Patlabor Movie 3: WXIII
Synopsis
When the level of Labor accidents begin to escalate around Tokyo Bay, police detectives Kusumi and Hata are assigned to investigate. What they discover leads to a series of government cover-ups, conspiracy concerning a new biological weapon entitled WXIII-Wasted Thirteen and a tragic, personal connection to Hata. The only hope to stop this threat is to cooperate with the military and lead WXIII into a showdown with the Labors of Special Vehicle Division 2. (Source: ANN)
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment is mixed. While praised for its animation, story, and soundtrack, some find the slow pacing and deviation from traditional Patlabor elements disappointing. The film is generally viewed as a well-executed detective mystery with dark themes, but its departure from the core Patlabor cast and mecha action may not appeal to all fans. Overall, it's considered an enjoyable yet somewhat unnecessary addition to the franchise.
Strengths
- Consistently great animation with detailed drawings and rich colors.
- Well-written and paced story with great revelations and no loose plot threads.
- Soundtrack complements the visuals well, creating a melancholic and tense atmosphere.
Weaknesses
- Character design can look shoddy and crudely done at times.
- Pacing can be slow and may feel convoluted to some viewers.
- Near-total sidelining of SV2 and the Ingram, making it feel less like a Patlabor movie.