The Zoids Model Kit section has some new images at the top, to better represent model kit instructions. However, there's also a new section! For those who aren't aware, the color charts we do for the Zoids Index mostly use the images from the instruction manuals. Those PSDs have now been released for people to use for their own coloring purposes! They're a great way to build concepts of how you want your custom-painted model kits to look, and include numerous color layers to make things easier. These files are PSDs, intended for use in Photoshop.

 A new model kit review has been uploaded to the NJR Section for the RZ-075 Rayse Tiger! This is quite an interesting kit, with some new gimmicks and unusual build conventions. That's not just counting the glow in the dark or LED-tube based features, either. A highly recommended kit, and cheap to pick up on Yahoo Japan.

 In the continued effort to expand the model kit info on the site, a new section has been added dedicated to the OJR (Original Japanese Release), a fan-coined term for the 80s kits. For now this includes a (not 100% complete) thumbnail list, but in the future will be expanded to include the box lore from these Zoids as well.

 Kotobukiya recently posted a look at the prototype for the HMM König Wolf, as well as the Redlers. The articulation on this kit looks superb, especially regarding cheek armor that now folds out to prevent obstructing neck movement and rotating ears.

 A recent LABO Article went into greater detail about these prototypes, and discussed some of their core features. In the mean time, the wolves, their associated CPs, and the Redler products have been on display in Japan for visitors to come and check them out. Details include:
 - Movable Ears
 - Rubber belts are used for the head and chest belts
 - The tail is articulated at the base as well as in the middle
 - The Dual Sniper Rifle has telescoping barrels
 - The Dual Sniper Rifle comes with several adapters, allowing it to be equipped to 3mm joints, and even to the old Tomy version.
 - The 5-Shot Missile Pods also include multiple port sizes, so they can be connected to standard 3mm hard points.
 - For the Heavy Arms, you must choose which had you want to build with it, since the belts run through the parts and it will be difficult to swap later.
 - The blog teases for us to look forward to other Zoids that have ranked high in the questionnaires!

 First, let's get to older news. As mentioned in an earlier post, Kotobukiya has had the HMM König Wolf and Redler on display recently, along with their associated Customize Parts. An article by Hobby Watch gives a good view of this display. An older couple of twitter posts also showed off a look of the out-of-the-box Shield Liger Marking Plus Ver., which comes in a box closer to Liger Zero size than the classic Shield Liger box.

 Other recent rereleases included the Command Wolf Repackage (February 2022), the Iguan Marking Plus (March 2022), the Gun Sniper Wild Weasel Spec. (April 2022), the Dark Horn (June 2022), the Berserk Furher Repackage Ver. (July 2022), Great Sabre Marking Plus Ver (July 2022), and the Pteras Bomber Marking Plus Ver. (July 2022).

 The HMM Liger Zero Marking Plus Ver. is scheduled to be rereleased in October, for 6,930 (tax included).

 The HMM Gojulas the Ogre is scheduled to be rereleased in November, for 32,780 Yen (tax included).

 The HMM Iron Kong Marking Plus Ver. is scheduled to be released in December, for 15,400 Yen (tax included).

 The HMM Geno Breaker Repackage Ver. is scheduled to be rereleased in Jan of 2023 for 11,220 Yen (tax incl).

 There was also a long-overdue LABO article introducing the Death Stinger ZS. This is such an interesting kit, color wise, and I highly recommend it. If you're concerned about the degree of green, it may help to know that this kit includes multiple colors for some of the sprues, allowing you to choose between green and red!

 Soon after, a second LABO Article was posted for the HMM Rev Raptor, which also included early concept sketches for the box art. The other concept shown featured the Empire's landing on Ergyle Beach, shortly after the Rev Raptors had taken care of the defense forces and, ultimately, their Gojulas.

 February saw pre-orders open for the Xenorex Storm XA, the final installment thus far in the Zoids Wild Biographies line. It also included the end of the Zoids Wild Senki storyline, which after the last episode, was transitioned into a web-story format and published on TakaraTomy's website. The kit was first teased in January, with a clear nod towards the Storm Sworder from Tomy's old Zoids line. Afterwards, the kit was posted to the TakaraTomy Mall for 4,400 yen (tax included), with a release date of July 2022. The story was published on its site page.

 Some tweets also showed off various combinations of the Storm parts with other Zoids. one showed a combo between the Storm XA, Scissors XA, and Buster XA. The wings can also evidently be used on the Burning Liger.

- Xenorex Storm XA Promotional Video

 Earlier in the year a collaboration was announced between Zoids Wild and Duel Masters! Duel Masters was releasing a Duel Masters Super Complete Works 20th Perfect Box. While this box contained mostly Duel Masters goods (3 a4 size books containing card catalogs and illustration collections, limited cards, autographed illustrations, a poster, and assorted gifts) the box also contained the Bolmeteus White Dragon model kit, which was a variation of the Xenorex with completely new (and limited) parts! The box was released on July 29th, for 28,600 yen.

 A dedicated page showed off most of the box contents as well as the gorgeous limited edition art for the Bolmeteus White Dragon. Zoids Official also showed off the special promotional page featured in CoroCoro.

- Bolmeteus White Dragon Promo Video

 A new custom has been added to the bottom of the model kits page, the König Wolf Silver Fang! This is a page I've been excited about adding for a long time. Though this kit was finished in 2020, 2021 was such a chaotic year for me that it took forever to finish the photo taking and page setup. Silver Fang is a 3D printed conversion kit for the Tomy (motorized) König Wolf, developed, 3D modeled, and printed by the amazing Torrigan, who put countless hours into making sure that every single detail was perfect. Before starting work on this project, I never imagined I'd get my hands on a Silver Fang, and I'm eternally grateful!

 As this has been such a long-standing holy grail for me (over a decade!) I've made the files available for visitors of the website, so you can download and print your own version! The custom page goes into more detail about what you need to watch out for. My only request is that the files not be used for commercial purposes, either directly or indirectly. I'd love for this conversion kit to remain free above the cost of materials, so that everyone can enjoy it~

 A second new custom, the Bio Tricera Pyrite, has also been added to the model kits page. This is a straight repaint, utilizing a used Bio Tricera sold to me by another fan. It was a good test in dealing with silvers, as I've wanted to see how to best paint Bio Zoid armor for a while. All in all pleased with the results!

 Professional model kit customizer Kyosuke Ozawa, who makes the customs for Zoids Wild EX-ZERO and the continuation of it has made a new Wordpress Blog called Leo Works! This site has photos of some of the customs that they've created in their career, while working alongside Hobby Japan, including some elusive ones such as the Cutter Berg Exclusive Gilraptor. Be sure to check it out!

 Kotobukiya's Shield Liger Marking Plus is now popping up for pre-order, retailing for 6,000 yen with a May release date. A recent LABO article talks about the kit. It'll come with new decals, including those from the Masterpiece Shield Liger. Clear colorless parts will be included in addition to the clear orange canopy and such. The kit will be released in newly molded colors, with a darker blue closer to the Tomy Shield Liger, silver claws and teeth, darker gray (nearly black) for the legs and gray for the body.

 Koto also announced a rerelease of their Dark Horn! The Horns really are a cool kit to build. It'll be released in June for 6,800 yen. Pre-order links have been added to the table at the bottom of the page.

 Back in November, Zoids Official teased a new Zoids Wild Biographies kit, which turned out to be the Rising Liger Panzer! The story is already up for this kit (in the link, it's in Japanese) and the kit is available for pre-order for 5,500 Yen (including tax) until January 31st. Since this is through TTMall, you'll need to use a proxy like White Rabbit Express to order. It's scheduled for release in late May 2022.

 Stand River has concluded, and the battle ended in the Republic's victory, with 704 points to the Empire's 579. There were so many amazing customs entered into both sides, which you can view here. I highly recommend browsing through all of the pages, because there are some amazing gems hidden in there, like the Bigasauru Mk-2 and the King Liger inspired kits! I'll leave the news post containing a link to the stream beneath all of the announcements if you want to check it out.

 In a suiting turn of events, the first new Zoid announced at Stand River is the Shield Liger Marking Plus Ver.! Shield Liger was also the first HMM Zoid to be announced, and according to Koto's website, it hasn't been rereleased since the launch of the series in 2006. From first glance it looks like the MPV might be a slightly darker, richer blue, closer to the original Tomy motorized kit, but this is hard to confirm with photos alone.

2022?1???????????HMM?????RZ-007 ???????? ????????Ver.?
????????????????????!#?????#HMM???#??????·????? pic.twitter.com/IzUIziESuL

— ?????_??????? (@kotobukiya_p) December 18, 2021

 Fans have been asking for more flying Zoids for a long time, and Redler has been high on that list! Now we have official announcements, starting with the EHI-7 Reddra! This kit has a ton of seamless articulation, which adds so much personality to it. The default Reddra comes with two beam guns for the wings.

HMM????????EHI-7 ???? ?????????
??????????????????
??KOTOBUKIYA HMM ZOIDS EVENT???????????????????????????????https://t.co/WJce20C8a4#?????#HMM???#???????????? pic.twitter.com/Jsr0npPHYV

— ?????_??????? (@kotobukiya_p) December 18, 2021

 A separate release has been confirmed for the EZ-005 Redler! Aside from sporting new colors, this version of the Redler will also include additional weaponry. What we saw in the stream was a gun for the chin and two sets of missiles for the wings. At the moment the Redler is still in development, so its equipment specifics may be subject to change.

???????????????EZ-005 ???? ??????????????????
??????????????????????
???????????????????????????????????????https://t.co/WJce20C8a4#?????#HMM???#???????????? pic.twitter.com/3eRqCG5MH1

— ?????_??????? (@kotobukiya_p) December 18, 2021

 With the announcement of our two Redler variants, we also got an announcement for a Zoids Customize Part Booster Cannon Set! This CP shows some great developments in the handling of Zoid-specific weapons. It uses standard 3mm hardpoints which means that it can be equipped to a wide variety of Zoids. The attachments can be configured differently so that, for example, the weapons are oriented in a wider / flatter position for a more streamlined appearance.

????????????????????????? ????????????????????
??????????? #HMM??? ???????????????????
???? #????????????????????????????????https://t.co/WJce20C8a4#????? pic.twitter.com/i4oyleuAj0

— ?????_??????? (@kotobukiya_p) December 18, 2021

 Continuing their trend towards Yuji Kaida kits, Kotobukiya has also announced a Green Horn AB! This kit came with some surprises. It features a new frill (an anti-charged particle shield) and additional tail equipment. Many people have anticipated the Green Horn for a while now, and it's looking great~

 (By the way, we have been receiving inquiries about fixing our webcomic links. I'll try to get that done soon! Sorry for the inconvenience in the mean time.)

??????????????????????????????????????AB???????
????????????? ????????????????????????#?????#HMM???#???????????? pic.twitter.com/iMSNe5oToB

— ?????_??????? (@kotobukiya_p) December 18, 2021

 With the Green Horn came the announcement of a brand new customize part, featuring the Blade Liger's Attack Booster! However, this kit will include some improvements over the original Blade Liger version. It will now make use of more universal connector types, meaning the Attack Boosters can be equipped to multiple other Zoids, not just the Blade Liger.