The official website for the Patlabor EZY anime project has released a teaser trailer for "File 3," marking the project’s third compilation film, which will combine episodes seven and eight. The promotional video confirms that the film is scheduled to premiere in theaters on March 5, with its Blu-ray Disc release following shortly after on March 12.
Alongside the trailer, the website revealed a brand-new visual and two additional cast members: Kaori Nazuka will voice Kaoru Mitarai, and Taku Yashiro will portray Takuya Niiro.
In related developments, Good Smile Company and developer Chime Corporation have dropped a commercial for Patlabor the Case Files, an upcoming 3D action game tied to the wider franchise. The promotional video highlights that the game will officially launch on September 17 for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam.
The Patlabor EZY series spans eight episodes total, rolled out theatrically across three compilation films. "File 1" debuted on May 15, "File 2" arrives on Friday, and "File 3" will hit screens on March 5, wrapping up the series with a two-part concluding storyline.
Set in the 2030s, the narrative finds Japan grappling with labor shortages and rapid automation driven by artificial intelligence. While piloted mecha—once considered revolutionary for manual labor—are increasingly being replaced by fully autonomous robots, the Special Vehicle Section 2 (SV-2) still relies on their trusted, heavily upgraded SV-98 Ingrams to combat labor-related crime.
The expanding cast features:
- Sumire Uesaka as Towa Kuga (22), pilot of Ingram-01
- Kikunosuke Toya as Kippei Atori (23), commander of Ingram-01
- Ami Koshimizu as Saki Hirata (25), commander of Ingram-02
- Chikahiro Kobayashi as Akihiko Hazama (29), pilot of Ingram-02
- Setsuji Satō as Yūta Yanai (25), carrier driver for Ingram-01
- Yume Matsumura as Hachikuma Yuzuki (24), carrier driver for Ingram-02
- Megumi Hayashibara as Kimika Saeki (34), SV2 captain
Additionally, Shigeru Chiba returns to voice Shigeo Shiba, a role he has played since the franchise’s inception nearly four decades ago.
The updated AV-98Plus Ingram features refined mechanics, upgraded software, and an enhanced pilot helmet equipped with an augmented reality heads-up display.
The production is helmed by Patlabor mechanical designer Yutaka Izubuchi, directing at J.C. Staff. Kazunori Itō is writing the script, with original character designs by Masami Yuuki. Takamitsu Satou serves as character designer and chief animation director, while Kenji Kawai returns to compose the music. Tarō Maki of GENCO is producing, GAZEN is managing CG production, and the HEADGEAR creative group is credited with the original story. Other key staff members include Akemi Takada collaborating on costume design, alongside mechanical designers Kanetake Ebikawa and Toshiaki Ihara.
On the musical front, Mori Calliope performs the opening theme song, "Reimei Compass" (Daybreak Compass), while Mariko Nagai handles the ending theme, "Baton."
Originally announced by GENCO at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2017, the Patlabor EZY project debuted its pilot video in August 2022 before screening it alongside the franchise’s 35th-anniversary revival of Patlabor: The Movie in September 2024.
The overarching Patlabor franchise—famous for its concept of police officers operating patrol mecha—was conceived by the HEADGEAR group, which includes Mamoru Oshii, Kazunori Itō, Yutaka Izubuchi, Akemi Takada, and Masami Yuuki. Over the years, the property has expanded to include multiple OVAs, a television series, theatrical films, a 2016 short titled Mobile Police Patlabor Reboot, and the 2014 live-action project The Next Generation -Patlabor-. Several classic entries have also been licensed for home release by Maiden Japan.