The infamous Patlabor series has been receiving great support in various entertainment fields such as manga, anime, and novels ever since 1988. In 2014, it will show itself to the fans in a brand-new wrapping, that is, an already announced live-action work that is stirring sensation, The Next Generation: Patlabor.

The story is gathering attention, as not only has it been 25 years since the birth of the original work, a long time has passed in the world of the series as well. The series will be screened in order starting with The Next Generation: Patlabor - Episode 1 on April 5 at Shinjuku Piccadilly and other theaters Japan-wide. Theater screenings will continue through Episode 7, and during Golden Week of 2015, the live-action movie will be released to theaters Japan-wide.

Mamoru Oshii is assuming the role of director for the live-action movie and the role of general supervisor for the series. Oshii, who is not only deeply involved with the Patlabor series, but is world-renown for many anime films and live-action movies, has set out on the project. Another highlight of this new work is that it is completely original. The fans must be very curious how the characters will be played and how the Labors and other mecha will be depicted.

On Jan. 20, a number of scenes were revealed from the story. Toshio Kakei plays Captain Gotōda and Shigeru Chiba, who is known as an anime seiyū, appears as Shiba Shigeo, a character familiar from the anime who was also voiced by Chiba. These are pleasant scenes for the fans. There is also a scene showing a Labor being lifted up and Akira Izumino, played by Erina Mano, getting inside the cockpit. Anticipation is rising for the series’ release.

The first part consists of Episode 0, “The Glorious Section 2, Division 2,” and Episode 1, “Third Generation, Dispatch!” Episode 0 reveals the history of Section 2, Division 2 up until the present, whereas Episode 1 depicts the daily life of the third generation Section 2, Division 2. There are two and a half months left until the release.