Zoids

Zoids (Japanese ゾイド (zoido)), short for Zoic Androids, is a franchise featuring large bio-mechanical creatures known as Zoids, based on multiple series of plastic model kits manufactured by the Japanese company Tomy(now Takara-Tomy).

First released in 1982, the models resemble a range of species including dinosaurs/reptiles, insects, and mammals. The majority are in 1:72 scale with a wind-up or battery-powered motor to power moveable features, and feature snap-together construction and precolored parts. The original line was released in Japan, Europe, and the United States during the 1980s.

Kotobukiya's "Highend Master Model" (officially abbreviated as HMM) series is an ongoing model line consisting of Zoids and Customize Part kits. A joint effort between Kotobukiya and Takara-Tomy, it features highly detailed, pose-able injection-model kits.

There is no unique backstory for the line; information recycled from previous medias about the series' Zoids are included in the instruction manuals.

Although there were no actual factions when the HMM series started, later model releases reflect the traditional Helic Republic "RZ" and Guylos Empire "EZ" abbreviations seen in earlier lines. Beyond the standard colour versions of Takara-Tomy models, Kotobukiya released unique, character-based Zoids from the Zoids: Chaotic Century and Zoids: New Century animes which had previously been unavailable as standard kits. Kotobukiya also produced Zoid variants of their own design including Molga AA and Molga Carrier and the RAMAR Shield Liger.