In the future, rapid technological advances give rise to giant robots called Labors, named for their usefulness in heavy industry. The rise of these machines also leads to “Labor crimes,” prompting the creation of a specialized law‑enforcement branch dedicated to policing them. When Izumi Noa, a female police officer, joins Special Vehicles Division 2 as its newest recruit, she and her top‑of‑the‑line “Patrol Labor” (Patlabor) Alphonse are swept into a series of adventures that involve crazed construction workers, eco‑terrorists, and sea monsters.