Zoids

Zoids is a series of plastic toy models designed and produced by Japanese toy company TOMY (now Takara-Tomy). The models (based primarily on modern animals and dinosaurs) were first released in 1982, but new designs were being released as recently as early 2006. more...

The Zoids franchise also includes five anime series, three manga series, multiple series of electronic game, and several comics, most of which inhabit their own unique continuities.

The original line of toys, resembling dinosaurs, was released in Japan, Europe and the United States in the 1980s. Initially, the Zoids had a "Battle Story" that was told in text on the back of the model boxes, and in "fanbooks" and catalogues. The two most recent toy lines have been tie-ins to the anime series.

Zoids fans in the UK were also treated their own storyline, featured in the comic Spider-Man and Zoids, that differed considerably from the Battle Story and the more recent anime. Planet Zi is not mentioned, and the Zoids are divided into warring Red and Blue factions, with humans caught in between.

Model Kit lines

There have been a number of different Zoids model lines over the years, both in Japan and other countries. Between these lines, over 200 different designs have been released, some several times over. For a full list of released Zoids, see the List of Zoids article.

Mechabonica

Released in 1982, Mechabonica was technically not a Zoids line, but is counted by collectors as it consisted of three models that would later be re-released as the first three Zoids, (Garius, Elephantus and Glidoler). The line was not very successful, and quickly dropped by TOMY.

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