TV-Series
Description
Emperor Zu Zambajil, also called Zanbazir or Zanzibal Zu, serves as the primary antagonist from Boazania. Born illegitimate to the previous emperor and a concubine, his resentment festered as he remained behind his legitimate cousin, Baron Hrothgar (La Gour or La Gohl), in the line of succession. This fueled his ambition to seize the throne.
Zambajil executed a coup during Hrothgar's coronation by exposing his cousin's shameful secret: Hrothgar lacked horns, a trait marking superiority in Boazanian society where the hornless were enslaved. Revealing Hrothgar's use of prosthetics incited public outrage, resulting in Hrothgar's imprisonment and enslavement. Following the death of Hrothgar's wife, Rozalia (Lozaria), in childbirth soon after, Zambajil killed Hrothgar's mother as she tried to protect her grandson. That infant, Prince Zardoz (Prince Heinel), was then raised by Zambajil to embrace bigotry and hatred toward non-horned races.
Ruling the Boazanian Empire, Zambajil enforced a rigid caste system privileging horned Boazanians and enslaving the hornless. He pursued galactic expansion, targeting Earth, Tau Cetis, and Gliese for conquest. To eliminate Zardoz, the true heir and a threat, Zambajil sent him to lead the Earth invasion, hoping he would die in battle. He repeatedly dispatched aides like General Oslak (Belgan), Zuhl, and Marquise Zaki under the pretense of support, secretly ordering them to assassinate Zardoz should he fail. These attempts backfired: Zuhl and Zaki were executed by Zardoz, while Oslak failed and was killed by Zambajil's own Posi-Negatron weapon.
Zambajil's reign was marked by paranoia and cruelty. He berated Zardoz for military failures, indoctrinated him into racism, and openly mocked him in court. When Voltes V and the rebels reached Boazania, they ignited a hornless uprising. As loyalists deserted, Zambajil attempted to flee with stolen riches but was confronted by Zardoz. In their final clash, Zardoz stabbed him, causing Zambajil to fall onto a grenade that detonated, killing him. This ended his tyranny, allowing Hrothgar to claim the throne and abolish the caste system.
In the live-action adaptation *Voltes V: Legacy*, additional elements include Zambajil's mother, Contessa, encouraging his usurpation due to her own bitterness over not being named queen. His escape attempt involved a wagon of treasures, and he briefly dueled Hrothgar before Zardoz intervened, emphasizing his cowardice and familial manipulation compared to the anime counterpart's solitary ambition.
Zambajil executed a coup during Hrothgar's coronation by exposing his cousin's shameful secret: Hrothgar lacked horns, a trait marking superiority in Boazanian society where the hornless were enslaved. Revealing Hrothgar's use of prosthetics incited public outrage, resulting in Hrothgar's imprisonment and enslavement. Following the death of Hrothgar's wife, Rozalia (Lozaria), in childbirth soon after, Zambajil killed Hrothgar's mother as she tried to protect her grandson. That infant, Prince Zardoz (Prince Heinel), was then raised by Zambajil to embrace bigotry and hatred toward non-horned races.
Ruling the Boazanian Empire, Zambajil enforced a rigid caste system privileging horned Boazanians and enslaving the hornless. He pursued galactic expansion, targeting Earth, Tau Cetis, and Gliese for conquest. To eliminate Zardoz, the true heir and a threat, Zambajil sent him to lead the Earth invasion, hoping he would die in battle. He repeatedly dispatched aides like General Oslak (Belgan), Zuhl, and Marquise Zaki under the pretense of support, secretly ordering them to assassinate Zardoz should he fail. These attempts backfired: Zuhl and Zaki were executed by Zardoz, while Oslak failed and was killed by Zambajil's own Posi-Negatron weapon.
Zambajil's reign was marked by paranoia and cruelty. He berated Zardoz for military failures, indoctrinated him into racism, and openly mocked him in court. When Voltes V and the rebels reached Boazania, they ignited a hornless uprising. As loyalists deserted, Zambajil attempted to flee with stolen riches but was confronted by Zardoz. In their final clash, Zardoz stabbed him, causing Zambajil to fall onto a grenade that detonated, killing him. This ended his tyranny, allowing Hrothgar to claim the throne and abolish the caste system.
In the live-action adaptation *Voltes V: Legacy*, additional elements include Zambajil's mother, Contessa, encouraging his usurpation due to her own bitterness over not being named queen. His escape attempt involved a wagon of treasures, and he briefly dueled Hrothgar before Zardoz intervened, emphasizing his cowardice and familial manipulation compared to the anime counterpart's solitary ambition.