Patlabor Collection
The story takes place in what was, at the time of release, the near future of 1998-2002. Robots called "Labors" are employed in heavy construction work. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police has its own fleet of Patlabor robotic police officers to combat crimes and deal with accidents involving Labors. The story arcs usually revolve around Tokyo Metropolitan Police Special Vehicle Section 2, Division 2. Noa Izumi is the main protagonist of the series, but all of Division 2 play roles. The feature films follow separate continuities, referred to as the "movie timeline" and the "TV timeline." The different OVA series follow either the movie or TV timelines.
Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis
The Patlabor Collection has evolved significantly over a span of 13 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 3 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.
The "Series" Benchmark: 7.0/10
The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 7.0. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," Patlabor Collection has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with Patlabor 2: The Movie standing out as the peak cinematic achievement.
Continuity vs. Commercial Appeal
Our data indicates that while the "Release Order" is preferred for first-time viewers, the "Chronological Order" provides a much deeper understanding of the world-building within the Patlabor Collection. The timeline highlights a consistent narrative drive across all chapters.
Timeline & Watch Order
We recommend watching the Patlabor Collection franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.
Patlabor: The Movie
A mysterious suicide and a series of unmanned robot run-aways sparks off a Police investigation into the suspicious software on-board thousands of industrial ro...
Patlabor 2: The Movie
A Japanese police unit who use giant anthropomorphic robots (called Labors) is caught up in a political struggle between the civilian authorities and the milita...
Patlabor WXIII The Movie
Set in the year 2000, when the level of Labor accidents begin to escalate around Tokyo Bay, police detectives Kusumi and Hata are assigned to investigate. What ...
Common Questions about Patlabor Collection
How many movies are in the Patlabor Collection?
There are currently 3 movies in the Patlabor Collection, starting from Patlabor: The Movie to the latest release, Patlabor WXIII The Movie.
What is the best order to watch the Patlabor Collection?
The best way to watch the Patlabor Collection is usually in release order: starting with Patlabor: The Movie and ending with Patlabor WXIII The Movie. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.
Which is the highest-rated movie in the Patlabor Collection?
According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for Patlabor 2: The Movie in this franchise.