Fire Phoenix

The Fire Phoenix (also just Phoenix) is a Phoenix-type Zoid, one of over 200 species of biomechanical lifeforms depicted by TOMY's Zoids model, toy, and media franchise.

There are two identical variants of this Zoid, restricted to different continuities within the Zoids fictional universe. The first is the Phoenix, which is restricted to the Battle Story. The second is the Fire Phoenix, appearing in the Zoids Fuzors anime throughout the first 14 episodes, until its destruction. In both continuities, the Fire Phoenix is designed to work in tandem with the Liger Zero, both as a counterpart and as an armour and weapons system for the Liger.

Overview
The Fire Phoenix is a Phoenix-type Blox Zoid, produced by ZOITEC for the Helic Republic's army. As well as an individual Blox Zoid, the Fire Phoenix was designed to serve as the first (Blox Changing Armour System) Unit for the Liger Zero.

The Fire Phoenix is capable both as an individual unit and as a Fuzor. In flight, the Zoid is both swift and agile, capable of outmanoeuvring almost any other airborne Zoid. Additionally, it sports a large array of weapons; a half-dozen pulse cannons in the tips of each wing, as well as a pair of rear-firing beam cannons. Most notable, however, is its Charger Missile. The weapon can be fuelled with energy from the Zoid's core to enhance its destructive potential. At maximum charge, it can disable or destroy a Gojulas Giga with a single shot.

When combined with the Liger Zero, the Phoenix serves to enhance the Zoid's capabilities. The Zero gains the ability to fly, as well as the Phoenix's considerable array of weapons.

Battle Story appearances
The success of the Blox-CAS technology developed for the Gairyuki by the Helic Republic and ZOITEC inspired the two factions to develop a CAS-capable Blox Zoid to work with the Liger Zero platform, replacing the three older CAS units previously in use.

The Liger Zeroes of the Republic's Flash Division were equipped with Phoenix Blox-CAS Units prior to their renewed offensive against the Neo-Zenebas Empire in ZAC 2109. The Flash Division was successful until the first encounter of a Seismosaurus. During the engagement, the majority of the Liger Zero Phoenixes were destroyed while they tried to buy time for the supporting Gairyuki unit to complete the mission.

Media appearances
Anime
The Fire Phoenix appears in Zoids: Fuzors as a Fuzor partner for Liger Zero. Through combining with the Fire Phoenix to become Liger Zero Phoenix, the Liger Zero gains full flight capabilities while retaining its incredible agility. In addition, the Liger Zero gains the use of the Fire Phoenix's considerable arsenal.

The American Fusion sequences were mostly incorrect, given that the Fire Phoenix has to be taken apart to become the Phoenix CAS of the Liger Zero. Also, the face armour of the Liger Zero is retained by the Liger Zero Phoenix, when on the model the face armour must be replaced. This same error occurs with the Liger Zero Falcon.

For the Phoenix itself, it is depicted as being able to flap its wings, when the model is unable perform such a gimmick.

The Fire Phoenix is heavily damaged by the Gairyuki in episode 14 of the series, after protecting RD and Liger Zero from Gairyuki's Charged Particle Cannon. It then sacrifices itself in a failed attempt to destroy Gairyuki. The Zoid is later replaced by the Jet Falcon.

The Fire Phoenix in the Anime appeared to be a "wild" Zoid (it didn't have a pilot, it acted on its own) that chose to help RD for explained reasons, although there were sometimes when wouldn't help when he was acting to brash.

Models
The Fire Phoenix has only been released on one occasion by itself; for all other releases the model has been packaged with a Liger Zero.

New American Release - Z-Builders

*Assembly required. (Snap-together, no glue needed. Scissors or X-acto knife recommended for trimming off excess plastic bits.)
*The model's colours are moulded into the plastic, and it does not need any paint. Some sections come pre-painted.

The Fire Phoenix is moulded in yellow, pink/red, and grey.

The Fire Phoenix was designed to serve as a new armour set for the Liger Zero, as well as an individual Zoid. Instructions for the 'fusion', along with additional components to allow the fusion to take place, were included with the Fire Phoenix.

In the initial release, Hasbro designated the Fire Phoenix 'RZ-101'. This was an error, as the Fire Phoenix is a Blox Zoid, and should have been designated 'BZ'. Later Hasbro releases were designated BZ-108, and displayed an altered set of Zoid statistics. The original values given by Hasbro had been deemed incorrect by TOMY when they released the Liger Zero Phoenix.

The NAR Fire Phoenix was also released as part of the New Pacific Release. There were no changes, and the released models used the corrected statistics and designation.

New Japanese Release

Released shortly after the initial NAR release, the first Japanese version of the Fire Phoenix was simply named Phoenix. This Zoid was not released on its own; instead it was packaged as part of the Liger Zero Phoenix model kit. The Phoenix was coloured in grey and blue, to match the recoloured Liger Zero.

The NJR and Z-Builders versions disagree on some of the Fire Phoenix's statistics, namely the Zoid's height and maximum speed. As TOMY is considered to override Hasbro in matters of Zoids canon, the revised stats are accepted as correct, and are the ones used for this article.

Fuzors

The NJR Liger Zero Phoenix was re-released as the first model in the Fuzors line, packaged with a recoloured Liger Zero. The Fire Phoenix's colours were changed to metallic red and transparent yellow, and the model included a new sticker sheet. This version did not include a pilot figure.

Related Zoids
As a Blox-CAS, the Fire Phoenix is designed to serve as a CAS armour unit for the Liger Zero, forming the Liger Zero Phoenix when combined. More information the Liger Zero Phoenix can be found in the Liger Zero article.

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See Also

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