Image: HEADGEAR / Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor EZY Produktionskomitee
AMBot | 08/10/2026 | Reading Time: 4 Min.
On August 10, 2026, the action day celebrated by fans as "Pato Day," the team behind "Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor EZY" detailed the next stage of the project in a special broadcast: "File 3," the third and final theatrical chapter of the new animated series, will hit Japanese theaters on March 5, 2027. At the same time, the film's first key visual and a trailer were released, striking a noticeably more serious tone than the previous chapters.
The new visual shows a single Ingram standing in a dimly lit, tunnel-like space—a stylistic hint at the setting of the upcoming story. At the center of "File 3" is the "Araragi Project," a large-scale initiative to renew Tokyo's aging infrastructure, introduced as the successor to the former "Babylon Project." However, it quickly becomes apparent that in the cramped underground areas, manned Labours are not used; instead, more compact autonomous robots equipped with AI are deployed. The project, designed as a "calm" endeavor, spirals out of control: strange incidents spread from the surface to the underground and into the digital realm. The First and Second Units of the special police division "Toku-Ni" (Special Vehicle Section 2) must join forces to contain the threat. "File 3" comprises episodes 7 and 8 under the titles "Toyland – Part 1" and "Toyland – Part 2."
Two characters from the First Unit were also confirmed for the first time: Kaori Nazuka voices Kaoru Mitarai, the pilot of the "AV-17 Sentinel" No. 1, described as dutiful, idealistic, and technically outstanding. Taku Yashiro takes on the role of Commander Takuya Niino, who leads operations with a calm, unflappable demeanor. The duo operates the "AV-17 Sentinel," a police Labour in service with the First Unit since 2017. The model is characterized by rear entry to maximize front armor, high maneuverability, and a riot shield that can also be combined with the Ingram.
Pre-sale tickets (Mubichike) for "File 3" will go on sale on August 14, 2026, the opening day of "File 2." The tickets cost 1,700 yen and come with a clear file folder featuring the new key visual; the ticket design shows Mitarai and Niino in front of the AV-17 Sentinel and is designed so that tickets from all three chapters can be displayed side by side. In parallel, an AR photo campaign with the Ingram runs from the theatrical release of "File 2" until the end of August, collecting submissions via X. For collectors, a limited Blu-ray of "File 3" is also announced for March 12, 2027; it includes a CD with the second part of the series' soundtrack by Kenji Kawai and will be offered in advance at theaters starting from the film's release.
"Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor EZY" is the new animated production of the long-standing Patlabor brand, shaped since the late 1980s by the creative group HEADGEAR, including Masami Yuki, Yutaka Izubuchi, Kazunori Ito, Akemi Takada, and Mamoru Oshii. Directed by Yutaka Izubuchi, the series is produced at Studio J.C. Staff, with Kazunori Ito handling the screenplay. The story is set in Japan in the 2030s, where manned work robots are increasingly replaced by autonomous systems; Sumire Uesaka and Kikunosuke Toya voice the main characters of the Second Unit. After the theatrical releases of "File 1" on May 15, 2026, and "File 2" on August 14, 2026, "File 3" is set to conclude the eight-episode season in spring 2027.
The new visual shows a single Ingram standing in a dimly lit, tunnel-like space—a stylistic hint at the setting of the upcoming story. At the center of "File 3" is the "Araragi Project," a large-scale initiative to renew Tokyo's aging infrastructure, introduced as the successor to the former "Babylon Project." However, it quickly becomes apparent that in the cramped underground areas, manned Labours are not used; instead, more compact autonomous robots equipped with AI are deployed. The project, designed as a "calm" endeavor, spirals out of control: strange incidents spread from the surface to the underground and into the digital realm. The First and Second Units of the special police division "Toku-Ni" (Special Vehicle Section 2) must join forces to contain the threat. "File 3" comprises episodes 7 and 8 under the titles "Toyland – Part 1" and "Toyland – Part 2."
Two characters from the First Unit were also confirmed for the first time: Kaori Nazuka voices Kaoru Mitarai, the pilot of the "AV-17 Sentinel" No. 1, described as dutiful, idealistic, and technically outstanding. Taku Yashiro takes on the role of Commander Takuya Niino, who leads operations with a calm, unflappable demeanor. The duo operates the "AV-17 Sentinel," a police Labour in service with the First Unit since 2017. The model is characterized by rear entry to maximize front armor, high maneuverability, and a riot shield that can also be combined with the Ingram.
Pre-sale tickets (Mubichike) for "File 3" will go on sale on August 14, 2026, the opening day of "File 2." The tickets cost 1,700 yen and come with a clear file folder featuring the new key visual; the ticket design shows Mitarai and Niino in front of the AV-17 Sentinel and is designed so that tickets from all three chapters can be displayed side by side. In parallel, an AR photo campaign with the Ingram runs from the theatrical release of "File 2" until the end of August, collecting submissions via X. For collectors, a limited Blu-ray of "File 3" is also announced for March 12, 2027; it includes a CD with the second part of the series' soundtrack by Kenji Kawai and will be offered in advance at theaters starting from the film's release.
"Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor EZY" is the new animated production of the long-standing Patlabor brand, shaped since the late 1980s by the creative group HEADGEAR, including Masami Yuki, Yutaka Izubuchi, Kazunori Ito, Akemi Takada, and Mamoru Oshii. Directed by Yutaka Izubuchi, the series is produced at Studio J.C. Staff, with Kazunori Ito handling the screenplay. The story is set in Japan in the 2030s, where manned work robots are increasingly replaced by autonomous systems; Sumire Uesaka and Kikunosuke Toya voice the main characters of the Second Unit. After the theatrical releases of "File 1" on May 15, 2026, and "File 2" on August 14, 2026, "File 3" is set to conclude the eight-episode season in spring 2027.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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