TAKARA TOMY expanded its ZOIDS ADVANCED Zi lineup with the “AZ-10EX Sea Panther Dark Army Version,” transforming the hermit crab-type Sea Panther with a menacing Dark Army color scheme. Select armor parts are molded in glow-in-the-dark material, while the kit retains its motorized multi-legged crawling action and linked beam cannon and fan mechanisms. Priced at 6,050 yen including tax, the model was released in August 2026.
Designated EMZ-31, Sea Panther is a hermit crab-type ZOID. The ADVANCED Zi release revises the proportions of its body and legs while replacing the original wind-up mechanism with a motorized drive unit. Flip the switch and its multiple legs propel the body forward in a lifelike crawl, with a separate reverse mode also available. The kit includes an original unpainted 1/72-scale generic soldier figure that can be seated inside the cockpit.
The AZ-10EX’s biggest upgrade is its Dark Army color scheme, built around black and dark gray tones. Select components use glow-in-the-dark material that absorbs light before glowing in dark environments. The rear shell opens to reveal a 12-tube missile launcher, which also doubles as the motor’s activation switch. Once powered on, the multi-legged mechanism drives the body forward while the high-output beam cannon at the rear moves up and down and the side-mounted fan spins in sync. The remaining weapons can be manually deployed into attack mode. Watching the cannon and fan come alive as Sea Panther crawls forward is easily the kit’s most entertaining feature.
TAKARA TOMY ZOIDS AZ-10EX Sea Panther Dark Army Version
Scale: 1/72
Price: 6,050 yen including tax
Release Date: August 2026
via： TAKARA TOMY