Gojulas
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The Gojulas is a type of Zoid, one of over two hundred species of biomechanical lifeforms that form the basis of TOMY's Zoids model, anime, and game franchise. The Gojulas was the main Republic Zoid featured in TOMY's Original Japanese Release advertising, one of the main Zoid characters in the UK Zoids comic, and appears in the first three anime series. It is modeled to resemble and named after Gojira (otherwise known as Godzilla).
| Gojulas | |
 New Japanese Release Gojulas with CP-10 |
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| RZ-001 Dinosaur Type Helic Republic |
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| Crew | 1 |
| Weight | 230 tons |
| Depth | 26 m |
| Height | 21 m |
| Maximum Speed | 75 km/h |
| Weapons | Hyper Bite Fangs, Crusher Claws (2), 70 mm Double Barrelled Heavy Machineguns (2), AMD Double Barrelled 30 mm Beam Cannon, TRZ 20 mm Linear Laser Gun, ARZ 20 mm Beam Gun, Panova 20 mm Surface to Air Beam Gun (2), Maxer 30 mm Multipurpose Machine Gun (2) |
| Equipment | Nothing beyond standard equipment and sensors |
[edit] Overview
The Gojulas is a very Godzilla influenced Dinosaur-type (also listed as a Tyrannosaurus type) Zoid, created by the Helic Republic, and used during the various wars on Zi.
The Gojulas was the third large Zoid produced by the Helic Republic, after the Mammoth and Bigasaur. The Gojulas incorporated all the lessons learned from the previous two Zoids, and was a considerable improvement over them. More heavily armed and armoured than the previous two Zoids, the Gojulas was the most powerful Zoid on Zi for a long time after its development.
While the Gojulas is ponderously slow, the Zoid is extremely agile, especially when considering its size. The Zoid is very capable in close combat, able to attack opponents with its claws and fangs or, if need be, whip them with its tail, which packs a wallop powerful enough to knock even mid-sized Zoids off their feet. The main weakness of the Gojulas design was the lack of long-range weaponry.
To redress this problem, an improved version, the Gojulas Mk II was developed. This version mounted a pair of massive cannons, later to be known as the Republic Supercannons, on the back, giving the Gojulas a tremendous long-range punch. The cannons were so powerful that they were even able to blast through the thick armour of the Iron Kong with ease. While the mass of the cannons did slow the Zoid down, it was considered an acceptable tradeoff.
A second improved version, the Gojulas Mk II Limited was also developed. In addition to the Supercannons, the Zoid mounted numerous additional weapons and systems to further enhance its performance. Extra fuel tanks gave the Supercannons more ammunition, while stabilizers improved their accuracy.
[edit] Battle Story appearances
The Gojulas was first deployed by the Helic Republic in ZAC 2029. The Zoid had a devastating effect on the Zenebas forces; none of the Zoids in the Zenebas arsenal could stand against it. Even with the introduction of the Redhorn, the Zenebas forces were still at a disadvantage, and had to wait until the development of the Iron Kong before the Empire have a weapon capable of matching the Helic Zoid in single combat.
In ZAC 2035, the Republic introduced a new model of Gojulas, the Gojulas Mk II Limited. This version featured expanded weaponry, specifically a pair of massive, long range cannons that were capable of destroying smaller Zoids in a single shot. This model proved to be too expensive for mass production, however, and so only a few were produced. A slightly downgraded version that removed most of the new weapons, but retained the Supercannons, entered mass production as the Gojulas Mk II.
The Gojulas remained in service with the Republic's armies unto the end of the war in ZAC 2056. At some stage after the meteor disaster, the Helic Republic began mass production of a new model Gojulas, based on the original version without the Mk II’s Supercannons. Gojulases served with the Helic forces during the Guylos invasion of the Western Continent, and remained one of their most effective Zoids. Cannon-equipped units, along with the Ultrasaurus were used to shell Guylos forces from great distances, devastating the enemy army.
In ZAC 2100, the Republic created a new version of the Gojulas that was modified to use an Organoid System, as well as featuring an expanded arsenal. Based on the Older Mk II Limited, the resulting Gojulas the Ogre had dramatically improved performance, but also was an uncontrollable berserker that only the most skilled pilots could operate. As a result, only a few were produced.
[edit] Media appearances
[edit] Anime
[edit] Chaotic Century and Guardian Force
The Gojulas first appeared in Zoids: Chaotic Century. Referred to as both the Gojulas and the ZG, the Zoid was depicted as an untested, experimental unit at the point of its debut (Episode 15, Deploy the ZG), although multiple Gojulases were involved in the defence of New Helic City three episodes later. By the end of Chaotic Century, the Gojulas was appearing as a line Zoid of the Helic Army, piloted by high-ranking officers, as well as being used as artillery and support units. The prototype was said to have the strength of twelve Zoids at 50% power,and twenty-four at 100%, and was able to quickly demolish a large portion of an Imperial regiment. However, the Gojulas is slow and ponderous, and it requires a skilled pilot to ensure that it does not topple due to its own size and weight.
The Zoid also appears in Zoids: Guardian Force, but tends to be effortlessly disposed of in a Redshirt-like manner; Gojulases had a tendency to "stand and stare" at certain doom.
Colonel Rob Hermann, an important officer within the Republican Army, is often seen piloting Gojulases, in particular a Gojulas Mk II. The Gojulas has become Hermann's trademark Zoid, just as the Iron Kong became that of Hermann's Imperial counterpart, Colonel Karl Schubaltz. Hermann's Gojulas appears to be significantly more powerful than the standard model, although physically identical to other Gojulas units. This is attributed to the plot device known as a "character shield".
Like most large Zoids, there seems to be a size descrepency of the Gojulas in the Anime. It seems at least twice as large in the Anime Series than the Battle Story stats.
[edit] New Century Zero
Gojulases only appeared briefly in Zoids: New Century Zero; several were seen as law enforcement units in one episode, while another fought the Blitz Team during the Royal Cup. Harry Champ mentioned that he owned a Gojulas, but it was never seen onscreen.
[edit] UK Zoids Comic
In the UK Zoids comic, Zoidzilla was the mightiest of the Blue Zoids and the leader of their armies. Zoidzilla was unbeaten in Heroic Combat, and didn’t like the idea of working with other Zoids instead of fighting them. He saw the Blue Army as a temporary measure until the Reds were defeated.
Zoidzilla was created prior to the beginning of the story; it was due to a surge in excess power from Zoidzilla that the last of the Zoidarians were destroyed and Zoidstar was reduced to a lifeless desert.
Zoidzilla’s arch enemy was Krark, the Prince of Darkness. Krark wanted Zoidzilla as an ally, but Zoidzilla just wanted a fight. The pair of them did form a brief alliance, however, to destroy Redhorn.
Zoidzilla was badly damaged by the first attack of the Black Zoid. While his body could be repaired, he was without a pilot. His Mindrider was badly damaged and, as no other Mindrider could operate him, he was effectively dead. However, at the climax of the battle against the Black Zoid, Heller’s son, Griff took control of Zoidzilla and used it to attack the Black Zoid. Zoidzilla was again disabled, but not before striking a fatal blow to the Black Zoid.
Zoidzilla’s status following the battle is unclear; it was not stated if he was repairable or if they could create a new Mindrider for him.
[edit] Zoids Web Comic
Two variants of the Gojulas Mariner feature in the TOMY-produced Zoids Web Comic. The Gojulas Mariner Type A resembled the original Zoid, but had additional attachments to allow it to fight both underwater and on land. The Gojulas Mariner Type B has been extensively modified to operate entirely in an underwater combat environment. As a result of the modifications, the Zoid resembles a Mosasaurus. The two Zoids are used to protect a large carrier Zoid as it travels across the ocean. They fight off a pair of Death Stingers, but a third Death Stinger manages to board and attempts to attack the cargo, which is revealed to be a fully-operational Gojulas Giga, which proceeds to tear the Death Stinger apart.
[edit] Other
- A Gojulas model makes a brief cameo appearance in the American version of Godzilla 1985, (specifically the Robostrux Terox).
- A Zoidzilla toy is on display at the Natural History Museum, in their "dinosaurs in popular culture" exhibit, alongside some original G1 Dinobots.
[edit] Models
[edit] Original Japanese Release
- 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 Gojulas kit comes on five frames (one of which is a weapons frame also shared with the Gordos, Bigasaur and Mammoth), along with a battery-powered motor with light, a second battery box, canopy cover, thirty-two rubber caps, a frame of washers, two metal weights, a small chromed pilot, and label sheets. The Gojulas is moulded in grey, dull grey, and dull blue, with grey weapons and a smoke colored canopy.
The Gojulas’ construction is reasonably involved and complex. Particular care must be taken with the tail, as the point of connection with the body is very fragile and easily broken. The Gojulas uses a pair of “C” sized batteries for motion. Once activated, the Zoid walks forwards, waving its arms, its head tuning side to side, and the jaws opening and closing. A second pair of “AA” Batteries is used to power a red light in the Gojulas’ head.
Like several other Zoids of the time, the Gojulas could be equipped with a number of different optional weapons that were included in the Republic Customise Set. The Gojulas was released in 1983, and was produced up until about 1986.
[edit] Original European Release
The Gojulas was released under the name Zoidzilla in the UK and Europe in 1985-87. This version was identical to the Japanese release.
[edit] Robostrux
The Gojulas was released in the U.S. as part of the Robostrux line, under the name Terox. This version possessed a different colour scheme, being blue, aqua and grey, but is otherwise identical.
[edit] Gojulas Mk II
In 1987, TOMY introduced a new version of the Gojulas, replacing the existing one in production. This version had a new colour scheme, being black and white with grey. The eyes were changed from red to green. The Zoid also had a moulding change, with a pair of large pegs being added onto the battery pack.
The pegs were added to allow the mounting of a pair of large cannons, included with the kit, onto the Zoid's back. These mould changes were carried forwards to all Gojulases released after this, regardless of if they had the cannons or not.
[edit] Gojulas Mk II Limited
A limited edition version of the Gojulas Mk II was also released at the same time. This version had a desert tan and light brown colour scheme, and red eyes. In addition to the cannons from the Mk II, the Mk II Limited featured an extra frame of weapons.
[edit] Zoids2
A version of the Gojulas was released in the Zoids2 line, under the name Zoidzilla. Zoidzilla was released in the UK and Europe in the mid 90s. This version was coloured chrome silver, white, and black, and had green eyes. The application of the chrome on this Zoid is particularly poor and often the base plastic is visible underneath.
[edit] Technozoids
The Zoids2 Zoidzilla was also released in the U.S. and Canada, as a part of the Technozoids line. This version was identical to the Zoids2 release, and may have simply been a re-release of leftover stock.
[edit] New Japanese Release
The Gojulas was re-released in Japan in 1999, as the first Zoid kit of the New Japanese Release. This version had a different colour scheme, being a dull grey, silver, and black with red eyes and a grey pilot. There were no changes to the design, although the Zoid suffered from poor mould quality.
TOMY also released an upgrade kit for the Gojulas, the CP-10 Gojulas Cannons. The CP-10 is identical to the cannons originally included in the Gojulas Mk II.
There have also been Gojulases packed in boxes in Spanish thought not much is known.
[edit] Gojulas the Ogre
This version was released in Japan as a limited edition model in 2000. This version is identical to the Gojulas Mk II Limited, but in a desert yellow and black colour.
[edit] Gojulas Mariner
This version was released in Japan as a part of the 'Yuji Kaida' limited edition series in 2003. This version is identical to the Gojulas Mk II, but with a blue, grey, and bronze colour scheme, along with red eyes.
[edit] New English Release
The Gojulas was released in the UK as a part of the NER in 2003. The NER version is identical to the NJR version.
[edit] TDP Gojulas Mk II
In 2005, Toy's Dream Project re-released the Gojulas Mk II as a Toys "R" Us Japan exclusive. This version was identical to the original Gojulas Mk II, but with red eyes instead of green. Additionally, the mould appears to have been repaired, as it lacks the quality issues of the New Japanese Release version.
[edit] Forest Gojulas
This limited edition version of the Gojulas was released by TOMY in August 2006. The Zoid was recoloured in dull green and dull grey, with a smoke canopy, supposedly as forest camouflage. The Zoid came with a gold pilot figure and both OJR and NJR-style labels, and was released in a box with art and logos similar to the OJR release.
[edit] Gojulas HT
A Toys R Us Japan exclusive released in late 2006, the Gojulas HT was moulded completely in clear plastic with a white light.
[edit] LB Gojulas
The LB Gojulas was the first Zoid in the Legends Series, a subline of Neo-Blox. Styled after the various Gojulases that have gone before it, the LB has been redesigned to be equal in size to other Neo-Blox Zoids.
The model comes on five frames along with three Neo-Blox modules, a clear canopy, four fins, a frame of connectors also included with several other Neo-Blox Zoid kits, and a chromed gold pilot. One of the frames was first used on the Brave Jaguar, and another on the Raptor Jaguar, although not all of the components from these frames are used in the construction of LB Gojulas. The colours are based on those of the NJR Gojulas, but the kit also includes a pair of scaled-down Supercannons.
[edit] LB Gojulas Mk II
Based on the Legends Blox Gojulas, the LB Gojulas Mk II was the third Zoid released in the Legends Blox subline. The kit is a re-issue of the LB Gojulas, recoloured to resemble the Gojulas Mk II Limited. It includes a new frame of weapons designed to resemble the parts on the OJR kit.
[edit] G2 Rex
A recolour of the LB Gojulas was included with the G2 Rex kit. This version was recoloured in black and red with a smoke canopy. The kit also included similarly recoloured versions of the Raptojaguar and Brachioakete.
[edit] Appearance in Other Media
Gojulas may be seen in the 1990 comedy science-fiction film Spaced Invaders, on the desk of the gas station clerk, and in his hand when suggesting a superweapon.
