Redhorn
The Redhorn is a type of Zoid, a race of mechanical lifeforms from the fictional series Zoids.
| Redhorn Stats | |
| EZ-004 Styracosaurus Type | |
| Crew | 3 |
| Weight | 94 tons |
| Depth | 20.8 m |
| Height | 7.6 m |
| Width | 8.3 m |
| Maximum Speed | 130 km/h (land) 65 knots (120 km/h) sea |
| Weapons | Crasher Horn, Smash-Up Tail, All-Weather 3d Radar Antenna x4, 80 m Surface to Air Double Barreled Beam Cannon, Anti-Zoid 3-Barreled Linear Cannon, SSM-Pod, Composite Sensor Unit, TEZ 20mm Linear Laser Gun x2, AEZ 20 mm Beam Gun x2, Infra-Red Laser Searcher, High Pressure concentrated Sulfuric Acid Powder Cannon |
Overview
The Redhorn is a Styracosaurus-type Zoid, created by the Zenebas Empire, and used during the various wars on Zi.
The Redhorn is the first large Zoid used by the Zenebas empire. It was created to fight the Gojulas and other large Zoids. The Redhorn, while relatively slow compared to later designs, possessed sufficient speed for the era of its creation, and boasted a considerable arsenal of weapons. The Redhorn’s weaponry allows it to bombard enemies from a distance, while its horn allows it to engage them in melee combat.
The Zoid is rather well armoured, and is resistant to most smaller Zoid weapons. The Redhorn also boasts a considerable sensor array, with a sophisticated radar system mounted in the four “horns” that form its crown.
Battle Story appearances
The Redhorn was the first large Zoid deployed by the Zenebas empire, first appearing in ZAC 2029. The Zoid was designed in response to the advancements in Zoid technology made by the Helic Republic; it was superior to the Mammoth and Bigasaur and the equal of the Gordos. Only the Gojulas was superior to it, and even then the Redhorn could beat it by keeping its distance where the Gojulas couldn’t touch it.
The Redhorn served with the Zenebas Empire right up until its fall in ZAC 2048. The Guylos Empire acquired the design and modified it, creating a new Zoid, the Darkhorn.
After the Meteor Strike of ZAC 2056, the Guylos Empire lost the ability to create the Darkhorn. To compensate for this loss, they “downgraded” the design, returning to the Redhorn. The new Redhorn served with the Guylos Empire, and was used to spearhead their landings on the Western Continent in ZAC 2099.
Media appearances
Anime
The Redhorn has appeared thought the history of the Zoids Anime. The Zoid first appeared in Chaotic Century; a Redhorn piloted by Rosso was the first large Zoid that Van ever fought. Later in the series Redhorns frequently appeared as standard Zoids of the Guylos Empire’s armies.
Despite their heavy arsenals and armour, Redhorns proved to be rather incapable against other Zoids, specifically those piloted by the heroes. Often weaker Zoids would be able to effortlessly dispatch them; this is likely a case of the Stormtrooper syndrome in action. This becomes especially obvious in Guardian Force.
Redhorns also appeared in New Century, usually as miscellaneous Zoids in battles. None were piloted by major characters.
Several Redhorns appeared in Zoids Fuzors. The most notable was one piloted by Gregor the Impaler, one of the best pilots in the Zi-Fighter Championship. Oddly enough, Gregor’s Zoid (and all other Redhorns in Fuzors) had glowing green, Darkhorn-style powerplants and eyes.
Redhorns are yet to appear in Zoids Genesis.
UK Zoids Comic
In the UK Zoids comic, Redhorn the Terrible was the leader of the Red Mutant army. Redhorn lead the initial wave of Zoids who invaded Zoidstar, aiming to wipe out the Blue Zoids. Redhorn was responsible for converting Mammoth the Destroyer over to the Red Zoid cause, as well as creating the Terrareds and Tarantulons.
Redhorn’s archenemy was Zoidzilla, however, he also saw Krark as a rival for his rule. Possibly his most dangerous enemy was his own lieutenant, Mammoth. Redhorn was lured by Mammoth into a trap, where he was apparently destroyed by Zoidzilla and Krark. However, unbeknownst to all, his android Mindrider survived. Mammoth used this as an opportunity to take control of the Red Mutant army.
Sometime later, Redhorn found Red Scavenger, who recreated his Zoid out of the wreckage of the old one, making him more powerful then before. In the final issue of the Zoids comic, Redhorn destroyed Mammoth and reclaimed control of the Red army.
Models and toys
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 Redhorn kit comes on four frames (one of which is a weapons frame also shared with the Deathsaurer, Dimetrodon and Saber Tiger), along with a battery-powered motor, two different semi-transparent canopy covers, sixteen rubber caps, three small chromed pilot and label sheets. The Redhorn is moulded in maroon and black, with silver weapons and smoke-coloured canopies.
The Redhorn’s construction isn’t overly complex or difficult, putting it roughly in the middle of the range for Zoid complexity. The Redhorn uses a pair of “AA” sized batteries for motion. Once activated, the Zoid walks forwards, its jaws chomping while one of the weapons on the back rotates. One of the other cannons can also be manually rotated and positioned.
Like several other Zoids of the time, the Redhorn could use a number of different optional weapons that were included in the Empire Customise Set. The Redhorn was released in 1983, and was produced up until about 1987.
Several other versions of the Redhorn have been produced. They are detailed below.
Original European Release
The Redhorn was released in the UK and Europe in 1985-1987 under the name Redhorn the Terrible. The model is identical to the Japanese version save for the packaging and English language instructions.
Robostrux
The Redhorn was released in the US as a part of the Robostrux line under the name Brutox. This version had a different colour scheme; the red parts were light blue, the grey was silver, the weapons were chrome silver and the canopies red. There were no changes to the mould itself, however.
New Japanese Release
The Redhorn was re-released as one of the first wave of Zoids in the new Japanese release in 1999. The new Redhorn incorporated several changes from the original version. The red was a darker colour, the canopies are green and the pilots are now a flat blue colour. The motor was changed to work off a single AA battery with no loss of performance. The battery lid was also modified to have a screw-down cover, rather then the clip-down one of the original.
Tomy also released an upgrade kit for the Redhorn, the CP-03 Beam Gatling Cannon. The cannon mounts on the Redhorn’s back, and is attached via a coiled spring to the motor, causing the cannon’s barrels spin as the Zoid walks forwards. The CP-03 is copied form a frame included in the original Darkhorn.
The Redhorn has remained in production for the last few years. However, the mould has shown signs of wear, with a number of moulding errors occurring on newer versions.
Three limited edition versions of the Redhorn have also been released:
Greenhorn
The Greenhorn was released in 2003 in Japan. It differs from the standard Redhorn in its colouration; the red and black parts are different shades of green and the canopies are orange.
Crystal Redhorn
This version was available as a competition prize in Japan. This version is made up entirely of clear plastic, save for the pilot, motor and caps.
Museum Redhorn
A limited edition version of the Redhorn was released in 2005 as an exclusive to the Ueno Museum. This version of the Redhorn was primarily bone-white, with dark coffee coloured parts, gunmetal weapons and orange canopies. Addtionally, the mould seems to have been repaired to a degree, with some of the parts fit issues on earlier versions corrected.
New American Release
The Redhorn was re-released in North America by Hasbro in 2002. This version of the Redhorn is identical to the New Japanese Release version, save for being a slightly lighter shade of red and having different packaging.