Patlabor TV+ New OVAs-
Well this was different. There really isn't any other way I can best describe it from the original OVAs(and movies). The original timeline takes a much more serious take on the Patlabor universe and technology. The TV series however focuses more on the characters themselves rather than the implications of the technology. To that end, the TV series both succeeds and somewhat fails at the same time. The reason I state that is that Noa does get a lot of character development and it's really only her that gets this development. Other characters are fleshed out more, such as in their background, but not really on the development side. It feels like a wasted opportunity on some levels. It's apparent near the end that Noa has come a long way with her fear of damaging Alphonse as she pretty much learns to let go to a degree. I should mention that I thought Kumagami was a poor substitute for Kanuka and really felt pretty shallow. I did like the comedy episode a lot such as Seven Days of Fire and Underground Labyrinth Case. I thought the 2nd OVAs had the strongest standalone episodes such as Snow Rondo,The Day Goma Came in from the Rain, Seven Days of Fire, and Our Karuizawa. I did feel however that the Schaft arc got a pretty crappy end in the 2nd OVAs and I much preferred the climatic episode in the TV series.
Animation-wise, it doesn't look as good as the original timeline but that's to be expected. Oshii put in some amazing work in the movies and it's to be expected a TV series doesn't look as good. I did have an issue with the noses as they were really distracting initially but I adjusted. Shinobu also got a downgrade in the hair department. That's not to say that the directing was flat as there were some really good shots interspersed thoughout the show such as this one:
The show was also really good with final shots(of the episode) with ones such as these:
Mechwise, there are more designs in the TV series. I do think the Griffin is an awesome design but the OG timeline contained some nontraditional designs that were solid.
The OST isn't as solid as the OVAs and movies but it's still not bad. It's just kinda generic in this 90's sort of way. I do think Midnight Blue was a great ED but I wasn't wowed by any of the other OP and EDs. There was a really great transition into Midnight Blue in one of the episodes, it was the one with SV2 trying to rescue the whales. That's not to say they were bad but they weren't really that special either. I did like the last OP in OVA 2 though, mostly for the music. I was really impressed with some of the sound effects though. In Storm of Spring (25), Shinshi's wife pops up with the Godzilla roar sound effect from the original OVAs. I nearly died laughing. Also the sounds the alligators made in The Dungeon Again was so good. So good.
In short, Noa is my 80's/90's waifu. All dat fuwafuwa hair.
