The newly minted Special Vehicles Second Section Unit 2
has proven themselves in two high risk situations but even more challenging
missions await. First, there’s something
lurking in Tokyo Bay. It’s not
human. It’s not a Labor. And it’s about to make landfall with Unit 2
as the first and last line of defense.
Then, a dangerous mishap sends Noa and her team back to training. But learning how to pilot a Labor properly
again pails in comparison to the supposed spirits haunting the training
ground. Is there a case to solve or with
the supernatural get the better of the Second Unit?
I’ve gotta say, an abundant lack of Mecha on Mecha action
isn’t keeping me from enjoying the heck out of Patlabor.
Is there something of a missed opportunity
without it, sure.
But when these two
episodes are as fun and entertaining as can be with good plots and side
splitting humor, I think it’s ok to let a critical mecha element go
unneeded.
Needless to say, this show is
great and these two next episodes might just easily top the premiere.
As I said, Episodes 3 & 4 couldn’t be more
different.
One is a satire of the Kaiju
genre which wears its Godzilla and Jaws inspirations on its sleeve.
The other is a haunted house mystery designed
to teach certain teammembers a valuable lesson.
Let’s start with the Kaiju episode.
It’s not taking itself seriously but damn the suspense is something
else.
There’s a nice feeling of dread as
the build up to the big reveal of what’s lurking in Tokyo Bay.
Even the wily Dr. Hirata starts to make is
sound far more menacing than it actually is.
Speaking of those aforementioned references, anyone familiar with
Godzilla’s first ever appearance will recognize Dr. Hirata’s character design
is clearly inspired by Gojira’s Dr. Daisuke Serizawa, played by Akihiki
Hirata.
The Big G even gets a shoutout
when his famous roar is used for a brief set of gags in the episode.
It’s kind of a letdown we don’t actually get
to see the Patlabors take on a Godzilla style Kaiju though.
Even if the show clearly points out its an “unsatisfying
conclusion” come on.
Like I said,
sometimes the lack of action is a missed opportunity.
Episode 4 is a hilarious follow up with the squad
seemingly besieged by vengeful spirits at a Labor Training Camp.
Not only is the humor at the expense of
terrorizing the boys great, the episode also showcases just how actually decent
the team is at being trained investigators.
Asuma and especially Kanuka both manage to crack the case in their own
separate ways (and God I could listen to Kanuka talk all day long).
It’s equally fun trying to piece together the
truth when the tale spun about the supposed Ghosts walking around is pretty
creepy and sound.
At the same time, you
know what’s up from the get go but are hardly annoyed by no one figuring things
out immediately.
What I don’t get is why
the entire team has to be put through an elaborate Gun Safety Exercise when
really Ota should have his badge and Labor Pilots license revoked for just
wanting to squeeze off a giant pistol round during a hostage situation on a hot
day.
Who the hell let this guy onto the
force for crying out loud?
Well at least
we did get the pleasure of seeing Shinobu in a swimsuit and Kanuka ready for
battle with a gun and no need for clothes (if I haven’t made it obvious, she’s
my favorite character).
One thing that stands out about the OVA so far is the
lack of an overarching plot and how diverse the episodes thus far have
been.
Episode 1 is a basic intro.
Episode 2 had the team tackling a terrorist
bombing.
Episode 3 is Kaiju inspired and
Episode 4 is a Haunted House romp.
It
helps keep things refreshing and exciting even if the giant robots feel like a
distant afterthought.
I also noticed how
some of the third episodes Kaiju mystery feels like it was used as a basis for
a much more serious story in the third Patlabor movie: WXIII: Patlabor the
Movie 3.
I really like that one but both
and Episode 3 can be enjoyed on their own merits, just like this OVA as a whole
so far.
With three episodes left and no indication that we’ll get
an actual conclusion (or anything that wont get continued or wrapped up in
Patlabor: The Movie), Patlabor is still a show I’m having a ton of fun
watching.
For real though, we are gonna
get to see Unit Two take down some bad guys in some good old fashioned giant
robot action, right?
Eh, even if not,
it’s still looking at a pretty high score right now.
And we’ll find out what that score is when we
check out the Series Finale of Patlabor: The Mobile Police Next Monday right
here at the Gundam Anime Corner.
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