ZOANOIDS

Zoanoids are the most basic zoaforms. All of Chronos´ soldiers are Zoanoids; squads are usually commanded by more advanced types, while armies are led by Hyper-Zoanoids . The ultimate command of course lies with the Zoalords. Obedience to Zoalords is genetically encoded into all Zoaforms; the only Zoanoids who can disobey a Zoalord are certain Lost Numbers.

A very long time ago, possibly as long as 250 million years - but in truth, the exact time is and remains a mystery - a delegation of aliens landed on Earth with a clear and simple purpose: to create a biological weapon, capable of quick reproduction, of breathing oxygen, intelligent, versatile and obedient to their Creators.

After a long time of experimentation - it is possible that the dinosaurs that once lived on Earth, are actually the first, discarded products of the Creator´s experiments - a basic creature was created that possessed the desired qualities. They would eventually come to call themselves human. They could reproduce rapidly (by Creator standards, humans might be the equivalent of bacteria), fed on very basic, easy to obtain resources, and possessed vast genetic potential. This genetic potential, the result of millions of years of selection of any imaginable kind of life form, was about to be realized.

Humans were "processed"; we may assume that, in this first batch, there was a 100% success rate, partly because the technology of the Creators was more advanced. The "processing" realized them; the change allowed their cells to suddenly and explosively generate enormous amounts of bio-energy, which in turn allowed them to take a pre-programmed, alternate body form. These people were the first Zoanoids.

After the Creators abandoned their experiments because of the Guyver disaster, Zoanoids and non-processed humans interbred, until the ability to transform at will was lost. Occasionally, of course, an individual would be born with the ability - leading to stories that are found in any culture, all over the world, about werewolves and shapeshifting demons. The source of such tales became clear to everybody when, thousands of years later, Chronos started to process people again.

Richard Guyot claimed "A good majority" of people died while being processed. Presumably, the number of casualties went down as knowledge increased through experience. Also, many of the people who were processed were well-known public figures who could not simply disappear. This, in combination with other facts, also means that the actual processing can´t take longer than about 24 hours.

In any case... Chronos surreptitiously processed people, who were then brainwashed to forget what had been done to them, and returned to their normal lives... until their numbers were great enough, their infiltration of important places complete enough, to simply take over the world. On one single day, Zoanoids all over the world rose up and crippled governments and armies, until the world simply had no other choice than to surrender to Chronos.

Zoalords and Hyper-Zoanoids may have played a part, but most of the work was done by the footsoldiers of Chronos... Zoanoids. Since that day, many ordinary people have voluntarily opted to be subjected to processing as the result of a media campaign. Zoanoids do not get sick and have no physical weaknesses... and, of course, the prospect of being able to transform into a powerful beast is attractive to people, too. Zoanoids also retain their original personality... the only thing that really changes is that they are compelled to obey the Zoalords.

Physically, Zoanoids are quite different from humans. Their bodies process oxygen faster and more efficiently, their organs process waste products and toxins better, and their skeletomuscular structures are much stronger. The net result is that a Zoanoid that is maybe a foot and a half taller than a normal human, and twice as heavy, can be ten times as strong. They are also considerably tougher; most Zoanoids are practically impervious to small arms fire.

There are hundreds of types of Zoanoid; most of them are roughly ten times as strong as the average human, between seven and eight feet tall, weighing between 250 and 300 lbs. There are rare types of Zoanoid, as well as at least one type that any human being can be changed into (namely the Ramotith). Some Zoanoids have special qualities, such as flying ability, poison or acid glands, beam weapons or specific environment adaptation (such as aquatic or jungle zoanoids). Zoanoids usually display traits like those of animals and are on that basis sometimes classified as "reptile-type", "insect-type", etc.

Upon death, a Zoanoid decomposes into little more than a damp patch on the ground in under a minute; as if the metabolic process that allows them to transform turns against their body, breaking down without building up at the same time. A Zoalord can incite this process in living Zoanoids as well. It is unknown whether all Zoanoids naturally display this effect, or whether Chronos included it in its creations to make sure no solid evidence of the existence of Zoanoids could ever be found.

So far, no women have ever been seen transforming into Zoanoids.

Here are a few Zoanoid types:

This big, very heavy reptile-type - almost a humanoid dinosaur with a tyrannosaur-like head and a massive tail - was among the Zoanoids at the New Guinea Chronos testing ground where Masaki Murakami was taken captive.

Another large, heavy Zoanoid; his strong, bird-like legs, horny beak and coat of thin, hair-like feathers make him resemble a Cassuary somewhat, which is fitting since he, too was first spotted at the New Guinea testing grounds.

Another Zoanoid native to New Guinea, he is covered in veiny armor-plating, and the spikes sticking out of his head and snout are a bit reminiscent of a Babiroussa. His name, in Indonesian, means something like "Being human".

Since, as has been mentioned, any human being can be processed into this type, it is probably justified to call him perfectly average. Resembling something like a cross between a bear and a baboon, they possess not even one special ability; they are simply big, strong brawlers.

A success story. Almost as easy to process as Ramotith, this one is one-and-a-half times as strong, and possesses tough, padded skin which makes him bulletproof to a far greater extent than most other Zoanoids. To accomodate the ramming power of his horn, his body mass leans heavily forward. To compensate his balance, two thick, heavy tentacles grow out of his massive neck and sweep back to act as prehensile counterweights.

Another popular type that´s mass-processed as well. He´s considerably smaller than Ramotith, and his physical strength is relatively speaking low - but this does not really matter, as he is an artillery-type. Two large pods on his shoulders each contain an organic laser cannon with sufficient fire power to blow up an Abrahams tank.

The last great hope of Chronos Japan to retrieve the Guyver Units, he represented the pinnacle of Zoanoid development of mr.Makashima´s branch. He was seemingly unique, and nearly of Hyper-Zoanoid level. Synevite was considerably more powerful than Gregole, and could move very quickly, especially underwater. His unique design most resembled an octopus/human crossbreed. He could stretch his six tentacles to over 30 feet, and their power was such they managed to overpower the Guyver. His physical structure could resist even the most powerful punches because he did not have a skeleton; like rubber, he would simply give way and bounce back.

An attempt to create a Zoanoid type to match or exceed Gregole´s power and toughness; he is actually a little inferior, and has a lower success rate when processed. Seems to have a "radar sense". Otherwise, he is similar to Gregole, but without horns or balance problems.

Like Broyz, only this attempt was succesful. To put it bluntly, as Zoanoids go, this is a bad-ass mo´fo, a lot bigger, tougher and stronger than even Gregole. He´s also more than twice as heavy, which makes him a little slow. Relatively difficult to process.

Basically an upgraded Ramotith with facial horns, he is slightly bulkier, more powerful, and seemingly has a higher tolerance for cold. Also more rare, of course. One popped up in the Oval Office during X-day.

Slender, covered in segmented armor, and with razor-sharp blades on his head, shoulders and limbs. There exists the suggestion that he is actually an aqua-type Zoanoid.

Created as a result of an experiment in high-speed processing, his strength and agility were surprisingly high. Big and hairy, while partly covered in armor plating, he somewhat resembles both Gregole and Ramotith, except he has a fox-like tail.

Small and light for a Zoanoid; an insect-type, with compound eyes and antennae. Possibly a scout or spy.

Although he appears as a slender high-speed type, his seemingly light,segmented armor seems to display inorganic properties, becoming stone- or metal-like.

Appears as a taller, more slender version of Gregole, with massive, curved spikes on his back, perhaps instead of the balancing tentacles. An ambush fighter, for wetland environments.

A humanoid bird-type, like a smaller, lighter version of Casvarius; its arms are almost as long as its legs. Perhaps a prototype for Citiciss, whose forelimbs had been turned into wings.

Like a smaller, lighter version of Casvarius, without the shaggy coat of feathers.

All these Zoanoids played their part on X-day, the day on which Chronos made its succesful bid for world domination. Certain types especially proved their value against the greatest military power in the world - the United States´ armed forces.

Aqua-type; bizarre-looking, crescent-shaped head with mouth that opens sideways between empty, staring eyes. Elegant fins hide poisonous spines, like lion fish. Strong suckers on hands and feet allow him to negotiate vertical ship hulls with ease. Can also spout a high-pressure blast of water from his mouth, which could punch straight through a human being. Specialized skin structure and fins make him very fast in the water.

Heavy-set, armored zoanoid with loose, elephant-like skin and massive spikes on his back and head; not an obvious aqua-type, more like a hippo or sea turtle; is slower, but also tougher than other aquas. The main reason for his massive form is that it has to contain specialized organs that allow him to condense nitrogen from the air into a spray of super-cooled liquid nitrogen.

Aqua-type; covered in scales, has fins, gills and a very fish-like face, webbed hands and feet. More slender than the other aquas, he is extremely powerful for a Zoanoid - stronger, even, than the formidable Bresnel - and therefore also a very fast swimmer. He can operate as deep as a thousand feet underwater, which means even submarines are not safe from this type.

Stocky desert-type, covered in thick, hard armor, covered in spikes. Designed as an anti-tank Zoanoid, can rip open armor with his claws. Has a long tail with an armored club at the tip, and even two segmented, whip-like antennae.


These Zoanoids appeared after X-day, and may be more advanced:

Small, light, slender and agile. Mainly spy and scout; has extremely keen, telescopic eyesight. Appearance indicates he can change color to blend in with his surroundings.

Living proof that actual Zoanoid sightings could have formed the basis for werewolf legends. All Zoanoids are pretty much feral, but this guy really looks like he enjoys it.

Vicious-looking lizard-type with a long, whip-like tail and short but sharp spikes on most of his outer surfaces. Apparently, his brain has also been modified to be more reptilian, making him exceptionally bloodthirsty.

Looks like a huge humanoid razorback or warthog. His DNA appears so normal he can pass a genetic test without being recognized as a Zoanoid, making him a great infiltrator. In Zoanoid form, it seems he has sacrificed armor for muscle power, making him very strong.

This big, shaggy mole-like critter has long, sharp claws on his hands and feet that he can apparently shoot at opponents and grow back in minutes. Massive and strong, he possesses enormous pointy protrusions, to ram with, on his shoulders and knees.

Like a giant, semi-humanoid sea louse with sharp pincers and a tail; his crustacean armor is full of cutting edges, especially along the edge of his segmented carapax.

Another pseudo-arthropod, this time a crab, pure and simple, with a broad, thick carapax and enormous pincers, that can open a tank like a can of spam. Also a very broad head with huge staring eyes.

An enormously massive, armadillo-like Zoanoid, covered completely in extremely thick armor that is as hard as stone. A stromrtrooper that can simply shrug off artillery attacks. His claws being negligeable, he seems to prefers his fists as weapons.

Tall, slender and very light, he is a jungle-type that looks very much like a praying mantis. His unusual machete-like forelimbs and grabbing feet are specifically designed to swiftly negotiate dense forest.

Big and heavy, armored, but with long limbs. Partly covered in sharp spikes, but has no mouth. Long and thick claws on feet, but claws on hands even longer at about two and a half feet each. Was the first Zoanoid ever to be killed by a Libertus.

Very tall, but slender in build; shaggy fur and long, rat-like tail. Feet have sharp crescent claws for battle, folded up when walking normally, like a Velociraptor. Back is covered in eighteen-inch-long spikes, like a hedgehog; these can be launched at will. Spikes contain extremely effective corrosive, that will eat through almost any material.

Gruesome-looking amphibian-type, with long, webbed spikes on its forearms and running along its spine from forehead to tail; the tail ends in a large fan-like structure with spikes at the tips. The webbed structures can be raised or folded back. Each of the spikes is extremely poisonous. Fins allow it to move very fast in water.


Some Zoanoids were developed as bio-blaster types, like Vamore:

Not entirely succesful attempt at creating a Hyper-Zoanoid; still has abilities in advance of normal Zoanoids. Short, but heavily armored crustacean-type, partly covered in spines; enormous, three-pronged claws surround powerful bio-blaster units.

Bizarre-looking bio-blaster-type with rubbery skin and short, stumpy fingers and toes. Has no less than six biolaser blasters, but unfortunately they are affixed to the torso (two on top of each shoulder, and one under each arm) and cannot be targeted seperately, so the Zoanoid is less a warrior than a living piece of barrage artillery.

Basically a fancy version of the much more common Vamore; has much longer, stronger limbs, indicating greater strength and agility; presumably also superior firepower. Prominency of eyes (five in number) indicates keen targeting skills.


These Zoanoids were all created specifically to be able to fly:

Looks like an enormous butterfly, with his huge sail-like wings and feathery antennae - but his sharp claws kind of work against this.

A dragonfly-like Zoanoid; he has four wings, instead of two like the others, and they are considerably shorter, presumably making him more maneuverable.

Almost like a lightweight version of Gergoile, with Pterosaur-like wings. He is the heaviest Zoanoid whose flight does not rely on electromagnetic effects (like Neo-Zektoll).

The biggest and apparently toughest of the flyers; he looks like a gargoyle, with a demonic countenance and huge bat-like wings.

Basically just a big-ass eagle with longer, stronger legs and claws on his wings.

This is the smallest known Zoanoid at only six foot tall and about 175 lbs; he appears to be mainly a high-speed scout and spy. He looks like a semi-humanoid peregrine falcon.

A humanoid bat; in Zoanoid form, he appears to lack eyes, relying instead on a sonar sense and he indeed has enormous ears. He can use his ultrosonics not only as a sensor, but also as a devastating weapon.


Despite their numbers, ferocity, strength and special abilities, taking on the Guyver is a death sentence for any Zoanoid.

 

Jukadan is the name for the perhaps most bizarre phenomenon in a world that has become increasingly strange since Chronos took control of it: A Zoanoid boy band .

Few things can be as surreal as one of their performances. A Zoanoid is a shocking sight under the best of circumstances. To see four Zoanoids on a stage, playing musical instruments and singing, is like a hallucination or fever dream.

In truth, creating Jukadan was one of the most brilliant psychological moves Chronos ever made. The band managed to win over thousands of young girls´ hearts, since the members are all extremely attractive in their human form, while at the same time taking the sting out of the horror Chronos´ creations instilled in people. Musically awful as boy bands are, there are also very few phenomena in the world which are less intimidating . Nobody can take a boy-band seriously. That is genius.

Jukadan appears to be basically a glam-rock band (let´s face it, they didn´t have an awful lot of options open to them); they end their shows, which they perform entirely as Zoanoids, by transforming into human form - so, in fact, they turn into four extremely handsome, extremely naked young men.

Nothing is known about their actual background, but it seems most likely they are not actually Chronos agents - more likely, they were simply approached by the organization and offered financial and technical backing in return for being a living PR-stunt. Maybe they were a band before, but it seems more likely they were brought together especially for this (Sort of like a less horrible version of New Kids On The Block). It seems likely their Zoanoid forms underwent some special modifications to increase their musical aptitude (specifically their voices).

Jukadan consists of four members: Alec, the vocalist, a Ramotith type with an apparently genetically enhanced mane of hair; Nicky, a Malcult type, on keyboard; Kai, the drummer, who´s somehow fittingly a Gregole; and Makoto, a Razell, on guitar.