The second staff talk event for the first chapter of " Mobile Police Patlabor Mobile Police Patlabor " franchise, titled "Butchan's Room <Part 2>", was held on June 2nd at Grand Cinema Sunshine Ikebukuro (Toshima Ward, Tokyo). Director Yutaka Izubuchi, scriptwriter and series composition writer Kazunori Ito, and character designer Masami Yuki appeared at the event. At the first staff talk event, "Butchan's Room <Part 1>", held on May 26th at Shinjuku Piccadilly (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo), producer Taro Maki, president of Genco, announced that they are "making a French version of Patlabor," which has also become a hot topic. Izubuchi revealed that he was completely unaware of the French version.
On the other hand, Ito said, "I've heard about it," and Izubuchi added, "America is also taking action. We don't know yet..." hinting at a global expansion with talk of an "American version."
At the first staff talk event on May 26th, Izubuchi revealed that Maki was the driving force behind the creation of the new anime "EZY," saying, "Maki sorted out the unclear points regarding the rights of HEADGEAR, which made it possible to make the anime." Following the clarification of the rights, Izubuchi also said, "Besides 'EZY,' we can expand 'Patlabor' in other ways. Maki has even suggested doing it overseas, and I think 'EZY' can serve as the foundation, and it would be good if things with different directions were created as well."
" Mobile Police Patlabor" is a multimedia project created by the legendary creative group "HEADGEAR," consisting of Yuki, Izubuchi, Ito, Takada Akemi, and Oshii Mamoru. It began in 1988 with an OVA (Original Video Animation) called "Early Days," and has since expanded into manga by Yuki, television anime, theatrical anime, novels, audio dramas, games, and more.
"EZY" is set in Japan in the 2030s, a time when the working population is declining and automation through AI technology is advancing. Sumire Sumire Uesaka plays Towa Kuga, the pilot of Ingram Unit 1, and Kikunosuke Toya plays Kippei Amatori, the commander of Ingram Unit 1. Ami Koshimizu, Chikahiro Kobayashi, Setsuji Sato, Yume Matsumura, and Megumi Hayashibara also appear in the cast. The series consists of three chapters and eight episodes in total, with Chapter 1 released in theaters on May 15th. Chapter 2 will be released in theaters on August 14th, and Chapter 3 in March 2027.
