THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- Series Gets New Release Dates

Lee B. Golden III

10 years ago

Following earlier announcements of the upcoming live-action series reboot of the classic Japanese property for The Next Generation -Patlabor- and further announcements within the past year, Anime News Network has forwarded the latest dates for the pending seven-part series leading up to the production of the feature film by 2015. The dates are as follows, kicking off the live action series at Japan’s Shinjuku Piccadilly theater:

Part 1: April 5, 2014

Part 2: May 31, 2014

Part 3: July 12, 2014

Part 4: August 30, 2014

Part 5: October 18, 2014

Part 6: November 29, 2014

Part 7: January 1, 2015

Budgeted at 2 billion yen (up to well over $20 million US), development on The Next Generation -Patlabor- was previously announced during the Tokyo International Anime Fair back in March by attending members of Tohokushinsha Film Corporation, who are producing the series and film in association with FX studio Omnibus Japan.

Based on the award-winning concept and original 1988 manga/anime/OVA property from Headgear and its members, director Mamoru Oshii, writer Kazunori Itō, designers Yutaka Izubuchi and Akemi Takada, and manga artist Masami Yūki, The Next Generation -Patlabor- marks a new foray into the franchise as it follows up from the original anime movie timeline, with new characters and a brand new storyline that will add more slapstick in its story leading to its more seriously toned 100 minute feature film.

SERIES SYNOPSIS:

Following the development of the humanoid work machines called Labors, technology propelled forward at a high speed, eventually resulting in the use of Labors in all facets of society. With global warming causing the rising of sea levels around Tokyo, and the 1995 great earthquake causing mass destruction around the city,the Babylon Project was developed. It was designed with the intent of fixing the problem concerning the overwhelming lack of land, Labors from around the country were pulled into the city to begin work on the project.

With such a large number of the machines in one area, Labor crimes began to increase at an alarming rate. In order to combat this new problem, police headquarters made the call to introduce Labor into their special units. This was the birth of the Patlabor unit.

Fast forward to Tokyo, 2013. The first stage of the Babylon Project has been completed. Due to a long term recession and the amount of time and money they cost to maintain, Labors have been discarded. The First Labor Platoon of the 2nd Division has been disbanded, leaving behind the Second Labor Platoon to inherit their work. The Type 98 Ingram has been left to this new generation.

This is the story of the 2nd Division and their struggle to stay afloat. This is the story of the 3rd generation.

Starring Toshio Kakei, Erina Mano, Seiji Fukushi, Rina Ohta and Shigeru Chiba, the seven part series will comprise of a 10-minute prequel episode (Episode 0) with twelve 48-minute episodes. Oshii is writing and directing, as well as overseeing the project in its entirety with other directors to be named later, with further screenwriting assistance by scribe Kei Yamamura and soundtrack composer Kenji Kawai.

Stay tuned for more info.

H/T: ANN

Share this: