Was anyone else really disappointed with Patlabor OVA your first time watching it? - Blu-ray Forum

Jim Purcell · 05-02-2014, 01:24 AM

There are certain iconic anime from the early days of the fandom, movies and shows that you grow up hearing about, but missed the boat on because they're out of print for some reason, or locked up in legal hell. Akira, Macross Plus, Robot Carnival, Bubblegum Crisis, Slayers, etc... For me one of the big ones was Patlabor. Police mecha by the guy that brought us Ghost in the Shell? Yes please!

So I was pretty stoked when the OVA and TV series were finally making their way to North American bluray. Finally a chance to see what all the fuss was about.

But wouldn't you know it? The 7 part OVA really left me cold. It really disappointed me in ways I can't quite explain. I think what bothers me the most is how it seems to go out of its way to ignore its core premises. There is so little in the way of Section 2 actually dealing with Labor crime. Other then episode 1 and episode 7 (which seemed to be an episode created much latter then the first 6). Things got marginally interesting during the episode 5 & 6 two parter (and I do love Goto) but it still felt like they were doing their best to avoid showing anything interesting.

I get that this is a comedy show, and I get that it tries to show us that being a cop is boring and mundane most of the time. But good grief I just could not get into it.

I will say The animation was great in that late 80s early 90s animation cell way that I like.

I'm still going to try the movies when then come out, but I don't have any desire to continue with the TV series.

Was anybody else as put off with this OVA as me after hearing it be built up so much?

Edit: and what the hell was that 'sea monster' episode? What a waste.

05-02-2014, 01:24 AM	#1
Jim Purcell Power Member Top contributor Member since:Apr 2010 4K collection:99 Blu-ray collection:1004 DVD collection:265	Was anyone else really disappointed with the Patlabor OVA on first viewing? There are certain iconic anime from the early days of the fandom, movies and shows that you grow up hearing about, but missed the boat on because they're out of print for some reason, or locked up in legal hell. Akira, Macross Plus, Robot Carnival, Bubblegum Crisis, Slayers, etc... For me one of the big ones was Patlabor. Police mecha by the guy that brought us Ghost in the Shell? Yes please! So I was pretty stoked when the OVA and TV series were finally making their way to North American bluray. Finally a chance to see what all the fuss was about. But wouldn't you know it? The 7 part OVA really left me cold. It really disappointed me in ways I can't quite explain. I think what bothers me the most is how it seems to go out of its way to ignore its core premises. There is so little in the way of Section 2 actually dealing with Labor crime. Other then episode 1 and episode 7 (which seemed to be an episode created much latter then the first 6). Things got marginally interesting during the episode 5 & 6 two parter (and I do love Goto) but it still felt like they were doing their best to avoid showing anything interesting. I get that this is a comedy show, and I get that it tries to show us that being a cop is boring and mundane most of the time. But good grief I just could not get into it. I will say The animation was great in that late 80s early 90s animation cell way that I like. I'm still going to try the movies when then come out, but I don't have any desire to continue with the TV series. Was anybody else as put off with this OVA as me after hearing it be built up so much? Edit: and what the hell was that 'sea monster' episode? What a waste. Last edited by Jim Purcell; 05-02-2014 at 06:18 PM.

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