Zoids: Chaotic Century
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| Zoids: Chaotic Century | |
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| ゾイド | |
| Genre | Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Mecha, Science Fiction, Shounen |
| TV anime | |
| Directed by | Takao Kato |
| Studio | Shogakukan Productions |
| Network | TBS |
| Original run | 1999-09-04 – 2000-04-01 |
| No. of episodes | 34 |
Zoids: Chaotic Century is the first of five anime series based on the Zoids range of mecha model kits produced by TOMY. Although the first series to be produced for the franchise in Japan, Chaotic Century was the second series to be dubbed and aired in Western nations, following Zoids: New Century Zero.
The series runs for 34 half-hour episodes, although the Western version merges this series with its direct sequel, Zoids: Guardian Force
Contents |
[edit] Series Background
Like all Zoids' series, Chaotic Century is set on the world of Zi, located on the opposite side of the Milky Way galaxy to Earth. The world of Zi is inhabited by large mechanical lifeforms known as Zoids, which have been modified and harnessed by stranded human colonists as tools and weapons of warfare.
The setting of Chaotic Century is a few years after the most recent war between the Helic Republic and the Guylos Empire. The two nations are currently observing a ceasefire, although ambushes and minor assaults are initiated by both sides, and tensions are high after it is revealed that one or both sides may have access to ancient technology.
The series follows the story of Van Flyheight, as he helps his companion, Fiona, learn about her past. The pair become caught up in the beginnings of a new war, and direct every effort towards stopping it before it again engulfs the two nations.
[edit] Differences between the storylines
Although there are many similarities between Chaotic Century and the 'New Battle Story' accompanying the New Japanese Release, the two storylines are considered to be inherently different, and are believed to occur in alternate continuities. Listed below are the main differences.
- The Zoidian race, known as the Ancient Zoidians in the anime, were wiped out long before human colonists discovered Zi. The event that wiped out the Ancient Zoidians was not the destruction of Zi's third moon by a comet, but the creation of the Death Saurer.
- Both the Guylos Empire and the Helic Republic are based on the Central Continent. No mention of the Zenebas Empire or the Dark Continent of Nyx is made, although Prozen does imply in passing that other continents exist.
[edit] Characters
- Van Flyheight
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Van Flyheight - Van Flyheight (Van Freiheit in the original Japanese version) is a seventeen year old orphan of the previous war between the Republic and Empire. His home is in the Wind Colony village, just within the borders of the Helic Republic. Chased into a series of ruins by a pair of trigger-happy gangers, he discovers a pair of stasis capsules. Activating them, he discovers an Organoid, and a young girl with no memory of her past. Van is then forced to confront the gangers, using a Shield Liger revitalized by the Organoid, Zeke. Defeating them, he decides that he will leave home, and travel in an attempt to help the young girl, who comes to be called Fiona, learn about her past.
- Van is a bit dense to start with, but is loyal to his companions and has a good heart. His open nature means that many people are attracted to him, and he enjoys a good challenge. During the series, Van pilots a Shield Liger, which is evolved into the superior Blade Liger form halfway through the series.
- Van has an older sister, Maria, who is in her late teens. His father, Major Dan Flyheight, was a pilot with the Republican Army, using a Command Wolf called Zeke. He was killed defending the Wind Colony from an Imperial attack when Van was five.
- Voiced by: Daisuke Kishio (Japanese), Matthew Erikson (English)
- Zeke
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Zeke - Zeke (sometimes spelled "Zeek", Sieg in the Japanese version) is an Organoid, a small Zoid imbued with many powers. Awakened by Van, Zeke is named after the Command Wolf piloted by Van's father, who died during the previous war.
- Zeke's primary ability is to fuse himself with another Zoid, increasing its combat potential dramatically. Zeke is able to use this ability to resurrect destroyed Zoids, and to evolve Zoids into more powerful forms, both skills demonstrated on Van's Shield Liger during the series. Dr. D believes Fiona's memories were once sealed in Zeke when she was placed in her capsule. Zeke also has twin rockets on his back allowing him to fly, as shown numerous times throughout the series.
- Fiona (Elisi Linette)
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Fiona Elisi Linette
The young girl awakened from stasis by Van suffered from severe amnesia from the time she was revived. She was given the name "Fiona" by Van (Fine in the original Japanese version) as this was the first word she spoke after being awakened. The pair has been traveling since in an effort to rediscover her past.
- As her memories return, it is learned that Fiona is actually Elisi Linette, one of the last members of the Ancient Zoidian race. Her driving goal is to discover something known as the 'Zoid Eve', supposedly the source of all Zoids' power.
- She is a close companion of Van and Zeke, and it is believed that Van and Fiona become romantically involved during Chaotic Century. Most fans point to the events of Guardian Force as the beginnings of this relationship. During the Van's last battle against Raven's Geno Saurer before facing the Death Saurer, Fiona even kisses Van on the lips as encouragement. That seems to be the strongest hint of romance between Van and Fiona in the whole Chaotic Century/Guardian Force timeline.
- Voiced by: Makiko Ohmoto (Japanese), Carol-Anne Day (English)
- Moonbey
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Moonbay - A trader, Moonbey first encounters Van and Fiona when their Shield Liger becomes damaged. She is smuggling weapons for the Guylos Empire at the time, but she quickly joins up with the pair, and is a valuable asset to them.
- Moonbay is portrayed as being in her late teens, and is considered to be a free-spirited individual, who is not afraid to speak her mind. She is a 'Transporter', using her Gustav to haul cargo for whoever may be offering the highest amount. Although appearing greedy and selfish on the surface, Moonbay is an honourable person, and sticks by Van and Fiona when the going gets tough.
- Voiced by: Kumiko Watanabe (Japanese), Onalea Gilbertson (English)
- Irvine
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Irvine - Irvine is an eighteen year old mercenary, and the 'tough guy' of the series. When he initially meets Van and Fiona, his only thoughts are for capturing and utilizing Van's Organoid companion, Zeke. He loses this desire over time, but occasionally taunts Van with the idea that he still wants to take Zeke off his hands.
- Although cold-hearted in appearance, Irvine shows a soft side on more than one occasion. He is a skilled pilot, and a reliable companion of Van and Fiona. Irvine pilots a heavily modified Command Wolf during the series, although he has a chance to pilot multiple Zoids, including a Republic Gojulas. When his Command Wolf is severely damaged, its combat data is transferred to an experimental Zoid, the Lightning Saix
- Although Irvine wears an eye patch, he has full use of both eyes. The eye patch is a camera with the ability to zoom in on objects, capture still shots and video, and project two-dimensional images holographically. A compartment within the eye patch usually contains a detonating device used in conjunction with explosive material housed in his heel stache.
- Information about Irvine's parents are unknown. He does have a mother figure, whom he rarely sees. He had a younger sister, Helena, who died from Gafkey Karl Fever when they were both young.
- Voiced by: Keiji Fujiwara (Japanese), Mark Gatha (English)
- Raven
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Raven - Raven is very similar to Van in personal history. An orphan, his parents were avid Zoid researchers, and were killed when researching the properties of a mysterious red Organoid. Raven was initially taken in by Van's father until he was killed by Prozen during a battle at the end of which attempted to kill Prozen. Raven was adopted by the Regent of the Guylos Empire, Gunther Prozen, and became the man's protégé. Taken under his wing, Raven becomes a skilled marksmen and hand-to-hand combatant, but most notably are his prodigious piloting abilities.
- During the series, Raven is a superior pilot to Van, although the latter quickly catches up in skill. Raven is extremely anti-social and reserved, and holds a deep dislike of all Zoids (with the possible exception of Shadow), a feeling created from the death of his parents by a renegade Organoid. He considers Van to be his rival, and swears not to rest until Van has been killed by his hand.
- There is a belief that Raven suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition related to his parent's death. It is also believed that this is cured during the Guardian Force series. Both are fanon statements, and not canonical.
- Raven pilots a Sabre Tiger, which is later replaced by a prototype Genosaurer.
- Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga (Japanese), Robert Scott Henrickson (English)
- Shadow
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Shadow - A black Organoid, Shadow is to Raven as Zeke is to Van. Shadow has the ability to fuse with a Zoid and significantly enhance its potential. Unlike Zeke, Shadow has a pair of wings, and can fly.
- Gunther Prozen
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Gunther Prozen - Regent of the Guylos Empire, and an Admiral in the Guylos military, Gunter Prozen is responsible for many of the events in the series. He is the mentor of Raven, a Zoid pilot with the Royal Regiment, and second in line for the throne of Guylos. Prozen arranges for Prince Rudolph, next in line for the throne to be kidnapped so that he can seize power after Emperor Zeppellin's suspicious death.
- Prozen's desire is to be the supreme ruler of Zi. In order to do this, he takes control of the Guylos Empire, and begins research into the Zoid that destroyed the Ancient Zoidian civilization.
- Voiced by: Houchu Ohtsuka (Japanese), Dave Kelly (English)
- Karl Lichen Schubaltz
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Karl Lichen Schubaltz - Major Karl Lichen Schubaltz (Schwartz in the Japanese version) is one of the Guylos Empire's greatest Zoid pilots. Believed to be one of the few members of the Empire's military that aren't arrogant or corrupted by power, Schubaltz is an honourable fighter, and wishes to see peace between the Republic and Empire as opposed to total destruction of both sides.
- Major Schubaltz pilots multiple Zoids during the series, but is most commonly seen behind the controls of a modified Darkhorn, Sabre Tiger or Iron Kong, distinguished by the presence of a large gatling gun.
- Prince Rudolph Zeppellin III
- Second in line for the throne of the Guylos Empire, His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Rudolf Gerhard Zeppellin III is the grandchild of Emperor Zeppellin, the current ruler of Guylos.
- Rudolph is placed into the care of Van by Rosso and Viola, former waste gangers. Van agrees to help return Rudolph to the Guylos Empire capital, Guygalos, and to teach the boy how to pilot a Zoid properly. Although Rudolph's identity is initially kept hidden from Van and his friends, Doctor D. soon reveals the truth about the Crown Prince.
- Rudolph is an eager, friendly person, who wishes to be able to emulate Van in piloting skill.
- Doctor D.
- Goof, nutcase, and self-confessed mad scientist, Doctor D. was once employed by the Republican Army, as a Zoid researcher, but was attempting to create snow when first encountered by Van. He is considered Zi's foremost expert on anything Zoid or Organoid related, and enjoys hanging around with Van and his group. His attitude and demeanor irritate Van, but Doctor D.'s knowledge comes in handy on several occasions.
- Doctor D. is voiced by Dave Pettitt, who also provides the 'voices' for Rosso and the Organoids, Zeke and Shadow.
[edit] Episode listing
- 1. "The Boy From Planet Zi"
- 2. "The Mysterious Fiona"
- 3. "Memory"
- 4. "The Protectors"
- 5. "Sleeper Trap"
- 6. "Jump! Zeke!"
- 7. "The Battle of Red River"
- 8. "The Road to the Republic"
- 9. "The Valley of the Monster"
- 10. "The Mountain of Dreams"
- 11. "The Fog at Iselina"
- 12. "The Black Organoid"
- 13. "The Battle of the Cronos"
- 14. "Wake Up! Zeke!"
- 15. "Deploy the ZG"
- 16. "New Helic City"
- 17. "The Longest Night of the Republic"
- 18. "The Defense of the City"
- 19. "Prozen's Conspiracy"
- 20. "The Resurrection Monster"
- 21. "The Charged Particle Gun"
- 22. "Farewell To a Friend"
- 23. "The Imperial Ring"
- 24. "A Voice From Afar"
- 25. "The New Liger"
- 26. "Memories of Zi"
- 27. "The Saviour"
- 28. "Run, Wolf!"
- 29. "Heroes of the Sky"
- 30. "Moonbay's Waltz"
- 31. "The Three Guards"
- 32. "The Doom Machine"
- 33. "The Battle For Survival"
- 34. "The Capital Ablaze"
[edit] Series Comments
Many fans consider Chaotic Century to be superior to the New Century series, as there is believed to be greater character and plot development over the course of the series.
[edit] Theme songs
- Opening
- Wild Flowers by Ramar
- Ending
- Song for... by Dear
- Chase by Develop=Frame
- Into Yourself by Transtic Nerve
- Your Song by Earth
