Zoids: Fuzors facts for kids

Zoids: Fuzors
Quick facts for kids ゾイド フューザーズ (Zoido Fyūzāzu)
Genre	Adventure, mecha
Anime television series
Directed by	Kouji Makita (first 16 episodes only) Yorifusa Yamaguchi (chief)
Produced by	Fukashi Azuma Toshihiro Nakazawa
Written by	Hideki Shirane
Music by	Tetsuya Komuro
Studio	Tokyo Kids
Network	TV Tokyo
English network	US Cartoon Network
Original run	October 4, 2003 – December 27, 2003
Episodes	26 (List of episodes)

Zoids: Fuzors (ゾイド フューザーズ, Zoido Fyūzāzu) is an anime TV show. It's based on the cool Zoids toy line, which are giant robot animals! This is the third Zoids series ever made.

The show has 26 episodes. It first aired in the U.S. before Japan. Sadly, the U.S. broadcast stopped after 13 episodes. The Japanese version later added improvements to the episodes. Zoids: Fuzors takes place in the same world as the Zoids Battle Story.

What is Zoids: Fuzors About?

The story follows a delivery boy named RD. He works for a company called Mach Storm in Blue City. Blue City is a big city on Planet Zi. Mach Storm is also a Zoids battling team!

RD learns how to be a great Zoid pilot. He soon finds out he can combine his Zoid with others. This special ability is called "Fuzor." Zoid battles in this show are for competition. They happen in special enclosed arenas. RD's main Zoid is the awesome Liger Zero.

At first, the show focuses on the rivalry between Mach Storm and the Savage Hammer teams. As the series goes on, RD and his friends discover a secret plan. Someone wants to take over Blue City! Mach Storm must fight to stop them.

What are Fuzors?

Fuzors is different from other Zoids shows. It shows more of the world outside of battles. In Fuzors, two or more Zoids can combine. They become one super powerful unit called a Fuzor! Not every Zoid can be a Fuzor, though. Only certain Zoids are compatible with each other. For example, the Savage Hammer team had many Leoblazes. But only Matt's Leoblaze could combine to form the Matrix Dragon.

How Do Zoids Fuse?

To pilot a Zoid, you need a Zi-Fighter's license. This is a special glove for your right hand. It has a mechanical device on the back. This device helps you connect with your Zoid. It also helps you use your Zoid's full power. Most importantly, it starts a Fuzor combination! It can even work as a short-range radio.

To make Zoids fuse, pilots shout a command. In the American version, it's "FUZORS, COMBINE!" In the Japanese version, it's "ZI-UNIZON!" The pilot raises a clenched right fist. Then, they say the name of the new Fuzor. For example, RD shouts, "FUZORS, COMBINE! Liger Zero Phoenix!"

Meet the Characters

Let's meet the main characters in Zoids: Fuzors!

The Mach Storm Team

• RD

Voiced by: Kenji Nojima (Japanese); Brad Swaile (English)

RD is the main hero of the show. He's a delivery boy who pilots the Liger Zero. RD wants to become a better Zoid pilot. He often competes with his rival, Blake. RD discovers he can fuse his Liger Zero with the Fire Phoenix. This creates the powerful Liger Zero Phoenix! RD's goal is to find the "Alpha Zoid." This legendary Zoid is super powerful. His father also searched for it. RD grows a lot during the series. He becomes a skilled pilot and leader.

• Sweet

Voiced by: Chie Nakamura (Japanese); Nicole Bouma (English)

Sweet is another member of Mach Storm. She doesn't pilot a Zoid. Instead, she drives a Gustav Traveller. She cares a lot about RD and helps him often. Sweet also handles the team's money and cooking. She even works other jobs sometimes.

• Helmut

Voiced by: Jouji Nakata (Japanese); Brian Dobson (English)

Helmut is the oldest pilot on the Mach Storm Team. He taught RD how to pilot a Zoid. He's like a mentor to RD. Helmut pilots a Command Wolf AC. His Zoid has special upgrades. He always wears a mask, but we never find out why!

• Sigma

Voiced by: Anri Katsu (Japanese); Ted Cole (English)

Sigma is the third member of Mach Storm. He's older than RD and can be a bit boastful. But he's a good pilot! He used to pilot a Boldguard. After it was destroyed, he got a new Leostriker. Sigma's Zoid can fuse with Helmut's to form the Command Striker.

• Amy

Voiced by: Manabi Mizuno (Japanese); Chiara Zanni (English)

Amy is a freelance agent who sometimes works with Mach Storm. She uses her charm to get what she wants. Amy can be a bit greedy, but she does help the team in battles. She pilots a König Wolf Mk II.

• Matt

Voiced by: Ayumi Tsunematsu (Japanese); Danny McKinnon (English)

Matt is a young boy who RD found living alone. RD took him in, and Matt became an unofficial team member. He wanted to be a Zoid pilot and learned to pilot the team's Leoblaze. His Zoid was stolen by Savage Hammer.

• Dan

Voiced by: Koichi Tochika (Japanese); Michael Dobson (English)

Dan is the main mechanic for Mach Storm. He's always ready to help! He got very excited when he learned Zoids could fuse. Dan tries to find ways to fuse all of Mach Storm's Zoids. He can pilot a Zoid himself, a Heldigunner.

• Hop

Voiced by: Tetsuo Sakaguchi (Japanese); Russell Roberts (English)

Hop is the manager of the Mach Storm team. He often worries about the team's money. He's not a fighter at all. Hop is very reliable and gets along well with everyone.

The Savage Hammer Team

• Blake

Voiced by: Junji Majima (Japanese); Brian Drummond (English)

Blake is a main rival in Fuzors. He pilots a Berserk Führer. His Zoid can fuse with a Buster Eagle to form the Buster Fury. Blake's Zoid was destroyed by the Energy Liger. He later got a Gairyuki. Blake's hatred for RD was a big part of the story. He later learned he was tricked by Sandra.

• Sandra

Voiced by: Atsuko Yuya (Japanese); Tabitha St. Germain (English)

Sandra is the manager of Savage Hammer. She's a rich and powerful businesswoman in Blue City. She formed the team and gives them Zoids. She also fuels the rivalry with Mach Storm. Sandra has many connections, even with criminals. Her father was part of the original Mach Storm team. She wanted revenge because she thought Helmut killed him. Later, she found out the truth and joined Mach Storm.

• Burton

Voiced by: Ryuuzou Ishino (Japanese); Alessandro Juliani (English)

Burton is another member of Savage Hammer. He often acts like Blake's helper. He can be a bit snobby and looks down on others. Burton is also a bit of a coward. He pilots a Lord Gale. He secretly works for Alpha.

• Luke

Voiced by: Hiroki Shimowada (Japanese); Michael Coleman (English)

Luke is a supporting member of Savage Hammer. He's more of a tech expert than a fighter. He piloted the Buster Eagle when it fused with Blake's Zoid. Luke also helped create the Gairyuki. He was later controlled by Alpha. Blake eventually rescued him.

Richter Scale

• Alpha Richter

Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki (Japanese); Michael Dobson (English)

Alpha is a rich businessman and a powerful person in Blue City. He secretly plans to take control of the city. Alpha develops the Seismosaurus as his ultimate weapon. Sandra is his adopted younger sister. Luke, Rebecca, and Burton work for him. His name is a play on the Richter scale, which measures earthquakes. His organization is also called Richter Scale.

• Rebecca

Voiced by: Kae Araki

Rebecca is Alpha's assistant. She's also a Zoid pilot and a spy. She pretended to be a Zoid pilot to join Mach Storm. This way, she could get information for Alpha. She pilots a Dimetroptera.

The Peace Keeping Bureau (PKB)

• Gummie

Gummie is in charge of the PKB. He has a cowboy accent and acts like a sheriff. Gummie pilots a Gojulas Giga.

• Ciao

Voiced by: Ayumi Tsunematsu (Japanese); Tabitha St. Germain (English)

Ciao is a junior officer in the PKB. She works with Gummie and Deed.

• Deed

Voiced by: Makoto Yasumura (Japanese); Scott McNeil (English)

Deed is more experienced than Ciao. He often makes sarcastic comments.

Other Characters

• Dr. Pierce

Voiced by: Takeshi Aono (Japanese); Brian Dobson (English)

Dr. Pierce is a scientist in Blue City. He knows a lot about Zoid technology and Fuzors. He helps Mach Storm sometimes. Secretly, he works for Alpha. He created the Energy Liger. But Alpha didn't want them, so Pierce used them against Alpha's plans.

• Haldo

Voiced by: Hiroshi Ito

Haldo is an old friend of Helmut's. He used to be on the Mach Storm team. Now, he's a transport pilot. He helps the team by offering them work. He also helped Sigma get his Leostriker.

• Marvis

Voiced by: Hori Yukitoshi (Japanese); Paul Dobson (English)

Marvis was once a member of the Mach Storm Team. He was Helmut's best friend. He had a big fight with the team and was imprisoned. He escaped and tried to get revenge. Marvis pilots a Shadow Fox. He actually works for Alpha.

• Rastani

Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi (Japanese); Andrew Kavadas (English)

Rastani leads the Black Impact team. He was one of the best Zoid pilots. He saw RD as a rival. He pilots a customized Blade Liger. After a big battle, he became friends with RD.

• Reynard

Voiced by: Nobuo Tobita (Japanese); Scott McNeil (English)

Reynard is Rastani's older brother. He's a skilled scientist. He created the Chimera Dragon. He used it to take control of the Black Impact team. He is another one of Alpha's helpers.

• Tracy

Voiced by: Haruhi Terada (Japanese); Jocelyne Loewen (English)

Tracy is the friendly face of the Zoid Battle Network. She seems to like RD.

• Venus

Voiced by: Tomoko Ishimura

Venus is a mysterious girl who lives in a forest. She seems to be able to talk to RD's Liger Zero. She helped RD find the Jet Falcon. The Jet Falcon could fuse with the Liger Zero to form the Liger Zero Falcon. It's hinted that Venus might be connected to the Fire Phoenix.

• Vareth

Voiced by: Kenta Miyake (Japanese); Scott McNeil (English)

Vareth leads a team of mercenaries. He's loud and boisterous. He pilots a Gravity Wolf. He and his team start as rivals but become allies of Mach Storm.

• Dart

Voiced by: Kentaro Ito

Dart is the second member of Vareth's team. He acts like a ninja and always carries a sword. He pilots a Gravity Saix.

• Sabre

Voiced by: Yuko Sasamoto (Japanese); Janyse Jaud (English)

Sabre is the third member of Vareth's team. She's a skilled warrior. She pilots a Gravity Saurer.

Episode List

• Episode 1: Knockover on Planet Zi
• Episode 2: 1+1=?
• Episode 3: Enter the Fire Phoenix
• Episode 4: Fuzors Combine! Liger Zero Phoenix
• Episode 5: The Kid Called Matt
• Episode 6: Ambush in the Wasteland
• Episode 7: The Unseen Enemy
• Episode 8: Blue Lightning
• Episode 9: Good Job Peacekeeping Bureau
• Episode 10: Visitor From the Past
• Episode 11: Brutal Battle Royal
• Episode 12: Matt Battled R.D
• Episode 13: Three Teams Face Off
• Episode 14: Awakening of the Evil Dragon
• Episode 15: Lost Wings
• Episode 16: A New Friend
• Episode 17: Nightmare in the Sky
• Episode 18: Glory for the Man
• Episode 19: Showdown at High Noon
• Episode 20: Evolution
• Episode 21: The Water's Surface & The Under Current
• Episode 22: Rampage of the God of Destruction
• Episode 23: The End of Mach Storm
• Episode 24: The Legendary Zoid
• Episode 25: Showdown
• Episode 26: Blue Skys Over Planet Zi

Animation Style

A new studio, Tokyo Kids, handled the computer animation for Fuzors. This gave the show a different art style. Both the human characters and the Zoid robots looked different. Many backgrounds and large scenes were made using 3D models. This was especially true for the Zoids Battle Arena.

Some Zoids moved a bit clumsily compared to earlier shows. But many Zoids also had more detailed movements. For example, the Fire Phoenix's wing feathers moved like a real bird. The fins on Gorheks and Gojulas Giga moved as they walked. The show also featured many new Zoids, especially Blox Zoids. The animators had a smaller budget than previous Zoids shows.

Some Zoid models from earlier shows were changed. New models were also made for some Zoids. For example:

• The Blade Liger got a brand new animation model. It looked much more like the real toy.
• The Sabre Tiger's model was changed to include more small cannons.
• All Dark Horns in the show had two Gattling guns and two horns.
• All Red Horns had glowing green parts, like the Dark Horns.
• All Iron Kongs had Gattling cannons on their shoulders. This version was first seen in Zoids: Chaotic Century.
• All Gun Snipers were the heavily armed version. This was used by Leena Toros in Zoids: New Century Zero.
• The Lord Gale's X-Breaker Claw had a longer top pincer. On the toy, both pincers are the same length.

Japanese Version Changes

The Japanese and American versions of Fuzors are quite different. The American versions of earlier Zoids shows had parts removed. But the Japanese version of Fuzors actually had new material added! The animators used the time between the American and Japanese releases to improve the show.

Many of the first thirteen episodes have small changes. These are usually extra visual effects during fusion scenes. Episode 2 is a big exception. They completely remade the original version. It was almost totally different from the American one! This change caused a small mistake in the story later on.

The opening animation for the American version (from episode 20) shows the Energy Liger running with the Liger Zero Falcon. It shows the Energy Liger connecting to the Falcon. But this scene never actually happened in the show!

Some voice actors from previous Zoids shows appeared in small roles. Daisuke Kishio, who voiced Van Flyheight, voiced Doug. Takahiro Sakurai, who voiced Bit Cloud, voiced Jean Holiday.

Theme Songs

• Opening: "Enemy of Life" by 2Am
• Ending: "Self-Control 2004" by 2Am