TV-Series
Description
Emperor Zu Zambajil, the illegitimate son of Boazania's emperor and a concubine, endured childhood humiliation over his heritage, fueling an intense ambition for the throne. When the 124th emperor died, succession candidates were the rightful heir La Gour (Zu Zambajil's cousin), Zu Zambajil himself, and the emperor's mentally disabled son. Zu Zambajil orchestrated a plot exposing La Gour's lack of horns—a severe social stigma—moments before coronation, resulting in La Gour's banishment and Zu Zambajil seizing power. After La Gour's failed coup and flight to Earth as Professor Kentaro Goh, Zu Zambajil lured Goh back under false peace pretenses, imprisoning him for refusing to develop weapons.
Zu Zambajil ruled Boazania through a rigid caste system privileging the horned and enslaving the hornless, exploiting societal racism while viewing both as expendable tools. His ambitions targeted Earth, Brahmin, and Tau Cetis for conquest and slaves. Extreme paranoia marked his reign, particularly toward his nephew Prince Heinel, La Gour's son and legitimate heir. To eliminate Heinel indirectly, Zu Zambajil assigned him to lead the Earth invasion while secretly dispatching aides like Duke Zaki and General Gururu to sabotage and assassinate him. His cowardly leadership involved panic during setbacks and sacrificing loyal troops without hesitation, such as ordering them into Voltes V's line of fire.
Key relationships defined his rule. Lifelong jealousy and hatred festered toward his cousin La Gour due to his legitimate claim and perceived superiority. Despite Heinel's loyalty, Zu Zambajil relentlessly tried to kill him, exiling him after military failures. He manipulated subordinates like General Gururu, chastising minor infractions while disregarding their well-being. Courtiers like Marquis Zaki fed his distrust and executed schemes, though Zaki's betrayal attempts led to his own demise.
Zu Zambajil's downfall began when Voltes V and allies reached Boazania, freeing Kentaro Goh and sparking a hornless rebellion. As the empire collapsed, loyalists deserted him. Fleeing with stolen riches, he encountered Heinel, who had learned of Zu Zambajil's role in his family's suffering. After Zu Zambajil tried blaming the invasion on Heinel, the prince killed him with a dagger. Zu Zambajil's accidental grenade drop during the fight caused an explosion destroying the castle; Heinel perished rescuing Kenichi Goh from the fire. La Gour then reclaimed the throne, reforming Boazania into an egalitarian society.
In the live-action adaptation *Voltes V: Legacy*, Zu Zambajil (renamed Zambojil Zu) shares core traits with variations. His backstory includes influence from his mother Contessa encouraging usurpation. He communicates directly with Prince Zardoz (Heinel's counterpart) to issue threats and insults, differing from the anime's intermediaries. His death occurs during a duel with Baron Hrothgar (La Gour) before Zardoz delivers the fatal blow.
Zu Zambajil ruled Boazania through a rigid caste system privileging the horned and enslaving the hornless, exploiting societal racism while viewing both as expendable tools. His ambitions targeted Earth, Brahmin, and Tau Cetis for conquest and slaves. Extreme paranoia marked his reign, particularly toward his nephew Prince Heinel, La Gour's son and legitimate heir. To eliminate Heinel indirectly, Zu Zambajil assigned him to lead the Earth invasion while secretly dispatching aides like Duke Zaki and General Gururu to sabotage and assassinate him. His cowardly leadership involved panic during setbacks and sacrificing loyal troops without hesitation, such as ordering them into Voltes V's line of fire.
Key relationships defined his rule. Lifelong jealousy and hatred festered toward his cousin La Gour due to his legitimate claim and perceived superiority. Despite Heinel's loyalty, Zu Zambajil relentlessly tried to kill him, exiling him after military failures. He manipulated subordinates like General Gururu, chastising minor infractions while disregarding their well-being. Courtiers like Marquis Zaki fed his distrust and executed schemes, though Zaki's betrayal attempts led to his own demise.
Zu Zambajil's downfall began when Voltes V and allies reached Boazania, freeing Kentaro Goh and sparking a hornless rebellion. As the empire collapsed, loyalists deserted him. Fleeing with stolen riches, he encountered Heinel, who had learned of Zu Zambajil's role in his family's suffering. After Zu Zambajil tried blaming the invasion on Heinel, the prince killed him with a dagger. Zu Zambajil's accidental grenade drop during the fight caused an explosion destroying the castle; Heinel perished rescuing Kenichi Goh from the fire. La Gour then reclaimed the throne, reforming Boazania into an egalitarian society.
In the live-action adaptation *Voltes V: Legacy*, Zu Zambajil (renamed Zambojil Zu) shares core traits with variations. His backstory includes influence from his mother Contessa encouraging usurpation. He communicates directly with Prince Zardoz (Heinel's counterpart) to issue threats and insults, differing from the anime's intermediaries. His death occurs during a duel with Baron Hrothgar (La Gour) before Zardoz delivers the fatal blow.