Japanese Police Are Using Robo Cops Pulled Straight From Patlabor

Japanese Police Are Using Robo Cops Pulled Straight From Patlabor

As a seasoned gamer and anime enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can attest that the Patlabor franchise has long been a hidden gem among the mecha genre, rivaling the likes of Gundam in terms of storytelling and mechanical design. The recent unveiling of the life-sized AV-98 Ingram by the Ibaraki Prefectural Police is nothing short of a dream come true for fans like myself who have been yearning to see these iconic mecha units brought to life.


The Patlabor franchise has been brought to reality with a complete mecha police force constructed by the Japanese authorities. Although American mecha enthusiasts may be familiar with series like Mobile Suit Gundam due to their widespread popularity, the Patlabor franchise boasts an equally impressive collection of successful entries. First appearing as an original manga series from Headgear in Weekly Shonen Sunday during the late 1980s, the franchise has since spawned numerous anime episodes, sequels, films, and various other projects. Now it also features full-scale reproductions of its primary mecha units.

As a gamer, I find myself in awe when I think about how my beloved Patlabors, those labor patrol units designed to combat labor-related crimes, have faced off against countless enemies. It’s mind-blowing to learn that the Ibaraki Prefectural Police in Japan have gone one step further by creating a life-sized AV-98 Ingram from the series! They proudly displayed this mecha on their official social media page with the message, “Joining forces with Mobile Police Patlabor, we, the Ibaraki Prefectural Police, strive to ensure the safety and security of our prefecture’s citizens. Our activities range from crime prevention and traffic safety, reinforced by our strong enforcement skills akin to Ingram.”

Translate the text from Japanese to English:

— ???????(??) (@ibarakipolice) August 24, 2024

What Is Patlabor?

Boasting unique messages emphasizing road safety, it’s indeed an entertaining spectacle for enthusiasts of the original manga and anime series known as Patlabor. Over the years since its debut, numerous anime shows, films, video games, and other media related to Patlabor have been produced. However, unfortunately, most of this content isn’t easily accessible for streaming in the United States. The film and TV series are available through limited Blu-ray and DVD releases, but it may not be readily available if you wish to watch it promptly.

In the future, sophisticated robot technology has given rise to massive robots known as ‘labors’, used for various purposes like construction, firefighting, military duties, and more. Despite being mere machines, those who control them are still human. Unfortunately, humans aren’t always law-abiding, leading to misuse of these powerful labor units as weapons. Consequently, the police force of the future will counteract with advanced patrol labor units, or ‘patlabors’. This narrative follows the Second Special Vehicles Division, a team of patlabor officers striving to uphold the law while maintaining a semblance of personal life.

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2024-09-02 00:10