by Fans of the Mobile Police Patlabor franchise have another collectible to look forward to this summer. Pia Corporation has officially announced the release of “Mobile Police Patlabor Shiba Shigeo Pia,” a brand-new character guidebook dedicated to the beloved mechanic Shiba Shigeo from the latest anime project, Mobile Police Patlabor EZY.
Scheduled for release on August 5, 2026, the full-color publication celebrates one of the franchise’s most memorable supporting characters with exclusive artwork, interviews, behind-the-scenes content, collectible bonuses, and an in-depth look at his role in the newest Patlabor anime.
A New Character Book Celebrating Shiba Shigeo
Following the success of “Izumi Noa Pia” and “Goto Kiichi Pia,” Pia Corporation is continuing its popular character book series with a volume dedicated entirely to Shiba Shigeo.
Known as the talented and eccentric mechanic who keeps the Patlabor units running, Shiba has long been a fan favorite thanks to his technical expertise, energetic personality, and memorable dialogue.
The new book explores every aspect of the character, from his classic appearances to his role in Mobile Police Patlabor EZY, making it an essential addition for longtime Patlabor fans and collectors alike.
Exclusive Cover Illustration by Akemi Takada
One of the biggest highlights of the release is its brand-new cover illustration, specially created by legendary character designer Akemi Takada.
The exclusive artwork showcases Shiba Shigeo in a fresh new style while preserving the classic charm that fans have loved throughout the series.
As a special bonus, the cover illustration is also included as a collectible postcard inside the book.
Special Collectible Bonuses Included
To celebrate both the release of Shiba Shigeo Pia and the continued success of Mobile Police Patlabor EZY, several exclusive bonus items are included.
Collectible Bonuses
- Exclusive postcard featuring the newly illustrated Shiba Shigeo cover
- Bonus postcards reproducing the cover illustrations from:
- Izumi Noa Pia
- Goto Kiichi Pia
- Large A3 poster featuring Shiba Shigeo’s most iconic scenes and memorable quotes
These premium extras make the publication especially attractive for collectors and longtime fans of the Patlabor franchise.
Complete Guide to Shiba Shigeo
Beyond its collectible items, the magazine offers a comprehensive look at one of Patlabor’s most iconic supporting characters.
Readers can enjoy:
- Character profile and history
- Memorable scenes from the anime
- Famous quotes
- Story highlights
- Character analysis
- Latest information about Mobile Police Patlabor EZY
Whether you’re discovering Shiba for the first time or have followed him since the original series, the guide offers a detailed overview of his importance within the Patlabor universe.
Exclusive Interviews with the Creative Team
Another major highlight of the publication is a collection of exclusive interviews with the people behind the character.
The book features conversations with:
Shigeru Chiba
The legendary voice actor behind Shiba Shigeo discusses:
- Returning to the character
- Recording for Patlabor EZY
- His thoughts on Shiba’s enduring popularity
- Behind-the-scenes memories from the franchise
Yutaka Izubuchi
The Mobile Police Patlabor EZY director shares insights into:
- The development of the new anime
- The creative direction of EZY
- Character updates
- Bringing Patlabor into a new generation
These interviews provide valuable behind-the-scenes perspectives for fans interested in the production process.
About Mobile Police Patlabor EZY
Mobile Police Patlabor EZY marks the long-awaited return of one of anime’s most influential mecha franchises.
Unlike previous television installments, the new project is being released theatrically in three chapters consisting of eight total episodes.
Release Schedule
- File 1: Released May 15, 2026
- File 2: Scheduled for August 14, 2026
- File 3: Scheduled for March 2027
Since its initial announcement, the project has generated significant excitement among longtime Patlabor fans, introducing both nostalgic elements and modern animation techniques.
Digital Revival of Classic Pia Character Books
To celebrate the launch of Shiba Shigeo Pia, Pia Corporation has also announced the return of two previously out-of-print publications.
The following books will now be available again as digital editions:
- Izumi Noa Pia
- Goto Kiichi Pia
This allows new fans to complete the collection while giving longtime readers another opportunity to revisit these popular character guides.
Why Patlabor Remains Popular
Originally debuting in the late 1980s, Mobile Police Patlabor became one of anime’s defining mecha franchises by combining realistic police work with giant robots, memorable characters, and grounded storytelling.
Unlike traditional giant robot anime centered solely on warfare, Patlabor focuses on a special police division responsible for handling crimes involving giant construction robots known as Labors.
Its blend of science fiction, comedy, drama, and realistic workplace dynamics has helped the series remain popular for decades, arriving at Patlabor EZY as one of the franchise’s biggest modern revivals.
Product Information
Mobile Police Patlabor Shiba Shigeo Pia
Publisher: Pia Corporation
Release Date: August 5, 2026 (Wednesday)
Price: ¥1,925 (tax included)
Format:
- A4 size
- 96 full-color pages
Available At:
- Bookstores
- Online bookstores
- Selected convenience stores
Final Thoughts
The upcoming Mobile Police Patlabor Shiba Shigeo Pia offers far more than a standard character guide. Packed with exclusive artwork, collectible postcards, an A3 poster, creator interviews, memorable scenes, and the latest information on Mobile Police Patlabor EZY, it serves as both a celebration of Shiba Shigeo and a tribute to one of anime’s most enduring mecha franchises.
With File 2 of Mobile Police Patlabor EZY arriving just days after the book’s release, August promises to be an exciting month for Patlabor fans. Whether you’re a longtime collector or discovering the series for the first time, Shiba Shigeo Pia is shaping up to be a must-have addition to any anime library.
