TOKYO – On August 10, celebrated as “Patlabor Day,” it was announced that two seminal works in anime history, Mamoru Oshii’s feature films Mobile Police Patlabor: The Movie and Patlabor 2: The Movie, will receive back-to-back 4K remastered theatrical revivals across Japan.
This special screening event is organized by the movie review service Filmarks as part of its revival screening project. Mobile Police Patlabor: The Movie is set for a two-week limited run starting October 3, 2025, followed by Patlabor 2: The Movie for two weeks starting October 17, 2025.
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‘The Movie’ to Screen with Long-Awaited Original Theatrical Audio
The first film, released in 1989, garnered significant attention during last year’s revival screening, which featured a renewed sound mix. This time, however, the film will be presented in 4K with its original theatrical audio, a version highly anticipated by fans. Audiences can now re-experience the intense battles of Special Vehicle Section 2 in 1999 Tokyo with the pristine, high-definition visuals and the authentic sound that first captivated them.
‘Patlabor 2’ Also Gets 4K Treatment, Updating the World of ‘Patlabor’
Furthermore, the 1993 sequel, Patlabor 2: The Movie, celebrated for its profound narrative that resonated beyond the anime fanbase, will also be screened in a 4K revival for the first time. This marks a rare opportunity to witness the tense “Tokyo Wars,” born from Mamoru Oshii’s signature realism and Kazunori Ito’s meticulous script, with unprecedented clarity.
The screening event will also feature exclusive merchandise for attendees and special tie-in promotions, with further details to be announced at a later date.
The Ultimate Viewing Experience at Home! 4K UHD Blu-ray Releases Also Announced
Coinciding with the theatrical revival, 4K ULTRA HD Blu-ray (UHD-BD) editions of both Patlabor: The Movie and Patlabor 2: The Movie have been announced.
Both releases, the first in the series to be fully remastered via 4K film scanning, will be available as Special Limited Editions. These editions will include a special booklet and a collection of storyboards. Patlabor: The Movie is scheduled for release on January 28, 2026, with Patlabor 2 following on March 25, 2026. Featuring multi-audio tracks with both the original theatrical and sound renewal versions, these are must-have collector’s items for fans.
What is ‘Mobile Police Patlabor’?
Mobile Police Patlabor is a multi-media project set in a near-future Tokyo where versatile humanoid construction machines known as “Labors” are commonplace. The story follows the daily lives and operations of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Special Vehicle Section 2, a unit tasked with combating Labor-related crime. The franchise continues to be beloved by fans for its realistic mecha designs and compelling human drama woven through its unique cast of characters.
Release Information
‘Mobile Police Patlabor: The Movie’ (Original Theatrical Audio・4K Version)
- Release Date: Limited 2-week engagement from Friday, October 3, 2025
- Price: ¥1,800 (Flat rate; discounts not applicable)
- Distribution: Filmarks
- Presented by: Bandai Namco Filmworks
- Film Details:
- 1989 / Japan / 99 min
- Director: Mamoru Oshii
- Screenplay: Kazunori Itō
- Original Story: Headgear
- Synopsis: In 1999, as Special Vehicle Section 2 confronts a surge in Labor crime, a series of incidents sees Labors equipped with a new operating system going haywire. Behind the chaos lies a terrifying plot orchestrated by a single genius programmer.
‘Patlabor 2: The Movie’ (4K Version)
- Release Date: Limited 2-week engagement from Friday, October 17, 2025
- Price: ¥1,800 (Flat rate; discounts not applicable)
- Distribution: Filmarks
- In cooperation with: Bandai Namco Filmworks
- Film Details:
- 1993 / Japan / 113 min
- Director: Mamoru Oshii
- Screenplay: Kazunori Itō
- Original Story: Headgear
- Synopsis: In the winter of 2002, a mysterious fighter jet bombs the Yokohama Bay Bridge. Was it an act by the Self-Defense Forces or a conspiracy by a third party? Captain Gotoh and the former members of Special Vehicle Section 2 must once again confront a horrifying truth hidden behind the incident.
Note: While presented from a 4K master, some theaters may screen the film in 2K. Note: The list of participating theaters may be updated. Please check the official X account (@Filmarks_ticket) for the latest information.
Theater Listings
‘Mobile Police Patlabor: The Movie’ (From Oct 3)
- Hokkaido: Sapporo Cinema Frontier, SATSUGEKI, AEON CINEMA Ebetsu, AEON CINEMA Asahikawa Ekimae
- Tohoku: AEON CINEMA Shin-Aomori, AEON CINEMA Kitakami, MOVIX Sendai, 109 Cinemas Tomiya, AEON CINEMA Ishinomaki, AL☆VE Theater, Solaris, AEON CINEMA Yonezawa, Forum Fukushima
- …and many other locations across Japan.
‘Patlabor 2: The Movie’ (From Oct 17)
- Hokkaido: Sapporo Cinema Frontier, SATSUGEKI, AEON CINEMA Ebetsu, AEON CINEMA Asahikawa Ekimae
- Tohoku: AEON CINEMA Shin-Aomori, AEON CINEMA Kitakami, MOVIX Sendai, 109 Cinemas Tomiya, AEON CINEMA Ishinomaki, AL☆VE Theater, Solaris, AEON CINEMA Yonezawa, Forum Fukushima
- …and many other locations across Japan.
(The full list of theaters is extensive and primarily for domestic audiences in Japan.)
Please check with individual theaters for specific screening times and ticket purchasing information.