Price and Applications: The Daiwa Zillion is available for order now for $349 dollars and will start becoming available in just a few months. U.S. anglers that do not want to wait for the U.S. spec Zillion, or simply want the lighter JDM version, can order it now directly from JDM import specialists like Japan Tackle for similar prices. We haven't fished the U.S. and JDM versions long enough to see whether or not the brass gearing will remain smoother over the long term, but the bigger baits you throw and the harder you fish, should factor into the long term performance. We will continue to fish both these reels throughout the 2021 season and report our long term findings but I definitely feel more comfortable fishing swimbaits all season with the brass equipped U.S. version.

The Zillion comes with a 90mm swayed handle

As it stands I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the new U.S. Zillion as both a workhorse and bait finesse reel, and the JDM reel should perform just as well for most anglers that are not excessively hard on their gear, and certainly for baitfinesse applications.

The clean gunmetal and black styling on the Zillion isn't as bright as other Zillions from the past but it does make the reel match up well with just about every rod

This brings us to the final subject of origin. Early in our tests we thought that the mass production reels would all be built in Japan, but later learned that the U.S. spec Zillions will be mass produced in Daiwa's Thailand factory while the JDM reels will be built in Japan. While it is not surprising that Daiwa would build the JDM reels in country it is interesting that the same series reel will be built in two different countries.

The JDM Zillion will be made in Japan while the U.S. Zillion will be made in Thailand. Does that impact your decision on which one to get?

Some anglers will choose to pursue the JDM reel simply because it is made in Japan. There is common belief that JDM reels that are made in country are built with the best teams, the most advanced machinery, and to even to more exacting tolerances. What we have seen from the Thailand factory has been high quality builds and believe that the reels should rival one another in build and quality, and that it is often the intangibles that relate to the Made in Japan reels. Time will tell but what we have seen so far gives us confidence that the reels that U.S. anglers will have access to domestically will be just as refined.

The new Zillion is an absolute pleasure to fish. It feels more solid and powerful than not just previous Zillions, but other Daiwa reels in general

Conclusion: When looking at the competition the last Zillion was really getting long in the tooth and reels like the Shimano Bantam MGL, and especially the Metanium MGL have been putting a smackdown on the Zillions. In the endless battle for baitcaster supremacy it is now Daiwa's turn. The Zillion SV TW is not only a worthy competitor but the first Daiwa reel that even hardcore Shimano fans will pick up and appreciate the way it feels on the retrieve, and not just how well it casts.

Daiwa got this one right. The Zillion's major refresh delivers an excellent exterior form factor with internal design that matches up

Retailing for the exact same price as the Shimano Bantam MGL the Zillion is definitely worthy of consideration as a premium workhorse reel. The Bantam still feels more powerful when retrieved but the Zillion wins in just about every other category. The new Zillion is lighter, is better suited for bait-finesse, comes equipped an audible drag, and for the first time is just as ergonomic. Advantage Zillion.

There is a ton of hype, and hyped up hyper features, that come with the new Zillion, but when it comes to actual performance the new reel really delivers. This is the best Zillion platform to date.

The launch of the new Zillion SV TW 2021 is one that Daiwa had to get right. There has been more hype than a Supreme drop with all the Hyper terminology, but the new Zillion absolutely delivers in real world performance. This reel is an exceptional caster, offers a solid retrieve unlike any Zillion to date, and feels extremely natural in the palm of your hand. This new Zillion will likely spawn new versions, and we hope to see more supertuned models in the future. This is platform that Daiwa can absolutely build on. I can't quite remember the last time that I was so excited about a Zillion, and I personally like this new reel better than the Limited Steez, especially considering the price difference and the significance of this reel has to the Daiwa portfolio. This new reel is not only worthy of the Zillion name but also represents the high water mark for the series. This is one of those times that where the product just as much "beast" as it is "hype," and the Zillion SV TW 2021 is a worthy recipient of our first Editor's Choice Award of 2021.

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