The long-awaited mobilisation of Patlabor EZY earlier this summer got us to thinking about the origins of this perennial favourite mecha police procedural, not to mention the last time it was revived with an all new cast. The anime already felt somewhat grounded in reality, so a live-action spin-off series would seem the next natural step for the franchise.
Not if philosopher and part-time anime director Mamoru Oshii has his way! Beyond the safe confines of creative collective Headgear he went full maverick cop with a J-drama revamp both regretful and reverent of its legacy, shot through with his arthouse proclivities and bizarre sense of humour. Can this mismatched pair set their differences aside and get results? Keep that immaculately rendered giant robot-sized handcannon holstered or the chief will have our asses in a sling!
