Zoids
JC

Introduction

"Organized under strict rules and regulations, ZOID Battles are fighting competitions held on enormous battle fields using mechanical combat units known as ZOIDS! The enthusiastic young warriors put their pride on the line and sharpen their skills against one another. Battle mode approved. Area scanned. Battle field set up! Ready.... FIGHT!"

The Army of the Fanboy 80's have come and more are on their way...

Leading the charge is the little known and most likely forgotten, ZOIDS! Somewhere around the same time as Transformers rose to that status of gods, a whole slew of toys and toy themed cartoons bum rushed the market. There was a certain corner of that market that relied on partially motorized toys that you could put together like cracked out Erector Sets, but were defintely geared toward batttle. There was Robotics, Starriors, and their third little brother, ZOIDS.

Then video games came and so did the toy collectors. Soon all these cool action toys died off in droves to be replaced by hip Nintendo cartridges and "toys" that were basically unposable statues. Gone were Battle Beasts, vehicle Transformers, and Robotech.

Well, looks like the pendulum is swinging back our way cuz vehicle Transformers are back, He-Man toys are on their way and both are going to be recieving a home on Cartoon Networks, Toonami this fall!

But before them comes the forgotten underdog known as the slam bang robot actioner know as ZOIDS ZERO, which airs on Toonami every weekday at 3:30pm Central Standard Time, with that tagline, "What're you lookin' at..."

What's' it About?

Much like Big O (which also premiered on Toonami and will be bring a second season also to come this fall or winter...) the fans didn't like it at first.

The show follows the adventures of the sparky hotshot pilot, Bit Cloud and the rest of the Blitz Team, as they go from one Zoid Battle to the next. Earning money, status and sharpen their skills.

Bit's partner and Zoid of choice is the kinda sorta mysterious, Liger Zero who only he can pilot. Why that is, I'll leave it up to the series to explain, but don't worry or think about it too hard, because it's not difficult to figure out.

They travel the land in their carrier upgrading their Zoids, finding new and more powerful mechs, like the Shadow Fox or the Raynous, to use in regular battles with mauraders or in sanction competition.

On occasion the nefarious organization known only as the Backdraft Group, shows up to give our heroes a hard time and bully them into unsanction illegal combat that have no rules.

So bottom line... likeable characters wanderin' 'round the world looking for some butts to kick. Competition, mauraders, and a mysterious group that doesn't play by the rules gives the aaaallllll the reasons they need.

My Opinion

Animation's great. Regular cell combined with unique CGI animation for all the mechs that looks strikingly like cell animation. From anything I've seen from Blue Submarine Number 6 to Titan A.E. this is the best and least jarring combination of traditional and CGI animation.

No battle to save the planet to save it from some awesome god-being... no intergalactic war.... and no real dire plot to bring levity to the series.

It's super robot action at it most pure and the consistantly best choreographed big bot battles this side of a Go Nagai Production! At first you find yourself asking... why? They aren't fighting for peace, justice, or saving the world. They're just fighting to be fighting. Characters battle hard and compete and victory is the only thing they desire in the end. That and to perfect their craft as Zoid Warriors.

Maybe after two episodes, suddenly you find out, that that is all you really need out of this show! Sure, more depth in plot is fun and some grave cause or darkness hanging over the heroes pulls you in to the show more, but... there are plenty of animes out there like that. You got Gundams, Macross, Neon Genesis, and Gasaraki out there to fullfill those needs and they do it in spades!

Sometimes you just want to sit down, have some fun and watch some big bots run around, dodge, blast and blown the motherlovin' crap outta each other! And do it well! Kinda like you used to do with your Starriors, Transformers, and Battle Beast once upon a long time ago.

Final Word:

Check it out, seriously. This incarnation of Zoids will be getting a much deserved break, come July 26th. For on the following July 29th will herald the coming of Zoids Chaotic Century, which is infact more plot oriented, but I find lacking in the quality action department.

So pick your Zoid, hop in the cockpit and hit that throttle. Time get to get yours robo fight fans!

Discuss Your Opinions here at Japan Access.

And check out the Toonami Digital Arsenal for Downloadable Zoids Stuff.  I highly recommend checking out the promos.

Peace!

JC