Zillion...
Zillion arrived at a time when anime was still fairly new to the U.S. and distributors were experimenting with lower priced anime releases...
Follow the exploits of the White Knights as they battle the alien Noza. To aid our heroes in their struggle, enter the Zillion weapon system. I was not really impressed by this series. Zillion arrived at a time when anime was still fairly new to the U.S. and distributors were experimenting with lower priced anime releases. Typical prices for anime at the time hovered around $30 to $40, but, Zillion and some other titles released around that time were priced around $15 to $20. Later, distributors would experiment with a line of $10 titles. I used to have the first dubbed VHS volume. In the aftermath of the Ultimate Otaku Fall Cleanup, I decided not to keep it in my archive. I gave Zillion a 0 out of 5.
Volume 1
In the 24th Century, mankind has entered a new phase of its ongoing development by establishing numerous colonies throughout the galaxy. When one of those colonial outposts, the planet Maris, faces annihilation at the hand of a ruthless alien race known as the Noza, the human colonists' only hope for survival rests in a mysterious alien weapon system known as the Zillion Gun. With enough of these energy-beam weapons, the Marisians could fend off the invading Noza troops. The problem is that only three Zillion Guns are known to exist, and the alien technology to manufacture more weapons seems unattainable. Thus an elite fighting trio, known as The White Knights is formed to wage a life and death battle for their homeworld's survival. Outnumbered and isolated, things certainly couldn't get much worse.
Volume 2
More great action from the studio that produced Robotech! It's J.J.'s first mission with the White Knights, and he's learning the ropes the hard way. The Noza ambush a vital energy control center which powers the entire southern hemisphere of Maris. The Knights infiltrate the occupied silos, but are three Zillion guns enough to take on an entire Nozian army?
Volume 3
The Noza unleash their most lethal weapon - a gigantic plasma energy cannon, which can blow away an entire army with a single blast. But, the Noza commander has a larger target in mind - the Marisian capitol, Hope City! Can the White Knights find the secret location of the plasma gun and defeat an army of Noza guardian robots within the two hours it takes to recharge the deadly weapon?
Volume 4
It's Sunday on Maris... a day of relaxation and play for J.J., Champ and Apple - but not for the Noza. Commander Ryxx orders an attack on a vital reactor complex as a ruse to ambush The White Knights. A Noza commando team is sent to destroy the three brave heroes by utilizing a series of ingenious booby traps. Can the Knights survive the onslaught of an elite assassination squad determined to destroy their very existence?
Volume 5
The Noza invade the Marisian Weapons Research Center in hopes of capturing the Minister of Science - a key figure in the ongoing research concerning the Zillion weapon system. J.J., Champ and Apple attempt a daring rescue, but they are thwarted by Noza at every turn. Can The White Knights liberate the scientists and defeat the enemy invaders before an automatic self-destruct system turns the research center into a blazing inferno?
Follow the exploits of the White Knights as they battle the alien Noza. To aid our heroes in their struggle, enter the Zillion weapon system. I was not really impressed by this series. Zillion arrived at a time when anime was still fairly new to the U.S. and distributors were experimenting with lower priced anime releases. Typical prices for anime at the time hovered around $30 to $40, but, Zillion and some other titles released around that time were priced around $15 to $20. Later, distributors would experiment with a line of $10 titles. I used to have the first dubbed VHS volume. In the aftermath of the Ultimate Otaku Fall Cleanup, I decided not to keep it in my archive. I gave Zillion a 0 out of 5.
