We've got the first block of Zoids Official Fan Book 4 now available! This includes the Prologue, Nyx Map, Chapter 1, and Chapter 2. Some familiar characters make a return in this volume, and this time around, the two armies must contend with an invisible enemy far more deadly than any Helcat.

 With this update there were also some minor changes to how the books are formatted. For starters, each complete book will now include a full navigation at the bottom of each page. The Fan Books contain a lot of information and this will hopefully help people skip between sections while looking for something without needing to go back to the index page and open tons of tabs.

 The next change is that all of the little thumbnail images throughout the story sections have been placed beside the text. This may still be subject to change. However, print media can be limited on where and how it can place images, often resulting in images that, when reading in web format, often result in spoilers for what happens next. These limitations don't exist in a pageless web format, so I wanted the images to be located closest to their relevant text, as was done for Zoids Generations (Not forgotten, updates coming soon!)

 

 We've got several new machine-translated HMM segments available over in the Model Kits section! By sheer coincidence, this is Command Wolf week, with the stories and lore for the HMM Command Wolf, Command Wolf LC (Empire Spec.), Command Wolf AC, and Command Wolf Barad now available on their respective pages. These stories were interesting, taking on an actual story format instead of strictly reviewing their military history.

- HMM Section Updates

 There's also some general updates to the HMM section. For starters, we've added bookmarks (seen left) beside Zoid names for pages that include lore information, making it easier to find these pages at a glance. Gold for full lore (instruction story + concept art) and silver if it only has one of these.

 In addition, the HMM page as a whole has received another universal update to expand the information on each page. This includes a new section on the base kit page to include any Marking Plus or Repackage versions and the differences of. You'll also find box art discussion, a notes section for random facts that've surfaced through books, social media, and blogs, and a detailed explanation of "pre-order" / Koto Direct bonus parts that came with that Zoid. You may enjoy these sections if you've ever wondered what a particular box art is referencing!

 As a final note, the main HMM page includes a F.A.Q. section at the bottom and an Extra Details section discussing details about the series that aren't specific to one kit.

 

 The Yuji Kaida Model Kit section has been updated to include the basic stats and box lore from each of the various Zoids, as well as their artwork.

 

 A new section has been added to Model Kits for the Masterpiece Zoids series, including their stock photos and lore. The Anniversary Zoids will be lumped into this page as a sub-category for lack of a better efficient place to put them. It's worth noting however that these ARE separate series, even if they use the same base Zoid. The AZ line will get its own section if it goes beyond 5-6 kits.

 

 Small update, but the Encyclopedia now includes a page for the Garil Ruins, including references to the real-life location that inspired its anime adaption.

 

 Thanks to Zoids Official we got to see our first product photos of the AZ-01 Blade Liger! This is certainly a cool development on the original Shield Liger. The kit was also on display at Takara Tomy's Hobby Expo, where people could stop by and take a look at some of their upcoming products. At this exhibit, the AZ Blade Liger was on display next to the original Tomy Blade Liger. Hobby Watch took a variety of photos of this exhibit.

 

 Zoids Wild NFT Arena has been posting frequent idle animations of the various Zoids that'll appear in the game, including Blade Liger, Beast Liger (+ Running Animation, Fang Tiger, Wild Liger, (+ Running Animation), Hunter Wolf (+ Running Animation), Cannon Bull (+ Running Animation), Knuckle Kong (+ Running Animation), Gilraptor (+ Running Animation), and Sonic Bird (+ Running Animation.

 

 Kotobukiya has posted the final product pages for the HMM Redler "Zenebas Empire Ver." (February 2023, 5800 Yen), the HMM Redler "Guylos Empire Ver." (March 2023, 5800 Yen), and the HMM Zoids Customize Part "Booster Cannon Set" (March 2023, 2200 Yen) ! Scheduled for early next year, they're already available for pre-order in most stores.

 On top of the product pages, Kotobukiya also live streamed a first look at the two Redler types, exhibiting their articulation. It was quite impressive to see how many points of articulation there are, as well as how well hidden the joints are. There's so much to these kits that doesn't quite get noticed in still photos, so I highly recommend checking it out!

 As a final note, Kotobukiya has announced a reissue of the HMM Shadow Fox Marking Plus Ver.! It's scheduled for April 2023, at a price of 5400 yen.

- HMM Redler Video

 

 Zoids Official has tweeted their first News Bulletin regarding the 40th Anniversary Project. To our incredible surprise, the announcement is the revival of the MPZ series! At least, of the frames and concept. These new kits, labeled under the "40th AZ-01 ~ 03" registration number are planned to begin in Autumn of this year (October, specifically.) The first video down below is the teaser posted on their account, which will begin the celebrations for the Zoids franchise's 40th anniversary!

 The last MPZ kit released was the Saber Tiger, which was released in March 2016 for 14,040 yen retail. We can expect a moderate price increase due to the global situation. However, these "more realistic" kits are a unique reimagining of the original Tomy motorized series. A lot of insight went into their design, and I highly recommend looking at one of the videos for the series, which was posted in April 2015. It will be the second video below.

- 40th Anniversary Project 1st Preview!

- Original 2015 MPZ Design Interview!

 

 The first of the 40th Anniversary Zoids is the Blade Liger! Staying true to the video's announcement "The culmination of 40 years of Zoids - Evolved ligers are here now!!", the first of these kits will evolve the former Shield Liger design into this iconic Zoid. The Blade Liger looks robust on the Masterpiece frame, and is scheduled for October 2022. This will be the first kit using the MPZ frame to be released in years!

 

 The second anniversary kit is, of course, the Liger Zero! With an all new design, this kit is scheduled for 2023. So far we've only got the wire frame look, but at first glance it appears to be using a highly modified version of the MPZ Shield Liger frame while remaining quite true to the original Liger Zero. Especially by MPZ standards. The MPZ-style caps will be a distinctive feature on this kit.

 

 After well over a decade, the third kit will be the first-ever full size reimagining of the Murasame Liger! AZ-03 is scheduled for 2013, and sports an interesting aesthetic. With a much stronger MPZ influence the Murasame Liger will become even tankier than its initial 2000s release, which can be attributed to applying the Murasame Liger design over the MPZ Shield Liger frame. A detail I appreciate is being able to see the rotating caps through the ventilation gaps in the front of the Shoulder Armor.

 This is just the start of the 40th Anniversary of Zoids. With the way the teaser video is set up, we have to wonder, will Wild Liger also get an MPZ treatment? Will we receive a rerelease of the MPZ Shield Liger as part of the celebrations? So far we have kits set up into 2023. There's a lot to ponder, and we're excited to move forward and see what Zoids has to offer!

 

 It looks like Zoids Official has posted a rather intriguing promotional image, advertising the 40th anniversary of Zoids! This tantalizing teaser features a lineup of the Liger Zoids over the years. On closer look, they're customs of existing products, from HMM, to Genesis and Wild, and even the Hagane Works Blade Liger. The style closely mirrors the one used for the promotions of Zoids FOR, a former mobile game that received a lot of mixed feedback when it released following a hyper-realism image that bore little resemblance to the final game (even if it did get a really cool trailer.) That aside, the promotional artwork for FOR was gorgeous, and featured tons of realistic scenarios that we didn't often get to see. It's possible this teaser is even by the same group who handled the games' promo art, ANIMAREAL.

 With this in mind, we're all wondering, what does it mean? It's certainly possible this artwork will reveal another game project. Product anniversaries are big in Japan, however, and even if this specific art doesn't lead to something that appeals to you, we'll likely see multiple announcements leading into the celebrations.

 I'd also be remiss not to point out the absolutely beautiful logo, which is also the new profile pic of the Zoids Official Twitter. What an elegant design. As someone who got into Zoids during the CC/anime phase, I'm delighted to see that it features an anime-style Blade Liger.

 Let's sit back and see where this goes!

 

 It has been a long time since we posted the first 10 pages of Chapter 13.5, a story that takes place in between Van defeating the Geno Saurer and departing Porto. The chapter was originally released as part of Corocoro. Finally, the remainder of this chapter is available to read! Translations are by Falcarius, so a huge thanks for helping us complete it~

 

 Kotobukiya has announced a reissue of the HMM Storm Sworder! This iconic air combat Zoid will be rereleased in March for 9,680 yen retail (tax included). A pre-order link has been included down in our preorders table.

 

 The final installment of Official Fan Book 3, the Zoids Remodeling Project 2 chapter has been added. This chapter gives a look at the various Zoid variations featured throughout the Battle Story or associated with its universe (including some of particular public interest, like Liger Zero Mariner, Death Stinger KFD, and more) as well as a few that aren't directly featured. It also shows off some of the Customize Parts that were being released at the time.

 This brings Book 3 to a close. There's going to be a considerable break between this and the start of Book 4 as I work on all the prep-work that goes into getting everything set up (scanning, organizing, patching together double page spreads, etc.) Thank you for your continued patience in the meantime!

 

 The next segment of Official Fan Book 4 is now available! The AD2002 section takes a look at some upcoming products (from the time), some old products, and provides some the insights about how and why certain products game into existence, such as the SS (Super Small) and BLOX kits. It also includes mention of another theoretical, but ultimately unreleased product: Scaled down versions of the 1/72 motorized model kits! Imagine if we could've had a small, more affordable Mad Thunder?

 

 With another milestone for HMM coming up next year, an article has been added for the HMM Zoids 3rd Public Planning Meeting held back in 2011, or in particular, the event page that was once posted about it (but since removed from the website). This article is an interesting look into the predecessors of major events like Stand River, and featured the discussions where Kotobukiya officially decided to release the massive Gojulas for the very first time. As usual, this article relies on machine translations, so may have mistakes. If you're interested in assorted staff discussions, though, give it a read!

 

 A shocking new collaboration was announced between Bandai and Takara Tomy, which will result in a brand new Liger Zero action figure! For Takara Tomy's side, they're recreating the Mobile Suit Gundam "White Base" within the Tomica line. Meanwhile, Bandai is recreating the Liger Zero within its Chogokin line. Chogokin figures include metal alloy parts, and typically run in the higher price ranges. It's expected to be released sometime in 2023. The twitter account for Bandai Spirits posted a look at this figure, both with its final form, and with the fully-detailed armorless variety!

 An article on Hobby Watch showed off more images from the event, with the Zero in a leaping pose. Furthermore, they showed the interesting prototypes, which (from left to right) were the Initial Mechanism Trial, Appearance Trial, and Appearance / Mechanism Modification Trial, with the final result at the end. Mantan Web showed a second view of the kit.

- Dream Together

 

 TakaraTomy is collaborating with the vocational school HAL to create videos! In this project, student teams created a number of videos based on licensed series, all posted on the HAL Project page. It was interesting to see the different takes, with some students aiming for a more serious sequence of events while others enjoyed making some silly, light-hearted projects.

- Video 1

- Video 2

- Video 3

- Video 4