Last week, we got the announcement of a new Votoms production with Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe. This time, another classic makes a modern comeback though this is something we’ve known for quite a while.
Mobile Police Patlabor EZY has been announced in 2017 and it looks it’s finally getting released in 2026 as an animated film split into three chapters. For those unfamiliar, the Patlabor franchise follows two continuities – one that follows the 1989 television series, and another which stems from the feature films. Patlabor EZY continues the story of the series and picks up 40 years after the original Second Special Vehicles Division team.
Patlabor EZY will feature the return of the AV-98 Ingram as the AV-98Plus Ingram (a.k.a. Ingram Plus), are upgraded versions of the original units via mechanical and control system improvements. That said, other police officers refer to these units as junk due to the repeated tune ups and repairs done throughout the 40 years they have been in use.
Design wise, these upgraded Ingrams now feature more angular armors and minor changes here and there. But the overall look is more or less the same as the originals.
The feature is going to be released in three parts, as seen in the special clip seen above. Part 1 will come out in May, Part 2 in August, and Part 3 some time in March 2027. Yutaka Izubuchi, known for his work in RahXephon and Space Battleship Yamato 2199 will take the helm as director.
Along with the production announcements, we also got new merch from both Bandai Spirits Hobby Division and Tamashii Nations.
First is another expansion of the Real Grade line as we are getting kits of the Ingram Plus. The last time Bandai Spirits did Patlabor kits was from The Next Generation: Patlabor, with Good Smile Company curretly releasing kits as part of the MODEROID line. I’m really hoping the RG kits would be at 1/60 scale, or at least around the same size as the MODEROID kits so that they would look good together. Nothing outside of this silhouette has been revealed for now.
Tamashii Nations has them covered in the figure front with The Robot Spirits version of the Ingram Plus. I’m inclined to believe this is just a minor retool of the previously released figure for the regular Ingram. Personally, I’d go with the RG but if you don’t like building kits, then this figure is definitely an option. Details for this figure are to be revealed on a later date.
With all these announcements, not to mention the release of the second Gundam Hathaway film in a week’s time as of this post. I believe there are still others making 2026 premieres that I’ve yet to check out but overall, 2026 is shaping up to be a good year for the genre.
And yes, I am definitely picking up the Real Grade kit when it comes out.
