The Zariba of All Territory, or
Overview
ZAT is a global defense force dedicated to combating alien invasions. Its headquarters is located in New York at the United Nations headquarters, and it has branches in six regions: the United States, Argentina (South America), France (Europe), the South African Federation (Africa), Japan (Far East), and the Arctic. It also operates several space stations.
The series primarily focuses on the Far East branch located in Japan, where the members frequently face the threat of monsters appearing in the Japanese region. Although the team exhibits a friendly and humorous style, they are an elite group that combines combat strength with intelligence. They often collaborate with branch bases from other countries to carry out joint missions.
The most notable feature of the ZAT Far East branch is their wealth of combat strategies. They can assess the characteristics of each monster and devise corresponding combat plans to address challenges. Although they occasionally face failures, their thinking is extremely flexible. They are also skilled at using everyday household items as combat props, giving a humorous impression.
Additionally, members of ZAT must undergo physical fitness tests every six months. This is not only because they need to possess scientific knowledge, but also because they need to maintain a strong physique. However, the captain and vice-captain are exempt from this test as they focus more on command abilities. Nevertheless, ZAT members have a high social status, and even ordinary team members are considered hometown heroes. Knowing a ZAT member can even become a source of boasting.
History
Ultraman Taro
ZAT made its first appearance in the series during a mission to combat an oil monster named "Oil Drinker" that appeared at the port and began causing destruction. At that time, the team saw a young man named Kotaro Higashi using a crane to stop Oil Drinker. ZAT took this opportunity to attack Oil Drinker, but it eventually escaped. Later that night, while on patrol, ZAT discovered a suspicious plant called Tigris Flower in a park and burned it with gasoline bombs.
However, Kotaro was also camping there at the time, which led to a conflict between him and ZAT members. Soon after, Astromons, which transformed from the Tigris Flower, appeared and defeated Oil Drinker. The team was surprised to witness this scene. In the following period, Kotaro decided to join ZAT to combat the monster threat and quickly established a good working relationship with the other team members.Mother of Ultra is Like the Sun
With the assistance of Ultraman Taro and the Ultra Brothers, ZAT frequently takes part in actions against monsters and can sometimes defeat them successfully without relying on the former. However, due to the frequent rotation and exchange of ZAT members, several members have been reassigned or joined the Far East branch team as the series progressed.
In the final episode of the series, after the threat of monsters ends, Kotaro Higashi decides to resign from his position at ZAT, and the other team members bid him farewell.Farewell, Taro! The Mother of Ultra!
Bases
ZAT Tower
The ZAT Tower is the location of the ZAT Far East branch, situated at 1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. It is a rather imposing building composed of a disc-shaped main section, various underground storage facilities, and a tower-like part that connects the main section with the storage areas.
The main section of the base includes the command center, computer control room, reception room, weapons development area, residential area, intelligence section, and launch gates. Various aircraft can ascend to the main section via a rotating elevator inside the tower. In emergency situations, the main section can eject jets from the bottom, transforming into a flying disc for aerial evacuation while the lower tower section is stored underground. Adjacent to the base is an office building used by the administrative departments.
General citizens can visit the base, but they must apply one week in advance and undergo a physical examination to ensure there are no monsters or aliens in disguise or possessed forms.
Others
- Space Station V9 : This is the name of the space station to which member Nishida was reassigned. It is mentioned by the members but does not appear in the series.
- ZAT Station No. S1009 : This is the space station from which member Nishida provided support from space to ZAT ground forces conducting exercises in Kyushu.
- ZAT 1st Station Reconstructed Bemstar. : This is one of the space stations operated by ZAT in Moon's orbit; however, it was raided and destroyed by a
Members
- Main article: Yutaro Asahina
Yutaro Asahina
is 42 years old and found the wandering Higashi a new place to settle. Has practical perfect record fighting monsters.
- Main article: Shuuhei Aragaki
Shuuhei Aragaki episode 51 and Nitani Kazumi took over his position. In episode 33 and 34, Ultraman borrowed his body.
is 29 and leads the troops in many episodes. Aragaki left the team to join a ZAT Space Station in
- Main article: Kazumi Nitani
Kazumi Nitani
is Aragaki's replacement after the latter moved to a ZAT Space Station. He is a very weak person and due to this he is cared by the team. First appeared in episode 51.
- Main article: Kotaro Higashi
Kotaro Higashi
serves as the human host of Ultraman Taro, he left ZAT in the final episode.
- Main article: Jiro Nishida
Jiro Nishida
is a 19 year old comic relief character. He leaves for space station V9 in episode 8. His replacement was member Ueno. He reappears in episode 13 as a navigator.
- Main article: Takashi Ueno
Takashi Ueno Ultraman Ace borrowed his body. His age is 18.
was the replacement for Nishida when he left in episode 8. In episode 33 and 34,
- Main article: Tadao Nanbara
Tadao Nanbara Ultraman Jack borrowed his body.
is a very kind person at the age of 22. He became married in episode 51. In episode 33 and 34,
- Main article: Tetsuya Kitajima
Tetsuya Kitajima Alien Dorzu and almost left ZAT when the ZAT members were suspicious of his childhood friend Mari. In episode 33 and 34, Ultraseven borrowed his body. His age is 27.
was tricked by
- Main article: Izumi Moriyama
Izumi Moriyama
is 18 years old and she dreamed of marrying Kotaro in episode 38.Other Staff
Smith is the head of the Far East Division of the Earth Guard.
Since Oron Island is in the area under his jurisdiction, he once ordered ZAT to destroy King Tortoise and Queen Tortoise because monsters multiplied in large numbers, and used ZAT's strategy to send an attack fleet.
Smith is portrayed by Piero Caramelo.
Samejima
was a staff officer for the Earth Guard and, like Director Smith, supported the annihilation of King Tortoise and Queen Tortoise.Samejima is portrayed by Tetsuya Ohshita
.
Ohtani
is an expert in cosmology research in collaboration with ZAT. He has a son named Yiyi.In episodes 33 and 34, Zoffy borrowed his body.
Ohtani is portrayed by Masaru Tatsuzaki
.
Unnamed members of ZAT have appeared multiple times in the series, including female communicators stationed at ZAT Tower and members from other ZAT bases overseas.
Arsenal
Attire
- ZAT Uniform : The ZAT uniform features a bright color scheme of red, dark blue, and white lines in a two-piece design, offering high durability, heat resistance, cold resistance, and bulletproof functionality. In addition to the red and dark blue colors, the female members' uniform includes white elements and is designed as a mini dress. The uniform is the only one with black lines on the chest of the captain's uniform. Despite this they can become weathered from battle.
- ZAT Helmet : Has a built in communications system.
Equipment
- ZAT Gun : A handgun carried by ZAT team members. Although compact, it packs significant destructive power and serves as a weapon for ZAT members during ground operations. By changing the ammunition in the gun's barrel, it can switch between live ammunition, laser beams, gas, and other functions.
- ZAT Sheever : A wristwatch-style communicator equipped on the left wrist of team members, which they often use to maintain regular contact with headquarters.
- Portable Recoilless Gun : A single-shot large recoilless rifle capable of firing large missiles without recoil upon firing. Also known as ZAT Blaster .
- Large Caliber Machine Gun : A large-caliber machine gun capable of firing 100 bullets per second.
- Super Napalm : A flamethrower with an igniter added to the fuel tank for prolonged spraying.
- X-Ray Radar : An electronic device used by ZAT. It emits X-rays from small satellite antennas set up on the ground to see through the interior of targets.
- ZAT Detector : An instrument used for tracking monsters.
- Incendiary Bomb : A missile used to attack Jirenma.
- ZAT Mighty : A versatile gun that can spray insecticidal gas, flames, and long-range hot water.
- Landmine Enmargo. : Bombs set up specifically to counter
- ZAT Grenade : ZAT's small hand grenades.
- ZAT Bazooka : A large yet lightweight and easy-to-handle rocket launcher weapon.
- Aqua Regia Gun : A multifunctional gun that can attack monsters with a mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid.
- Tron Bomb : A new type of bomb developed by a European country that is not part of ZAT's equipment. It is called the "Doomsday Weapon" and has powerful destructive capabilities.
- AZ1974: ZAT's special bomb. It has immense power, but since it is unfinished, the weapon cannot be remotely detonated.
- By the era of GUYS in Ultraman Mebius, a missile known as AZ2006 would be developed based on this bomb.
- Spray Gun : A special gun capable of spraying specific liquids.
- Plant Transceiver : A communication device that can translate the electrical signals emitted by plants into human language.
- ZAT Bell : A security device at ZAT members. When struck against the ground, it emits a loud calling sound.
- ZAT Special Gun : One of the guns equipped by ZAT members.
Mecha
Sky Whale
: Sky Whale: A large combat aircraft used by ZAT, which serves as a mobile command center responsible for directing and controlling frontline operations. Additionally, it can be used for weapon transportation and reconnaissance missions. In operations against monsters, weapons and devices are frequently transported by this aircraft.The aircraft has the capability to leave the atmosphere and fly in space, and it can take off and land vertically. Inside, it is equipped with a chemical synthesis machine that can immediately prepare chemical compounds. Its main weapons include a laser beam cannon, and box-shaped missile/napalm bomb launchers and a crane mounted under both wings.
The filming model of the Sky Whale is still preserved today. Before restoration, it was in a state of severe deterioration and damage. It was restored by Tomoo Haraguchi in 2012 and is currently housed at the Sukagawa Tokusatsu Archive Center.[3]
- Stats
- Height: 20 m
- Length: 60 m
- Width: 54 m
- Weight: 50 t
- Max Speed: Mach 3.3
- Crew: 6
Condor 1
: ZAT's main high-speed combat aircraft, featuring a foldable ring wing. It is equipped with reconnaissance cameras and high-performance radar, and can fly at an altitude of 20,000 meters, making it frequently used for reconnaissance missions.However, it cannot leave the atmosphere or travel in space. The aircraft is equipped with a self-destruct function, and its primary weapons include a laser cannon at the nose and ZAT missiles mounted in the middle of the main wing.
The upper part of the empennage is also separable from the main fighter itself and becomes a smaller drone called Mini Condor [4]
, but it was never used in the show.- Stats
- Height: 9 m
- Length: 20 m
- Width: 23 m
- Weight: 22 t
- Max Speed:8.8
- Crew: 2
Super Swallow
: A small, agile combat aircraft. It is equipped with powerful and sustained rocket engines, enabling it to leave the atmosphere and perform maneuvers in outer space or engage in aerobatics. Its weapon is a missile launcher mounted at the bottom of the fuselage.- Stats
- Height: 8 m
- Length: 19 m
- Width: 17 m
- Max Speed: 1.1-9.1
- Crew: 1
Dragon
: A small, high-speed helicopter. Its circular cockpit offers a wide field of view, making it primarily used for search and reconnaissance missions. It uses an upper three-bladed rotor to take off and can increase thrust with jet engines. It is equipped with floats, allowing it to land on water.- Stats
- Length: 12 m
- Crew: 2
Andromeda
: A large space-travel rocket powered by photon energy. It is equipped with three rocket engines around its body and can carry various weapons, including hypersonic missiles, plasma missiles, and space torpedoes, allowing it to conduct interstellar navigation. This Mecha is not used in the series.- Stats
- Length: 167 m
- Width: 32 m
- Crew: 8
Magellan
: A small space combat disc carried aboard the Andromeda spacecraft. It is used as a small planetary landing craft for planetary exploration but does not appear in the series.- Stats
- length: 6.7 m
- Crew: 2
Wolf 777
: ZAT's ground attack vehicle, also known as a "mobile fortress" used in ground combat. This vehicle can conduct ground attacks independently, using a combination of a powerful engine and a nuclear engine to reach speeds of over 300 km/h. Additionally, it can use hover engines to travel on lakes and seas. The vehicle is capable of withstanding extremely low temperatures and high heat and is equipped with high-performance radar. In the series, this vehicle is used for patrol functions.- Stats
- Height: 1.86 m
- Length: 6.1 m
- Width: 1.8 m
- Max Speed: over 300 km
- Crew: 5
Rabbit Panda
: ZAT's special police car, equipped with high-performance radar. It is primarily used for patrols or as a base camp vehicle and is also armed with laser cannons and rocket launchers for combating monsters.In Ultraman Mebius: Anderes Horizont, this vehicle would be recovered by chief maintenance Araiso for GUYS' land patrol, but it was repelled by everyone minus Mirai for its ridiculous appearance, especially from Kanata Haruzaki.
- Stats
- Height: 2.75 m
- Length: 3.8 m
- Width: 1.51 m
- Crew: 2
ZAT Dedicated Vehicle
: A specialized vehicle used for tracking and scouting aliens. It is unarmed.
Belmede II
: ZAT's underground combat tank, equipped with two drills at the front that can rotate in reverse. It is transported to the field using the Sky Whale aircraft and is said to be capable of operating on other planets as well.- Stats
- Height: 8 m
- Length: 23 m
- Width: 5.6 m
- Max Speed
- 90 km/h (ground)
- 60 km/h (underground)
- Crew: 4
ZAT Buggy
: A vehicle that appears to be primarily used for transportation and does not participate in combat.
Motorcycle
: ZAT's off-road motorcycle.
Iron Fish
: ZAT's high-performance nuclear-powered research submarine. It is ZAT's only underwater combat asset and is armed with super plasma missiles on both sides and a high-pressure discharge device on top. It is usually stored in the underground hangar of the main headquarters and is not used in the series.- Stats
- Height: 31 m
- Length: 46 m
- Width: 17 m
- Max Speed
- 40 knots (on water)
- 35 knots (underwater)
- Crew: 10
Gallery
Ultraman Taro
Miscellaneous
Trivia
- ZAT is considered the most powerful defense team from the Showa era, having defeated as many as eight monsters and aliens in the series, including Cosmo Liquid, Depparas, Sheltar, Mururoa, Reconstructed Bemstar, Remodeled Verokron, Dorobon, and Alien Valky.
- The Wolf 777 is seen on display in episode 9 of Ultraman Leo as part of the Monster Corps Show.
- In the series' project plan and the contract documents signed for merchandise before the program's broadcast, only the name "Zariba of All Territory" was mentioned. However, the third project plan included the "JAC" logo.[6]
References
- ↑ https://hicbc.com/tv/mebius/document/
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/character/zat/
- ↑ https://s-tokusatsu.jp/archive/4utsh/
- ↑ 円谷特撮の要 スーパーメカニック大全 航空戦力編, The Complete Ultra Mechanice Book
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/post-4671
- ↑ "Ultraman Taro" COMPLETE DVD-BOX Program planning material BOOK
Defense Teams | |
---|---|
Showa Defense Teams | SSSP | TDF (UG, MAT, TAC, ZAT, MAC, UGM) | Science Guard Party |
Heisei Defense Teams | UMA | WINR | HEART | Mydo | TPC (GUTS, Super GUTS, Black Buster Corps, Neo Super GUTS) | GUARD (XIG) | GOKAZOKU | SRC (EYES, Team SEA), JADF | BCST | TLT (NR) | UDF (DASH) | GUYS | DEUS | ZAP SPACY | Team U | UPG | UNVER (Xio) | VTL | AIB |
Reiwa Defense Teams | EGIS | GAF (STORAGE) | TPU (GUTS-Select) | SSSP | GGF (SKaRD) | KDF | GDF (SKIP) |
Other Defense Teams | Inter Galactic Defense Force | Space Patrol | MIGHTY JACK | SRI | SGM | Team Mouri | SAT | SAF | PAT | Koseidon Corps | MAT | SWORD | SSSP | USP | GIRLS |