Upcoming Product Releases

News

6 January 2012 - The End of Beez Entertainment
Earlier this week, Bandai Entertainment, the US releasing arm of Japanese company Namco Bandai, announced it was pulling out of the home video distribution market. According to an interview with Bandai Entertainment CEO Ken Iyadomi, this was due to a fit of company rationalisation by it's parent in Japan. Now today comes the news that it's French based European home video distribution arm, Beez Entertainment, has suffered the same fate. Beez released the first two Patlabor movies in the UK. Buoyed by the success of the international release of "Gundam UC (Unicorn)" and obviously not impressed with the dwindling profits from the US and European markets, it would seem that Bandai Visual wish to release and market anime to English fandom in the "Gundam UC" way (i.e. Japanese prices through limited distribution channels). While I doubt many titles except a very limited high tier anime will be released this way, this new way of releasing anime to an English audience doesn't make me especially happy.


27 November 2011 - More New Cospa Items + US Honneamise/Image Entertainment Movies Finally Out of Print
Some more Patlabor merchandise from Cospa; a second nylon jacket with their logo for the SV2 on the back and front. The jacket sells for ¥4,935 and comes in median, large and extra large sizes. There's also a new version of their Griffin T-Shirt. This one is black in colour and comes in small, medium, large and extra large. It sells for ¥3,045. There's also two "carabineers" (key rings really), a Shinohara Heavy Industries one and a Special Vehicles Unit 2 version. Both sell for ¥1,050. All four products will be released in February 2012 and will be available for one month only. It should come as no surprise, but it seems that the first two Patlabor movies released by the now defunct US division of Bandai Visual, Honneamise and distributed by Image Entertainment, seem to be finally out of print and out of stock just about everywhere. Currently only Madman Entertainment in Australia and Panorama in Hong Kong are selling English language versions of the first two films on DVD. Panorama in Hong Kong and Bandai Visual in Japan continue to sell sell English language Blu-rays of the films. Surprisingly you can also buy Geneon USA's releases of the third movie from a couple of US online anime shops. The US versions of TV series and OVAs (especially "Early Days") are becoming increasingly hard to find.


19 November 2011 - New Cospa Shinohara Jacket + Tentative Release Date for OVA and TV DVD Set by Madman
It's been over a year, but Cospa has released a new Patlabor item; a nylon jacket with their logo for Shinohara Heavy Industries on the back and front. The jacket sells for ¥4,935 and comes in medium, large and extra large sizes. Late last month, Madman Entertainment's Assistant Brand Manager, Sylvester Ip, stated on the company's message boards that he expects that their Patlabor TV and OVA box set should see release around March or April 2012. Though this is certainly not set in stone.


17 September 2011 - Kotobukiya D-Style Releases + Pit-Road Re-Releases the Command Car as a Completed Model
Finally there's been a few more Patlabor releases this year. However they're both re-releases. First up is Pit-Road's 1/24 Type 98 Command Car. It is completely identical to the model kit version released in December 2010, however it is completely assembled and painted and comes with a Captain Gotoh figure which is exclusive to this release. The price of the model is ¥9,800 and should be available in late December 2011. Kotobukiya is also re-releasing it's D-Style Ingram and Griffon kits in a special limited edition set. Both kits have the same features as previously released versions, but can only be pre-ordered at the 51st All Japan Model Hobby Show which is being held on 15 and 16 October 2011 in Chiba, or on the Kotobukiya website. Though most hobby shops seem to have the set up for pre-order already. The Ingram kit comes moulded in a pearl white colour and come with special bases to depict them in battle. The limited edition set also comes with a bonus A5 size clear file with box art images The set costs ¥3,465 and will be released in January 2012.


29 August 2011 - Madman Entertainment to Release Patlabor Early Days, TV Series and New OVA Series
There has been a number of really surprising interesting anime releases in Australia over the last couple of years, but I think this takes the cake. At the Madman Entertainment "Extreme Panel" on Sunday morning at Melbourne anime convention Manifest, the company announced that it had acquired the original Patlabor OVA (aka Early Days), the TV series and the New OVA Series. The report over at Anime News Network says that all 70 episodes will be released in one set. I note that on Madman's blog post about the announcements, the picture they included Patlabor is actually a shot of a bootleg DVD set. The original image for the cover of bootleg is actually from a promotional poster for the 2000 Playstation game. Oh well... Besides "Ranma ½" and perhaps "Robotech", I think this is the oldest anime TV series the company has licensed. As the show was pretty much a complete bomb in the US (only a quarter of the New Series OVAs were dubbed), I can't quite figure out why Madman picked this show for the R4 market. Still this set comes at the perfect time for those who can play PAL R4 DVDs and didn't buy the US discs. The show is slowly disappearing from online stores (after being out of print for close to five years), and the the original OVA series still fetches over US$200 for second hand copies. It's cheaper to buy the Japanese Blu-Ray than the US DVD. No word from Madman on a release date and price point yet.


15 August 2011 - Release Date and Price for Kotobukiya's D-Style Reactive Armour Ingram AV-98
A bit more info has come in about this kit. While it's rather confusing as to if this is actually a full model kit or parts to convert the previously released D-Style Ingram kits, the price of ¥1,785 seems to indicate it's a full model kit. It has parts and decals to make either Unit 1 or 2 from "Patlabor 2 the movie". It will be released in December 2011 and is now up for pre-order just about everywhere.


25 July 2011 - Kotobukiya to Release D-Style Reactive Armour Ingram AV-98
It's been dead slow for Patlabor news this year, apart from a couple of re-releases and the manga being released in a digital format at the Japanese Playstation store. But there is at least one new product this year. Kotobukiya is releasing yet another Patlabor kit in their super deformed D-Style range. It will be the Reactive Armour Ingram as seen in the climatic battle in "Patlabor 2 the movie". The kit will have parts to create either Unit 1 or 2. Price and date are unknown at this stage. Prototype images of the kit can be found here.


17 April 2011 - Bandai Visual/Emotion to Release "G-Selection - Mobile Suit SD Gundam Collection Box"
As you can see, not a lot of Patlabor news so far this year (looks like a real lean one for any new merchandise), however some related news; Bandai Visual/Emotion is reissuing most of the Gundam catalogue in lower priced DVD box sets. This includes the very limited SD Gundam movie/OVA compilation box from 2007 which has been out of print for quite a while. The 1989 movie "Mobile Suit SD Gundam's Counterattack", contains a few short shots of SD Ingrams and the film was played in cinemas with "Patlabor the movie". The boxed set costs ¥12,600 and will be out 22 July 2011. The catalogue number is BCBA-4105. There has also been a few Cospa and model kit reissues, but I've been a bit busy of late and haven't had much time to update the site. I'll try to compile them before Good Friday.


26 January 2011 - "Shocking Upset: Metropolitan Police Special Vehicles Section 2" Novel by Mamoru Oshii
Finally some more info has come in about the new Patlabor novel written by Mamoru Oshii called "Shocking Upset: Metropolitan Police Special Vehicles Section 2 (Bankuruwase: Keishi-cho Keibi-bu Tokushu Sharyo Ni-ka)". The release date will be 31 January, it will be 272 pages long and published by Kadokawa Haruki Corporation (ISBN 4-7584-1170-0). The plot has the SV2 protecting players in a soccer match with Wangan FC and Japan against a terrorist plot. Captain Gotoh asks Noa to act as a player on the team to foil the terrorists. Yes, a strange plot and such strange timing for this novel to come out now. 


9 January 2011 - New Patlabor Novel by Mamoru Oshii
Some strange news has popped up on Japanese blogs. The Kadokawa Haruki Corporation is listing a new novel by Mamoru Oshii titled  "Bankuruwase Keishichou Keibibu Tokushu Sharyou ni Ka" which by my extremely bad translation skills reads something like "Surprise - Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Guard Division Special Vehicle Section 2". Though the novel is listed as being released on 31 January 2011, there is neither a price nor number of pages listed. It isn't up for pre-order anywhere either. According to one blog, the novel's story revolves around the SV2 attempting to stop terrorists from attacking a soccer team. As I have very little information all on this book, you may want to take that description with a huge grain of salt. 


25 December 2010 - Masami Yuuki 30th Anniversary Merchandise + Full Track Listing for "Patlabor TV + New OVA 20th Anniversary Patlabor The Music Set - 3"
Unfortunately I haven't been able to update the site for a little while due to work, so there is a couple of outstanding updates and news items to report. Masami Yuuki is celebrating his 30th year as a manga artist and the merchandise is flowing freely. On the Patlabor side we have iPhone cases (¥3,675), iPad cases (¥5,250), block memos (Post-it notes, ¥819), and hand towels (¥630). All of these can be bought from the site Parco City (see links), who of course don't ship outside Japan, so you'll have to use a Japanese proxy service to buy and ship the item to you if live outside Japan. In addition to these items, upcoming merch includes clear files (¥420), t-shirts (¥3,990), long sleeve t-shirts (¥3,990), parkers (¥6,090) lunch containers (¥1,575), tote bags (¥1,890) and phone straps (¥800).

Also the "Patlabor TV + New OVA 20th Anniversary Patlabor The Music Set - 3" has been released and it contains over 140 tracks, many previously unavailable or on CD singles or compilations that have been out of print for more than 15 years. Please see at the bottom of this page for complete track listings and details on the release.


27 November 2010 - Luxent/Colby to Realease SD Patlabor Keyrings in December
A company called Luxent will be releasing five new "Super Deformed" Patlabor key rings on 22 December 2010 through their Colby website. The images on the key rings are originally from the eyecatches of the first half of the TV series and were subsequently used on a range of merchandise, most notably for a set of gashapon figures in 1990. The images on the five key rings are the Ingram Unit 1 and 2, the Phantom, the Griffin and the Helldiver. The come in either a grey or orange colour and cost a rather expensive ¥2,520 each. These keyrings seems to be limited only to the Colby/Luxent website and currently can't be found for sale anywhere else. So the only way to but these if you don't live in Japan is via a Japanese proxy service who can buy them for you.


16 November 2010 - Revised Track Listing for "Patlabor TV + New OVA 20th Anniversary Patlabor The Music Set - 2" and Product Releases List
VAP have released a revised track listing for their "Patlabor TV + New OVA 20th Anniversary Patlabor The Music Set - 2". The first disc "Patlabor Phase IV" will now contain 17 bonus tracks, which will include a karaoke track of "You Are The One" ("100 Carat no Mirai" karaoke version has been dropped), eight unreleased background music tracks from the New OVA, seven tracks dedicated to a new Kenji Kawai interview and an "omake" (bonus) track called "Shichouritsu 90% no Hirameki". Disc two, "Patlabor Theme Collection Volume 2 Kenji Kawai Special" contains 11 bonus tracks including "Love Like Ours (Voice Version)" by Rika Nishimura, unreleased studio versions of "Yuuki o Tsubasa ni Shite" by Hiroko Kasahara and "Namida o Sagashite" by Miina Tominaga recorded in 1992 for the Patlabor concerts and eight tracks dedicated to a new Kenji Kawai interview. Disc three, "Patlabor Phase V", will now contain 24 bonus tracks including a karaoke version of "Idling For You" (the karaoke version of "Long Silence" has been dropped from the set), two previously unissued tracks from the New OVA Series; "New OVA Episode 4 M - 6" and "Invader [Iseijin no Raishuu] - Stereo Version -", seven previously unissued tracks from the TV series; "Patlabor Phase III (Short Version)", "Data Disc (Best Mix)", "Griffin Toujou! (Best Mix)", "Asuma no Fuan (Best Mix)", "EX", "Yuuji San Uta Reru" and "Sora Tobu Griffin", twelve tracks dedicated to a new Kenji Kawai interview, and a "omake" (bonus) track called "Setsu no Rondo no Kane". I've also noticed that VAP has published a revised list of tracks of the first box set (mainly to do with the Kenji Kawai interviews), so I'll fix up the album listings on this site on the weekend.

You may have noticed I have included a "Upcoming Product Releases" list up the top of the news section. There's been a lot of Patlabor released news this year, so though it might be good idea to separate out forthcoming release dates from the seas of general news. Hopefully I'll also get around to archiving the 2009 news as well this weekend...


28 October 2010 - Album Listing for "Patlabor TV + New OVA 20th Anniversary Patlabor The Music Set - 3"
The album titles for the third music collection box set from VAP have been released via their online store. The albums will be "Noa Izumi Photographs Live - Image Album", "Patlabor 2 the Movie - Pre-Soundtrack", "Patlabor 2 the Movie Original Soundtrack Album - P2" and "Original Soundtrack 2002 - Patlabor 2 the Movie "Sound Renewal"". Amusingly the albums in the box set relate to the second movie, not to the TV series or New OVA series at the series title indicates. The first movie's soundtrack was released by Warner Japan, so no tracks from that film appear in this box set. There is currently information as to the bonus tracks that will appear in the set. Hopefully they'll be substantial, as there aren't many tracks on first two albums. In fact they run at about 25 minutes each. As per the other two box sets, this box will also contain two booklets, a new audio interview with Kenji Kawai and new artwork by Akemi Takada.


21 October 2010 - Panorama Releases Patlabor movies on Blu-ray + "Patlabor TV + New OVA 20th Anniversary Patlabor The Music Set - 3" Up for Pre-order
Hong Kong movie distributor Panorama released a Blu-ray version of "Patlabor the movie" (PANBD521175) on 15 October and will release "Patlabor 2 the movie" (PANBD521176) on 22 October 2010. I've known about the releases for while, but confusion reigned as to the language options of both discs. It seems now that like the Panorama's DVD releases of the films, both discs contain Japanese dialogue and a Cantonese dub, as well as English and Chinese subs. The discs will cost HK$210.00 per disc, which is about $US25 for each film. Both discs are coded for region A.

Also the "Patlabor TV + New OVA 20th Anniversary Patlabor The Music Set - 3" is up for pre-order at most Japanese online shops. A tracklisting has not been solicited yet. The box set will contain four Blu-spec CD format discs and will be released on 22 December 2010. The set will cost ¥6,800.


12 October 2010 - Kotobukiya Solicits D-Style Ingram AV-98 Unit 2
In a bit of a surprise move, Kotobukiya has suddenly solicited pre-orders for a new D-Style kit; an Ingram AV-98 Unit 2. The kit features a revolver canon, riot gun, stun stick, pre-painted patrol lights, camera eye and shield as well as being moulded in black white and grey to reduce the need for painting. The kit also incudes a mini Type 98 Command Car. Images of the kit can be seen here on Kotobukiya's website. The kit will retail for ¥1,800 and comes out February 2011.


9 October 2010 - Cospa Iron On and Velcro Patlabor Patches
Cospa continues to merchandise the hell out of Patlabor with a set of iron on and Velcro patches to be released in November. First we have the SVII iron on and Velcro patches, Shinohara Heavy Industries iron on and Velcro patches and finally Schaft Security Systems iron on and Velcro patches. The iron on patches cost ¥1,260 each, the Velcro ones cost ¥1,680 each.


7 October 2010 - Track Listing for "Patlabor TV + New OVA 20th Anniversary Patlabor The Music Set - 2"
The tracks for the second music collection box set from VAP have been released. The first disc is "Patlabor Phase IV" (previously released in November 1991) with additional karaoke tracks of "You Are The One" and "100 Carat no Mirai", as well as a Kenji Kawai interview. Disc two will be "Patlabor Theme Collection Volume 2 - Kenji Kawai Special" (originally released March 1992) and the bonus tracks will be "Love Like Ours (Voice Version)" performed by Rika Nishimura and a Kenji Kawai interview. Disc three is "Patlabor Phase V" (first released June 1992) and contains bonus karaoke tracks for "Idling For You" and "Long Silence" as well as a third Kenji Kawai interview. The final disc "Patlabor Concert Tour '92 Project Tokyo" (originally released July 1992). It contains no bonus tracks. As per the first box set, this box will also contain two booklets.


24 September 2010 - Pre-orders up for Pair Dot's 1/24 Scale Command Car
Pair Dot's 1/24 Scale Command Car plastic model kit will be released in December 2010. Their website contains a new set of photos of the prototype. The kit will retail for ¥4,800 and includes precise internal moulding including roll bar, opening doors and front hatch and figures of Asuma, Kanuka, Shinshi and Hiromi. The kit is based on the final battle on the Ark in "Patlabor the movie".


16 September 2010 - Pre-orders up for "Patlabor TV + New OVA 20th Anniversary Patlabor The Music Set - 2" + More Info and Pictures of Pair Dot's 1/24 Scale Command Car
VAP have solicited the second Patlabor music box set, "Patlabor TV + New OVA 20th Anniversary Patlabor The Music Set - 2" (VPCG-84905) which will be released 26 November 2010. It will cost ¥6,800 and is on the Blu-spec CD format. The tracklisting for the four disc box set has yet to be released. You should be able to order the box set from online record shops now.

Pair Dot have issued a new set of photos of their long awaited 1/24 Scale Command Car plastic model kit. This time they're of a fully painted prototype. The only other new information is that the kit will retail for ¥4,800. Yet again, no release date has been set. 


11 September 2010 - Pre-orders up for Kotobukiya's D-Style AV-X0 Type-Zero
Kotobukiya has solicited a third D-Style Patlabor model kit, the AV-X0 Type-Zero. The kit will have optional parts for open head display, an extendable arm, stun stick and shield accessories, as well has being moulded in black white and grey to reduce the need for painting. The kit will cost ¥1,890 and is due for release in January 2011.


5 September 2010 - "Anime Euro Best ~Robot Edition~" Compilation Album + Site Updates
Sony Music Entertainment will be releasing the compilation album "Anime Euro Best ~Robot Edition~" (MUCD-1234) on 15 September 2010. It's a 16 track compilation of Euro Beat cover versions of anime theme songs, produced by Akiba Kobo, and includes a cover of "Condition Green ~Kinkyou Hasshin~", the second opening theme of the Patlabor TV series, by an artist called Usa. The compilation includes covers of theme songs from "Macross Frontier", "Gundam Seed", "Mazinger Z" and "Evangelion" and will retail for ¥2,400.

As a result of so many compilation albums with covers of Patlabor songs and compilations being released with the originals (seven releases so far this year), I have split up the music releases so that Non Patlabor Compilations and Covers have their own section. I have also updated the Doujinshi (Fan Made Comics) section a bit.


28 August 2010 - Patlabor Lanyard/Neck Straps from Cospa
Cranking out yet more Patlabor merchandise, Cospa will be releasing in October 2010 a Shinohara Heavy Industries HOS Lanyard/Neck Strap and a Schaft Security Systems Lanyard/Neck Strap. Both retail for ¥1,260 each.


26 August 2010 - Two More Patlabor Music Compilation Box Sets Announced
VAP will be releasing two more "Patlabor TV + New OVA 20th Anniversary Patlabor The Music" sets. Set two will be released on 26 November 2010 and set three on 22 December 2010. No album or track listings have been released yet. However it is expected the sets will contain four Blu-spec CD format discs. The cost of each set will be ¥6,800.

VAP have also launched a website for the box sets, and have provided details on the bonus tracks on the first box set. Disc one ("Patlabor on Television" Original Soundtrack) will bonus contain karaoke versions of "Sono Mama no Kimideite" and "Midnight Blue". Disc two's ("Patlabor Phase II: Asura from Schaft") bonus track will be an audio interview with Kenji Kawai. Disc three ("Patlabor Phase III") will contain bonus karaoke versions of "Condition Green ~Kinkyou Hasshin~" and "Paradise no Kakuritsu" as well as a second audio interview with Kenji Kawai. The final disc ("Patlabor Theme Collection Special") will contain bonus karaoke versions "Mamoritaino" and "My Pace ~My Way My Pace~", as well as "Kuroi Hakaisha -Griffin- (Remix Version)" and "Schaft! (Remix Version)" taken from the "Patlabor Theme Collection Volume 1" mini album.


25 August 2010 - Satoshi Kon Dead at Age 46
It has been confirmed that director Satoshi Kon has died. A statement was released on the Madhouse website stating Kon had died of pancreatic cancer in the early hours of Tuesday 24 August. He was a very well known and respected anime director amongst anime fans for his feature films "Prefect Blue", "Millennium Actress", "Tokyo Godfathers" and "Paprika", as well as the TV series "Paranoia Agent". His link to Patlabor is that he provided many of the animation layouts on the film "Patlabor 2 the movie". Apart from from his directorial work, he also provided the story for Katsuhiro Otomo's live action 1991 film "World Apartment Horror" and the screenplay for "Magnetic Rose", which was part of Otomo's omnibus anime film "Memories". He also wrote and drew the manga version of "World Apartment Horror" and his original manga "Kaikisen". His latest film, "The Dreaming Machine", was due for release this year. Satoshi Kon was one of my favourite anime directors and I always looked forward to seeing his films. I will miss his presence in anime greatly.


20 August 2010 - New Patlabor Music Compilation Box Set from VAP
VAP will be realesing a new four disc compilation called "Patlabor TV + New OVA 20th Anniversary Patlabor The Music Set - 1" (VPCG-84905) on 27 October 2010. It will cost ¥6,800 and is on the Blu-spec CD format. This is a compact disc format created by Sony a couple of years back which has more "pits" on the discs causing less distortion in the optical read-out process. However you won't need a Blu-ray player to play the discs. They can be played on normal CD and DVD players. The box set includes the previously released albums "Patlabor On Television", "Patlabor Phase II Asura from Schaft", "Patlabor Phase III" and the two volume "Theme Collection Special" mini albums compiled onto one disc. All four discs contain two bonus tracks each and are digitally remastered. Also included in the set is a new audio interview with Kenji Kawai, two booklets which include reproductions of the original album artwork and a new essay on Patlabor's music. The box set will feature brand new artwork by Akemi Takada, and the first pressing will come in a limited edition illustrated Blu-ray container.


12 August 2010 - "Umauma Dekiru Trance wo Tsukuttemita Complete Best 2" Compilation Album Released
On 21 July 2010, Pony Canyon released the "Umauma Dekiru Trance wo Tsukuttemita Complete Best 2" compilation album. The CD compiles 30 tracks from the first eight volumes of the "Exit Trance" series. This compilation includes a cover of the first opening theme for the Patlabor TV series, "Sono Mama no Kimideite", performed by Starving Trancer featuring Maki. The compilation comes in two variants; a limited edition which comes with a figure of the character for the album series, Shiotan (QWCE-00173, ¥3,300), and a standard edition (QWCE-00174, ¥2,000).


27 July 2010 - Bandai Visual's Digital Beat Patlabor Website and Twitter + D-Style SD AV-0 + Website Updates
Bandai Visual's Digital Beat website has put up a Patlabor website called Patweb. There isn't much up there at the moment except a link to another page featuring Blu-ray and DVD releases of the series and movies. It seems it's more of a promotional tool for the forthcoming Blu-ray releases. The site also links to Bandai Visual's Patlabor twitter account (note the name of the account. Nothing to do with me...). The pictures in the account show a fair wack of exclusive material such as shots of artwork and booklets from the forthcoming Blu-ray releases, as well as a lot of shots of Akemi Takada, who is creating new artwork for the covers of the Blu-ray releases.

Kotobukiya will be releasing a third D-Style super deformed plastic model kit sometime this year. This time it's the AV-0. No word on price or release date yet. And finally, I hope to update this website soon a few small extra bits and pieces. Some sections are little out of date and need fixing. Expect this to happen sometime in mid August.


23 July 2010 - "Patlabor Music Collection" Compilation to be released in December
Coming somewhat out of leftfield, Emotion (Bandai Visual) will be releasing a DVD called "Patlabor Music Collection" (BCBA-3980) under their "Emotion the Best" label on 22 December 2010. There's a lot of interesting stuff on the disc. It contains both the "Patlabor Music Clips" compilation and "Patlabor Concert Tour '92" video which have been released on many formats over the years as well as two expensive DVD box sets. The disc also contains some great bonus material; the TV commercials for the video releases of the Patlabor TV series, the video from the 1988 "Contact 1" CD Video disc, Telephone Service audio clips, "The Day After" audio drama, and the "Koyasai Sanbonjime" (a sanbonjime is a Japanese clapping ritual done to honour the close of an event) video. Designated as episode 48, this was a bonus collection of staff and cast interviews that was done after the final recording session for the series and was never aired on TV, and originally appeared on the P-16 "Patlabor on Television" laserdisc and VHS tape. The disc will sell for a very cheap ¥1,995. While it's great that a lot of this material hasn't appeared on DVD before, I'm somewhat puzzled as to why Bandai Visual isn't including any of this material on their forthcoming Patlabor Blu-ray releases.


17 July 2010 - "Utaitakunaru Anison + Karaoke Best!" Compilation Album
On 18 August 2010, Pony Canyon will be releasing "Utaitakunaru Anison + Karaoke Best!" (PCCA-50163), a two CD compilation of anime theme songs. The first disc contains vocal versions of 20 anime songs, while the second disc contains karaoke versions of the same songs. The compilation contains the track "Sono Mama no Kimideite" by Yuuko Nitoh, the first opening theme for the Patlabor TV series. The two disc set also contains songs from such anime as "Urusei Yatsura", "Touch", "Maison Ikkoku" and "Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star)". The compilation costs ¥2,700.


11 July 2010 - Schaft Security Systems Tie Pin from Cospa coming in September
Cospa will be releasing a third Patlabor tie pin in September 2010, a Schaft Security Systems pin. It will cost ¥1,260 and measures only 38mm by 18mm.


12 June 2010 - New Cospa T-Shirts
Yet again, Cospa will be releasing more Patlabor merchandise. This time another two T-Shirts. The first one is a redone Schaft Security Systems (without the crappy Engrish that the November 2009 release shirt had) T-Shirt that comes in burgundy and black colours and an HOS T-Shirt (from the first movie) which comes in black. As per usual the shirts come in small, medium, large and extra large and cost ¥3,045 each. These shirts can be found at large online Japanese hobby shops, or can be bought at Amazon.co.jp via a deputy agent (Amazon won't ship them outside Japan unfortunately).


9 June 2010 - Pre-orders up for Kotobukiya's D-Style SD Griffin
Kotobukiya will be releasing D-Style Type J-9 Griffin plastic model kit in October 2010. The kit will cost ¥1,890 and will be 105mm tall when complete. As previously stated, the kit will contain parts to make either the flight unit or the aqua unit version. The kit comes with ball joints for maximum poseablity, an additional set of hands to grip guns (though there is no mention of weaponry accessories being included) and a stand so you can create a flight simulation. Kotobukiya's product page for the kit is here. The kit should be available to pre-order at all good hobby shops now.


30 May 2010 - Kotobukiya D-Style SD Griffin Coming, "My Kore! Lite Nito Yuko" Compilation Album
Hobby Japan's July issue states that Kotobukiya will be releasing another SD Patlabor kit in their D-Style line; the Type J-9 Griffin. The kit will contain parts to build both the flight unit and the aqua unit versions. It will go on sale around (the northern hemisphere's) spring 2010. A compilation album called "My Kore! Lite Nito Yuko" (PCCS-00142) was released by Pony Canyon on 19 May 2010. The compilation contains the track "Sono Mama no Kimideite" by Yuuko Nitoh, the first opening theme for the Patlabor TV series. The compilation costs ¥1,500.


15 May 2010 - SV2, Division 2 Tie Pin from Cospa coming in July
A second Patlabor tie pin  from Cospa. This time it's a Division 2 pin and it will be released in July 2010. It will cost ¥1,260 and measures only 33mm by 14mm. 


14 May 2010 - More Info and Pictures of Pair Dot's 1/24 Scale Command Car
Again as previously mentioned in March, I have a bit more info on niche model kit Pair Dot's (though I was sure it was on Pit-Road's website previously) 1/24 scale plastic model Type 98 Command Car. Still no price or confirmation of release date yet, but it will include figures of Asuma, Kanuka, Shinshi and Hiromi as they appeared in the final battle on the Ark in "Patlabor the movie". And here are some photos of the prototype on Pair Dot's website. 


27 March 2010 - News Roundup; Models, Related Books and Music, Expensive Out of Print DVDs
Apart from the forthcoming Japanese BD releases, there has been quite a lot of Patlabor news in the last month, which I have previously forgotten to mention. As previously mentioned in October, niche model kit Pit-Road announced a 1/24 scale Type 98 Command Car. A bit info has come in. It's due for release in the northern hemisphere's spring (which I think is unlikely as it is not listed on any hobby shop site yet) and will include figures of Asuma, Kanuka, Shinshi and Hiromi. No price or confirmation of release date yet.

A new book has been recently released in Japan called "How Does That Super Robot Move?" (ISBN 4-526-06406-8) which the title is self explanatory. Of course there is a chapter on the AV-98 Ingram. The book is published by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Co and costs ¥2,310. "Shin Hyakka Seriran Josei Seiyuu Hen" is a 10 track compilation of anime medleys. As I understand 100 female voice actors sing in unison on each track. Um yes, sounds wonderful... On the eight minute track "Hyaku Utagoe Ran (Sakuma Kurenai Bi)" one of the songs in the medley is none other than "Condition Green ~Kinkyou Hasshin~", the second opening theme to the Patlabor TV series. The compilation album comes in two editions; a limited edition CD and DVD set (ESCL-3393, ¥3,300) and a single CD release (ESCL-3395, ¥3,059). Both are released by a company named ERJ and are due for release on 14 April 2010.

While browsing the anime message boards on Mania (formally the message boards of animeondvd.com), I was quite surprised to discover that CPM's (US Manga Corps) 2003 DVD release of the original OVA series now fetches US$245 to a little under US$300 for rather scrappy second hand copies. The box set has been out of print for about three years now, but still it doesn't make a whole heap of sense. Didn't this show sell like lead bricks? Then again the last two volumes of ADV's extremely poor selling "Aura Battler Dunbine" and all of the their sub only "City Hunter" TV sets (also very poor sellers when originally released) go for insane prices, sometimes many hundreds of dollars above their original retail price. It boggles the mind really. I note that the Right Stuf have listed the "Patlabor Movie 3: WXIII Special Edition" box set as finally out of stock. This was one of the last shops to have it in stock. If you want "Minipato" in English, I wouldn't hold off any longer, as this box set is the only place to find it (as Madman Entertainment have also deleted their box set). Find a copy now. Otherwise it might be as expensive as the original OVA series box set in a year or two.


26 March 2010 - Japanese OVA and TV Blu-ray Releases
It was pretty much a given, but I really didn't expect these this soon. Both OVA series and the TV series are getting the Blu-ray treatment courtesy of Honneamise/Bandai Visual in Japan. As to be expected, there are no English subtitles or an English dub. There also seems to be no extras at all on these discs which is highly disappointing, however we'll see if details about extras are announced closer to the release dates. The details; Patlabor Early Days (Original OVA, BCXA-0259), release date: 23 July 2010, price: ¥12,600. Patlabor on Television BD-Box 1 (BCXA-0261), release Date: 27 August 2010, price: ¥33,600. Patlabor on Television BD-Box 2 (BCXA-0262), release Date: 24 September 2010, price: ¥33,600. Patlabor New OVA BD-Box (BCXA-0260), release Date: 24 September 2010, price: ¥27,300. All Blu-ray sets come with a 16 page colour booklet called "Now and Then". More details will be posted when I find them! I have a bunch of other news to post, but I haven't had the time to write it up. I should be able to do that over the weekend.


7 March 2010 - Shinohara Heavy Industries Tie Clip from Cospa
The merchandise from Cospa keeps rolling in. This time they are going to release a very nice looking Shinohara Heavy Industries tie clip in May 2010. It will cost ¥1,260 and measures only 38mm by 11mm.


22 February 2010 - Yamato 1/24 Scale Unit 2 Movie Figure Out Early + UK Collectors Edition Movie Set Deleted
Just to quickly let you know, Yamato's 1/24 scale Ingram AV-98 Unit 2 from the first movie, was released early with very little warning on 20 February. It was originally scheduled for March. Also Beez (Bandai Europe) has deleted the two pack set of the first two Patlabor movies in the UK. This was the set which contained the two hefty special editions with the two booklets and additional disc. Seemingly the single movie box sets (as well as the single movie discs) are still available. Odd seeing as the box sets where originally produced as ultra limited editions of 1,000 each, and released over three years ago.


31 January 2010 - New Shinohara Heavy Industries Hoddie by Cospa
The Patlabor merchandise just seems to keep on coming. Cospa will be releasing a new Shinohara Heavy Industries hoodie in March 2010. The hoodie is navy in colour and comes in Japanese sizes of small, medium, large and extra large and will cost ¥5,985. These Cospa items can be rather difficult to come by, the larger "English friendly" online Japanese hobby stores usually stock them.


26 January 2010 - More Kotobukiya D-Style SD Ingram Release Info + Voice Actor Daisuke Gouri Dies
Kotobukiya's SD model kit version of the AV-98 Ingram to be released in May 2010 is now available for pre-order in most model shop. It will cost a measly ¥1,575 and comes with a revolver cannon and stun stick accessories. As previously mentioned this model will stand at a height of 105mm. Pictures and info on the kit (in Japanese) can be found on Kotobukiya's website here and here.

Sadly Japanese voice actor Daisuke Gouri who played Hiromi Yamazaki in all versions of "Patlabor", passed away in what seems to be an apparent suicide on 17 January 2010. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper he had slit his wrists and was found by a passer by on a street in Nakano ward in Tokyo. A last will and knife were found on him. He was 57. He will be best known to the Japanese public for playing Mr. Satan in "Dragonball" and Robin Mask in "Kinnikuman". Other famous roles included Dozle Zabi in "Gundam" and Bask Om in "Zeta Gundam" and "Gundam 0083". He was also the Japanese dubbed voice of Yosemite Sam in "Looney Tunes". Not only will I remember him for Hiromi Yamazaki, but also Mari in "Project A-ko" and Loki the hulking mass of a pirate in the "Crusher Joe" movie.