Unveiling the Enigmatic Races of Hyrule (And Beyond): The Complete Guide to The Legend of Zelda

Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda continually astonishes players by introducing never-before-seen creatures and cultures in the vast world of Hyrule. Although not as prominent as the well-known major races like the Zoras, Gorons, and Gurudos, these lesser-known races have all contributed their unique magical abilities to assist Link throughout his numerous quests.

While some of The Legend of Zelda's minor races have only made brief appearances, their presence has greatly influenced the atmosphere of their respective games and expanded the depths of Hyrule. Whether it be the ability to shift dimensions or the existence of ancient machine pirates, Hyrule is teeming with hidden civilizations just waiting to be discovered.

12 Minish

The Minish, also called Picori, are tiny creatures with the size of a Hylian's thumb. They inhabit towns, forests, and mountain caves and only children can see them. Some Minish possess great magical abilities and can create powerful and often perilous artifacts. For instance, the sage named Ezlo crafted the potent Mage's Cap, but unfortunately, his assistant Vaati betrayed him, resulting in the sage being transformed into a half-bird, half-green hat.

Although not originally from Hyrule, the Minish visit the land once every century, appearing there sporadically. The rest of the time, it is believed that they reside in an alternate dimension. They have their own language, incomprehensible to the native people of Hyrule. According to The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, they enjoy leaving gifts for their larger counterparts to discover.

11 Ancient Robots

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Robots in fantasy stories are commonly introduced later in the narrative. However, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword breaks this norm by featuring robots long before the establishment of the story. This peculiar twist reveals that these robots were actually created by a thunder dragon named Lanayru. Originally, their purpose was to tirelessly mine for resources until they eventually corroded and the mining site transformed into a barren desert.

Despite their current state of disrepair, these robots can be brought back to life with the help of timeshift stones. Some of these revived robots continue to serve as loyal assistants, while a select few engage in activities as feared pirates. It is worth noting that living machines can also be found in other installments of The Legend of Zelda series. The divine beasts in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild serve as a prime example of this.

10 Demons

Although not inherently evil, the presence of a demon has a tendency to distort and corrupt the essence of everything in their vicinity. One particularly prominent demon is Demise, known from Skyward Sword, whose undying hatred later materialized as Ganon long after his demise.

Demons have made appearances in the series since its origin. In A Link to the Past, they seized control of the Dark World. Ganon formed alliances with demons multiple times in his quest for the Triforce. Furthermore, demons have the ability to possess and even transform into mortals. Interestingly, several mortals have also undergone transformations into demons, such as Ganondorf, the Minish Vaati, and numerous Twili.

9 Anouki

The Anouki, an isolationist tribe, made their debut in The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Despite assisting Link on numerous occasions, they prioritize individualism over large gatherings. Distinguished by their reindeer-like horns and cozy attire, they are renowned for their hospitable nature, kind temperament, and unwavering honesty. In stark contrast, their archenemies, the Yook, reside on the opposite side of the Anouki's island, embodying fear, brutality, and deceit.

8 Oocca

The Oocca, aside from being an eerie source of fear, remain largely mysterious. With bird bodies and human-like heads, they reside high above Hyrule's landscape, in the sky. Perhaps due to their lofty dwelling, they are said to have a strong connection to the Goddess.

Their abode consists of a highly advanced city, although, sadly (or perhaps fortunately), only two Oocca remain alive during The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. It is plausible that other Oocca might exist below their intricate, mechanized sky city.

7 Mogma

This race of treasure-loving mole people is identifiable by their long snouts and powerful digging claws. Despite often succumbing to greed, they consistently uphold their obligations, even to unfamiliar individuals.

Initially introduced in Skyward Sword, which marks the beginning of the Zelda timeline, statues resembling them are present from the very start in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. These statues serve as guidance for Link as he navigates the depths. They inhabited the Eldin Volcano during that period, renowned for its abundant reserves of valuable gemstones.

6 Paralla

The Paralla, a fusion race of seahorses and jellyfish, were among the five tribes that opposed Demise in the Ancient Battle. They excel in group movement and showcase remarkable swimming abilities, despite their unusual appearance.

Although they possess swift speed and impressive stamina, the Paralla seldom venture beyond their cave residences in Lake Floria. It is within these dwellings that their water dragon guardian, Faron, resides. Similar to jellyfish, the Paralla have soft bodies that can contract to maneuver through narrow spaces.

5 Deku Scrubs

In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a mischievous group of seed spitters known as the Deku Scrubs made their debut. Although they were initially portrayed as a rag-tag bunch disconnected from the Great Deku Tree in the Lost Woods of Hyrule, they had their own established settlement ruled by a monarch in the swamp of Termina, as shown in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

Deku Scrubs have the ability to launch themselves into the air and hover momentarily, thanks to Deku flowers. While they can be bothersome, they can be defeated by deflecting their projectiles back at them using a shield. Once defeated, they become quite helpful and may offer valuable advice or items.

4 Subrosians

The Subrosians, residing beneath the surface of Holodrum in The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons, are known for their peculiar lifestyle. Often seen wearing green robes, they indulge in hot lava baths and volcano showers due to their subterranean dwelling. These secretive individuals possess unique interests such as "sign collecting" and treasure burial. Interestingly, some Subrosians view disrespect as a commendable trait, while offering polite phrases can offend certain members of their community. With a vibrant culture, they find joy in dancing, music, and acquiring enigmatic artifacts from distant lands.

3 Kikwi

The fluffy tails of these adorable woodland critters are actually plant buds, blurring the line between plant and animal. They have the ability to grow a leaf out of their tails, which they often use to camouflage themselves when in danger.

Although they are cautious by nature, they played a vital role in assisting the goddess in her battle against the Demon King long before the events of Skyward Sword. Some fans speculate about a possible familial connection between the Kikwi and the Kokiri or Koroks from the Lost Woods. However, this is unlikely as the Kikwi age while the children of the Great Deku Tree do not.

2 Tokay

The Tokay, a reptilian species known for their swimming abilities and sticky paws resembling those of cats, inhabit Crescent Island in Labrynna. When Link's raft unexpectedly lands on the island, the Tokay playfully "borrow" his belongings until he can negotiate their return.

Although prone to stealing, the Tokay are generally good-natured, albeit somewhat simple-minded. They prefer to exchange goods through bartering and commonly use seeds as currency instead of rupees. The Tokay hold reverence for a statue located in the center of their island, which they refer to as the "Guardian."

1 Fairies

Fairies, who are the wards of the nature goddess Farore, have the ability to manifest in different sizes. The smaller fairies are often seen with wings, appearing as glowing orbs of light. These diminutive fairies play a crucial role in assisting Link on his quest, either by healing him or offering guidance, much like Navi in Ocarina of Time or Tatl in Majora's Mask.

On the other hand, the larger fairies, referred to as Great Fairies, reside in fairy fountains and possess immense magical abilities. They often serve as protectors for their smaller kin. However, it is disconcerting to note that in Breath of the Wild, Link has the option to utilize small fairies as ingredients in meals that restore his health.