For the mission, see ZedΩ (Sunrise Throne).
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"Illuminate the world, Golden Trillion! Shine upon our righteous path!"
—ZedΩ, Azure Striker Gunvolt 3
ZedΩ "The Golden Trillion" is the leader of ATEMS, the main antagonist of Azure Striker Gunvolt 3, and the main protagonist and playable character of the Epilogue ATEMS extra scenario. He is an Adept with the Septima Golden Trillion, a flame Septima with the power of the sun and in turn nuclear fusion. He is supported by Layla, whose Djinn manifestation Luxia empowers him in battle.
The executive members of ATEMS, powerful Adepts known as ATEMS Knights who serve as ZedΩ's personal defense force, have also been referred to as his "harem"[3], although this isn't actually said in the game itself.
Website Description[]
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English
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Japanese
Successor to a mighty authority, ZedΩ is the young leader of ATEMS. His Septima is Golden Trillion. A flame Septima of the highest class, Golden Trillion can harness the equivalent of the Sun's nuclear fusion, making it capable of producing limitless energy, the same as Azure Striker.
To further his research into Septimas, he gathers technology and information produced by countless countries from around the globe. Upon learning of the unusual happenings at Sumeragi, he begins a plan to invade their host country.
権威を確約された少年、私設組織『ＡＴＥＭＳ（アテムス））』のリーダー。
第七波動（セブンス）は「金色の黎明（ゴールドトリリオン）」。
火炎（ルシム）系第七波動（セブンス）の最上位に位置する「太陽＝核融合エネルギー」の第七波動（セブンス）で、ガンヴォルトの「蒼き雷霆（アームドブルー）」と同じく無限のエネルギーを生み出す。
第七波動（セブンス）の研究に意欲的で、各国の第七波動（セブンス）に関する技術や研究成果を集めている。
皇神（スメラギ）で起きている異常事態に気づき、かの国への侵攻を決意する。
Appearance[]
Zed looks like a young possibly late teenager male with tanned skin, green eyes and long red hair wrapped up in the back with some long strands loose with green ends. He dons a mostly black coat decorated with golden adornments, a white suit underneath with a turquoise jewel near his neck and feathered earrings. Zed also dons a pair of loose black pants, tied up with red wrappings working as a belt, along with a pair of boots with a golden section around the ankles. In several of his promotional artwork along his game sprite, Zed has a single protruding flaming wing from his back created through his Septima.
Gallery[]
Main article: ZedΩ "The Golden Trillion"/Gallery
Personality[]
Charismatic, polite and soft-spoken, Zed has a dignified presence well befitting his epithet of prince and leader of his own nation and his personal organization. A careful schemer and thorough strategist, Zed is able to conduct espionage in other countries and even devise the means to which penetrate the barrier created by Sumeragi while bringing in the lion's share of his army to invade another nation with little in the way to stop either from occurring.
Zed is almost never seen without acting composed, calm and with smug confidence, addressing others respectfully yet laced with condescending arrogance, believing his plans will succeed. Although claiming to fight for a better future, Zed is in fact, an arrogance-driven authoritarian with a completely deluded sense of self-righteousness. Believing himself superior and virtuous, he thinks it is his mission in life to unite the world under his rule, committing what is essentially warfare and terrorism in a foreign country under the pretense to secure Moebius, deeming Sumeragi morally bankrupt and untrustworthy to keepsake such a powerful being.
Securing Moebius, and controlling its future warping powers in order to assert himself as ruler of humanity is Zed's primary motivation, a goal he pursues relentlessly and without any care about neither the consequences or the actions required to achieve it. He has no qualms of having the Djinn manipulate berserk Primal Dragons, making their rampages even worse, he thought little to nothing about invading foreign territory with an entire army along with the collateral damage it could cause. When accused for his transgressions, he repeatedly rejects blame and justifies himself by either downplaying the depravity of his actions, or elevating his own cause's virtues, evidencing his hypocrisy and behaving in very much the same manner he accuses Sumeragi of acting.
Drunk on his messiah complex, Zed regularly chastises both Kirin and especially Gunvolt over their choices and their lack of commitment to secure a better future, truly believing that the end justify the means. His arrogance becomes his downfall, as he is not only beaten by Kirin, but inadvertently caused the unplanned awakening of Moebius which risked global chaos and ruin.
For all his faults, Zed can ultimately admit to his mistakes and see the wrongs of his ways and make amends. He is also sufficiently charismatic and charming, as evidenced by the fanatical devotion with which ATEMS serve him, which is particularly true of his Knights, which are also Zed's personal harem, all of whom serve him obsessively and are effective lieutenants despite their personality quirks. Zed holds them in high esteem and regularly praises their efforts. He seems to be more spoiling towards Layla whom he keeps close while following along with her requests, being capable of interpreting her non verbal gestures accurately. Zed also keeps the likes of Serpentine close to him despite the fact the latter seeks to kill him and became totally enamored over him when Zed told her he could try to kill him as much as she pleased.
Epilogue ATEMS goes further into showing a more lighthearted side of Zed. He has been shown to be fairly carefree and free spirited, revealing he has sneaked out at night for walks in his home country, with seemingly nobody aware of his nocturnal activities. During these walks he would even go as far as visit the more impoverished areas of his nation, giving him wider perspective regarding the more destitute. He would otherwise play at game arcades, something he has done fairly often and to the bewilderment of Sistina.
Zed was also shown to be unrepentantly flirty, trying to make advances into any female he finds cute or otherwise interesting, and trying to recruit them if they peek his interest. He proved to be fairly air-headed as well, attempting to hire Shiron while confusing his gender, despite both him and Sistina repeatedly telling him he was mistaken, but nonetheless insisted that all he could see was "a cute girl". Zed also believed that the laser trapped buddha statues were a common cultural sight, until Kirin told him otherwise.
Both observant and curious, Zed took the moment to carefully inspect his surroundings and highlight the aspects that differed from his home country, correctly deducing that the Neptune cargo float was a massive investment from Sumeragi's part, and reinforcing his belief on the importance of logistics to run a country. He also appreciated the cargo transport technology employed and sought to implement it once he returned to his nation.
History[]
History[]
Currently, much of ZedΩ's past remains a mystery, but it can be inferred that due to his abilities, he faced very little hardship, as evidenced by Serpentine being unable to manifest any traumas to use against him. Due to being born with wealth, fame, and authority, he had rarely encountered someone who wouldn't answer to his wishes. He had first met Layla prior to forming his own private organization, ATEMS. Because his country's researchers were unable to handle her abilities, Layla had been transferred to ZedΩ's custody upon his request. Unlike many who had encountered her before, ZedΩ was fascinated by Layla's Septima rather than fearful, and invited her to join him.
After forming ATEMS, ZedΩ would recruit members based on their talent and on his whims. During a royal proceeding, he had set his mind on recruiting Serpentine upon witnessing her fortune telling. After her attempt to assassinate him, ZedΩ decided that her talent as an assassin and her connections as one would prove useful as well.
ZedΩ recruited Sistina after scouting her out with Layla's Djinn. Even if she had refused to join ATEMS, ZedΩ was still willing to offer her asylum.
Main Game[]
He first appears as the boss of the mission "Another Sun", being revealed to be the source of the nuclear energy found in the missile entering Sumeragi's territory by conjuring a sun to blow away the clouds. He then reveals that his associate Layla's Septima The Djinn was the mysterious Septima that was reviving the berserk Adepts, and that this was a means of studying them. He then engages in combat with Kirin and Gunvolt to test their power before being defeated. Before leaving, he reveals that the missile was only a means of transport for him and his Knights to pierce the country's barrier, and said Knights have already disembarked during their fight.
Later, as ATEMS has successfully stolen all the Binding Brands, ZedΩ gathers his Knights at UTU Media Tower, and has Grazie convert the building into their personal fortress, Sunrise Palace. When the Dragon Saviors infiltrate the Palace, ATEMS' Knights intercept them, only for Kirin and Gunvolt to make it all the way to Zed. Inviting them to the top floor, Zed reveals his whole plan.
As it turns out, while Gunvolt is indeed the first Primal Dragon (though Zed only states this in the English version), he was not the ruler of Primal Dragons that Shadow Yakumo prophesied. That title belongs to the other secret locked away in the Sumeragi Future Institute, Moebius. Moebius holds the "Octima" known as Astral Order, a power beyond even Septima that allows it to see and control the infinite possibilities of the future. Zed explains that Moebius awakening as a Primal Dragon is inevitable, and would coat the world in so much Dragon Radiation, it would cause a Primal Dragon outbreak like never seen before. Unwilling to trust Sumeragi with this power, Zed hatched a plan. Following testing it on the previous Primal Dragons, Layla's Djinn would be used to control Moebius and its power, using it to ensure the future is at least a little better than wholesale destruction. Gunvolt rejects the plan on grounds of it being exactly like the Sumeragi he fought, while Kirin believes one man's ego should not determine the future. Expecting their noncooperation, Zed invites them to stop him, bringing his Golden Trillion to bear.
Despite his immense power and even backup from Djinn's Wish, ZedΩ is defeated. Even though Kirin promises to talk it out with Sumeragi and Shadow Yakumo over all this, Moebius throws those plans out by awakening from its seal. While Zed realizes his clash with Gunvolt's Azure Striker awoke it, he's in no shape to put up resistance, leaving Kirin and GV to oppose the Primal Dragon.
The duo manages to best Moebius once, but then it takes over Gunvolt and hijacks his Azure Striker. It invokes its Astral Order and wipes out Kirin, but ZedΩ saves her at the last minute by empowering her with Djinn's Wish and Golden Trillion, allowing her to resist the effects of Astral Order.
In the True Ending, ZedΩ is seen alongside his Knights. ATEMS reached a peace agreement with Sumeragi and left the country, likely having their hands full in their homeland with all the Primal Dragons cropping up.
Epilogue ATEMS[]
Prologue - Chasing Celestial Thunder[]
In one of Sumeragi's guest rooms, ZedΩ and his Knights are going over the details of a plan...
Flashback to a few days ago, where ZedΩ is explaining to his Knights about a vial in his hand, which is an Azure Spirit, a castoff fragment of the Azure Striker Septimosome. More specifically, this is Gunvolt's Azure Spirit, left behind after he vanished with Moebius. ZedΩ secretly took the Azure Spirit and sent it to his researchers, who came back with surprising findings. The Azure Spirit left by GV is not only a fragment of Azure Striker, but also of Astral Order, Moebius' Octima. ZedΩ believes if they can gather more Azure Spirits and unlock their secrets, they can find out how Azure Striker and Astral Order fused together as they did when Moebius took over Gunvolt, or even find out the root cause of Adepts turning into Primal Dragons.
To buy ATEMS more time to gather and study the Azure Spirits, ZedΩ submitted a proposal to exchange their data on AP technology and Djinn's control of Primal Dragons to Sumeragi. While only a stopgap measure, he believes that Sumeragi would try to hide the existence of the Azure Spirits themselves, so if ATEMS gathers them first, they could force Sumeragi to be upfront about it. To that end, Layla's Djinn has been sent to locate the Azure Spirits. While ATEMS plans to notify the Dragon Saviors about what they're doing, they believe it best to get a head start since the Bureau is still a part of Sumeragi.
Other Appearances[]
Card-en-Ciel[]
"I am ZedΩ, leader of ATEMS."
ZedΩ is one of the characters from Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 featured in the crossover roguelite card-battling RPG Card-en-Ciel, appearing as both a card and enemy, either solo or paired with Grazie.
| Card | Character | Effect | Cost | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legitima Futura | ZedΩ | Forge 2 random Convert cards. Convert all pre-Converted cards in all zones. (Special: Forge 5 random Convert cards. Convert all pre-Converted cards in all zones.) |
1 | Right |
Abilities[]
ZedΩ's Septima, Golden Trillion, is a fire-type Septima capable of nuclear fusion. However, his ability is not limited to only atomic fusion, but is also capable of atomic decomposition (nuclear fission) to a certain degree as well, which he uses in his battle against Prado. Since ZedΩ's ability holds control over atoms as a whole, it can be considered the counterpart to the Azure Striker's fine control over electrons.
Playable[]
- Vibratio: ZedΩ's take on the Prevasion ability. So long as ZedΩ has at least one Wing in stock, the next hit will be negated. Using Vibratio consumes all available Wings at once.
- Blade Mode: ZedΩ's default mode when no enemies are locked on. ZedΩ will use a fiery blade to slash enemies.
- Solis Rotem: A rising slash similar to Kirin's Tensho Slash. Can be used in midair with reduced power.
- Dea Lacrimae: Drops fiery swords downwards, damaging foes.
- Rostrum Charge: Attack while holding reload to dash forward and attack.
- Soaring Mode: ZedΩ's default mode when at least one foe is tagged.
- Scarlet Passion: Hold the attack button in Soaring Mode to barrage tagged foes with fiery birds.
- Lux Assault: ZedΩ's version of the Arc Chain move. While not as powerful as Arc Chain, use of it fully restores Wings and puts ZedΩ back in Blade Mode.
Boss Battle Skills[]
Note: Attack names are partly conjecture.
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| ZedΩ is protected by a shield that allows him to avoid normal attacks, though he can still be tagged. Attacking him while he's tagged with talismans removes the shield and allows the player to damage him with normal attacks until he teleports.
GV's Arc Unleash and Lock-on Flashfield can still damage ZedΩ even if his shield is up. | |
| ZedΩ places three feathers at various points in the room, which he then teleports between. The feathers can damage the player while onscreen. When ZedΩ teleports, he removes any talismans placed on him and restores his shield, though it will not remove tags placed by GV. | |
| In his rematch at Sunrise Throne, if the player takes too long to attack ZedΩ after placing talismans on him, if he isn't already using another attack, he will remove the talismans and throw them at the player. They can be deflected by sword slashes. Talismans thrown this way won't regenerate, and must be reloaded. | |
| ZedΩ quickly flies across the floor, leaving golden flowers on the floor that damage the player. He may then fly back to where he started.
In Hard Mode, he flies faster. | |
紅翼の群像 |
ZedΩ, in midair, summons a flock of fiery birds, which hover above him for a short time before flying at the player. He does this three times, then he flies to the opposite corner of the room.
In Hard Mode, he summons more birds. ZedΩ only uses this attack in phase three of his Ballistic Missiles fight. In his rematch at Sunrise Throne, it's a part of his moveset from the start. |
| ZedΩ hovers in place at one of the lower corners of the room, before flying to the top center of the room in a J-shaped arc, unleashing a flock of fiery birds that cover half of the room in front of him.
In Hard Mode, there is less of a delay between ZedΩ declaring the attack and performing it. | |
| ZedΩ places three fireballs at the horizontal middle of the room, then uses Rostrum Charge across the room and floats slightly under the fireballs' level. The fireballs then turn into birds and fly in a downwards arc towards the player's position one by one. Lastly, Zed flies to the opposite corner of the room.
In Hard Mode, ZedΩ throws four fireballs, there is less of a delay between each bird taking flight, and the birds fly higher above the floor, making it harder to jump over them. | |
死の翼 |
ZedΩ extends his wing in front of him, and then a flock of birds fly diagonally upwards across the room. The only guaranteed safe spot is at the corner of the room opposite ZedΩ. |
ルクスバリスタ |
ZedΩ readies a bow with nine arrows, which he then fires diagonally downwards.
In Hard Mode or in his rematch, he has a chance of teleporting to the other side of the screen and performing the attack again with less of a delay. In his rematch in Hard Mode, he can perform the attack up to three times. |
レクスカリバー |
ZedΩ starts using this attack in phase two of his rematch. He hovers a group of swords above around two-thirds of the room before stabbing them onto the floor, causing flowers to sprout on the entire floor. He then teleports to the other side of the room and drops another group of swords on the other two-thirds of the room.
In Hard Mode, there's less of a delay between ZedΩ dropping the swords and teleporting, though the second group doesn't sprout flowers on the floor. |
The Flaming Ring of World Destruction and Rebirth (Legitima Futura) |
ZedΩ's special skill, used during his rematch. First, as ZedΩ flies upward, he summons a V formation of birds that fly downwards from the top middle of the room. Then, he crashes a group of swords down onto the whole floor except for a small gap in the middle, while also making flowers bloom on the floor. Then finally, he unleashes a ring of fire that covers most of the room in a massive and blinding explosion, except for a small space near him.
In Hard Mode, ZedΩ flies upwards faster, and there's less of a delay between all three parts of the attack, and the flowers bloom before the swords hit the ground. |
Boss Battle Voices[]
Japanese[]
| Event | Translated | Romaji | Japanese |
|---|---|---|---|
| Let's check your strength! | Saa, ude dameshi da! | さあ、腕試しだ！ | |
| A rampaging dragon...how strong is it? | Bouryuu… Donna mono kana? | 暴龍…どんなものかな？ | |
| Let’s take it easy! As if it was a sport! | Kiraku ni ikou! Supootsu mitai ni ne! | 気楽に行こう！スポーツみたいにね！ | |
| Too slow! | Osoi, osoi! | 遅い、遅い！ | |
| Here I am! | Kocchi da! | こっちだ！ | |
| Let's go! | Iku yo! | 行くよ！ | |
| Out of the way! | Jama dayo! | 邪魔だよ！ | |
| Flying | There! | Soko da! | そこだ！ |
| Little birds! Burn and destroy! How's this like? | Kotori tachi! Kogaseshi horobose! Doudai? | 小鳥たち！焦がし滅ぼせ！どうだい？ | |
| Uppercut | It’s time to become independent! | Saa, sudachi no toki da! | さあ、巣立ちの時だ! |
| Wings of Death | Wings of Death! | Shi no tsubasa yo! | 死の翼よ！ |
| Burn and destroy! | Yaki horobose! | 焼き滅ぼせ！ | |
| Lux Ballista | Lux Ballista! (There's more!) | Rukusu barisua! (Madamada!) | ルクスバリスタ！(まだまだ！) |
| Rex Calibur | The king’s blade! Become scorched earth! Rex Calibur! | Ou no tsurugi! Shoudo to kase! Rekusu karibaa! | 王の剣！焦土と化せ！レクスカリバー！ |
| Legitima Futara | Farewell! Legitima Futara! Engrave the King's glory into these lands! And regenerate the world! | Oware da! Rejitiima futura! Ou no ikou! Kono chi ni kizamu! Soshite! Sekai wo shinsei suru! | お別れだ！レジティーマフトゥラ! 王の威光！この地に刻む！そして！世界を新生する！ |
| First Phase Down | Not bad! | Yaru nee! | やるねえ！ |
| Second Phase Down | Hmpf! Pretty entertaining, indeed! | Fun! Tanoshimaseru janai ka! | ふん！楽しませるじゃないか！ |
| First Phase Down (Rematch) | You’re pretty good! | Yahari yaruna! | やはりやるな！ |
| Second Phase Down (Rematch) | The real battle is yet to begin! | Shoubu wa koko kara sa! | 勝負はここからさ！ |
| Revived by Djinn's Wish | Yeah! I can’t afford to lose! | Aa! Makete rarenai yona! | ああ！負けてられないよな！ |
| Defeated | Stronger than expected! | Yosou ijou ka! | 予想以上か！ |
| Defeated (Rematch) | Gibbs! I underestimated it too much! | Gibusu! Anadori sugita ka! | 鎖環（ギブス）…！侮りすぎたか！ |
| Post Defeat (Ballistic Missiles) | Bye! | Matana! | またな！ |
English[]
| Event | Voice |
|---|---|
| Let's take it easy. How about a sporting match? | |
| Let the bout begin! | |
| Just what is the Dragon Ruler capable of? | |
| Far too slow! | |
| Haha! | |
| Over here! | |
| This is yours! | |
| You dropped this! | |
| Here I come! | |
| Outta the way! | |
| My little ones... Light the skies! Hyah! How's this!? | |
| Now... Time to leave the nest! | |
| Take flight! Outta the way! Look alive! | |
| Wings of Death! | |
| Burn to ash! | |
| Lux... Ballista! Not done yet! Take this! | |
| Swords of the king, scorch the Earth! Rex Calibur! | |
| This is where we part. Legitima Futura! Authority of the crown, carve into the Earth! And so, the world shall be reborn! | |
| Hehe, well done! | |
| Great! You know how to entertain me! | |
| Strong, as always! | |
| Now, we can really begin! | |
| That's right... I can't lose here, can I? | |
| You're stronger than I thought! | |
| I underestimated... your Fetters... | |
| Post Defeat (Ballistic Missiles) | Later! |
Special Skill Chants[]
Lux Ballista:
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English
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Japanese
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English fan translation
Bathe the world in dazzling light
Bring forth the swelling spirit of rebellion
Mine arrow is at the heart, piercing forth
LUX BALLISTA
世界に潅ぐは眩き光芒
融き暴かれし叛心よ
我が鎌にて総てを挫こう
Blinding rays of light pour down on the world
Rebellious heart that melts and is exposed
My scythe shall dishearten all
LUX BALLISTA
Rex Calibur:
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English
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Japanese
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English fan translation
Luminous swords point toward heaven
Regret cannot stop their revelation
Accept your righteous ruin
REX CALIBUR
天に仰ぐは赫灼の剱
啓示は慙悔を享受せず
斉しき滅びを与え賜う
Glittering blades that revere the heavens
The divine revelation doesn’t accept repentance
They shall grant you equal destruction
REX CALIBUR
Legitima Futura:
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English
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Japanese
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English fan tanslation
Ring of fire encircles a world in twilight
Flame becomes my sword and wings
Crimson expands endlessly into hope
LEGITIMA FUTURA
暮れなずむ世界 炎環の理
翼となり、剣となりて
希望へと続く紅を闢け
World of twilight, reason of the flaming ring
Become wings and blades
Open the crimson that leads to hope
The Flaming Ring of World Destruction and Rebirth (Legitima Futura)
Designer Comments[]
Source: Dengeki Online interview about Gunvolt 3 character design and illustration
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English
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Japanese
(Disclaimer: Edited machine translation)
I think the concept of ZedΩ was something like a charismatic, kind, good looking guy. And maybe the ability of the sun. Thinking that he might be a man with a mysterious charm and a strange vibe, I tried to make his skin brown.
There is a song called "Remember the Time" by Michael Jackson, and Michael in the MV is innocent and charismatic. I might have thought that the image might fit with ZedΩ somehow. That MV doesn't have a prince at all, but...
As a new rival type character there were some hurdles to overcome, but things were decided relatively quickly. Personally, I like ZedΩ a lot.
--Munehiro Araki
ジエドのコンセプトはカリスマ性のある優しいイケメン、みたいな感じだったと思います。あと太陽の能力とかでしょうか。不思議な魅力のある怪しい雰囲気の男なんじゃないかと考えて、肌を褐色にしてみたりしています。
マイケル・ジャクソンの『Remember the Time』っていう曲があって、そのMVの中のマイケルが無邪気でカリスマ性があってカッコイイんですよ。そのイメージがなんとなくジエドに合ってるかもと思っていたかもしれません。あのMVは全然王子様じゃないんですが……。
新しいライバル枠としてのハードルもあったんですが、比較的パッと決まりました。個人的にもジエドは結構好きです。
--荒木宗弘
Musical Themes[]
(C) = Composer
(A) = Arranger
| Title | Context | Composers | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrival at Daybreak (黎明より来たる, Come from the Dawn) |
Encounter theme. | Yusuke Sakai (C) | |
| Temple to the Sun (太陽の霊廟, Sun Mausoleum) |
Sunrise Palace stages. | Ryo Kawakami (C) | Normal ver. |
| Temple to the Sun -Roar- (太陽の霊廟 ー |
Gunvolt version. | Ryo Kawakami (C) Hiroaki Sano (A) |
|
| Phoenix Era (鳳翼天照, Phoenix Wings Sun Deity) |
VS ZedΩ. Also the normal battle theme of Epilogue ATEMS. | Hiroyuki Sato (C) |
Trivia[]
- ZedΩ's motifs are the Vermillion Bird of the south, aka Suzaku, and the Major Arcana XIX, The Sun.[4] This completes the five sacred beasts theme of Gunvolt (Azure Dragon of the east), Copen (White Tiger of the west), Xiao (Black Tortoise of the north), and Kirin (Yellow Kirin/Dragon of the center), and in theory means that ZedΩ is the counterpart of Xiao.
- In the Chinese story of the Yellow Emperor (which in some older stories, is identified as a thunder god), it is said that the Yellow Emperor had lived for 100 years, then met a Fenghuang (Suzaku) and Qilin (Kirin) before his death.[5]
- In the Epilogue ATEMS launch stream, ZedΩ's name in Japanese (ZEDΩ.) was revealed to be an extended pun involving endings:
- "Z" is the last letter of the alphabet
- "-ed" is for the past tense of actions
- "Ω" is the last letter of the Greek alphabet
- "." (period) is for the end of phrases
- The pronunciation of ZedΩ's name in JP is "Ji + edo" (ジエド), whereas the JP pronunciation of "The End" is "Ji + endo" (ジエンド).
- ZedΩ sheds ethereal orange feathers when performing an Air Jump, Air Dash, or Vibratio. He shares this feather-shedding trait with Gunvolt, Asimov, and Copen's copied Prevasion, though ZedΩ overall has a much more extensive feather/bird motif than they do.
- ATEMS taking over the UTU Media Tower and converting it to Sunrise Palace is symbolic; in the Japanese version, the tower is named Great Radio Tower Amaterasu after the Shinto sun goddess.
- Utu is also the name of the ancient Mesopotamian god of the sun, although the "UTU" in the tower name is pronounced as the individual letters instead of as one name.
- Since ZedΩ leads ATEMS and has a supposed harem of female Adepts known as the ATEMS Knights, he can be seen as a counterpart to Kirin who leads the Dragon Saviors and assembles a team out of Gunvolt and the formerly berserk Adepts, all of whom are male.
- In the original Story Mode+ summary that was submitted to Japanese retailers when the premier trailer was released, ZedΩ was the only character described alongside Kirin and Gunvolt.[6] The official site uses a trimmed-down version that omits all mentions of ZedΩ, as well as the cast listing of the other Dragon Saviors.
- With ZedΩ being a playable character in Epilogue ATEMS, it is speculated he was originally intended to be playable in the base game.
- In both the original Story Mode+ summary and the promotional pamphlet printed 3 months before the game came out, ZedΩ is described as "Gunvolt's counterpart and the strongest Septimal Adept", with the pamphlet also saying "The Golden Dawn (Gold Trillion) erases and remakes the world with a blinding light."
- Although ZedΩ's loading screen stats are maxed out, implying he is even stronger than Gunvolt, neither gameplay nor story treats him as such. However, it is remarked in the story that Golden Trillion's nuclear fusion power makes it comparable to the Azure Striker as an energy source, and following Gunvolt's disappearance ZedΩ regards himself as the world's strongest Adept.
- ZedΩ is the only rival boss to not be formally debuted in some way prior to a game's release, with his formal debut instead being saved for the reveal of him as an Epilogue ATEMS playable character.
- One of the background instruments in ZedΩ's encounter theme "Come from the Dawn," goes from right to left in a way which mimics the rising and setting of the sun.
- ZedΩ is the first main antagonist who is not a final boss (discounting D-nizer).
- He is also the first main antagonist to become a playable character.
- ZedΩ is the first playable character (discounting the Mighty Gunvolt series) who is not known to derive his abilities from the Azure Striker Septima in any way. Gunvolt is an Azure Striker, Copen in Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 onwards powers his equipment with an A.S. Drive made by analyzing Azure Striker, and Kirin (starting after her intro stage) borrows Gunvolt's power to perform Arc Chain and summon Image Pulses.
- As of Gunvolt 3 (and discounting Mighty Gunvolt), ZedΩ is the only playable character to have not fought Asimov. Gunvolt and Copen fight him at the end of Azure Striker Gunvolt and Luminous Avenger iX respectively, and Kirin (alongside Gunvolt) can fight him as one of the update bosses in Gunvolt 3.
- ZedΩ is also the only playable character to have not fought Zonda. Copen fights her as an illusion offscreen in Gunvolt 1, Gunvolt and Copen fight her in the climaxes of their respective routes in Gunvolt 2, and Kirin and Gunvolt fight her as a Serpentine-created illusion in Gunvolt 3.
- As of Gunvolt 3 (and discounting Mighty Gunvolt), ZedΩ is the only playable character who does not use a physical weapon, instead conjuring all of his attacks with his Septima alone.
- ZedΩ says "Illuminate the world, Golden Trillion!" (世界を照らせ、金色の黎明（ゴールドトリリオン）！) at the end of his boss battle dialogues and before using an SP Skill in Epilogue ATEMS, which makes it his equivalent to Gunvolt's "Oversurge, Azure Striker!" catchphrase.
- ZedΩ also uses it as his catchphrase in boss battle dialogue, similar to Gunvolt's "Oversurge, Azure Striker!", Copen's "Time to--", and Kirin's "Your fate is sealed!"
- In the early Epilogue ATEMS demo, Rostrum Charge was named Condor Charge (コンドルチャージ).
- ZedΩ is similar to Nova in that they are both powerful, high-ranking, polite-demeanored young Adept men who seek to harness a child's powers to benevolently control the world. Gunvolt himself notices the similarity of ZedΩ's plan to Nova's after learning of the former. One of Zed's early design concepts was labeled "Nova-like." His line to Shiron "How much should I make the check out for?" also resembles Nova's tendency to offer checks.
- Given it was stated the sci-fi manga Cobra was one of the influences on the Azure Striker Gunvolt series,[7] one of ZedΩ's early design concepts (the one with a visible skeleton) was almost certainly based on the rival character Crystal Bowie from Cobra. The design's notes even have his name (クリスタル・ボーイ) written in them. Another early design listed "mafiasuit" as a point, which may be a reference to Crystal Bowie being part of the criminal organization Pirate Guild which is said to be mafia-like.
References[]
- ↑ Gunvolt 3 Limited Edition artbook
- ↑ Dengeki Online interview with character designer Munehiro Araki
- ↑ Gunvolt 3 official website, story section 2
- ↑ Concept art labels him "Suzaku and Sun."
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Emperor#Death
- ↑ Trader.co.jp Gunvolt 3 product page
- ↑ Gunvolt Official Complete Works staff interview