PatLabor The Mobile Police - The Original OVA Series

Patlabor: The Mobile Police – The Original OVA Series, first premiered in 1988, is a remarkable animated science fiction television series from Japan's Sunrise animation studio, known for creating many iconic series in the anime industry. This seven-episode OVA (original video animation) series is the inaugural launch in the extensive Patlabor franchise, which comprises of manga, anime, films, and even live-action adaptations. Its story centers on the careful buildup of the universe where the events take place, gradually unveiling the characters, setting the tone, and presenting the political, socio-economic undertones that pervade the entire series.

The fast-forwarded world of Patlabor takes the viewer to a not-so-distant Tokyo in the late 20th century. In this future, labor-intensive tasks are performed by 'Labors,' massive, human-operated robots widely used in construction and other fields. With the introduction of Labors, however, crime has found a new face - Labor crime. To combat this decisive threat, law enforcement agencies have their specialized Labors or 'Patlabors.'

The narrative primarily orbits around the day-to-day lives of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's 2nd Special Vehicles Division, an ensemble of eccentric yet proficient individuals responsible for piloting these Patlabors. Despite its crime-fighting backdrop, the series collectively leans toward character-driven storytelling, infusing the narrative with substantial doses of humor, human drama, and studied inspection of the characters' personal and professional lives.

While the series is underlaid by a technologically advanced world, Patlabor successfully maintains a powerful sense of realism, refraining from delving into overglamorized depictions of technology or idealized heroism. The police, in their Patlabors, are not invincible superheroes but routine civil servants, whose job satisfaction varies and personal lives often intersect with their professional roles. The Labors themselves are surfaced as practical machines, whose operation and maintenance necessitate skill and effort, reinforcing this embedded realism.

Notably, Patlabor manifests the quintessential anime aesthetic of its era, engaging in clean lines, thoughtful color palettes, and fluid animation. Each character design helps to reveal distinct personality traits, while the intricate mech designs underscore the series' meticulously crafted setting. The storytelling style is episodic, providing viewers with discrete mini-adventures while gradually unraveling a broader narrative arc. Each episode juggles seamlessly between intense action sequences, effective character development, and quiet moments of reflection.

The perspective that Patlabor provides on issues of automation, industrialization, and labor is one of its most profound aspects. It thrusts a mirror into the nature, and often the fallout, of rapid technological advancements, and touches upon themes that are not only significant in its own timeline but also resonate powerfully with the realities of the 21rst century audience. It incorporates several serious socio-political themes, yet it is also adept at balancing these with lighter moments, insightful humor, and camaraderie.

Although Patlabor is a part of the mecha genre known for monumental robot battles, it consciously pulls back from centering solely on the robotic warfare. Instead, it delves deeper into the aftermath of adopting such advancements, shifting the focus onto the consequences and challenges of living in a labor-automated world. This strategic divergence makes the series compelling not just for mecha enthusiasts, but also for viewers interested in thoughtful and nuanced narratives.

Its competent voice acting both in Japanese and English dubs bolsters the strong characters and their interpersonal dynamics. The sound design and original music are effectively employed to enhance the mood and tone of the series, switching seamlessly from tension-filled action pieces to softer tunes for emotional scenes.

In all, Patlabor: The Mobile Police – The Original OVA Series emerges as a pioneering example of how an anime can be at once entertaining and thought-provoking, adhering to the norm yet daring to be different. It sets the stage for the larger Patlabor universe to be developed in later series and films. Whether you are a mecha fan, a lover of character-driven stories, or an avid anime enthusiast, this series merits a place in your watchlist.