Zoids: Fuzors

Zoids: Fuzors (ゾイド フューザーズ Zoido Fyūzāzu) is an anime series, linked to the Zoids toy line of the same name. It is the third Zoids series, following Zoids: New Century Zero in order of production. The series is 26 episodes long, however, the show had an unsuccessful U.S. broadcast, and was eventually canceled after 13 episodes. Similar to Transformers: Armada, the show was first broadcast in the U.S. instead of Japan (also, the Japanese version contained improvements added to the episodes over the time between releases).

Background
Like the rest of the Zoids anime, Fuzors takes place on Planet Zi; there are obvious connections to the previous series. In Zoids Fuzors they show the connections between the series when they make RD research the (CAS) Changing Armor System that Bit Cloud used in Zoids New Century Zero.

The series focuses on a delivery boy named RD who works for a company called Mach Storm, based in Blue City. Mach Storm also moonlights as a Zoids battling team. RD learns the ropes of becoming a good Zoid pilot, and eventually discovers the abilities to fuse with other Zoids. Like Zoids: New Century Zero, Zoids battles are also fought for competition, however, instead of the Judge Satellites and wide open areas used for fighting, the sanctioned battles take place in enclosed arenas. Also, much like Zero, RD's main Zoid is the Liger Zero.

The series initially focuses on the rivalry between the Mach Storm and Savage Hammer teams, as well as other battles. As the series progresses, RD and the rest of Mach Storm become aware of a conspiracy to take control of Blue City, and fight to stop it.

Fuzors differs from previous seasons because it shows a lot more of the world outside the Zoid battles or military seen in the previous Zoids shows. In Fuzors, two, sometimes more, Zoid can combine to become a single unit called a Fuzor. However, not every Zoid can be a Fuzor and for multiple units existing only one is a Fuzor partner to another. For example, Savage Hammer had multiple Leoblazes, but only Matt's Leoblaze (which was owned by Mach Storm) was compatible as part of the Matrix Dragon.

A Zi-Fighter's license is a glove for the right hand (that leaves only the middle, ring and small fingers bare) with a mechanical device on the back. This apparently is used for "synchronization" and to bring out the full potential of the Zoid being piloted. Also, it is used to initiate a Fuzor combination. Furthermore, it can work as something of a short-range communicator when outside the cockpit.

The command to initiate the fusion is "FUZORS, COMBINE!" for the American version and "ZI-UNIZON!" for the Japanese version while raising a clenched right fist to face level, followed by the name of the Fuzor (ex: RD here raises his gauntlet and shouts "FUZORS, COMBINE/ZI-UNIZON! Liger Zero Phoenix!")