The Patlabor EZY project is nearing its conclusion as the production team confirmed that the third and final compilation film, "File 3," will hit theaters on March 5. This concluding entry will adapt the anime's seventh and eighth episodes, which function as a two-part story arc to round out the series' eight-episode run.
Alongside the release date, the production revealed two new additions to the voice cast: Kaori Nazuka will join as Kaoru Mitarai, and Taku Yashiro will voice Takuya Niiro. These newcomers join a veteran-heavy lineup, including franchise mainstay Shigeru Chiba, who reprises his iconic role as Shigeo Shiba, and Megumi Hayashibara, who serves as the captain of the SV-2 unit. The film's home video release is slated for March 12.
Directed by Yutaka Izubuchi at J.C. Staff, the series updates the classic franchise for the 2030s, shifting the focus to a society where AI-driven automation is rapidly replacing the manual labor mecha that once defined the era. Despite these technological shifts, the SV-2 unit continues its mission to curb labor-related crime using upgraded AV-98Plus Ingram units.
Outside of the theatrical project, the franchise is expanding into the gaming space with Patlabor the Case Files. Developed by Chime Corporation and Good Smile Company, the 3D action game is confirmed for a September 17 launch on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. These developments follow the theatrical rollout of the first two "Files," which compiled the anime's initial six episodes.
