Hollows are supernatural disasters in Zenless Zone Zero. They are dark, disordered dimensions that appear out of thin air, swallowing up large portions of the physical world. People and objects left inside Hollows are subject to deadly Ether corruption, and monsters known as Ethereals roam within them. Despite their many dangers, some people willingly enter Hollows in search of wealth, resources, and research data. Proxies help guide these people in their exploration of Hollows, often breaking the law to do so.[1]
Though most civilizations were destroyed by the Hollows, the city of New Eridu managed to survive the apocalypse by acquiring the technology to extract valuable Ether resources from them. Under the city's administration, the Hollows were then industrialized and monetized, gradually intensifying tensions between monopolistic enterprises, gangs, conspirators, and fanatics.[1]
Description[]
Hollows are characterized by their black, spherical appearances. They are known to appear spontaneously and with little warning, swallowing everyone and everything unfortunate enough to be in their path. Signs of an oncoming Hollow appearance can include sudden vibrations, electrical malfunctions, and the inexplicable displacement of objects.
Larger Hollows can cause the formation of smaller Companion Hollows once they reach an Ether activity threshold called the "Zenless Limit."[2]
Ethereals[]
Once they have spawned, Hollows begin to create Ether-based monsters known as Ethereals. Although Ethereals have not been known to leave their Hollows, they still pose a serious threat to anyone within.
A group of Ethereals within the Hollow.
Hollows are sustained by Ether energy, which is directly linked to the Ethereals residing within them. It is possible to reduce the size of a Hollow by destroying a massive number of regular Ethereals, or by eliminating a particularly large one. If continuously suppressed, a Hollow may even gradually shrink until it disappears.[3]
Corruption[]
While inside a Hollow, both living and non-living beings are subject to gradual Ether corruption. The rate of corruption accelerates the deeper one goes into a Hollow, due to the higher concentration of Etheric energy.
A heavily-corrupted Miguel Silver.
Objects and structures within Hollows will slowly degrade, warping and weakening their appearances. Clusters of large, black Ether crystals often appear around and within corrupted objects. Small objects can be preserved by storing them in anti-corruption serum,[4] and Drive Discs can be coated with Plating Agents to increase their resistance to corruption.[5]
Anti-corruption armor used by New Eridu Public Security.
Humans and humanoids who stay inside Hollows too long are eventually afflicted with Ether corruption. Corruption causes rapid mutations in a person's physiology, including the growth of dark, painful crystals throughout their body, the formation of a distinctive Ether "core," and a gradual loss of sanity.[6] Corrupted individuals will eventually transform completely into Ethereals. There is no known cure for Ether corruption, with current treatments only able to reverse mild cases.[7] Even victims who escape full Ethereal transformation are likely to suffer life-altering health problems.
Individuals are corrupted at rates relative to their Ether aptitude. Those with high Ether aptitude can stay in Hollows unprotected for longer periods of time without suffering the effects of corruption.[8] Those with low aptitude can still explore Hollows by using anti-corruption serum and by wearing specialized equipment. Anti-corruption gear is commonly used by New Eridu Public Security, the Hollow Investigative Association, the New Eridu Defense Force, and bandits.
Both intelligent and non-intelligent machines can be corrupted, though their natural Ether resistance is higher.
Environment[]
The interior of a Hollow.
The once-ordinary interiors of Hollows are drastically altered by Ether, turning them into mazes of distorted environments. Within Hollows, normal laws of physics and spacetime don't apply; a seemingly-straightforward path could be riddled with invisible fissures and blockages that lead to random locations, while what looks like a dead end could contain a portal out of the Hollow. Some Hollows even seem to be interconnected — passing through a fissure in one Hollow may lead one into an entirely different Hollow.[9] Communication with the outside world is nearly impossible from within a Hollow, with only the legendary Proxy Phaethon being able to reliably do so.[10] Additionally, the environment within a Hollow tends to shift frequently, meaning one path through a Hollow could change, making conventional cartographic methods useless in charting the interior of a Hollow.
Hollows are naturally complex places, and being careless can lead to death for inexperienced and experienced explorers alike. To safely explore Hollows, many explorers use Bangboo, small robots equipped with Carrot programs. These programs create maps of Hollows by predicting the behavior of space within the Hollow, using data collected from previous observation of Hollows.[11] With these Carrot programs, Bangboo can guide explorers along safer routes, minimize their time spent in the Hollow and help avoid dangerous Ethereals. Alternatively, Fairy is designed to actively analyze Hollows by drawing upon the computing power of nearly 80% of all smart devices around New Eridu, allowing it to map out Hollows in real-time without the need for Hollow observation data.[12]
Dangers[]
According to the New Eridu City Administration, there are various dangers one can encounter while in a Hollow:
- Ethereals: mutant monsters that attack all foreign living creatures within a Hollow.
- Ether: a substance that is densely concentrated in the air of a Hollow, with great energy potential but deadly corruptive effects on those who breathe it.
- The Corrupted: Individuals can become corrupted by the aforementioned Ether, slowly mutating and losing their conscious thoughts.
- Lawless Thugs: Criminals who seek to rob other explorers for profit.
- Hollow Raiders, Proxies, and other unsanctioned explorers.
Effects on Society[]
Most contemporary civilizations were unable to survive the spontaneous appearances of Hollows. The citizens of Eridu, however, were able to harness the Hollows' Ether as an energy source, allowing the city to thrive in the face of the apocalypse. Though Eridu was eventually consumed by Hollow Zero, its survivors rebuilt in what would become the city of New Eridu.
New Eridu continues to operate despite the Hollows.
Energy Production[]
To generate usable power, advanced pipe networks extract Etheric matter from existing Hollows. The absorbed Etheric energy is then converted into electricity, while any leftover Ether corruption is released into the air through a process called "Shiyu." This purification takes place at specialized pillars located in and around the city, where monsters created by the corruption are regularly purged.[13]
The Shiyu Pillars.
Ether appears to be an incredibly potent power source, with most buildings, vehicles, and appliances in New Eridu using it as fuel. Ether corporations have yet to extend their reach beyond the city, where rural residents and biker gangs still use traditional diesel fuel.[14]
Safety and Security[]
Though Hollows have enabled the city to thrive, the residents of New Eridu are still well-aware of their dangers. A large part of New Eridu Public Security's work revolves around Hollow-related incidents, including rescuing citizens trapped by new Companion Hollows, dealing with criminals who use Hollows as hideouts, and even managing traffic incidents caused by Hollow appearances.[15][16] They also arrest and prosecute Hollow Raiders and Proxies who illegally enter Hollows.
The Hollow Investigative Association is the organization primarily responsible for managing Hollow disaster-related matters. Their Investigators complete official commissions, such as rescues and Ethereal hunts, for a fee.[17] The Association regularly recruits citizens with high Ether aptitudes to become Investigators, training them extensively in Hollow exploration and combat.
Multiple elite agencies collaborate to research and suppress the most dangerous Hollows, especially Hollow Zero. These include H.A.N.D., the New Eridu Defense Force's Obsidian Division, and the White Star Institute.
Hollow Raiders[]
A group of bandits wearing corruption-resistant armor.
Many people who explore Hollows do not do so legally. Groups known as "Hollow Raiders" regularly enter Hollows for variety of reasons. Some are hardened criminals who use Hollows to evade the law, and who assault and rob other explorers. Others are freelancers, mercenaries, independent investigators, and Proxies who complete private commissions not sanctioned by the Hollow Investigative Association. Many Hollow Raiders use the online service Inter-Knot to communicate and to post commissions.
Types of Hollows[]
Original Hollows[]
The original Hollows, also known as primary Hollows, are a set of seven Hollows within New Eridu. They are large in scale, have complex environments, and contain Ethereals of varying strengths.
Hollow Zero[]
Hollow Zero, also known as "Limbo," is a colossal Hollow that consumed the old city of Eridu, resulting in its destruction. It is the source of many of the Hollows in and around New Eridu. The investigation and suppression of Hollow Zero pose a long-term challenge for the authorities of New Eridu.
Companion Hollows[]
Companion Hollows are smaller Hollows that can form around a larger Hollow.
List of Known Hollows[]
Original Hollows[]
There are 4 Hollows:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
Companion Hollows[]
| Name | Parent Hollow | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cretan | A small Companion Hollow that appeared on Fourteenth Street in the Janus Quarter. It played a role in a scuffle between the Cunning Hares, the Red Fang Gang, and Public Security when gang leader Miguel Silver fell into the Hollow, leading to his eventual corruption and mutation into an Ethereal.[18] | |
| Cretan | A Companion Hollow that consumed the Old Capital Metro tunnels, along with the area around Canvas Street.[19] It was the home of a highly dangerous Ethereal called the Dead End Butcher prior to its slaying by the Cunning Hares, which caused the Hollow to drastically shrink.[20] | |
| Lemnian | A Companion Hollow that consumed the Ballet Twins towers, causing the once-affluent Ballet Twins Road to fall to ruin. A recent shrinkage of the Hollow caused the owner of the Ballet Twins to hire the Victoria Housekeeping Co. to inspect and maintain the premises.[21] | |
| Papago | One of many Companion Hollows in the Outer Ring. Located near the town of Blazewood, this Hollow was often explored by nearby biker gangs, especially the Sons of Calydon.[22] | |
| A Companion Hollow with extremely fragile terrain, causing careless Investigators to plunge deeper into the Hollow. Belobog Heavy Industries was commissioned to explore it due to their advanced machinery.[23] | ||
| Lemnian | ||
| Pursenas | A peculiar Companion Hollow undergoing constant spatial fluctuations. The unusually intense distortion caused by Corruption gives its interior a pale, white appearance. Hollow Special Operations Section 6 was assigned to conduct rescue and investigative operations here.[24] |
Destroyed Hollows[]
Hollows or Companion Hollows that no longer exist.
| Name | Parent Hollow | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | A small Hollow that consumed a facility belonging to weapons manufacturer Midsummer Inc. C41 was suppressed by the HIA, and it disappeared over a span of two weeks. As it vanished, a number of Hollow Raiders descended on the Midsummer Inc. facilities in search of treasure there.[25] | |
| Unknown | A Hollow destroyed by Hoshimi Miyabi, home of the Ethereal Lerna.[26] |
Other Languages[]
| Language | Official Name |
|---|---|
| English | Hollow |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 空洞 Kōngdòng |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 空洞 Kōngdòng |
| Japanese | ホロウ Horō |
| Korean | 공동공동 Gongdong |
| Spanish | Cavidad |
| French | Néantre |
| Russian | Каверна Kaverna |
| Thai | Hollow |
| Vietnamese | Lỗ Hổng |
| German | Höhle |
| Indonesian | Hollow |
| Portuguese | Esfera Negra |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 HoYoverse Reveals Its Latest Urban Fantasy Action Title Zenless Zone Zero
- ↑ Lost Items from the Old Capital: Measurement Device
- ↑ Phaethon's Story, Cat's Lost & Found (B), Act 4: Endlessness
- ↑ Ray's Research Log: Photo of a Young Girl
- ↑ Drive Disc EXP Material: Crystallized Plating Agent
- ↑ Phaethon's Story, Business x Strangeness x Justness, Act 3: Mutated Corruption
- ↑ Ridu Newsletter: Progress Made in Ether Corruption Medical Treatments
- ↑ Inter-Knot Post: (Post) Can I work in the Hollows as a transporter with this Ether aptitude score?
- ↑ Special Episode, Undercover R&B, Act 1: Poised to Act
- ↑ Phaethon's Story, Business x Strangeness x Justness, Act 4: Proxy Business
- ↑ Phaethon's Story, Business x Strangeness x Justness, Act 7: Reconnected
- ↑ Phaethon's Story, Business x Strangeness x Justness, Act 8: "Fairy"
- ↑ Shiyu Defense
- ↑ Phaethon's Story, Tour de Inferno (A), Act 2: Outer Ring Journey
- ↑ Event: Daily Life of a PubSec Officer
- ↑ Special Episode, Undercover R&B, Act 1: Poised to Act
- ↑ Dialogue: Bertha
- ↑ Phaethon's Story, Business x Strangeness x Justness, Act 1: A Surprise
- ↑ Episode: An Uninvited Guest
- ↑ Phaethon's Story, Cat's Lost & Found (B), Act 5: Vagrant's Final Resting Place
- ↑ Phaethon's Story, The Midnight Pursuit (A), Act 3: Friends Old and New
- ↑ Phaethon's Story, Tour de Inferno (A), Act 2: Outer Ring Journey
- ↑ Event: Watch Your Step
- ↑ Event Commission: Wasteland Promise
- ↑ Event: Camellia Golden Week
- ↑ Zenless Zone Zero (December 17, 2024). Hoshimi Miyabi Character Teaser - "Rise of the Void Hunter". YouTube.
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