- The Face Markings of Zoids Characters

Over the years tons of people have asked about the face markings of the people of Planet Zi. What are they, what purpose do they serve, and how many are there? Well, the unsatisfying answer is that it's all kind of random, but on this page we'll go over what we know, and the wide variety of markings that show up in various media. The ranks listed by a pilots name do not mean that the markings are distinct to that faction, it's just for fun, for people who like to assign markings greater meaning in their writing, fan art, etc. Enjoy!

- What Are These Markings?

The Zoids Bible explains that Ancient Zoidians had special organs which could process the metal absorbed from consumed plants and water, and materialize it on their skin. In the oldest generations, this could create an actual outer shell. Although this outer shell mostly disappeared over time, there were still Zoidians who bore markings of metal. Though, they served no real purpose, for defense, sex appeal, or otherwise, and remained after the Zoidians crossbred with humans.

Modern Zoidians treated these outer shell markings as fashion or family symbols, and recreated them as tattoos, usually on the face. The anime also has temporary tattoos, as seen when Rosso and Viola disband the Desert Arcobaleno gang, and are never seen with their markings again.

At one point Ueyama, the artist of the CC Manga, was asked this question and answered it in a Chaotic Century context. Falcarius was kind enough to provide this translation!

Question Corner - Ask Ueyama-Sensei!

Q: What are the 'patterns' on the characters' faces?
A: Originally, these occurred when metal molecules inside the bodies of people from Planet Zi rose to the surface of their bodies, but some people also tattoo them as symbols to represent their status or the fact that they are members of the same clan."