Patlabor: The TV Series (1989)
The beloved mecha anime that reimagined giant robots as everyday police tools in a charmingly grounded near-future Tokyo.
Patlabor: The TV Series - Series Information
- Original Title: 機動警察パトレイバー
- First Air Year: 1989
- Last Air Year: 1990
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Animation, Action, Adventure
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (25 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 47
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 11, 1989 (Australia - M)
- Networks: Nippon TV
- Alternative Titles: Patlabor: The Mobile Police: The TV Series (US), Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor: Patlabor on Television (JP), Patlabor TV (FR)
- Production Companies: Studio Deen, SUNRISE, Headgear
- Production Countries: Japan
Patlabor: The TV Series - Plot
Patlabor: The TV Series is an anime television series, created by Headgear, animated by Sunrise, and based on the Patlabor anime franchise.
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Patlabor: The TV Series - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Mina Tominaga
- Ryusuke Ohbayashi
- Toshio Furukawa
- Michihiro Ikemizu
- Yo Inoue
- Issei Futamata
- Yoshiko Sakakibara
- Akio Otsuka
- Daisuke Gori
- Osamu Saka
Writers
- Kazunori Ito
- Mamoru Oshii
Patlabor: The TV Series - FAQs
What is Patlabor: The TV Series about?
Set in a near-future Tokyo where giant robots called Labors are used in construction and industry, the series follows the Special Vehicle Section 2 — a quirky police unit tasked with handling Labor-related crimes. It blends mecha action with workplace comedy and surprisingly grounded character drama.
Who created Patlabor: The TV Series?
Patlabor was created by Headgear, a creative collective that included writer Kazunori Ito, director Mamoru Oshii, and manga artist Masami Yuki, among others. The TV series was animated by Sunrise and originally aired on Nippon TV starting in October 1989.
How many episodes does Patlabor: The TV Series have?
The series ran for a single season of 47 episodes, airing from October 1989 through September 1990 on Nippon TV. Each episode runs approximately 25 minutes, making the full series a substantial but very rewarding watch for mecha and anime fans alike.
Is Patlabor: The TV Series connected to the films?
Yes, though not directly. The TV series, the OVA series, and the theatrical films all share the same world and characters but tell largely independent stories. The two theatrical films directed by Mamoru Oshii are tonally darker and more philosophical, while the TV series leans into comedy and episodic storytelling.
Where can you stream Patlabor: The TV Series?
Streaming availability for Patlabor: The TV Series varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date list of platforms where the series can be watched, rented, or purchased in your country.
What genre is Patlabor: The TV Series?
Patlabor: The TV Series blends comedy, action, and adventure within the mecha anime genre. It stands out for grounding its giant-robot premise in everyday police procedural storytelling, resulting in a tone that is warmer and more character-driven than most mecha series of its era.
Who are the main voice actors in Patlabor?
The principal cast includes Mina Tominaga as rookie pilot Noa Izumi, Toshio Furukawa as Asuma Shinohara, Ryusuke Ohbayashi as the wily Captain Goto, Michihiro Ikemizu as the hot-headed Isao Ota, and Yoshiko Sakakibara as the composed Captain Nagumo, among others.
What makes Patlabor: The TV Series worth watching today?
Patlabor holds up remarkably well thanks to its witty writing, lovable ensemble cast, and a refreshingly grounded take on the mecha genre. Rather than world-ending stakes, it finds drama and humor in the mundane challenges of policing a city full of giant robots — a formula that feels genuinely timeless.
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