New Patlabor EZY Anime Set for Three-Part Theatrical Run Starting May 2026
12 hours ago
Share this news:
The Patlabor franchise is officially returning to the screen with a new anime project titled Patlabor EZY, set for a three-part theatrical release in Japan starting May 15, 2026. This announcement confirms the franchise’s first substantial anime production since the 2016 Reboot short, marking a major comeback for the classic mech series.
The entire project covers eight episodes, distributed across three cinematic "Files." File 1 will premiere on May 15, 2026, containing episodes 1 through 3. File 2 follows on August 14, 2026, with episodes 4 through 6. The final installment, File 3, is scheduled for March 2027, wrapping the story with the last two episodes. Episodes 1 through 6 are confirmed to function as standalone omnibus stories, while episodes 7 and 8 will feature a continuous, connected narrative.
The story is set in Japan during the 2030s. The narrative explores a time when increasing AI automation is rendering older Labor mechs obsolete. Despite this technological shift, Special Vehicle Section 2 remains active as peacekeepers, now utilizing the updated AV-98Plus Ingram variant to handle crimes involving advanced technology.
A newly released visual pairs the classic protagonist, Noa Izumi, and her AV-98 Ingram, with Towa Kuga, the lead for EZY, who pilots the AV-98Plus. A 60-second teaser video introduced the main cast alongside the key staff confirmations.
The franchise’s legendary mechanical designer and RahXephon director, Yutaka Izubuchi, is leading the project at J.C.Staff. Kazunori Ito, a contributor to the original Patlabor series, is handling series composition and screenwriting. Kenji Kawai is returning to compose the music, with Takamitsu Satou handling character designs.
The EZY project was first teased back in 2017, followed by a pilot film screening in August 2022. The franchise officially launched its "2026 Project" last September, directly preceding this theatrical announcement. Patlabor originally debuted in 1988 with manga and OVA releases, eventually leading to two OVA series, a TV show, and three feature films before its last major release, 2002's WXIII.