Zone of the Enders

Zone of the Enders, also known as Z.O.E, is a video game that was developed and published by Konami in 2001 for the PlayStation 2. It was produced by, and is closely associated with, Hideo Kojima. The game is based around mecha combat. The mechas were designed by Yoji Shinkawa, also the character and mechanical designer for the Metal Gear Solid series.

Z.O.E was initially released in most territories with a playable demo version of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, the second installment of Kojima's popular stealth-based action game. Because of this association, initial sales figures could be counted as misleading as many buyers simply wanted the demo. Shortly before the game's release, the popular webcomic Penny Arcade wrote, "the Metal Gear Solid 2 demo will be released to stores very soon, and it even comes with some other game, which I thought was real nice of Konami." A great many copies of Z.O.E appeared on "pre-owned" shelves of major gaming stores when the full version of Metal Gear Solid 2 was released.

Series
One sequel exists, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner (known as Anubis: Zone of the Enders in Japan), also for the PlayStation 2. There was also a spin-off turn-based strategy title named Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars for the Game Boy Advance.

Two anime series were produced: a film direct-to-video story titled ZOE: 2167 IDOLO, set prior to the events of the first game at an event called the "Deimos Incident" (It was originally created as a part of premium for a "Special Edition" release of the first ZOE game, and to supply some of the game's back story), and a 26-episode television series titled ZOE: Dolores, i. Both anime series were animated by Sunrise, the Japanese animation studio best known for the legendary Mobile Suit Gundam anime franchise.

All three games, and both anime series have been commercially released outside of Japan.

While ZOE focuses mostly on the loss of innocence of a child faced with having to kill to survive, "IDOLO" and "The Fist of Mars" explore issues surrounding colonialism, independence, political and personal power and ambitions, and revenge -- many of the same themes explored in the various Mobile Suit Gundam series. "Dolores, i" adds the emotional conflicts and tensions of a family, split by distance and circumstance, as they try to come together to overcome their differences in the face of an impending conflict.

It must be noted that Dolores,i & Fist of Mars are officially regarded as part of the ZOE history (with Kojima's consent). Based during late 2172-73 and in FOM it highlights the beginning of Bahram's oppression of Mars and its moons.

Mechanics
Jehuty Class: Type C Orbital Frame Purpose: General Piloted By: Leo Steinbuck, Dingo Egret Weapons: Primary - Arm Cannon, Sword, Homing Laser, Burst Attack, Grab Sub Weapons - Decoy, Javelin, Sniper, Phalanx, Geyser, Comet, Halberd, Gauntlet, Bounder, Mummy, Vector Cannon, Homing missile, F-Mine, Zero Shift

Anubis Class: Orbital Frame Purpose: General Piloted By: Nohman Weapons: Battle staff, Shield, Zero Shift

Cyclops Class: Mass Produced Orbital Frame Purpose: Melee Piloted By: A.I. Weapons: Arms

Mummyhead Class: Mass Produced Orbital Frame Purpose: Long Range Support Piloted By: A.I. Weapons: Halberd, Phalanx

Neith Class: Orbital Frame Purpose: General Piloted By: Viola Weapons: Sword, Burst Attack, Fire Trail, Arm Cannon

Phantoma Class: Mass Produced LEV Purpose: General Piloted By: Antilia Defense Force pilots Weapons: Vulcan Machine Gun

Raptor Class: Mass Produced Orbital Frame Purpose: General Piloted By: A.I. Weapons: Javelin, Sword x 2, Geyser

Tempest Class: Orbital Frame Purpose: General Piloted By: Slash Weapons: 6 arms and powerful energy blaster.

Tyrant Class: Orbital Frame Purpose: General Piloted By: Axe Weapons: Laser cannon, mortar gun

Nebula Class: Orbital Frame Purpose: General Piloted By: Nightraid Weapons: 2 tentacles and missiles

Selkis Class: Orbital Frame Purpose: General Piloted By: Nohman (formerly) Weapons: Unknown

Characters
Leo Stenbuck A withdrawn youth who has difficulties getting along with others due to his own troubled life at home, he accidentally boards the Orbital Frame Jehuty while trying to get away from the rampaging forces of BAHRAM. Though he is against killing, he will fight in self-defense when the situation calls for it. Although he never says it aloud, it's fairly obvious that he cares for Celvice Klein as more than a simple friend.

After establishing radio contact with Atlantis, he is tasked with transporting Jehuty through Antilia so that it can meet up with Atlantis and make its way to Mars. Though only 14 years old, he has an astounding synchronization rate with Jehuty which is never fully explained except as another mysterious property of Metatron.

Celvice Klein A girl working as a volunteer for the church. She is both devoted and giving. She looks after the orphans, despite being only 14 herself. She is very mature for her age and seems to have a soft spot for the young Leo Stenbuck. The loss of both of her parents during their emigration to Antilia has left her all alone in the world.

While on her way back to the church during the Antilia Raid, she is discovered by a small group of Raptors, who are timely destroyed by Leo as he comes to her aid in Jehuty. She then joins Leo and ADA as they travel through Antilia on their mission to bring Jehuty to Atlantis.

Viola She is a decorated officer for BAHRAM's primary offensive unit. A belligerent fighter, she has caused problems for many experienced UNSF pilots. Oddly enough, she finds an equal in Leo Stenbuck, who refuses to kill her on two separate occasions despite her aggressiveness towards him and Celvice Klein.

Not afraid of death due to her prolonged experiences on the battlefield, she is always at the forefront of a battle, waiting to find one who has the ability to kill her so that she be with the person she cared about most before he died some years before the Antilia Raid.

Rock Thunderheart A worker and LEV pilot on the civilian transport vessel "Atlantis". Initially has his doubts about allowing Leo to pilot Jehuty through Antilia, he eventually comes to recognize Leo as Jehuty's true Runner, admitting that even he would not have been able to defeat Neith and Viola.

He loves the adventure of taking on dangerous tasks, and he hopes to fulfill his mission of bringing Jehuty to Mars. Eventually, he will become a role model to the young Leo Stenbuck and teach him how to pilot LEVs after the events of the first game.

Elena Weinberg Commander of the civilian transport vessel "Atlantis", she is a rational and kind woman. Originally, her lover Alan was slated to pilot Jehuty, but sadly he was killed while on his way to the factory where Jehuty was built. Despite learning that he'd died and that a mere boy was now the Runner of Jehuty, she persevered through her grief and helped Leo in his mission to escape Antilia. She later becomes Leo's commanding officer and something resembling a mentor to the young man.

She commands the troupe trying to secure Jehuty for transport to Mars.

Colonel Nohman A Colonel in the Bahram military, he acquired the orbital frame Anubis shortly after the raid on Antillia began. Anubis is said to be the most powerful Orbital Frame ever built. Colonel Nohman and the motivations of his actions remain shrouded in mystery. --(the ZoE: Dolores, I anime series (ep.16) quotes Rikoa Headeiman as being Nohman's father, as well as the 'father of orbital frame technology').

Staff
Yoji Shinkawa - Mechanical Designer Hideo Kojima - Producer Nobuyoshi Nishimura - Original Character Designer Shuyo Murata - Assistant Scenario Director/Render Demo Supervisor