We've got our first look at the painted sample of the RMZ-008 Command Wolf Irvine! The RMZ Command Wolf already looks so good, and this is no exception. Pre-orders are expected to start in February.

 On the 17th ~ 18th, Takara Tomy will be hosting a T-Spark Zone event. For those who aren't aware, T-Spark is the grand label that currently encompasses a lot of the current Zoids products, including AZ, RMZ, and more. The promo page for the event shows us a new image for the Trinity Liger, which highlights the leg armor's gimmick of flipping forward to deploy two blades over the paws. A second post by Dengeki Hobby shows the Liger in a roaring pose.

 In another big twist for the upcoming Zoids lines, Advanced Zi has announced its next kit, the Sea Panther! Now this is an interesting choice. Takara Tomy had commented about wanting to convert their old wind-up Zoids into motorized ones, and thus far, the Molga was our main example of that. Now a new wind-up kit is being transformed, and we can't wait to see more! The Sea Panther has been a long-requested kit by Mercy Rabbit, who reminded us of some Sea Panther promotional art they did back in the day. Tanimeso also showed off their Sea Panther Zi-girl promo art. The T-Spark Zone page mentioned earlier also shows off our first painted sample of the kit.

 The Zoids Battle Story has received an update, starting with the 9 Variations of the Zoid Gojulas! In these segments the war continues, and the Republic launches a top secret plan centered around the Zoid Gojulas. There's something unexpected waiting at the end of its mission, however...

 The Zoids Index has received an update of several new Zoids, including some minor updates to others! For new pages, we have the Berserk Führer (replacing its previous placeholder page, complete with some of its color variations and pages of concept art), Demantis, Gunbluster, Maccurtis, and Salamander! The Sturm Tyrann page also has added concept art, and the König Wolf's page has received a major update to now include more concept art, its military history, and new equipment images to fit our current standard.

 Zoids Official has started showing off the test model for the RMZ-007 Trinity Liger! This is the first time ever that the Trinity has gotten a full model kit release, and we're stoked to see it. A recent image shows off that it even has the mane rotation gimmick shown in the games, which revolves the mane around the neck (at the base of the neck) to rotate different equipment up to the head. Each of the three panels include one piece of equipment. In this case, a Beam Gun, Turbine, and Multi Radar. It's also impressive that even at 1/100 scale the kit includes all of its relevant translucent pieces, even on the mane.

 The prototype for the upcoming Saber Tiger Schwarz was also shown off, with the color prototype coming later. Funny enough, the kit includes the pink gun that I'd always presumed was a leftover from recycling parts from the Stinger Special 3D model. The official product page is now up, including concept art! The kit is scheduled to release in June 2025 for 6,600 yen (tax included.) Be advised that AmazonJP is charging up front for this pre-order.

 An interview over on Hobby Watch discussed the kit's production, including making note that the Schwarz character standee was quite popular. The kit is expected to have about 250 parts including weapons. The cable uses springs instead of rubber parts, for longevity. They also mentioned that they're considering releasing adaptor pieces that would easily allow you to swap between peg and slot attachments, adapting weapons to joints that they wouldn't otherwise be compatible with. Upcoming Zoids they're considering include the Dibison Thoma Ver., Iron Kong Schwarz and Command Wolf Irvine. (This almost feels like a given, if the series continues-)

- Zoiko Review

- Preview Video

 Back in October we started seeing previews of the upcoming Advanced Zi Zoid, the Geno Saurer! This is the first antagonist Rex that strikes the classic horizontal pose, and the engineering on it is truly impressive, featuring legs that actually lean inwards and a walk cycle that improves even further on AZ's claw motions.

 The official product page has now launched, showing off tons of photos as well as nice clear concept art! The kit is already up for pre-order through various outlets, with an expected release date of Late July 2025 for 16,500 yen (tax included). For those, like me, who prefer ordering through Amazon JP it's worth noting that Takara Tomy products have, starting with the Saber Tiger Schwarz, started charging up-front for pre-orders instead of upon release. Be aware of this when placing your order. On the product page you can also see the unarmored version, with a new internal head design almost remminiscent of Rev Raptor!

 As per tradition, Hobby Watch held an interview with staff about the kit's production. They mention that Geno Saurer was decided for production after Deathy, and discuss all that went into its motorization. The kit has stationary arms this time, somewhat like a real rex and to an extent the anime. They instead opted for highly-articulated joints with a removable part that lets you connect them securely to the torso. Like Death Saurer, it'll include LEDs in the head for the eyes and Charged Particle Cannon. For those wondering, the particle pose is entirely manual this time around.

 When the AZ Liger Zero Phoenix released many people wished they could've bought the Phoenix separately for kitbashing purposes. So, when the Core Box later released with just the Liger Zero in the Republican Zero Phoenix-style colors, a few eyebrows were raised. As anticipated, TT has announced the release of the Phoenix Republic Ver., in colors styled to make the Liger Zero Phoenix Republic Ver. if combined with the Liger Zero Ray Greg Ver. from the Core Box. The kit is scheduled to release in late August 2025 as a TakaraTomy Mall Exclusive for 6,600 yen (tax included.) For overseas folks, you can use proxies like Rabbit Japan to buy, or can check out state-side stores like USAGS.

 There are a couple of important differences to note, however. First, the kit comes with the standard drone head style as well as a manned cockpit head, which means you can place a pilot figure inside! The Phoenix also includes adaptor parts to install it to the AZ-02 Liger Zero (white). However, the original Liger Zero kit lacks the modifications that were introduced in the later Liger Zero Phoenix kit, which are vital for the motorized wing movement. This means if using the Phoenix with the older white Zero, its wings won't move. The newly-released Liger Zero Ray Greg Ver. from the Core Box does indeed include these modifications, so the wings should work fine on that one.

 The AZ-07 Death Saurer started shipping out earlier this month, and people who pre-ordered should be receiving them soon! In the meantime, here are some videos that were released for the kit over the past few weeks. There's also an edited for tv commercial that we've already seen the contents of.

- Walking and Movement

- Zoiko Review Video

 Sketches for the upcoming AMZ Berserk Führer armors, the Jagd and Sturm were shown off at the 62nd All Japan Model Hobby Show. We don't know much about these armors yet, but look forward to more information.

 The prototype of the upcoming HMM Salamander was finally revealed at the All Japan Model Hobby Show! A stream showing off all of the articulation was also held a couple weeks ago. During the stream they teased the recently announced HMM Molga (posted somewhere below). I'd also recommend people not be too terribly concerned about how loose the parts look in the video. This has been the case for all of the 3d printed prototypes shown off on stream, but the final versions have been more solid.

- Preview Video

 Discussed way back during the Guysack stream, Kotobukiya has announced an HMM Molga Full Option Set! This is essentially like the Command Wolf Repackage, featuring one Molga with the weapons from all releases. So for example, AA and Carrier gear. The kit has a new molding color, new decals, and clear colorless plastic. It also includes the older cap design from the HMM Redler. It's scheduled to release in May 2025 for 7,150 yen (tax included.)

 A new Command Wolf has been announced! This kit is effectively the Repackage (hmm, maybe it should have also been called Full Option Set??), including the AC & LC gear. The cockpit also comes with clear colorless plastic, a first for a Command Wolf kit, as the only other release of this colorless canopy was through the Customize Parts, which have long since been out of production. Like other MPVs it also comes with new decals, and includes old-style caps from the HMM Redler. The kit is scheduled to release in April for 7,700 yen (tax included).

 The HMM Guysack Old Republic Ver. is up for pre-order now, as a Kotobukiya Shop Exclusive! Guysack looks surprisingly tough in these new colors, like a tiny little tank. The kit is scheduled for release in April 2025 for 6,160 yen and includes clear colorless parts.

 The HMM Dark Horn is finally up for an MPV release! This kit has abstained from updating its price point for a number of years, which is quite respectable for how many parts it is. Now it's finally time, however. With this new release the decals, which have been expanded quite a bit are being converted to waterslides and the kit will include clear colorless parts.

 A number of re-releases have been announced, including the Redler Zenebas Ver. (April 2025, 6600 Yen), Redler Guylos Ver. (May 2025, 6600 Yen), Sturm Tyrann Berserk Unit Set (May 2025, 18150 Yen), Godos MPV (June 2025, 5940 Yen), and Storm Sworder (February 2025, 10120 yen.) This is the first time the Berserk Unit set has ever been rereleased, which is exciting for those who missed it the first time around!

 So, Metamor Verse, one of the more vague announcements during the T-Spark launch has finally received a bit of an expansion. The official website clarifies it to be a multi-franchise character model kit series including such IPs as Zoids and Transformers. Set in the virtual game universe of Metamor Verse, characters are united with "Buddy Armors", small mechs that can convert into combat suits for the characters when needed in combat. A video was posted by Zoids Official, along with our first look at the prototype figures.

 Ever wanted to hoard your bespoke cardboard boxes but found yourself frustrated at how fragile they can be? Well, look no further! Volks has come out with a couple of Zoids Folding Containers, durable plastic containers that can collapse down into a flat form for easy storage. Each container has branding specific to the Empire and Republic, and went on sale November 23rd for 7,150 yen each.

 The popup tour has been in full swing, moving from one location to another. Each location has gotten its own custom art for products and promotions, including Dogo Onsen (here's another, Umeda Loft, Gairosu-tei, Sakae Loft (with Organoids, and Sendai Loft. They've also posted lots of various product images as well as some photos of the venue itself.

 Zoids is doing another collab with Medarot. This time they'll be featuring the Death Stinger, Storm Sworder, Gojulas, Shield Liger S, Berserk Führer, Liger Zero! There's also some character costume collabs.

 There's also gameplay clips of Berserk Führer and Liger Zero, as well as concept art of Liger Zero, Berserk Führer, Gojulas, Storm Sworder, and Death Stinger. You can see some alternate skins as well.