Character studies · Ultraman Zero
The small Zero keeps
the family resemblance.
A large head, a small body and two very recognisable curved shapes above the eyes. The preCOOL Zero keeps the important family features close together. I wanted to follow those shapes back to the character, then see what the longer anniversary figure did with the same face.
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In this story
The family resemblance is doing real work.
Zero is Ultraseven’s son, trained in martial arts by Leo and Astra. Tsuburaya’s profile connects his light techniques with Seven and names the Zero Sluggers. The family connection runs through more than the introduction.
He debuted in Mega Monster Battle Ultra Galaxy on 12 December 2009. Knowing that history gives the later anniversary model something specific to mark, beyond an excuse for a larger cape.
On the preCOOL figure, the paired shapes above the eyes and the red, blue and silver body carry the identity quickly. The enlarged head gives those features room. The compact body has a different sort of charm from the taller display model.
The photographed pose holds a broad curved weapon across the body. It gives the short arms something substantial to work around while keeping the face clear. There is plenty of Zero left in that small outline.
The anniversary version makes room for a cape.
The 15th Anniversary Special Edition has a longer body, blue cape and silver collar. The extra height lets the cape form a larger shape around the shoulders, rather than sitting beneath such a dominant head.
Put them together and the face, upper head shapes and main colours keep the connection clear. One is compact and cute; the other has dressed for the anniversary photograph. I would choose between them by the kind of presence I wanted on the shelf.
The proportions can change a great deal while the family resemblance stays put. The small Zero does not need much space to make the introduction.
