History Franchise / Zoids

The original '80s release of the models in the UK was accompanied by a Creator/MarvelUK [[http://www.zoidstar.com Marvel comic]], which stands entirely in its own continuity. It followed the story of the survivors of a human prison ship which crashed on what they think is an uninhabited planet but is in fact Zoidstar, former capital of the Zoidaryan Empire. The Zoids are the android-piloted war machines of the Zoidaryans left to run amok after the (almost) total extinction of their masters. Thanks to the actions of the last remaining Zoidaryans the Zoids have divided into two antagonistic armies -- the Blue Zoids and Red Zoids -- and are fighting a brutal war across the ruined surface of Zoidstar. A third faction soon arises dedicated to uniting the other two and conquering the galaxy.

** Also used with Seismosaurus. Thirty-one [[UpToEleven double-barrelled]] lasers makes for an [[http://momonga.zink.net.nz/images/model/new_069_bs-back_fb.jpg awesome light show]].

The original '80s release of the models in the UK was accompanied by a [[http://www.zoidstar.com Marvel UK comic]], which stands entirely in its own continuity. It followed the story of the survivors of a human prison ship which crashed on what they think is an uninhabited planet but is in fact Zoidstar, former capital of the Zoidaryan Empire. The Zoids are the android-piloted war machines of the Zoidaryans left to run amok after the (almost) total extinction of their masters. Thanks to the actions of the last remaining Zoidaryans the Zoids have divided into two antagonistic armies -- the Blue Zoids and Red Zoids -- and are fighting a brutal war across the ruined surface of Zoidstar. A third faction soon arises dedicated to uniting the other two and conquering the galaxy.

* ShirtlessScene: A rare female example. The first time Re Mie is seen, she's completely nude save for a [[DangerouslyShortSkirt small towel]] tied around her waist. Thankfully, her nipples are also covered due to the fact that she's carrying a giant fish about as big around as she is.[[note]]Not that there's anything to see to begin with, considering she's flat as a board.[[/note]]

* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys: Iron Kong, a giant gorilla mecha. With a jetpack and [=ICBMs=]. Hammer Rock and Gorilla Tron too.

* ShirtlessScene: A rare female example. The first time Re Mie is seen, she's completely nude save for a small towel tied around her waist. Thankfully, her nipples are also covered due to the fact that she's carrying a giant fish about as big around as she is.[[note]]Not that there's anything to see to begin with, considering she's flat as a board.[[/note]]

[[folder:Tropes Used in ''Wild'']]

* EqualOpportunityEvil: Death Metal certainly doesn't certainly discriminate based on sexual orientation if the {{Starter Villian}}s show anything.
* HeroWithAUniqueName: Af first played straight with Arashi (being the OddNameOut of the EdibleThemeNaming), but [[SubvertedTrope turns out]] that he follow a "different thematic" outside of the common one. Also, his rival's name is Drake, which is [[UnderStatement totally not a food.]]
* StrongFamilyResemblance: Both Arashi and his father Ikazuchi shares the same MulticoloredHair. And the same IdiotHair.
* ThemeNaming:
** EdibleThemeNaming: So far, most of the characters are named after foods, like Penne, Onigiri and Bacon.
** FamilyThemeNaming: Arashi's family is a [[{{Pun}} climatic]] one: It means "storm" in japanese. His father is name Ikazuchi (thunder) and his grandfather is named Taifun/Typhoon.
[[/folder]]

* ShirtlessScene: A rare female example. The first time Re Mie is seen nude from the waist up while catching fish in a river. Don't worry though - all the naughty bits[[note]]she's flat as a board[[/note]] are covered by a big fish she's holding. No exposure of minors here.

The fifth series, ''Anime/ZoidsWild'', was announced to the complete surprise of the fandom 12 years later. It follows Arashi, a young wannabe Zoid Rider who tames the rare wild Zoid Liger, who previously escaped from the world conquering Death Metal Empire. Together, they fight against the Empire's forces to keep the rest of Planet Zi from being overrun.

''Genesis'' was believed to have been a FranchiseKiller; however, this seems to have been exaggerated, since 12 years later, a fifth series, ''Wild'', was announced. It was finally released

* FrickinLaserBeams: Pretty much every Zoids storyline has these. But for [[RuleOfCool some bizarre reason]], the Seismosaurus' [[BeamSpam thirty-one double-barrelled mini-lasers]] behave like real lasers in its model, Battle Story and video game appearances.

The fifth series, ''[[Anime/ZoidsWild]]'', was announced to the complete surprise of the fandom 12 years later. It follows Arashi, a young wannabe Zoid Rider who tames the rare wild Zoid Liger, who previously escaped from the world conquering Death Metal Empire. Together, they fight against the Empire's forces to keep the rest of Planet Zi from being overrun.

''Genesis'' was believed to have been a FranchiseKiller; however, this seems to have been exaggerated, since 12 years later, a fifth series, ''Wild'', was announced.

Unique in all of the series is the animation style. The people and most of the environments are animated traditionally, but [[TwoDVisualsThreeDEffects the Zoids are CGI]]. The process is generally well done; the CG uses CellShading and matches the frame rate, making it noticeable but not distracting.

Unique in all of the series is the animation style. The people and most of the environments are animated traditionally, but the Zoids are CGI with [[ForTheCelOfIt cel shading to blend in]]. The process is generally well done; [[TwoDVisualsThreeDEffects the CG is slightly noticeable]], but it's not too distracting.

Unique in all of the series is the animation style. The people and most of the environments are animated traditionally, but the Zoids are CGI with [[ForTheCelOfIt cel shading to blend in]]. The process is generally well done; [[ThreeDEffectsTwoDCartoon the CG is there]], but not very distracting.

* ThreeDEffectsTwoDCartoon: The Zoids themselves, of course.

''Zoids'' (dub title ''Anime/ZoidsChaoticCentury''), was aired in 1999 and was the first anime series. Taking elements from the Battle Story, Chaotic Century focuses on [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Van Flyheight]], a boy who comes across a small Zoid known as an Organoid, which he names Zeke (Sieg in the original Japanese), sleeping in a pod hidden in an old ruin. He also discovers a [[MysteriousWaif mysterious girl]] he names Fiona (Fiine), who happened to be sleeping in the pod next to Zeke's. Zeke has the ability to resurrect Zoids, so after restoring an abandoned Shield Liger to life, Van takes it to help Fiona find "Zoid Eve". Along the way, they meet up with the smuggler and trader Moonbay, the mercenary Irvine, and end up getting caught up in the war between the Helic Republic and Guylos Empire that takes priority over finding Zoid Eve.

''New Century'' was actually the first Zoids anime to be released in North America, premiering on Creator/CartoonNetwork's ''Creator/{{Toonami}}'' block. ''Chaotic Century'' was aired later, usually early in the morning after the end of Adult Swim programming and before the resumption of Cartoon Network's regular programming.

The third series, ''Zoids: Fuzors'', was similar in theme to ''New Century'', but set in its own continuity. It shows off the concept of the Fuzors, smaller Zoids that can [[CombiningMecha combine with the larger ones]] to boost their power or give them new abilities. ''Fuzors'' was also aired on Toonami, but was canceled after only 13 of its 26 episodes aired. Eventually, all 26 episodes were shown in Australia. In a curious change, the series was shown in Japan ''after'' its US release. The Japanese version had new animation added, to the point where the second episode is completely different.

Unique in all of the series is the animation style. The people and most of the environments are animated traditionally, but the Zoids are CGI with [[ForTheCelOfIt cel shading to blend in]]. The process is generally well done; the ConspicuousCG is there, but not very distracting.

* ConspicuousCG: The Zoids themselves, of course.

* TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt

*** Aslo [[DepartmentOfRedundencyDepartment Bombing Attack Bombs]].

Most of the stories concern battles between the Helic Republic, the Guylos, and Zenebas Empires. This is told in the "Battle Story" [[AllThereInTheManual in each of the model kits]], though the animated series doesn't follow them too closely. These models have been sold in North America, Europe, Japan, and elsewhere periodically since the 80's, rarely accompanied by the storyline.

Most of the stories concern battles between the Helic Republic, the Guylos, and Zenebas Empires. This is told in the "Battle Story" [[AllThereInTheManual in each of the model kits]], though the animated series doesn't follow them too closely. These models have been sold in North America, Europe, Japan, and elsewhere periodically over the past 20 years or so, rarely accompanied by the storyline.

* HeroWithAUniqueName: Af first played straight with Arashi (being the OddNameOut of the EdibleThemeNaming), but [[SubvertedTrope turns out]] that he follow a "different thematic" outside of the common one. Also, his rival's name is Drake, which is {{Understatement totally not a food.}}

* HeroWithAUniqueName: Af first played straight with Arashi (being the OddNameOut of the EdibleThemeNaming), but [[SubvertedTrope turns out]] that he follow a "different thematic" outside of the common one. Also, his rival's name is Drake, which is [[Understatement totally not a food.]]