The Enigmatic Zonai: Unraveling the Secrets Beyond Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Highlights

The introduction of the Zonai in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has left fans with many mysteries about their origin and role in Hyrule's history.

Tears of the Kingdom falls short in delivering substantial details about the Zonai's true origins, leaving players with lingering inquiries concerning this pivotal aspect of the game. Additionally, uncertainty remains regarding the connection between the Zonai and Hylia, as well as the present condition of Zonai technology and ruins in Hyrule today.

The introduction of the Zonai in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has disrupted the series' established canon, leaving fans with many unanswered questions. While Breath of the Wild hinted at their existence, the highly anticipated sequel raised more inquiries about this enigmatic race that seemingly predates the familiar timeline. However, even after completing the game, players are still left in the dark about the origins, fate, and role of the Zonai within the history of Hyrule. Despite the allusions to Zonai lore, the Zelda sequel deliberately withheld specific details, including the tribe's place of origin, their ultimate fate, and their significance in the larger narrative of Hyrule's history. With only two known Zonai characters, Rauru and Mineru, and the ambiguity surrounding the foundation of Hyrule by King Rauru, there remains a significant amount of unexplored and unexplained aspects about the Zonai. Unless a third Zelda game is planned to address these mysteries, they may join the ever-growing list of unresolved enigmas in the series.

What's Known About The Zonai So Far

Despite being a central element in Tears of the Kingdom, the game did not provide much information about the Zonai. It is known that they are connected to the story of islands being lifted into the sky, similar to Skyward Sword. However, this does not reveal their true origins.

In the game, players only encounter Rauru and Mineru, who are hinted to be the last living Zonai. It is unclear whether they are the only remaining Zonai or if there are others hidden away like the Twili in the Twilight Realm. The Zonai's only known legacy is their role in Hyrule's formation as the game claims that one of them was its founding king, unbeknownst to the current population.

What's Still Unknown About The Zonai

The Zonai's connection to Hylia and their overall history remains unclear, causing confusion among fans who try to reconcile the differing accounts in Skyward Sword and Tears of the Kingdom. The existence of Hylians even before their kingdom raises questions about their origins. Present-day Hyrule is also shrouded in mystery, with unclear information about the Zonai technology and ruins found in and under Hyrule. While the Zonai ruins in Faron Woods seem unrelated to Rauru and Mineru, Mineru's knowledge suggests a deeper involvement of the Zonai. This suggests that there is still much more to discover about this forgotten race.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now on Nintendo Switch.