Artwork for Final Fantasy IV by Yoshitaka Amano.
Zu (ズー, Zū?), also known as Zuu or Garuda, is a recurring enemy in the Final Fantasy series, ever since its first appearance in Final Fantasy IV. A Zu is typically a gigantic black bird with a long neck. Zus have high HP and use strong physical attacks. In later games they often appear in the same genus as the Garuda.
Appearances[]
Final Fantasy IV[]
Zus normally appear around Mysidia in either the forests, or plains, and are easily dispatched due to their weakness of death and Cecil's recent acquisition of the Deathbringer. A stronger version of Zu, known as the Rukh, can be encountered around the Eblan area, though they do not pose much more of a threat than a Zu at the time they can be encountered. Rukhs are green.
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years[]
Zus are rather strong when encountered in each tale, and can attack twice. Upon defeat, they relinquish valuable items. Zu is also fought as a boss in Izayoi's section of Edge's Tale, but due to HP and MP restoring pots placed throughout the area, as well as save points, it is easy to level grind since the enemies give decent EXP. As there are no party members to divide EXP between, it can therefore can be defeated without much effort.
Final Fantasy V[]
Zus appear around Karnak up to the Library of the Ancients. They are moderately powerful enemies at the time they are fought, and offer a great deal of EXP and gil. They can either be fought alone or with two Aegirs. The upgraded Zu, Rukh, can be fought in the merged world on various oceans, and are a much more difficult enemy to defeat with the ability to inflict major wind-elemental damage to the party with its Breath Wing.
Final Fantasy VII[]
Zuu can be fought in either the Battle Square or on the bridge in Mt. Nibel. Tonadu can be fought around Mideel Area on dark areas, and are not much more difficult to defeat than Zuu. They both can yield a Bird Wing upon defeat.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth[]
Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-[]
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Final Fantasy IX[]
Zuus can be fought on Cleyra's Trunk. They are not a threat save for their Swallow ability, which removes a character from the battle.
Final Fantasy X[]
Zu enemies are powerful enemies encountered solo in the Bikanel Desert, although in the section where Home is located, it is accompanied by two Cactuars.
Final Fantasy X-2[]
Zu is a normal enemy. In Oversoul, they are one of the most powerful, as they can defeat the entire party with just one blow with Chicken Wing Lv.3, and they all can destroy specific items.
Final Fantasy XI[]
Zus are members of the Bird Family encountered in the Buburimu Peninsula.
Final Fantasy XII[]
Zus are normal enemies encountered on the Ozmone Plain. They fly out of reach of melee attacks, and must be hit with ranged weapons, magicks, or Telekinesis or other Technicks.
Final Fantasy XIV[]
Zu as the second boss in 
Pharos Sirius, having made a roost near the top of the lighthouse. It is the first member of its family encounter, which other frequently appear in dungeons. The common Anzu and Tot Aevis also appear as common enemies in 
The Sea of Clouds and 
Il Mheg. The much smaller Zu Hatchlings also appear as enemies, typically in accompaniment to an adult Zu.
Players can obtain a Zu Hatchling minion as a prize from the Manderville Gold Saucer. Also available is a Zu Mount obtained by turning in an Iron Voyage Spoil in Idyllshire which can be obtained via Free Company Airship missions.
Final Fantasy XV[]
Zu is a large, high level enemy fought during the Feathered Giant of the Firesmoke Hunt.
Final Fantasy Type-0[]
While not appearing as normal enemies, Zus are used by the Kingdom of Concordia during Regional Dominance battles, to attack other cities. Their appearance is based off the Zus in Final Fantasy X.
Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia[]
Zu appear as an enemies. The Zu resembles the Zu from Final Fantasy X.
This section about an enemy in Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles[]
Zu appears as a normal enemy in the Lynari Desert, having extremely high HP and elemental attacks.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates[]
Garuda, named a Zuu by Alhanalem, appears as a boss, fought at Mount Vaal and Lunite Temple. It has a more mechanical-like appearance than past Zu appearances, and is blue instead of the normal black color of previous Zu appearances as well.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time[]
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Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers[]
Zu appear in the opening Playable Event, attacking the Alexis II. They are later encountered in the Edge of Oblivion and Yuke Sky City, and are not aggressive, allowing Layle to use them as transport. Their location hints that they may not be native to the material world.
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest[]
Zuh is a boss encountered in Doom Castle, being a palette swap of the Pazuzu boss from earlier in the game. It fights just like its previous incarnation.
Final Fantasy Dimensions[]
Zuu is an enemy that can be found at Dragon Valley.
Final Fantasy Dimensions II[]
This section about an enemy in Final Fantasy Dimensions II is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call[]
Zu appears as an enemy in Battle Music Sequences.
Pictlogica Final Fantasy[]
Zu from Final Fantasy V appears as an enemy.
Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade[]
Zu appears as a boss and is fought in the Living Wood areas 3 and 7.
This section about an enemy in Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Final Fantasy All the Bravest[]
The Zu appears as an enemy encountered on the Troia Range and inside the Zanarkand Ruins. It uses Dive and drops the Trident.
Final Fantasy Record Keeper[]
This section about an ability in Final Fantasy Record Keeper is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Final Fantasy World Wide Words[]
This section about an enemy in Final Fantasy World Wide Words is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]
This section about an enemy in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Final Fantasy Trading Card Game[]
Zu appears in Final Fantasy Trading Card Game as Wind-elemental Monster cards.
![Zu [12-042C] Chapter series card.](/wiki/File:Zu_TCG.png "Zu TCG.png (507 KB)")
![Zu [6-049C] Opus series card.](/wiki/File:Zu_6-049C_from_FFTCG_Opus.jpg "Zu 6-049C from FFTCG Opus.jpg (75 KB)")
Final Fantasy Portal App[]
Zu from Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy X appear as Triple Triad cards.
Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances[]
Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable[]
Zu is a chance card in Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable, the card's ability: Move two more steps.
Etymology[]
Zu means "fire" in the Sumerian language. Anzû, before misread as Zû, is a lesser divinity or monster in several Mesopotamian religions. He was conceived by the pure waters of the Apsu and the wide Earth, or as son of Siris. Anzû was seen as a massive bird who can breathe fire and water, although Anzû is alternately seen as a lion-headed eagle (like a reverse griffin).