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The 1999 Tokyo International Labor Show is the primary setting of the Patlabor anime episode "Tragedy in Rain". It functioned similar to a car or trade show in that it was intended to exhibit state-of-the-art upcoming labors developed by the myriad of manufacturers in the industry. It can be assumed that Tokyo has played host to several such international labor shows before and after the one in 1999, but it was this year's labor show that would be the most influential to Patlabor's (Television) plot.
AVS-98 Economy Ingram as seen on the show floor at the 1999 Tokyo International Labor Show
Events[]
Opening[]
The 1999 Tokyo International Labor Show opened normally, with crowds of visitors clamoring to see the latest labor models. On the show floor, salesmen and models vied for the attention of onlookers and potential customers. It was at this stage where patlabor pilots from Division 2 arrived to provide security and to examine the new models for themselves. Also at this time, Shinohara Heavy Industries (SHI) unveiled their latest patlabor, the AVS-98 Economy Ingram. Many of the show's visitors were impressed by the sight of the new labor, but the pilots were skeptical that it could live up to its predecessor, the AV-98 Ingram.
Economy Ingram Demonstration[]
A Division 2 pilot boards the AVS-98 Economy Ingram
Although hesitant at first, representatives from SHI eventually allowed Division 2's pilots to perform basic movements in the Economy, hoping that it would leave a positive impression on them. However, before even activating the labor, the pilots remarked at how cheaply made everything in the cockpit felt, and once they'd begun moving, they noted how sluggish and clumsy the controls were. Nonetheless, SHI's representatives were confident that these issues would be resolved by the time the Economy hit the market.
Griffon Appearance[]
The AVS-98 Economy Ingram held in the air by the Type J-9 Griffon
After the show had ended, the Type J-9 Griffon suddenly appeared out of a truck trailer at the convention center, intent on engaging Division 2's Ingrams in combat. Isao Ohta was the first pilot able to sortie, but he was quickly defeated when his headstrong combat style led him into an unfavorable position against the agile Griffon. With Ohta out of commission, Asuma Shinohara would be the next to engage the Griffon. Piloting the Economy Ingram, Shinohara could not keep up with the speed or maneuverability of the Griffon, and was also quickly dispatched. Finally, Noa Izumi deployed in her Ingram, facing off against the Griffon. After a brief altercation, the Griffon was called back and escaped the battle site, leaving Noa unharmed.
Shooting of Takeo Kumagami[]
While the labor battle took place, officer Takeo Kumagami of Division 2 went to look for the Griffon's support crew, knowing that they couldn't be far away. When she came upon a car parked in the convention center lot, she discovered Utsumi and several of his associates were inside. She immediately recognized him as Richard Wong, but was shot in the torso by one of his associates before the car sped off. She would later be recovered by members of Division 2, who would rush her to the Metropolitan Police Hospital, where she would rest until being returned to active duty.
Impact on Division 2[]
Following the events of the 1999 Tokyo International Labor Show, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Special Vehicles Section 2, Division 2 was left with one critically damaged Ingram and two officers in the hospital. While the Ingram would be repaired and both Asuma and Takeo would make full recoveries, the psychological impact on the team was profound. The division would perform even worse than they were known for for some time following the incident.