What is the best order to watch Patlabor?

For first-timers, we recommend Release Order as it's the intended experience. For rewatches, Timeline/Chronological Order offers a fresh perspective by following the in-universe chronology.

How many titles are in Patlabor?

Patlabor currently includes content across multiple formats. Use the section filters to view specific content types and the order variants to choose your preferred viewing order.

Should I watch Patlabor in release order or chronological order?

Release order is best for first-time viewers as it preserves the creators' intended narrative reveals. Chronological order is great for rewatches and understanding the timeline better.

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Patlabor

edited 2026-05-21

A complete watch and reading order for Mobile Police Patlabor — the mecha franchise created by the Headgear collective, spanning two separate animated continuities, a live-action series and film, the original manga, and the 2026 sequel anime Patlabor EZY. Sections are organized by continuity: the OVA/film timeline, the TV timeline, live-action, and the original manga.

sections6items12completed0 / 12 · 0%first1988latest2026

Tags · [ova-continuity][tv-continuity][live-action][manga-continuity][stand-alone]

page order

ova continuity5 items · 5 unwatched

01ANIME

1988The founding seven-episode OVA series produced by Studio Deen and released on VHS and LaserDisc from April 25, 1988 to June 25, 1989. Set in…

02FILM

1989The first theatrical film in the Patlabor franchise, directed by Mamoru Oshii and released July 15, 1989. Set in 1999 Tokyo amid the city's…

1h 40m

03FILM

2002The third Patlabor theatrical film, released March 30, 2002 and directed by Fumihiko Takayama from a screenplay by Ikki Kajiwara. Set in the…

1h 47m

04SHORT

2002A compilation of three short comedic films produced by Production I.G and directed by Kenji Kamiyama, screened before WXIII: Patlabor the Mo…

~38m

05FILM

1993The second theatrical Patlabor film, directed by Mamoru Oshii and released August 7, 1993. Set in 2002, several years after the events of th…

1h 56m

tv continuity2 items · 2 unwatched

live-action: the next generation2 items · 2 unwatched

patlabor ezy (2026)1 items · 1 unwatched

stand-alone works1 items · 1 unwatched

manga1 items · 1 unwatched