Jump into the world of Zoids with us in our Retrospective of Zoids. Short for Zoic Androids, these Zoid bio-mechanical creatures began an incredible, widespread franchise. The Zoids franchise began in 1982 when the Japanese company, Tomy (now Takara-Tomy), made multiple series of plastic model kits. These models resemble many different species such as reptiles, insects, and mammals. From the release of these model kits, many animated television series released as well as video games, comics, and books. Although Zoids started in Japan, this franchise has expanded to multiple countries all around the world.
A lot of Zoids’ popularity lies in their model kits that have been around for decades. Many of Tomy’s models feature a wind-up or battery powered motor to power the moveable parts. These plastic models also feature removeable parts that snap together to create customizable Zoid creatures. Then, from these, many other parts of the franchise also sparked popularity.
Join Us in a Retrospective of Zoids
Follow along with us in our Retrospective of Zoids. Join us as we go through the years from 1982 to present day through the world of these epic bio-mechanical creatures. We will mention Tomy’s plastic model kits as well as the video games, comic books, animated series, and books that came out for the franchise.
Zoids Model Kits
First up, on our Retrospective of Zoids, we have the model kits. These plastic model kits released first in Japan by the company, Tomy. This company later renamed to Takara-Tomy and have released over 200 Zoids model designs throughout the years in many different countries. These Zoids model kits also change their logo with almost every release, keeping the designs going. This also helps fans easily distinguish between Zoids series with the different logo designs. Along with these, a “Battle Story” came with some model kits. Some did not come with this Battle Story attached, notably the international ones with plain packaging. However, the ones that did, featured the awesome battle narrative for the characters which helped them come to life for fans along with the motorized moveable parts.
These plastic model kits featured most of the animal-like creatures on a 1/72 scale, with their motorized parts. Since they were model kits, these Zoids held the ability to change parts with other characters which made them very customizable. The original line of Zoids released in Japan, Europe, and the United States and then extended to even more countries. Some series of Zoids even re-released due to their popularity and nostalgia. The Zoids model kits feature many animal look-alikes including dinosaurs and other reptiles, insects, and mammals. These initial characters then sparked the many other parts of the franchise such as anime, video games, comics, and books.
Zoids Video Games
Up next, on our Retrospective of Zoids, we have the video games released. Over 50 video games released for the Zoids franchise from 1985 to present day. These games also cover a vast array of gaming consoles, allowing people all around the world to play these awesome games featuring their favorite Zoid characters. More than 45 of these games released on the different consoles and mobile from 1986 to 2022. The game consoles throughout the years include the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, MSX, ZX Spectrum 48k, MSX2, NES, Game Boy, and Wii. Along with these, in later years, more games released for the PS1, Gamecube, PS2, DS, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, PC, Arcade games, and others.
The mobile games include Zoids VS. i, Zoids VS EZ, Zoids Fuzors- Diving Laser Claw, Zoids Saga Online, and Zoids: Bonds of Steel. Along with these Zoids mobile games, a few third party Zoids games came out. These include Super Robot Wars K, Super Robot Gakuen, Super Robot Wars Operation Extended, Phantasy star Online 2, and Medarot S: Unlimited Nova. With the release of so many Zoids video games, fans all around the world are able to play games with their favorite characters throughout generations. Two of the most popular Zoids video games include Zoids: The Battle Begins and Zoids: Battle Legends.
Zoids Comic Books
The comic books take the next spot on our Retrospective of Zoids. Like the model kits and video games released, many series of comic books also came out featuring these loved bio-mechanical creatures. The comic book series released by Marvel UK came out and tied in with the original toy series also released in the UK and Australia. This comic series, created by Grant Morrison, featured the characters for the first time in comics and later released a Black Zoid storyline also by Morrison. This first series, titled Secret Wars, quickly gained a new title, Spider-Man and Zoids. These comics included reprints of Spider-Man stories with an original series of Zoids stories.
The series followed an original storyline of the characters on their planet “Zoidstar”. Spider-Man and Zoids comics tell a very different story to those in other parts of the franchise. However, the series gained popularity and ran for 51 issues in Spider-Man and Zoids after 8 issues in Secret Wars. The Zoids also appeared in The Strip Adventures as well as The Black Zoid saga.
Zoids Anime
The animated series take the next spot on our retrospective of Zoids. A total of seven different animated television series released for the franchise. The first of these, Zoids: Chaotic Century, released in 1999. This series comes first in chronological order, although it released second in America after New Century. Zoids: Chaotic Century follows the story of Van Flyheight as he travels throughout the Zi planet. Van Flyheight searches for the Zoid Eve with his Organoid, Zeke, Fiona, and the Shield Liger. The Zoids: Guardian Force makes up the latter half of Zoids: Chaotic Century. The second in chronological order, Zoids: New Century, follows the adventures of Bit Cloud and his Liger Zero. These characters appear fighting in the Zoid Battles with the Blitz team.
Next up, Zoids: Fuzors, aired third. This season unfortunately canceled before it finished airing in America but fully aired in other countries. This series featured the character, RD, and his Liger Zero. Zoids: Genesis specialized in the new environment shown throughout the series. Along with this, the series also featured new Bio-Zoids. The next series to release, Zoids: Wild, showed fans a reboot of the popular franchise over a decade after Zoids: Genesis, airing in 2018. This series follows Arashi as he seeks to find the Great Ancient Treasure Z with the Wild Liger. Then, in October of 2019, Zoids: Wild ZERO came out. Although this series’ name sounds similar to the previous one, this series’ events aren’t alike. The last series, Zoids: Wild Senki, released as an online mini-series spin-off to Zoids: Wild ZERO.
Zoids Books
Last up on our Retrospective of Zoids, we have the books that released for the franchise. The original Zoids: Chaotic Century books released as a Manga series published by CoroCoro Comic. These then sparked the animated series with the same name in 1999. The first volume of these released as paperback graphic novels in 2004 by VIZ Media. These graphic novel volumes came out with two different covers, even-numbers released with a red cover and odd-number volumes released with a blue cover. This release in 2004 featured a total of 14 volumes instead of the original 5. Then, in 2019, reprints of the Zoids: Chaotic Century issued in Japan to celebrate the 20th anniversary. This version, however divided the story into 3 parts instead of the original 5 or 14 from 2004. These 3 volumes sold in physical and electronic form.
A series of four magazines released from 2000-2004 by Shogakukan. These magazines, Zoids: Official Fan Books, feature a compilation of stories and artwork. The fan books include the telling of the old battle story as well as a new one between the Helic Republic and the Guylos Empire. These books rereleased in 2024 as a part of the Zoids Core Box. Also included in this collection included a 5th additional book. This last book also took a different title as the others in chronological order with the title Avenge of Proitzen.
Do You Have Old And Used Zoids Model Kits?
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Made in Collaboration with:
Chris Ingledue
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Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab Pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!