If you're an anime fan and you've never heard of Patlabor, you're in luck. I'm going to quickly educate you. Created by Mamoru Oshii, Kasunori Ito, Masami Yuki, Akemi Takada and Yutaka Izubushi (otherwise known as "Headgear"), Patlabor is a franchise that is over 20 years old spanning OVAs, TV, three films, manga and more.

Set in the near future of 1998-2002 (Ha!), robots called "Labors" are used by humanity for construction work as well as police work. Patrol Labors, as they are called, are used in crimes and accidents involving the use of Labors. The story focuses on the ragtag group of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Special Vehicle Section 2, Division 2. 

It was one of the most popular TV shows in Japan during its run and a beloved franchise overall. With good reason. I consider it to be one of the best ensemble shows in all of anime. The cast of characters is diverse, engaging, hilarious and sticks with you long after you've watched it (its all star voice talent certainly helps) This allows the freedom to pit the cast in a wide variety of storylines. From comedic to deadly serious. It is one addicting show.

There are two timelines in the Patlabor franchise. A movie timline and a TV series timeline (Minipato does not really fit into either timeline). Here is how it breaks down.

- Movie Timeline -

• Patlabor: The Original Files (OVA1 1-7)
• Patlabor: The Movie
• Patlabor: The Movie 2
• WXIII: Patlabor The Movie 3

- TV Timeline -

• Patlabor TV (47 episodes)
• Patlabor: The New Files (OVA2 16 episodes)

There is one area where Patlabor doesn't much attention. Its themes! So, for my first crack at this new format and a little help from my friend "Shouta" (he's shy but a big fan), I'm here to put a little bit of a spotlight on these great, late 80s/early 90s tunes. Lets get started!

Patlabor: The Original Files (OVA1) OP - Miraiha Lovers - Hiroko Kasahara

If you didn't know, Hiroko Kasahara is known for her roles as Armitage (Armitage III), Ishtar (Macross II), and Retsu Unohana in Rock Musical Bleach. Yes, the musical based on the show...

Patlabor TV OP 1 - Sono mama no Kimi de Ite - Yuko Nitou

Patlabor TV OP 2 (Also used in OVA2) - Condition Green - Hiroko Kasahara

"Condition Green" may be the theme most people are most familiar with.

Patlabor TV ED 1 - Midnight Blue - KISS ME QUICK

Patlabor TV ED 2 (Also in OVA2 ED1) - Paradise no Kakuritsu - JA-JA

Like "Condition Green", this song may be most familiar with fans of the show. It's a great theme and just about the only notable thing to come out of JA-JA that I'm familiar with.

The next set of opening themes are randomly placed while the endings are in order.

Patlabor: The New Files Random OP 2 (OVA2)- Mamoritai-no - Mina Tominaga

I can't find the actual animation for this theme. Youtube failed me!

Patlabor: The New Files Random OP 3 - YOU ARE THE ONE - DAIZO

Again, Youtube fails me.

Patlabor: The New Files Random OP 4 - IDLING for you - Norihiko Tanimoto

This is probably my favorite theme.

Patlabor: The New Files ED 2  - My Way My Pace - Mina Tominaga

Tominaga is also the voice of the show's "main" character, Noa Izumi. I think she does a great job with this song. Akemi Takada's illustrations are simply gorgeous as well.

Patlabor: The New Files ED 3 - 100 Carat Future - Mako Hyoudou

Patlabor: The New Files ED 4 - Dynamite Shige

Well fans, that's all she wrote. I hope you enjoyed listening to these as much as I have over the years. If these managed to raise your awareness of Patlabor even a little, I encourage you to head over to Right Stuf.com while they still have the OVA and TV series in stock. Not to mention the movies as well. You won't regret it!