Garantula

The Garantula (also sometimes incorrectly romanised as Gargantula) is a type of Zoid, a race of mechanical lifeforms from the fictional Zoids universe.

Overview
The Garantula is a Spider-type Zoid, and is one of the earliest Zoid types.

Designed for reconnaissance and exploration, the Gargantulus' form gave it numerous advantages in these areas, over other Zoids of its era. The Zoid is incredibly fast; at 330 km/h, it is one of the fastest land-based Zoids ever created. It also possesses a high level of agility, able to rapidly shift position and evade enemy fire. The Zoid is also capable of burrowing into soft sand to conceal itself, as well as to stage ambushes of other Zoids.

However, in comparison to later Zoid designs, the Gargantulus is both weakly armed and armoured; its spindly legs and fragile motive systems are vulnerable and prone to damage. Likewise, its light weapons are far from effective against modern Zoids

Battle Story appearances
One of the first Zoids to be deployed, the Garantula first appeared in the ZAC 1930s, alongside other early designs like the Garius and Elephantus. Unlike earlier Zoids, which were designed as straightforward infantry machines, the Garantula found its specialty in reconnaissance and strike operations.

Like many other early Zoids, the Garantula was rendered obsolete by the introduction of Human technology in the ZAC 2030s. The Garantula was retired by ZAC 2035, but its design would later influence the Guysack.

Despite being obsolete, the sturdiness and reliability of the design was recognised around the time of the first Deathsaurer and the Garantula saw another brief period of action as the Garantula Newtype.

Media appearances
Video games
Garantula appeared in the Game Boy Color game (Evil God Revived! Geno Breaker Story), where they were common 'wandering monsters'.

UK Zoids Comic
The Spiderzoid was one of the earliest Zoids used by the Zoidariyan Empire in its campaigns of conquest and expansion. Spiderzoids had served for centuries, if not millennia, as a basic part of their armies. Even after the fall of the Empire, they remained a key element of the Blue Zoid forces.

In a duel with one of his rivals, Namer used a Spiderzoid to defeat a larger and obstinately superior Giant Zrk.

A large number of Spiderzoids were captured by Redhorn and Mammoth, and force-mutated into Red Zoids. Renamed Tarantulons, they were inducted into the Red Zoid army.

Models
Original model kit
*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.

The Garantula kit comes on three frames (two of which were re-used by the Guysack), along with a small wind-up motor, cockpit, canopy cover, six rubber caps, a small chromed pilot and label sheets. The Garantula is moulded in grey, black and white. The head was shared with a number of other early Zoids like the Glidoler and Elephantus.

The Garantula’ construction is relatively simple and straightforward. The Zoid uses a simple wind-up motor for its motion; once wound, the Garantula will walk forwards with a skittering, spider-like motion. The head can be manually positioned.

The Garantula, like the other early ‘whitehead’ Zoids, can be equipped with the optional weapons and equipment released in the Zoids Remodelling Set.

Garantula Newtype
Garantula was reissued by Tomymate as the Garantula Newtype. There were no changes to the design but the model was recoloured white and purple-tinted blue.

Original American Release
Originally intended to be a part of the Mechabonica line, the Garantula was instead initially released in North America as a part of the Original American Release. This version had no name, but was identical to the (later) OJR version.

Original European Release
The Garantula was later re-released in Europe under the name Spiderzoid. No changes were made to the model.

Tarantulon
A second version of the OER Spiderzoid was released as a part of the Original European Release in 1985. This version was re-named Tarantulon. The model was recoloured in red and silver, while the head was replaced with a red version of the head used by early Imperial Zoids, such as the Molga and Iguan.

Robostrux
The OER Tarantulon was re-released in the U.S. as part of the Robostrux line, under the name Legz. There were no changes to the model. The packaging was identical to the OER version, with only the names changed.

Zoids 2
The Garantula was re-released as a part of the Zoids 2 line in the mid 1990s, again under the name Tarantulon. This version was recoloured in black, white and yellow with chrome silver legs. Despite reusing the OER name, this version retained the original "whitehead" cockpit of the OJR version.

Toys Dream Project
The Garantula was re-released in 2006 by Toys Dream Project in a boxed set along with the Garius, Elephantus, Glidoler, and Aquadon. There were no changes to the mould.

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See Also

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