Zoids is a series of anime shows in the mecha genre aired during the early years of the decade. In the series, a zoid is a living being in a metallic form. It evolves and it dies. It is used by people as workers or as weapons. They are actually based on mecha model kits produced by Tomy; one of the rare instances when a toy line precedes an anime show. The series aired in the United States are the Zoids: the Chaotic Century, aired in 2000, Zoids: New Century Zero, aired in 2001 and Zoids: Fuzors, aired on 2003.
The more popular is the Chaotic Century series, set in the planet Z, suffering post-war desolation. Van Flyheight, an orphan of the war between the Guylos Empire and the Helic Republic, attempted to escape from a group of bandits and ended up finding a girl who has no recollection of her past and an organoid, in a ruin. Organoids are creatures that increase a zoid’s power, revive destroyed ones and even hasten evolution. From there, it was a battle to keep the girl, Fiona and the organoid Zeke, safe, while looking for the Zoid Eve, which Fiona believes would help her regain memory.
The New Century series has a tournament-type story format that showcases a range of zoids and weapons, and the mandatory battle scenes. The Fuzor series, on the other hand, is about the development and merger of zoids.
