History Characters / Patlabor

* EverybodyCanSeeIt: She forms a close bond with Asuma, and they tend to hang out, while off duty. Plus, they have chemistry. Needless to say, it isn't long before their squadmates start to think that their relationship goes deeper than JustFriends.

* EverybodyCanSeeIt: Except them, at least, not until the last two or three episodes; which imply they may be headed toward a RelationshipUpgrade.

* PlatonicLifePartners: With Noa, though their teammates [[EverybodyCanSeeIt think there's something more]] between them.

* BadassAdorable: One of the nicest girls you'll ever meet, so long as you're not a criminal or make the mistake of [[BerserkButton damaging Alphonse. Seriously, don't.]]

* DoggedNiceGuy: Toward Shinobu. It never works, and he ''knows'' it'll never work, but he still keeps trying.

-->'''Shinobu: (annoyed)''' [[SarcasmMode "So what'll your adoring fans say, when they find out?"]]
-->'''*Gotoh shrugs nonchalantly*'''
-->'''Asuma, Noa, Kanuka, Otah, Shinshi, and Hiromi: *listening outside the door*''' "That cheater!"

* PlatonicLifePartners: With Noa., though their teammates think there's something more between them.

* DeadpanSnarker: Usually in regard to Gotoh's more questionable tactics (i.e. trolling), and his squad's reckless behavior.

* BrotherChuck: She disappears without comment in the second and third movies. Some fans assume she died at the climax of the first film, but she probably just returned to the NYPD.

** Kanuka's combat skills, in and out of her labor are awe inspiring. The woman took down a courtyard of Yakuza, with a wooden sword while clad in a kimono. And, in the first film, Gotoh specifically called her in to assist SV.2 with the raid on the Ark.

* OfficerOHara: ...well, she's a cop with an Irish surname who drinks heavily, but that's about as far as it goes.

* TheRival: She develops an intense but friendly rivalry with Kumagami when she comes back to visit the SVU.

-->Shinshi is the driver for the second carrier. He was born Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture and is 29 at the start of the series. He was originally Ōta's backup until Kanuka replaced him. He is a quite introverted man, but can become surprisingly violent if provoked enough. He is also the rather henpecked husband of Tamiko, who is rather possessive of him. Shinshi is the only married member of the team.

* ThoseTwoGuys: Since their job is to just drive the patlabors to crime scenes, he and Hiromi are often relegated to the sidelines.

-->Hiromi is the quiet giant amongst the members of the SVU, in fact the tallest member of the team, at two metres tall. He was born on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture and is 23 at the start of the series. Even though he looks rather intimidating, he is quite gentle and hardly ever speaks. He tends the tomatoes in the greenhouse and looks after the henhouse at the SVU in his spare time. These duties actually provide a substantial amount food for the officers. His main duty in Division 2 is driving the first Labor carrier.

* GentleGiant: There are two reasons why Hiromi wasn't selected to pilot a labor--he's too gentle to actually attack the enemy, and he doesn't fit in the cockpit.

-->Sakaki is the head mechanic of the SVU. His training was was in mechanics, and he doesn't really understand the electronics and computers in the Labors. Even though he's only the head mechanic he only seems to order a lot of the other staff around, including members of Division 2, and not do any of the "grunt" work. ''Easily'' the most respected member of the SVU, he commands fear, respect, admiration, and loyalty from all who know him.

* MrFixit: Been doing his job since machines were invented. If he can't fix it, it ain't broke. (...Or Hoba did something to the software.)

* LargeHam: Unlike Ōtah, he's not "on" all the time, but when he is, he doesn't go halfway.

-->A very mysterious man who works at Schaft Japan. He is in charge of the Griffin project. He seems to smile all the time and gives off the impression he's happy-go-lucky, but in fact he is very calculating, eccentric and cunning, and will stop at nothing to get the desired result. Utsumi is an alias. His real name is Richard Wong and he is from Hong Kong division of Schaft.

* [[TheChessmaster Chessmaster:]] He even manages to get one over on Gotoh.

* KarmaHoudini: After all the trouble he causes for SV.2 and his company, Schaft gives him his old job back 'cuz they need him.

** Finally subverted in The New Case Files, where after repeat attempts to reason with Bado, he cuts his losses and bails on him.

* ObviouslyEvil: Seriously, with all the evil smirks, smuggness, and the light always glinting off his glasses just so, he might as well wear a tag that says: "Hi, I'm evil."

* ImprobableAge: The kid's an ace Labor pilot at age 12.

* TheDragon: To Richard Wong.

* AsTheGoodBookSays: He leaves numerous biblical quotes for the investigators to find, and his name ("E. Hoba") is the Japanese pronunciation of "Jehova".

* MyDeathIsOnlyTheBeginning
* NeverFoundTheBody: [[spoiler:But guess what? He really is dead.]]
* PosthumousCharacter
* SecretTestOfCharacter: [[EpilepticTrees Speculated by some fans.]] [[spoiler:He attached his employee badge to his pet raven to set of a Never Found the Body-paranoia, and give his pursuers a Secret Test of Character. Division 2 is only able to prevent the destruction of Tokyo because they decide to try and save Hoba when they think he's alive. They wouldn't have made it to the backup-system in time if they had decided to collapse the Ark with him still in it.]]
* ThanatosGambit

-->Sakaki is the head mechanic of the SVU. His training was was in mechanics, and he doesn't really understand the electronics and computers in the Labors. Even though he's only the head mechanic he only seems to order a lot of the other staff around, including members of Division 2, and not do any of the "grunt" work. A very respected member of the SVU (though some would say feared rather than respected).

* CoolShades: He's never seen without 'em... even at night!
* GrumpyOldMan: It's subdued, but it's there.
* {{Mentor}}: To Shige.
* MrFixit

-->Shigeo or just plain Shige, is second in command of the mechanics at the SVU. He is a man that is truly dedicated to his work, though sometimes he can go overboard. He is a proud member of the SVU, and makes sure the Labors work perfectly. He takes over from Sakaki when he retires.

* BottleFairy: She doesn't drink often, but when she does, she goes all the way. Comes from being a liquor store owner's daughter.

* IntrepidReporter: She makes [[TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles April O'Neil]] look timid.

* AscendedFangirl: She joined the police force in the hopes of piloting a Labor because she'd spent her childhood watching [[HumongousMecha Mecha]] {{Anime}}.

** From the second movie:
-->'''Goto has just [[ReversePsychology manipulated]] Shinohara into putting his career on the line to find something out for him and then stepped in to get him off with 'just' a suspension.'''
-->'''Shinohara:''' "The only thing I don't get is how the commander found out about it all?"
-->'''Gotoh: (deadpan)''' "Oh, that? I ratted you out, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking even the not wearing a helmet part.]]"
-->'''Shinohara:''' "Commander!?"
-->'''Gotoh:''' "Look at it this way, now you have enough free time to snoop around for me some more."

* [[NewOldFlame Old Flame]]: Would you believe she once had a thing with [[spoiler: Richard Wong?]]

* [[NewOldFlame Old Flame]]: In The New Case Files, it's revealed that he and [[spoiler: Kumagami]] were an item.

* {{Troll}}: Some of the stunts he pulls to discipline his squad or go beyond the call of duty can be described as such. From the second movie:

* {{Troll}}: Some of the stunts he pulls to discipline his squad can be desribed as such. Kanuka calls him out on it on more than one occasion. So does Shinobu.
-->'''Shinobu: (impressed)''' "That was brave of you to face that Labor the way you did. Weren't you scared?"
-->'''Gotoh: (deadpan)''' "No. Sakaki told me it was harmless."
-->'''Shinobi: (disillusioned)''' "Wha- So THAT'S why you were acting so bravely?"
-->'''Gotoh: (deadpan)''' "Pretty much."
-->'''Shinobu: (annoyed)''' [[SarcasmMode "So what'll your adoring fans say, when they find out?"]]
-->'''*Gotoh shrugs nonchalantly*'''
-->'''Asuma, Noa, Kanuka, Otah, Shinshi, and Hiromi: *listening outside the door*''' "That cheater!"

* OldFlame: Would you believe she had a thing with [[spoiler: Richard Wong?]]

-->Tamiko is the overbearing but loving wife of Mikiyasu Shinshi. She seems like the perfect housewife, but under her sweetness and light persona she can be a she-demon. Somewhat possessive of her husband, she can turn frighteningly mean if she thinks he has been hard done by. Strangely Tamako and Mikiyasu seem made for each other.

* ChessMaster: He even manages to get one over on Gotoh.

* OldFlame: [[spoiler: Kumagami.]]

* HotScoop
* IntrepidReporter

* FriendlyEnemy: He acts this way at least. If nothing else, he's very polite and considerate for a villain. He even took offense when one of his associates [[spoiler: shoots Kumagami.]]

* UndyingLoyalty: Wong absolutely refused to abandon [[TheDragon Bado]], even at the insistence of his partner, Kurosaki. Despite jeopardising his own chances at escape.

* ObviouslyEvil: Seriously, with all the evil smirks, smuggness, and the light always glinting off his glasses just so, he might as well wear a tag that says: "I'm evil."

-->'''Shinobu: (annoyed)''' "So what'll your adoring fans say, when they find out?"
-->'''Gotoh shrugs nonchalantly'''
-->'''Asuma, Noa, Kanuka, Otah, Shinshi: (listening outside the door)''' "That cheater!"

* PlatonicLifePartners: With Noa.

* BoisterousBruiser

* CrossPoppingVeins

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold

* MoreDakka: His tactic of choice.

** Kanuka's combat skills, in and out of her labor are to be admired. The woman took down a entire courtyard of Yakuza, with a wooden sword while clad in a kimono. And, in the first film, Gotoh specifically called her in to assist SV.2 with the raid on the Ark.

* DeadpanSnarker: Usually in regard to Gotoh's antics and his squad.

* Action Girl

* [[SixthRanger Replacement Sixth Ranger]]: In her first appearance, she has trouble fitting in because her teammates couldn't believe anyone with her credentials would willingly sign up for duty with Special Vehicles.

* [[WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes Why Did it Have To Be Ghosts?]]: The one of the few things she's afraid of. When Gotoh jokes that there's a ghost behind her, she has a fullblown panic attack that makes her seem [[TheWoobie so vunerable]], that it's [[{{Moe}} actually cute.]] Noa even lampshades it.

* FriendlyEnemy: He acts this way at least. If nothing else, he's very polite and considerate for a villain.

* OtakuSurrogate
* PlatonicLifePartners: With Asuma, though their relationship starts to lean a little more romantic toward the end.
* PluckyGirl

** Kanuka's combat skills, in and out of her labor are to be worshipped. The woman took down a entire courtyard of Yakuza, with a wooden sword while clad in a kimono. And, in the first film, Gotoh specifically called her in to assist SV.2 with the raid on the Ark.

* NerdGlasses

* TheSmartGuy

* ReplacementScrappy: In her first appearance, she has trouble fitting in because her teammates couldn't believe anyone with her credentials would willingly sign up for duty with Special Vehicles.

* [[WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes Why Did it Have To Be Ghosts?]]: The one thing she's afraid of. When Gotoh jokes that there's a ghost behind her, she has a fullblown panic attack that makes her seem [[TheWoobie so vunerable]], that it's [[{{Moe}} actually cute.]] Noa even lampshades it.
-->'''Noa: (blinks stunned)''' "Wow... she's... really scared... So cute."

* [[DudeLooksLikeALady Kid Looks Like a Girl]]: Exactly what it says. Bado can easily pass for a girl even without a disguise. Wong uses this to their advantage when he and Bado make their escape at the end of the Griffon Arc.

* EvilGenius
* GoOutWithASmile

* KarmaHoudini: After all the trouble he causes for Special Vehicles 2 and his company, Schaft gives him his old job back 'cuz they need him.

* NewOldFlame: Though never explicitly stated, it's strongly implied during the movie.

** Kanuka's combat skills, in and out of her labor are to be worshipped, just ask Gotoh, who specifically called her in to assist SV.2 with the raid on the Ark in the first movie.

* LadyOfWar: She took on a mob of Yakuza in a Kimono with a wooden sword. They didn't stand a chance.
* ReplacementScrappy: In-universe, in her first appearance. She has trouble fitting in because her teammates expect her to be more like Kanuka.

* EyesAlwaysClosed: Except for when it's important.

* KarmaHoudini: After all the trouble he causes for SV2 and his company, Schaft gives him his old job back 'cuz they need him.

!Badrinath Harchand / Bado Renard

* NewOldFlame

* BadassAdorable: One of the nicest girls you'll ever meet, so long as you're not a criminal or make the mistake of [[BeserkButton damaging Alphonse. Seriously, don't.]]

Born in Tomakomai, Hokkaido in 1978, she is the pilot of the first Ingram in Unit 2 (first forward of Division 2). She loves Labors (to the point of obsession) and nicknames her Ingram "Alphonse" after her deceased pet dog and cat. A dedicated police officer, very easy going and cheerful, she never loses her cool. That is unless somebody damages her beloved Alphonse.

* ActionGirl: Noah is less a badass out of her labor than in, but she's the only one who can last more than 3 seconds against Takeo in Judo. She lasts 8. And Noah also defeated a criminal who was armed with a knife, she only used her bare hands.
* AscendedFangirl: she joined the police force in the hopes of piloting a Labor because she'd spent her childhood watching [[HumongousMecha Mecha]] {{Anime}}.
* BadassAdorable
* BerserkButton: Damaging her Labor, Alphonse.

Gotō is the Captain of Unit 2 and was born in the Taito Ward in Tokyo. Although he may seem very laidback and even apathetic, but is quite a strategist, and knows how to get the best out of his team even if it means tricking them. He has gained the reputation of being very sharp and rumour has it he was purposely sent out to the SVU so he wouldn't cause any trouble. He still manages to do so anyway. Gotō has a crush on Shinobu, which is completely unrequited (poor Gotō...). Gotō is a heavy smoker, has athlete's foot and can often be seen wearing traditional Japanese wooden sandals around the office.

* AFatherToHisMen

* ColonelBadass

* DoggedNiceGuy: Toward Nagumo. It never works, and he ''knows'' it'll never work, but he still keeps trying.

* {{Mentor}}

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure
* SupportingLeader

Asuma was born in Maebashi in Gunma Prefecture and is 21 years old at the start of the series. Asuma is the son of the owner of Shinohara Heavy Industries, the makers of the Ingram. So why is he a public servant? Apparently his father forced him into being one. A member of Unit 2, he provides backup[[hottip:*:really more like field command, issuing directions from the ground]] for Noa's Ingram and is her partner. He can be quite short tempered and sometimes gives the impression he would rather be somewhere else. Still he is quite a competent police officer.

* DeadpanSnarker
* TheLancer
* MissionControl: More mobile than most, but fills the role.

!Officer Isao Ōta
Ōta is the 2nd forward of Division 2. He was born in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture and is 26 at the beginning of the series. He is a complete gun maniac and will almost always try to use force over all other options when solving a dispute. Though he is reckless and violent, he is an integral part of the team, and actually manages to end situations quicker than Noa.

* TheBigGuy
* BigOlEyebrows

Kanuka is a Police Officer on loan from the New York Police Department and was born in Oahu, Hawaii. She is 21 at the beginning of the series. She is half Japanese-American. She is a competent officer who does everything by the book and is often disgusted by the tactics used by the SVU. In Division 2 she acts as Ōta's backup. Though among the SVU there is a rumour that the NYPD sent her to them because she was a problem officer.

* TheAce
* ActionGirl

** Kanuka's combat skills, in and out of her labor are to be worshipped, just ask Gotoh, who specifically called her in to assist SV.2 with the raid on the Ark in the first movie

Shinshi is the driver for the second carrier. He was born Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture and is 29 at the start of the series. He was originally Ōta's backup until Kanuka replaced him. He is a quite introverted man, but can become surprisingly violent if provoked enough. He is also the rather henpecked husband of Tamiko, who is rather possessive of him. Shinshi is the only married member of the team.

* BewareTheNiceOnes

* ScaryShinyGlasses: When his glasses start to shine, ''run away''.

Hiromi is the quiet giant amongst the members of the SVU, in fact the tallest member of the team, at two metres tall. He was born on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture and is 23 at the start of the series. Even though he looks rather intimidating, he is quite gentle and hardly ever speaks. He tends the tomatoes in the greenhouse and looks after the henhouse at the SVU in his spare time. These duties actually provide a substantial amount food for the officers. His main duty in Division 2 is driving the first Labor carrier.

Shinobu is the Captain of Division 1 and was born in in Setagaya Ward in Tokyo. She is a professional, competent police officer. Basically the exact opposite of Captain Gotoh. She always keeps her mind on the job and never loses her cool. Often she talks back to her superiors when she disagrees with an order, and this is probably why she remains at the SVU rather being promoted to another job more worthy of her skills. She is often slightly jealous of Division 2's successes and the equipment they get, but she never really lets on.

* SupportingLeader

Sakaki is the head mechanic of the SVU. His training was was in mechanics, and he doesn't really understand the electronics and computers in the Labors. Even though he's only the head mechanic he only seems to order a lot of the other staff around, including members of Division 2, and not do any of the "grunt" work. A very respected member of the SVU (though some would say feared rather than respected).

* CoolShades

Shigeo or just plain Shige, is second in command of the mechanics at the SVU. He is a man that is truly dedicated to his work, though sometimes he can go overboard. He is a proud member of the SVU, and makes sure the Labors work perfectly. He takes over from Sakaki when he retires.

* LargeHam: Unlike Ōta, he's not "on" all the time, but when he is, he doesn't go halfway.

Kumagami is Ōta's backup. She is Kanuka's replacement after she returns to New York. She was top of her class, and is an exceptional police officer. She was courted by several police agencies, but eventually chose the SVU because of the challenge. Kumagami seems to be very level headed and nothing seems to faze her, though the antics of her workmates sometimes annoys her. Kumagami has an irrational fear of the supernatural, especially ghosts as her father was interested in the topic and she heard many ghost stories when she was a child.

* LadyOfWar: She took on a mob of Yakuza in a Kimono with a wooden sword. They didn't stand a chance.

A detective with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Matsui once asked Gotō for his help in strange case, but now is often called upon by Captain Gotō for help on crimes which involve specialist investigation.

* FriendOnTheForce: Though they're both police, Matsui is Gotō's insider on police investigations.

Tamiko is the overbearing but loving wife of Mikiyasu Shinshi. She seems like the perfect housewife, but under her sweetness and light persona she can be a she-demon. Somewhat possessive of her husband, she can turn frighteningly mean if she thinks he has been hard done by. Strangely Tamako and Mikiyasu seem made for each other.

Gomika Tustomo is the first forward in Division 1 of the SVU. He is an incredibly competent officer and Labor pilot. At the end of the series he becomes captain of the newly-formed Division 3.

Jitsuyama is head of the Shinohara Labor factory. His career in mechanics began when he started a business up with Asuma's father. To Asuma he is kind of like a substitute father and he often comes to him when he needs advice concerning Labors.

Momoko Sakurayama is a tabloid television journalist who always seems to be there at the right time to get that scoop. After following the SVU to get several scoops, she later helps them in their Griffin Labor case.

An intelligence officer assigned with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force chief of staff's office assisting Gotō and Nagumo in locating and apprehending the terrorist Yukihito Tsuge into custody. Arakawa assists the SVU by providing pictures of Tsuge's assets via American military spy satellites and secretly meeting up with Gotō to pass on him intelligence obtained on Tsuge, earning Nagumo's ire due to her suspicions about him and his intentions.

A very mysterious man who works at Schaft Japan. He is in charge of the Griffin project. He seems to smile all the time and gives off the impression he's happy-go-lucky, but in fact he is very calculating, eccentric and cunning, and will stop at nothing to get the desired result. Utsumi is an alias. His real name is Richard Wong and he is from Hong Kong division of Schaft.

Kurosaki is head of the Phantom labor project, and later second in command of the Griffin project. He seems to be a rather cold man and like Wong will do what ever it takes to get the result he wants.

!Badrinath Harchand / Bud Renard
Bud is a very young Indian boy (about 12 years old) who is the pilot of the experimental Griffin Labor. A very competitive young man, his main aim seems to be beating Noa and her Patlabor rather than actually testing the Griffin. He can be very very short tempered, and thinks his work for Schaft is just a game rather than actual work.

* ImprobableAge

A software programmer who worked for Shinohara Heavy Industries, Hoba designed a revolutionary new operating system that was quickly implemented in almost every labor the Tokyo. After completing his work, Hoba commits suicide, and shortly later it becomes apparent that his new OS contains a virus that causes labors to go berserk--which due to their ubiquity, threatens the entire Tokyo metropolitan area.

An ex-JGSDF lieutenant colonel who went missing after his UN Labor platoon was attacked by armed guerrillas in the Southeast Asian forests, Tsuge changed his brown hair to white and plotted terrorist activities in the Greater Tokyo Area under the assumption of a revolt from the ranks of the Self-Defense Forces. His main motive was for the people to see the reality that he had gone through during his UN peacekeeping tour. He has a history with Nagumo.

* TheAragorn

* TheAragorn

* ActionGirl
* AscendedFangirl

* BerserkButton: DO NOT insult his wife.

* {{Bifauxnen}}

* ButNotTooForeign: Her grandmother was a Japanese immigrant (and moved back to Japan by the time the series starts).
** Uh, no, she just visits a fair amount. She's back in Japan (in the TV series) because she's remembering Kanuka's grandfather (an American pilot based in Japan, who died during the early part of the Korean war). After Christmas, she goes back.