT:

Originally Posted by Pyocola

Getting hit by customs sucks allright, and is basically the reason I haven't pre-ordered this yet. But $78? Pfffft, that's nothing. I'd end up paying $62.99 + $6.98 shipping + 3.5% duty + 25% VAT + $10 (fee you have to pay for the pleasure of getting to pay all the other fees) = $100.50.

Oh true, I hadn't even calculated shipping into that. Adding international shipping and how much that affects customs and taxes, that's probably a good €15 more ._.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Spatula

Qwarky, how close does the manga follow the OVA/TV Series arc in English? If it is somewhat parallel then I might not be interested, but I'm starting to want to see how Noa and Asuma came to be in the manga. Similarly to you, I started off with the movies (dubbed and VHS which was tapped off of a Space Channel speccial) and had no clue what was going on. This was in about 2000 where anime wasn't quite mainstream where I lived and only the Asians were into it from Hong Kong and the like. Basically most of the anime I watched I rented from Blockbuster and ANYTHING would be fine, English dubs were not a problem at this time. After watching the first movie, this was the first time I heard the Asahi no Naka theme and immediately fell in love with it, watching the ending credits roll over and over again JUST to listen to that theme, no matter how old the VHS tape was. Good old days...LOL

This was about the heyday of Napster and I quickly snatched up the Patlabor movie OST (which I lost on my old computer and never got it again, thus far), but I listened to the "Asahi no Naka" mp3 I believe over 20 times in one sitting, loving the blast of the trumpets and orchestra and everything in me just melted. I also did get the Patlabor 2 OST (again, lost in my old computer because the harddrive was retarded, but Q sent it to me) and immediately the Main Theme, Outbreak/Wyvern, and last but definately not least, Hallucination. All these tracks were done by Kenji Kawai.

After watching the first movie, I somehow wanted to learn more about the cast and went onto the Internet and sought after the TV series. On of my friends already had some of the TV episodes on CD and 7 part OVA on VHS. Boom, I was a fan. Man...oh man... now I realized how much I loved this series in such a short period of time. I'm guessing Q has seen this quite a while ago before I did though. Q, you're my hero.

Haha, I'm flattered, but I had to do with the first movie and the first two volumes of the manga for the longest time. Upon getting a PS2, I finally had access to DVD and eventually got both films on DVD, that was the first time I finally got to see Patlabor 2, which I had wanted to see for so long.

At that point, the TV series was "available" on some very random VHS tapes, but since I at best would have only gotten some like episodes 8-12 and 25-29 or something similar, I stayed out of that. Eventually I heard the good news that CPM was bringing the series out on DVD, and immediately bought the first volume. By the time I heard CPM had decided to release the rest in boxsets, I was extatic, I didn't even care I kinda had to buy the first disc twice (it's still on my shelf and the old CG cover is hideous). Then the original OVA came out (bliss) and eventually the third TV box and New Files (zomg), which I still haven't bought, but definitely will eventually.


As for the manga, it and the TV series follows the same "main" plotline. The start of SV-2, the early incidents, the Brocken, the Griffin, Schaft and all that, but the manga and anime differ on many individual tales since they were made longside each other for a while. If I understood correctly, the manga follows the original OVA slightly, then goes off on its own direction, and many of the chapters later formed episodes in the TV series.

The very first case the team had to solve (or overcome) was completely different in the manga. There was no Ingram theft, or nothing like that. The crab tank that ran rampant around Tokyo set the tone absolutely perfectly for me, because it showed the attention to detail and realism the series had. Whereas stopping the tank was a priority, this was in the middle of Tokyo, so the police forces had to be very careful about where they'd confront the runaway tank with as little collateral damage as possible. Goto deviced a careful plan to try and lure the tank out of appartment areas and following all of it was really intense. Patlabor was also so appealing because it was much more realistic and honest compared to many of the other mecha titles at the time.

I highly recommend reading the manga if you haven't, even if it's just the first two volumes Viz brought out (one of the biggest crimes was how not enough people bought it ;_; ). Kumagami's entrance is also completely different in the manga.

Jesus, I just noticed Kumagami's VA, Keiko Yokozawa was also Sheeta in Laputa. Awesome! ='D

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Now you went and made me change my set. I'm just gonna be stuck listening to Condition Green and Midnight Blue for the rest of the evening.

Anyway, incidentally, if we were more fluent in French, there's 12 volumes of the manga out in France ;_; Seems like they're going with the original 22 volume format, instead of the rerelease.

Now if only someone fluent in french and english would take it upon them to scanlate it all ._.

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I just want Ito to write new Patlabor anything (and Oshii to direct, naturally).

Even if they translate the Patlabor PS1 game I'd be delirious with happiness, the new crew member looked so cool.

As for Face, he's into anime, he likes Scrapped Princess, One Piece, Fullmetal Alchemist and I remember hooking him up with Evangelion torrents, but I don't think he'd want to translate Patlabor for us

How ya doing, buddy?

Well, I have the PS1 game and while the Ingram sections are a bit clumsy, it's still Patlabor, and Headgear created a new crew member, Midori, just for the game and she looked really cool~

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Well, it's a burned copy (you think I can find much less afford a real copy as much as I'd like one? ;_; ), so I'm sure it'll ISO easily. Playing it on an emulator is a different matter, but only one way to find out of course.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Boo-kun

Good old Patlabor. Years and years ago one of the first anime movies I saw was Patlabor. It was as awesome back then as it still is. Though I came to appreciate 2nd movie only later.

That also reminds me that I still haven't finished the TV series (or was it OVA >_>), as Q has been hiding the boxset from me >=0
And THAT brings up the idea that we really should watch both movies one of these days, Q-d00d.

Well, my TV is bigger than yours, but we can't both fit in my room on the other hand. Watching the films at ihank would be impossible as well, and I don't want to come all the way to your house ._.

Need to figure out some compromise though. I've felt like rewatching the films for a while now, can we wait till I get the remastered version of the first film? =D


Also, I think I've been keeping the OVA box from you. I thought you downloaded the eps later anyway =/

EDIT:
I'm all for a chain. Pyocola already has Shinobu =D
I actually meant to make an Asuma avatar, but I realized all my Masami Yuki drawings of him were a bit too small for it, so this Noa pic was fine. I absolute LOVE Ota in the background, in the Ingram suit



Drunken Kanuka and Noa is awesome too <3

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Well yeah, I only know one Patlabor fan near me, and he's about two towns away *points up above*

I've kept my movie watching pretty annual, though there's been a slight delay upon acquiring the TV series and OVA as that's kept me Patlabor happy for a while now. I'm getting more and more excited about the remastered DVD now, I hope it works out ;_;

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Make sure you find a very good Goto picture for an avatar, or I'll have your head >=0

Goto-san must always be well presented and respectable (even if he appears like such an awesomely lazy wish-wash in the manga). And you already called Kanuka ;_; Think of the awesome "SHUT UP!" you could have in your custom title!

I was speaking idiomatically.

Just don't pick his face from the second movie, he's so awfully pale.


But but think about Kanuka ;_; So many awesome scenes.



"Sightseeing?"
"No." *removes subglasses*
"Combat."

Also incidentally, I knew I'd sent the Patlabor movie OST to someone, since I still had it rarred up. I guess I just hadn't sent it to you, but someone else =P

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But we can't watch the movies downstairs, they're region 0, but our stupid DVD player refused to play them

I searched "Kanuka" and came accross the most wonderful gallery. Patlabor, PlanetES AND Haibane Renmei all on the same page? Yes, please~~



:3

FELIPE NO

It's just temporary, till you find better quality pics. I suggest using concept art and character designs as the anime screens usually need a lot of touching up to look decent. Unless you manage to shrink them a whole lot so that the fuzziness isn't visible.

I could have sworn I had an Akemi Takada artbook somewhere, but I can't find it. Maybe I just saw a dead torrent for it and only remember having downloading it even if I really didn't.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I don't understand people who complain the films are boring. I mean, are they not paying attention? Are they so expectant of explosions and action that following and recieving information is considered dull?

The films are incredibly tense even when there isn't any action on screen (comparable to films like The Insider, A Time to Kill or even War Games). They fit the thriller name perfectly and when the action finally starts, the buildup has been so effective and the viewer knows what's at stake (since the films and series are far more realistic in their detail and of code of conduct) that it's unbearable.

While I adore the assault on the Arc at the end of the first film, the preparation for the operation was just as exciting. Following the crew load up, watching Goto and Shinobu use their connections to get information and clearances, Ota slowly going insane with excitement, Hiromi testing the anti-armor rifle, all worked perfectly to build up the atmosphere.

Similarly, the final tunnel run at the end of Patlabor 2 is probably one of the most breathlessly directed and executed action sequences ever. It completely lacks the fancy OTT action of most mecha anime, but it's this sophistication, controlled direction and attention to realism and detail that make it such an utterly breathtaking and exhilarating scene. I was seriously sitting on the edge of my seat with white-knuckle grip the whole way through when seeing it for the first time.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Spoiler:

It also needs kungfu and light seibur o wait

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Spatula

On track of the tread, have you found any pics of Kanuka in the command labor car in the 1st movie? Those are probably the best shots of her in action with that pistol. Damn man!

I ran my DVD through my computer, but my player (PowerDVD) is pretty gay about screenshots so it was a hassle. First of all, Pyocola is absolutely right, the image quality is pretty shitty, I just didn't mind it before since it's such an old film. A remastered version is MORE than welcome.

Secondly, my player refuses to go frame-by-frame, so I had to physically fight to get some decent stills, as it kept taking screens of midimages, leaving really annoying ghost frames, like so:



Thirdly, upon taking the screenshots, it made them in some whacky ratio for whatever reason (the actual picture was simple 4:3), so I had to manually resize them.

Anyway, I rarred what I got and rapidshared them, but there's only like one or two really usable ones unless you can find a Photoshop whiz.

Anyway:







As you can see, she doesn't look that good in most of the stills because the animators were slacking off in part with faces, and because of the overal image quality. That is an awesome gun, though <3

Then when things look good, like in the kick ass shootout:





It's difficult to get a decent shot ;_;

Then the guard bots fight back and break the search light of the jeep:





It's a neat sequence, but I also managed to get a good frame of her in that one that you could use, though you'll need to shrink it a bit to make it look cleaner.





Last two shots just because I love the dialogue ='D

Anyway, the whole thing, 19 screens in total here:
http://rapidshare.de/files/17522010/Pat.rar.html

See if you can use any, or then you need to wait till the remastered edition is out. Or maybe Pyocola can take some screens of the R3 version ;_;


EDIT: Also, in case someone is still searching for missing OSTs, here's what I have:



Most of them are not very high bitrate though, so be warned. And yes, I know I have two copies of Patlabor 2 OSTs and pre-movie OSTs.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I wish you'd stop being so crass about everything ;_;

While I generally keep lewd thoughts out of my favorite series, Patlabor isn't without its doujinshi appeal, although strictly Asuma + Noa.

Currently going through the motions of trying to find decent N+A fanfiction, but coming up with very few. You're in Charge was a bit icky, and everything on fanfiction.net is either sweet, but oh so short, or of the
"cloud sat down on the chair hey tifa do you want to go out he asked tifa tifa couldnt believe what she was hearing but she had wanted to hear those words for so long" quality ._.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Pyocola

I took two screenshots of Kanuka from that scene, you can use them if you want:

Oh MAN. That remastered edition can't arrive soon enough ;_;

Quote:

About the soundtracks, what are those TV & New OVA discs? Are they part of some collected box or are they the same as the 'PHASE' soundtracks?

They're a six disc box, but I'm not quite that sure exactly WHAT is it. A little googling bought up this:
http://www.cwo.zaq.ne.jp/future/hiro...ttvseries.html

Other than that, no idea. I don't even remember where I got it ;_;

I was speaking idiomatically.

Always so terribly crass -_-

That fits neither of the aqcuirements, instant fail >=|~

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

That's the whole point. She's supposed to be a tomboy.

Spoiler:

[01:26:07] <kilometers> Q, your avy is interesting
[01:26:18] <Q-chan> :3
[01:26:19] <kilometers> whats it from
[01:26:33] <Q-chan> Mobile Police Patlabor
[01:26:37] <Q-chan> That's Noa
[01:26:40] <kilometers> :3
[01:26:41] <Q-chan> (she's a girl)
[01:26:51] <kilometers> I thought it was a guy
[01:26:53] <kilometers> I failed.
[01:26:58] <Q-chan> a lot of people do

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by ArrowHead

Okay, that's kind of overstating it. Patlabor 1 and 2 are two of the first anime movies I've ever seen, and they were also 2 of the first DVD's I ever bought (around 2001)... and while the transfers aren't stunning, they're not all that bad.

If you want to see a really bad transfer, check out the Central Park Media release of Grave Of The Fireflies. It looks like it was made with a consumer set-top DVD recorder - areas with sharp contrast have the classic NTSC "rainbow effect".

I agree, the film is old, so the bad transfer isn't quite so glaring, especially because the DVDs are old too. While it's 4:3, the picture still widescreen, even if it won't look that good on a widescreen TV (which I don't have). You can still see what's going on, and the beautiful animation is wonderfully evident. Since I watch everything wearing headphones, I've never had a problem with stereo tracks either, but that's just lucky me.

I can't wait for the remastered version, it will be absolutely wonderful seeing the film in practically new glory, but the old release is far from worthless. It got me, and quite a lot of others, into the series in the first place

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I'm rather interested myself in knowing where you downloaded all that. I wouldn't mind just having the whole thing on my computer as a keepsake of sorts, even if I wouldn't understand any of it for now.

Jam it back in, in the dark.