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Patlabor, a note:

In the near future advances in mechanical and computer technology have resulted in the development of a new type of highly efficient construction machines called Labors. As these become more widely used for legitimate purposes there is also a rise in crime involving these machines. The Patlabor series is about a special police unit in Tokyo charged with dealing with Labor crime. Patlabor is a shortened way of saying Patrol Labor. The machines are secondary in the stories, the series revolves around the people involved in the unit.

Patlabor is also known as Patlabor the Mobile Police and Mobile Police Patlabor. There is also a manga series of which a few volumes were translated into English.

Cultural Details: Tokyo locations, etiquette, expressions of feelings, foods.

Sequence:

1. The 'Original Series' is an OVA series which came first.
   It was after the success of this OVA series that the TV show came to be.
2. Then there was the 'TV Series'
   The TV series reintroduces the characters in a different manner than the OVA series and takes places them in a variety of situations not in the Original Series OVA. More humor exists in the TV series than in the OVA.
3. After that the "New Files" OVA series.
   This second OVA series continues the TV series finishing some of the story arcs.
4. Movies.
   The first movie seems to fit in late in the TV series and the second movie after the rest of the series. The third movie takes place sometime before the 2nd movie.
   Patlabor 1 - Movie
   Labors require very complex software, so complex that the machines have to be 'trained' to work with a particular operator's style. What happens when a major upgrade to the operating system contains a virus, and how does the potential harm it can cause be avoided. Directed by Oshii Mamoru.
   The numbered limited edition contains two books and an additional DVD for documentary material.
   100 minutes.
   Patlabor 2 - Movie
   Something mysterious is going on, a potential military coup involving elements in the Japanese military with American backing has the country on the brink of disaster. And someone in the Patrol Labor units has a personal history with a major player. Directed by Oshii Mamoru.
   The numbered limited edition contains two books and an additional DVD for documentary material.
   108 minutes.
   Patlabor 3 (WXIII) - Movie
   Labors are being attacked in the vicinity of Tokyo Bay. As the death toll mounts two detectives come closer to a conclusion that would have been too fantastic when they began the research. The Patlabor team is called in late in the story to deal with an opponent that so far has eluded not only the police but also the military.

Perfect Blue - Movie

The story of a singer turned actress who's career decisions are not well liked by her earlier fans, one of whom has become very dangerous. Often compared to the works of Alfred Hitchcock this anime has scenes which some fans find disturbing, something which was intended by the director. This is not an anime for children, they would be bored throughout most of it.

Cautions: Nudity and graphic violence. Includes a sequence where a rape scene is filmed for the TV show.

Cultural Details: Urban live in contemporary Japan, entertainment industry.

Planetes - TV series

In the future humanity has built space stations, a colony on the moon and sent several expeditions to Mars. And there is garbage, dangerous garbage flying in orbit at high speed, even a small piece can kill if it hits a space ship the right way. Hence there are garbage collectors. This is the story of Tanabe, Hachimaki and the other teem members of the Debris Section of a particular large company. An underfunded and understaffed section that has been given the nickname half-section.

Pom Poko - Movie

In the 1960s a massive series of planned housing expansions were built in the rural Tama region of Tokyo, yes Tokyo has a rural district. The local tanuki banded together to fight back and protect their environment. What is a tanuki? It is a native East Asian canine that in Japan has a long tradition of using magical powers to create illusions and trick people. For some strange reason, likely the facial markings, tanuki is translated as racoon in this version. Anyone who is familiar with racoons would see that they look very different.

Cautions: Expect lots of earthy Japanese humor, including male tanuki testicles, and slapstick fun in this one.

Cultural Details: Rich in references to traditional Japan, from entertainment, legend, art, religion etc.

Porco Rosso - Movie

Marco is a decorated ace from WWI, he honed his skills fighting against the Germans. Somehow cuirsed and turned into a pig he is now known as Porco Rosso and earns a living as a bounty hunter in the Adriatic, usually dealing with air pirates. A very funny and touching story with a political subtext of life during the rise of fascism. Great for the entire family.

Princess Mononoke - Movie

One of Miyazaki Hayao's most lavish works available in English. Also one of the most expensive and commercially successful feature Japanese films in history. This is the story of a young man cursed by a boar 'god' gone mad. He travels to find the source of the madness in the hope of locating a cure before he dies.

Cultural Details: Life in pre-Edo Period Japan, includes commoners, samurai and religious beliefs.

Cautions: This was not done for children as it is a complex story and has a certain amount of combat and death in it, but Miyazaki came to the conclusion that children are perceptive enough to be able to understand and enjoy it.

Note: Includes English, French and Japanese language tracks.