Zoids is an anime series that appeared on Cartoon Network's Toonami programming block in 2001. It was meant to capitalize on the popularity of Tenchi Universe.

While Zoids' name recognition is nowhere near that of Pokémon today, Zoids: New Century and Zoids: Chaotic Century are far deeper than Ash and Pikachu's adventures ever were.

Zoids is set on Planet Zi, where sentient robotic animals roam the land, used by humans as weapons of war, and eventually, they are used for sport during times of peace. New Century is actually the second series, canonically, but its premise lent itself to the Pokemon-obsessed American audiences of the time, and Cartoon Network chose to air it first.

The season follows Bit Cloud and his partner, Liger Zero, leading the Blitz Team in Zoid Battle Commission tournaments, and skirmishes with an organized crime organization, the Backdraft Group. However, the following year, Cartoon Network released the thematically more-mature Zoids: Chaotic Century, which details the wars that preceded New Century.

Zoids Brought Mech Warfare & A More Introspective Tone To The Genre Of Monster Anime Like Pokémon

Van and Zeke Avoid the Clichés Ash and Pikachu Succumb To

In Zoids: Chaotic Century, Van, an orphan of the war between the Helic Republic and Guylos Empire, and his raptor-like Organoid, Zeke, embark on an adventure to uncover the past of an amnesiac girl named Fiona. Van finds purpose in piloting his Liger Zoid, shifting from political apathy and pacifism to acceptance of his duty to bring peace to Planet Zi.

While the plethora of cool mecha beasts is a highlight of the series, Chaotic Century resists making Zoid battles the absolute focus, and cleverly weaves in a poignant story about the terrifying reality of war for all involved.

In Pokémon, Ash and Pikachu are on a fairly shallow quest to prove their supremacy on the battlefield, whereas Van and Zeke are drawn into war out of necessity, to protect their home, the Wind Colony. After defeating the Guylos Empire, Van becomes a full-fledged Helic Republican Army officer in the titular Guardian Force, the second season of Chaotic Century. Van's personal beliefs are continually challenged and refined, whereas Ash is stuck in a cycle of defeat and repeat.

Zoids Is Perfect For Older Fans Of Monster Anime Looking For Something With More Meat On Its Bones

The Complicated History Behind Zoids Is Almost as Interesting as the Series Itself

Zoids started out as Mechabonica model kits made by the Japanese toy company, TOMY, which were re-released in North American and European markets under the name Zoids in 1982. Until Chaotic Century's debut in 2001, the only story or lore surrounding the mechanical animals came from brief descriptions of warring factions printed on the model kits' packaging. Today, the task of creating a story based on a popular toy is synonymous with Transformers and G.I. Joe, but Zoids far sures those, both in world-building and emotional depth.

Even the capitalistic intentions behind New Century's release strategy don't diminish its story, though the tone and subject are considerably lighter. A scavenger and mechanic named Bit Cloud happens to have the magic touch with the Blitz Team's previously inoperable Liger Zero, so he s their crew as its pilot, and eventually leads them to many victories.

The inexplicable connection between Bit and Liger Zero is much closer to Ash and Pikachu's "power of friendship" trope than Chaotic Century's Van and Zeke. This dynamic works for New Century, which is essentially a fun 26-episode tournament arc with lower stakes.

Both Zoids Chaotic Century & New Century Rank Among Toonami’s Best Anime

Zoids Should Be as Well Known as Its Toonami Peers

Both Chaotic Century and New Century prove Toonami's curated collection of anime was more than just flashy titles like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z, and Zoids overall stands among high-concept peers, like Big O and Blue Submarine No. 6. The following season, Zoids: Fuzors, squanders that momentum and fails to live up to its predecessors, featuring inferior animation and a soulless plot revolving around two Zoids fusing into one. Recent series entries, Zoids Genesis and Zoids Wild, have similarly failed to recapture the quality and cohesiveness of the first few seasons.

Zoids is not readily available for streaming at this time and physical copies are hard to come by, which is a shame. It deserves an opportunity to be introduced to new audiences and fill in any gaps for Toonami viewers who missed an episode or two.

The fact that Cartoon Network aired the final four episodes of Chaotic Century as a Saturday morning marathon points to both the cinematic quality and complex storytelling of Zoids necessitating an extended viewing experience. It also speaks to the sometimes erratic release schedule of anime in the early 2000s, and the limited opportunities for viewers to find closure.