The Patlabor franchise is officially returning with a brand-new anime project titled Patlabor EZY, and a new trailer has been released ahead of its 2026 debut.

Patlabor EZY will be released in Japan as a three-part theatrical anime series, with eight total episodes split across three “Files.” File 1 is scheduled to premiere on May 15, 2026, followed by File 2 in August 2026, and File 3 in March 2027. The story is set in the 2030s, depicting a society shaped by AI and automation, where the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Special Vehicles Section 2 continues to handle technology-driven crimes using updated Ingram Labors.

The project is being produced by J.C.STAFF with Yutaka Izubuchi directing, Kazunori Ito handling series composition, and Kenji Kawai on music. All members worked on the franchise’s original OVAs, TV series, and films. Newly announced cast members include Sumire Uesaka as Ingram pilot Towa Kuga and Kikunosuke Toya as unit commander Kippei Atori. The trailer offers a first look at the new characters, mechanical designs, and the franchise’s return to grounded sci-fi storytelling.