Zoids: New Century facts for kids

Zoids: New Century
Zoids: New Century DVD Volume 1
Quick facts for kids ゾイド新世紀／ゼロ (Zoido Shinseiki Surasshu Zero)
Genre	Adventure, Comedy, Mecha
Anime television series
Directed by	Takao Kato
Produced by	Hiroshi Morotomi Toshihiro Nakazawa
Written by	Katsuyuki Sumisawa
Music by	Kow Otani
Studio	Xebec
Network	MBS, TBS
English network	US Cartoon Network (Toonami)
Original run	January 6, 2001 – June 30, 2001
Episodes	26 (List of episodes)
Other series
List of all Zoids series

Zoids: New Century, also known as Zoids: New Century Slash Zero, is an exciting anime TV show from 2001. It's the second series in the Zoids universe, which is based on cool robot models made by TOMY. This show was the first Zoids series to be dubbed into English for Western audiences. It has 26 episodes, each about 25 minutes long. In 2014, a special Blu-ray set of the series was released in Japan.

What is Zoids: New Century About?

This story takes place a long time after the events of Zoids: Chaotic Century. In this world, Zoids are no longer used for big wars. Instead, people use them in exciting battle-competitions and tournaments organized by the Zoid Battle Commission.

The Zoid Battle Commission is a powerful group on Planet Zi. They have many armed Zoids and even their own space stations. The show doesn't clearly say if the old Helic Republic and Guylos Empire still exist. However, the final battle happens on a rusty Ultrasaurus, which might be the same one from Zoids: Chaotic Century. This could mean that the old empires are gone, and people are free to battle wherever they want.

The series follows the Blitz Team, especially a pilot named Bit Cloud and his unique Zoid, the Liger Zero. The show tracks the Blitz Team's journey as they rise through the Zoid Battle Commission's competitions. They also try to avoid trouble with a sneaky group called the Backdraft Organization.

Meet the Characters

The Blitz Team Members

• Bit Cloud

Bit used to sell junk. He joins the Blitz Team after accidentally damaging one of their Zoids during a match. Bit soon discovers he's the only one who can pilot the rare Liger Zero, which belongs to the team's manager. He makes friends and rivals with many other pilots. Bit has a very close bond with the Liger Zero, treating it like a friend, not just a machine. He often has funny arguments with Leena Toros about small things like cookies or shower times.

• Liger Zero (ライガーゼロ, Raigā Zero)

At first, everyone thought the Liger Zero was useless because no one could pilot it. But after Bit befriended it, the Liger Zero became amazing at close combat. It uses a powerful "Strike Laser Claw" attack in many battles. It has a special system called CAS (Changing Armor System). This lets it switch between three incredible armors:

• • Liger Zero Jager: This unit gives it super speed and agility with ion boosters.
  • Liger Zero Schneider: This armor adds sharp blades for close-up fights.
  • Liger Zero Panzer: This heavy armor comes with cannons and missiles to take on many enemies at once.

As the series goes on, we learn that the Liger Zero is one of a kind. It's an "Ultimate X" Zoid with a special system that lets it learn and adapt. This helps it predict and react to enemy attacks much faster than other Zoids.

• Leena Toros

Leena is the daughter of the Blitz Team's manager. She's a lively and sometimes loud sixteen-year-old girl. She pilots two different Zoids: first the De-bison, then the Gunsniper. Leena is known for being very trigger-happy in battles, almost a bit wild! She also has a short temper and often comically attacks others, especially Bit. Harry Champ is always trying to get her attention, but she doesn't like him back. She sometimes even uses his feelings against him. In the original Japanese version, her name is Rinon Toros.

• Brad Hunter

Brad started his career as a mercenary (a fighter for hire). The Blitz Team hired him before the show began to have more pilots. He pilots a modified Command Wolf. Later, he has to steal a special Shadow Fox Zoid from Dr. Laon and the Backdraft Group. After getting the Shadow Fox, Brad battles Bit and the Liger Zero. The fight stops because both pilots are on the Blitz Team. The Shadow Fox officially joins the team thanks to Brad's clever plan. Brad is very tough physically. He rarely fights without getting paid, even if his teammates are in danger. In the original Japanese version, his name is Ballad.

• Jamie Hemeros

Jamie is Steve Toros' assistant and the Blitz Team's strategist. He plans their battles and sometimes pilots the team's only flying Zoid. The characters think he's an orphan, but his father is actually alive. At fourteen, he's the youngest member of the team. He first owns a Pteras, but Dr. Toros trades it for a Raynos, the same type of Zoid his father piloted. Jamie cares about his teammates, but they often annoy him by ignoring his advice. His piloting skills aren't the best; he crashes his Zoid in almost every battle!

• The Wild Eagle

When Jamie pilots the Raynos, its super-fast speed sometimes brings out his other personality, the Wild Eagle. The Wild Eagle is the complete opposite of Jamie. He's a skilled pilot but often too confident, which usually damages the Raynos and makes Jamie pass out. This "Wild Eagle" personality seems to run in Jamie's family. His father, Oscar, had the same changes when flying certain Zoids. Unfortunately, this led to Oscar crashing his Raynos. Oscar was hurt and scared by the accident, and Dr. Toros said he "never flew a Raynos again." He wasn't killed, though. He often visits Jamie, sometimes making his son a bit miserable by accident.

• Steve Toros

Steve Toros manages the Blitz Team. He's also an inventor and sometimes helps control battles. He is the father of Leena and Leon Toros. He, Dr. Laon, and Oscar were old friends. But Dr. Toros married the woman Dr. Laon loved, which caused a big fight between them. Dr. Laon burned down their old meeting place, ending their friendship. Dr. Toros is 38 years old. He can be impulsive, buying weapons just because they look "big" and "shiny." He's also a bit dramatic and immature sometimes, but he's very smart. He built the CAS armor system just for the Liger Zero. He bought the Liger Zero because white Ligers are rare, but it was thought to be broken because it was hard to find parts for it. Also, it was very stubborn and would kick out pilots it didn't like. In many episodes, he plays with model Zoids and gets very upset if he accidentally breaks a part. He loves them so much he even keeps a collection on his bed!

Other Important Characters

• Oscar Hemeros

Oscar is a good friend of Dr. Toros. They grew up together, dreaming of joining the Zoid leagues. He accidentally caused the big fight between Dr. Toros and Dr. Laon. Oscar was supposed to write a love letter from Dr. Laon to a woman they both liked, but he didn't know it was from Laon, so he wrote it from Steve Toros instead. Oscar was one of the best flying Zoid pilots, earning the nickname "Wild Eagle" for his amazing stunts. But he crashed his Raynos one day, forcing him to retire early. He still flies Zoids for fun. He sent his son, Jamie, to join Dr. Toros' Blitz Team, hoping they could bring out Jamie's "Wild Eagle" side.

• Dr. Laon

Dr. Laon used to be friends with Steve Toros. But they had a big argument over a woman (Leena and Leon's mother), which broke their friendship. He works with the Backdraft Group. He often tries to get pilots to challenge the Blitz Team and get revenge on Dr. Toros. Even though he hates Toros, he cares deeply for Leena because she reminds him of her mother. Once, he used his Whale King Zoid to shield Leena from a huge explosion, which badly hurt him. He told Toros he would never stop seeking revenge. At the end of the series, Oscar visits Laon in the hospital.

• Harry Champ

Harry often says he's "a man destined to be king." He's rich, inheriting half of his family's fortune. But he cares more about his unrequited love for Leena Toros. He wrongly thinks Leena likes him back. Once, Dr. Laon kidnapped him, thinking Leena wouldn't attack him, but he was wrong! At the end of the series, Harry plans to propose to Leena but never gets the chance. Harry also has two robot helpers, Benjamin and Sebastian. Because he's so wealthy, he owns many Zoids, claiming to have "everything from a Gojulas to Cannon Tortoises." His main Zoid is a customized Dark Horn, but he's also piloted an Iron Kong and a Cannon Tortoise.

• Jack Sisco

Jack is a very skilled mercenary. He was said to have never lost a battle before fighting the Blitz Team. He pilots a fast cheetah-type Zoid called the Lightning Saix. He's often shown as arrogant and distant. He was a freelance mercenary but was very picky about who he worked for, only choosing those with enough money and "luck." Even though he's a mercenary, he usually acts honorably. Later, he gets two teammates, Kelly and Chris Tasker, who also pilot Lightning Saixes. Together, they use a special strategy to defeat the Blitz Team. Bit later defeats him during the Royal Cup.

• Naomi Fluegel

Naomi is a female pilot known as the "Red Comet" because she's excellent at sniping and long-range combat. She pilots a red Gunsniper with a special sniping system built into its tail. At first, Naomi is a solo pilot. Later, Leon Toros joins her to form the Flugel Team. Before the Blitz Team defeated her, it was said that no one could get within 1000 yards of her Gun Sniper. It's hinted that she and Brad might like each other.

• Leon Toros

Leon is Dr. Toros' older son. He used to be on the Blitz Team until Bit joined. Bit's potential as a Zoid pilot made Leon feel inspired. He left the team, confident that Bit could handle things, hoping to become a better pilot himself. He later becomes Naomi Fluegel's partner. Leon pilots a Shield Liger at the start of the series and later a Red Blade Liger. The Zoids he pilots are similar to those of Van Flyheight, the main character of Zoids: Chaotic Century. He even mentions meeting his Blade Liger in a legendary valley where great Zoid pilots had traveled.

• Chris and Kelly Tasker

These twin sisters join Jack Sisco to form the Lightning Team. Both pilot Lightning Saixes. You can tell them apart by their outfits: Kelly wears green, and Chris wears blue.

• Kirkland, Omari, and Lineback

These three pilots are known as the Tigers Team, but Bit jokingly calls them the Fuzzy Pandas Team. They start as capable opponents but become more like funny characters as the series goes on. To try and change their bad luck, they rename themselves the Zabre Fangs. In the final battle with the Blitz Team, they lose in a funny way. The Judge accidentally calls them the Fuzzy Pandas Team, which makes their Zoids freeze up, and the Blitz Team wins by default. They are a funny reference to the Hanshin Tigers baseball team.

• Mary Champ

Mary is Harry's older sister. She wants her brother to stop obsessing over Zoid battles and come home to help with their family company. After Harry lost all his Zoids to the Backdraft Group, Mary went to his home and demanded he return, threatening to cut him off from the family money. But when Harry explained his problems to the Blitz Team, especially Bit, she agreed to meet them. When she met the Blitz Team, she didn't like Leena as Harry's girlfriend, but she fell in love with Bit's Liger Zero (she thought it was cute!). She then challenged the Blitz Team to a battle for the Liger Zero, offering ten times the usual prize money. Mary bought Iron Kongs to help her team. When the Champ Team lost, Mary changed her mind about Zoid battles and decided to let Harry do what he wanted.

• Judge Robots

These robots act as the referees in every official Zoid battle. They have artificial intelligence and became more human-like as the series went on. Each Judge is dropped onto the battlefield from a special Judge Satellite in space. This satellite can also defend itself with orbital strikes. In one episode, a robot named Benjamin falls in love with a Judge. In another, a Judge wrestles a Dark Judge while announcing that Brad registered the Shadow Fox as a Blitz Team member. In the final episodes, the Judge mistakenly calls the Zaber Fangs Team by their "Fuzzy Pandas" nickname, causing them to lose balance and crash their Zoids. The Judge sheepishly declares the Blitz Team the winners by default.

The Backdraft Organization

The Backdraft Organization is a group that tries to go against the Zoid Battle Commission. They run their own unofficial battles. Their main goal is to capture special Zoids called Ultimate X Zoids. The group has different ranks and is controlled by a "Committee of Seven." They are known for being tough, sneaky, and sometimes dangerous in their battle tactics. Some known members of the Backdraft include:

• Vega Obscura

Vega is an eleven-year-old pilot who works for the Backdraft Organization, specifically under Sarah. He pilots the powerful Berserk Fury. Because he's a child genius, he sees Zoid battling as just a competition, always looking for the next challenge and the thrill of fighting. He and Bit meet in the final rounds of the Royal Cup. He eventually shows that he's as cheerful as Bit and loves the excitement of battle.

• Sarah (overseer)

Sarah is a high-ranking member and Vega's supervisor. She's usually cold and strict, but she shows a caring, mother-like side towards Vega. He's the only one she truly cares about. Even after being shot down by the Zoid Battle Commission, she was only worried about Vega.

• Fuma Team

This is a four-member team often hired by Altail. Their leader is a woman named Fuma, and the other three pilots are Ehga, Koga, and Negola. They first pilot War Sharks. Later, Altail gives them Genosaurers to try and sabotage the Berserk Fury and get Sarah demoted, but it doesn't work. Fuma is also seen piloting a Hammerhead.

• Pierce

Pierce is skilled in aerial combat. She was only defeated by Jamie (as his Wild Eagle persona) and Bit on two different occasions. She works directly for Altail. She leaves the group after Bit defeats her, deciding that Backdraft battles are getting boring. She has shown to be quite honorable, sometimes questioning Altail's orders to attack innocent people. She is last seen with Stoller and Sanders. She piloted a Zabat and later a customized Stormsworder.

• Major Polta

Major Polta leads the Gold Team and works under Altail. He's often seen wearing a strange mask.

• Captain Sanders

Sanders is Stoeller's helper and a skilled pilot who looks up to Stoeller. He leaves the Backdraft along with Stoeller. He is last seen celebrating the end of the Zoids tournament with Stoeller and Pierce.

• Captain Stigma Stoeller

Stoeller is a senior member of the Backdraft. He pilots the Elephander and is highly respected until Bit Cloud defeats him. He is a man who values honor. He leaves the Backdraft Group so he can fight a fair battle against Bit. He is last seen with Sanders and Pierce.

• Altail (Chief Executive Officer)

Altail is the main boss of the Backdraft Group. He believes that special Zoids called Ultimate Xs exist and risks his reputation to find them. After he gets the Berserk Fury, he is pushed aside. After that, he tries to sabotage Sarah to get back into favor.

• Count

The Count is the boss of Altail, the Chief Executive Officer.

• Brad Hunter

After stealing the Shadow Fox, Brad briefly "joined" the Backdraft Group in episode 20 after Dr. Laon's offer. He later broke his deal, saying he only pretended to betray his team to get the Shadow Fox (and a chance to battle Bit one-on-one).

• Dark Judge

The Backdraft Group has their own Judges, which are black instead of white like the Zoid Battle Commission's. They are very biased towards the Backdraft Group and will only announce an enemy team's victory unwillingly.

Episodes

The series has 26 episodes, which aired from January 6, 2001, to June 30, 2001, in Japan. The English version started airing in October 2001. Each episode follows the Blitz Team as they compete in Zoid battles, face rivals, and try to stop the Backdraft Organization from their sneaky plans. The story builds up to a big tournament called the Royal Cup, where Bit and the Liger Zero face their toughest challenges.

See also

In Spanish: Zoids: New Century Zero para niños