The Zoids Art Statue page (found under Action Figures) has received a facelift, updated to the more modern layout style and also reorganized. Now, instead of each Zoid having its own page, the Zoids are compiled into full volume pages. So all of Volume 1, for example, will be on one page. Some reviews have been updated with new, clear photos (Death Saurer, Death Stinger, Wild Liger in Volume 1) (Wild Kong in Volume 2) (Barigator, Dibison, Shield Liger in Volume 3) and there are also new Art Statue reviews for Death Saurer (Grayscale), Bloody Death Saurer in Volume 1 and Saber Tiger in Volume 3.

 We've been wondering for a while what would happen with this high-detail transformer, and now we've got more info! There's a lot to cover, so let's get into the important info first: The figure is now up for pre-order for 38,500 Yen (about $268) retail with a release date of February 2026. You can view tons of photos on its official web page. As a Zoids x Transformers collaborative project, it can, of course, transform between Shield Liger Mode and Optimus Prime Mode.

 This figure is 1/60 scale based on the pre-existing diaclone pilots, meaning it's about the same size as a 1/72 scale Shield Liger. It has all the same movable gimmicks you'd expect from a Shield Liger such as the back gun, canopy opening, missile pods deploying, etc. A bay installed to the belly of the Shield Liger can open up behind it, deploying a small motorcycle, the Road Viper. The Shield Liger head contains LEDs for the cockpit to light up as well as motorized chomping action, (click video on the page and skip to about 26 minutes in) a shout out to Takara Tomy's long history with motorized model kits.

 When transformed into Optimus Prime Mode, some of the Shield Liger parts such as the tail and back segments can be converted into a Beam Cannon Mode. The additional cockpit on the Shield's back is a standard CRP type cockpit common to the Diaclone series, meaning it can be combined with other non-Zoids Diaclone figures.

 Diaclone's 1/60 scale pilots, the Dia-nauts, have built in magnets in their feet that can attach to tiny square steel plates built into the Shield Liger. This allows you to pose them dramatically standing on the Shield Liger's head or on the back. The included FZ Ion Blaster gun can also be equipped to both forms, while the Shieldy's chest and tail gun can be combined into a single handheld weapon for Optimus Prime. For those who've seen the images and are wondering, no, the display stand is not included. There are some awesome video promos too, check them out below!

- Teaser Preview Video

- Preview

 Both armors of the Adamas Machina line have been revealed! Thus far we'd only seen 3D renders (Jagd, Sturm), new versions of which were also shown off at the Shizuoka Hobby Show with slightly updated armor designs. The armors are being lumped together as a set similar to the Chogokin Liger Zero CAS units by Bandai and are expected to open for pre-orders this summer.

 They took an interesting approach to all of the Berserk armor units being the same color in game media. They instead chose to differentiate them via accent color, which makes both armors look a touch more regal. The base AMZ-01 Berserk Fürher has just come out, which Hobby Watch did a review on. It seems Strum Sturm has had the burden of its shields and X-Breakers moved to the back, so the arms will no longer need to support so much weight, while still maintaining that they can deploy down by the arms for the same general look. Jagd, distinctive for its bright blue and purple parts is based on the previously unreleased armor set for the Berserk Fürher.

 At long last we've gotten to see the Shield-D-Prime painted sample! I gotta admit, I'm impressed at how well this kit carries a rather flawless Zoids aesthetic while still being able to transform. The Shield Liger benefits from extra guns and both transformation forms look pretty good. The panels behind the figure explain that there's an included 1/60 scale diaclone crew member, that the cockpit lights up electronically and has a roaring action, and that the motorcycle (Road Viper) can be stored inside the chest. I love seeing stowable gimmicks like this, that make it easy for people who don't display those parts to keep track of them. There are additional photos from AmiAmi and Dengeki Hobby and one of the promo images shows that the kit is expected to open for pre-orders in June!

  Metamor Verse exhibited at the Shizuoka Hobby Show, showing off painted samples for their first character figure and Buddy Armor, based off of the Blade Liger. They also showed off the unpainted prototype for their Fine / Fiona figure, which will be packaged with a Buddy Armor of Sieg / Zeke. Dengeki Hobby shared some extra photos. The T-Spark youtube channel posted a promotional V-Tuber introduction featuring the lead character with her Blade Liger. Zoids Official later shared videos of all the Bladey's animations.

 Artwork for the next SPARK Fig product, Kotona Elegance from Zoids Genesis was announced at the Shizuoka Hobby Show. SPARK Fig is one of the product lines under the new T-Spark label featuring anime figures at a variety of scales. It spans multiple series and this will be the second product in their lineup (and the first Zoids item).

 At the event, Metamor Verse also displayed some prototypes, which Dengeki Hobby was kind enough to photograph. It seems the figures were designed by Nidy-2D-.

 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.

 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.

 The biggest product announced under the new Synergenex label is a Zoids x Transformers collab! Fans have been asking for many years why Zoids didn't have a transformers collab, and now it does! This announcement focuses on the Shield-D-Prime, a Shield Liger transformer based on the long-running 1/60 scale Diaclone series.

 Diaclone are modular in nature, allowing for figures to be disassembled and combined in different ways. In spite of being a transformer, the Shield Liger is quite convincing as a Zoid, so even if you're not a Transformers fan, it's a figure you can easily enjoy. Many of the newer products of this series run at higher prices comparable to other diecast figures, but we don't yet know the price of this one. The product is currently slated for 2025, so look forward to more news.

 Takara Tomy's AMZ Berserk Führer has been getting a lot of coverage over these past couple of months, including being displayed at Yodobashi in Japan. The official product page collects tons of images showing off each form and its poseability, and it seems they've taken some extra steps towards quality of life additions, such as a hangar frame that, similar to Chogokin, allows you to display the unused armor separately. The standard AMZs were shown off at the Tokyo Toy Show. Here are some details from the recent updates.

• It's scheduled to be released in March 2025 for 44,000 yen (roughly $300 USD)
• It measures about 350 mm from nose to tail tip
• It includes a Zoid Core
• Includes a gold pilot figure
• Includes a Hangar Frame (display stand) as well as additional armor frame.
• This is a painted figure / kit
• Die-cast parts are mostly included in the legs to help keep the Zoid balanced
• LEDs are included for the eyes and Charged Particle Cannon

Hobby Watch Interview

 An interview with Nakase, the man in charge of this product was held by Hobby Watch. As always, they never fail to deliver some interesting tidbits about the development process and what went on behind the scenes. Below I'll list some of the details, but I highly recommend checking out the article itself.

• Takara Tomy was planning to start an alloy line around the same time that the Chogokin collab was in talks.
  
  
• The first Zoid in the AMZ series was originally going to be Murasame Liger, but because of the ongoing AZ series, the idea was shelved. Afterwards, it came down to the Berserk Führer or Geno Saurer, but again, with Geno Saurer being involved in another upcoming line (RMZ), Führer became the new flagship Zoid.
  
  
• The Wild Form's eyes are a larger clear red piece that also forms a 'brain' inside the head. Wild Zoids traditionally have their brains inside the Zoid Core, making this purely for aesthetics. However, the team wanted owner's of the AMZ to feel the lore behind wild Zoids, as if they were building them up from their wild forms to their weaponized forms.
  
  
• AMZ is intended to continue as a line even after the second figure, the AMZ-02 Blade Liger. They'd like to explore additions such as CAS units and other Zoids. Which brings us to our next news post...

- Review Video

- Preview Video

 The Hobby Watch article above mentioned an interest in exploring CAS units for the Berserk Führer, but specifically hinted towards ones that may've only existed previously as illustrations... Well, now they've officially announced that the Sturm Unit and Jagd Unit are entering the planning phase! This is exciting news, because the Jagd has never been manifested as an official kit or figure before, making this a momentus occasion. The fact that Takara Tomy as a whole is exploring Zoids that never got to be a kit elsewhere has spiked imaginations, leaving us wondering what comes next in the best possible way.

 These 1/100 scale figures are a collaboration between TT and Kotobukiya, and like the Adamas Machina line will branch out to other franchises besides Zoids. Designed by Nidy-2D- this series has shown two Zoids girls so far, Blade Liger and Fine/Fiona wearing armor from Sieg/Zeke. We don't yet know much about this series, how the products will be packaged, or what all will be included. It's slated to begin in 2025. So, let's look forward to learning more in the future!

 Two pages have been added under Action Figures in the Art Statues section. These include the Zoids Amusement Figures and the Zoids Genesis Figure Collection. The Bio Tyranno of the Figure Collection was already added, but mislabeled as an Amusement Figure. Its review has been redone entirely, including new, clearer photos.

 Hobby Japan posted an article looking at the CAS Units coming out for the Chogokin Liger Zero. This article features early samples, with the final version said to be even more polished. As is, the units look great, maintaining the dynamic movable parts known to the their respective forms.

 Hobby Japan has announced that it'll be covering the Chogokin Liger Zero CAS units in the August 2023 issue! If you're interested in picking it up, the issue is still available to order on Amazon JP.

 As we approach the release date of Bandai's Chogokin Liger Zero we've been seeing more and more updates. Tamashii Web posted a blog about the Liger Zero, going over some of the specifics and showing off the box art. It looks like the main box is actually, in a surprise twist, inspired by the original Tomy box art! This is a cool shoutout. The main box is covered by a black dust sleeve which features images of the figure. The amount of articulation in this kit is insane, more than I could cover here, so I highly recommend checking out the article!

 Some highlights include that the Zero is covered in a coat of gloss, with metalics used for key parts. The pilot is gold chrome, the eyes light up using LEDs, it includes a metallic red removable Zoid Core, and by replacing the pilot seat with clear parts, you can increase the brightness of the eye glow. The figure comes with its own stand as well. Dengeki Hobby Web posted an article about the Tamashii Nations World Tour Tokyo event, where these figures (the CAS and frame) were on display.

Twitter Campaign

Tamashii Web is also holding a twitter campaign from June 8th until July 18th, where they'll be giving away a variety of items, including 15 Chogokin Liger Zeroes. This event is for Japan residents only.

 The Tamashii Web article linked above also showed off some images of the CAS units for the Chogokin Liger Zero. What was a big surprise though is that the armors will come with their own suspension stand, allowing you to display one of the armors as if it were still in the hangar. This is an incredibly cool inclusion, as it means that, even if you can't afford 4 Chogokin figures, you can still put some of your armors on display rather than packing them up in a box. These armors are expected to ship out in January 2024 as a full set of armors (Jager, Schneider, Panzer) for 29,700 yen (tax included).

 In addition, a Liger Zero (Frame Mode) has been announced. This means you'll be able to order just the bare Liger Zero without any CAS units (including the basic Zero armor) attached. For those who aren't able to pick up the first release, this is a great opportunity. The Liger Zero (Frame Mode) is also scheduled to release in January 2024 for 27,500 yen. This Zero will also come with one of the suspension stands. If you happened to miss the earlier pre-order window for the full Chogokin Liger Zero, you may be happy to hear that it's also getting a second run, with some scheduled to ship out around August.

 The website for the Chogokin Liger Zero over on Tamashii Web has been updated sometime in the last few months, featuring a variety of cool graphics. This figure is scheduled to be released in June for 32,000 yen, and was also featured in a recent magazine interview, which we're working to be able to provide soon.

 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