The mecha anime genre has historically been dominated by a few franchises, namely “Mobile Suit Gundam” and “Neon Genesis Evangelion"the most recognized. However, there are other smaller properties that have also left their mark, such as "Zooids", a series that once enjoyed great popularity. Zoids is known primarily for its plastic models, but in its heyday it was a true force in various media.

The “Zoids” franchise, originated by Takara Tomy, began as “Technozoids“In this series, giant creatures called Zoids, or also known as Technozooidals any Zoidarians, are robotic animals used for various purposes, mainly as weapons of war. Among the different types (based on felines, insects and dinosaurs), Liger-type Zoids are the most common and are generally considered the "main Zoid" in each series, similar to how the main mobile suits in Gundam anime often resemble the original RX-78-2 Gundam.

Over the years, the franchise has taken on different forms in anime, manga, and toy lines, adapting to the preferences of different regions. The series "Zooids: Fuzors”It was the third anime entry in the mecha toy franchise, following“Zooids: Chaotic Century” and “Zooids: New Century“This series introduced the protagonist RD, a delivery man for the Mach Storm company, who discovers how to fuse Zoids, giving the series its name. However, Zoids: Fuzors failed to attract fans, who heavily criticized the anime.

The failure of “Zooids: Fuzors” can be attributed to several factors, including the poor animation produced by Tokyo Kids, in contrast to the previous series animated by the XEBEC studio, known for its innovative animation. Additionally, the series suffered from unconvincing character design. and poorly crafted dialoguesresulting in a narrative that failed to capture the public's attention. The plot got interesting too latearound episode 13, which was not enough to save the series.

Despite attempts to relaunch the franchise with cosmetic changes and script adjustments, “Zoids: Fuzors” failed to be a success. In Japan and other Eastern regions, the series was met with indifference and remains regarded as one of the franchise's weakest entries. This decline marked the beginning of a long hiatus for the franchise from television. until the release of “Zoids Wild” in 2018, which was part of a new multimedia push to revitalize the brand. While the new series has achieved some international exposure through streaming platforms, the franchise has struggled to regain its former status in the global market.

In a context where other mecha anime series like “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch of Mercury“and the movie”Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom"Having revitalized interest in the genre, the Zoids franchise may find a new opportunity to shine. However, for now, failure of “Zooids: Fuzors“ remains a reminder of the challenges mecha franchises face in remaining relevant and successful in both Eastern and Western markets.

© 1983-2004 TOMY © ShoPro・TV Tokyo

The entry What the hell happened to Zoids? was first published in Kudasai.