Editing Zora

{{species infobox
|image=[[File:TP Zora artwork.png|200px]]<br>Artwork of a Zora from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]''
|first_appearance=''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' (1986)
|latest_appearance=''[[Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity]]'' (2020)
|notable=[[Evan]]<br>[[Japas]]<br>[[King Dorephan]]<br>[[King Zora]]<br>[[Laruto]]<br>[[Lulu]]<br>[[Mikau]]<br>[[Mipha]]<br>[[Old Zora]]<br>[[Oren]]<br>[[Prince Rhalis]]<br>[[Prince Sidon]]<br>[[Queen Rutella]]<br>[[Ruto]]<br>[[Tijo]]<br>[[Toto]]<br>[[Zora Link]]
|variants=[[Baby Zora]]<br>[[Geozard]]<br>[[Ku]]<br>[[Zora Captain]]<br>[[Zora Egg]]
|relatives=[[Rito]]
|comparable=[[Lizalfos]]<br>[[Octorok]]<br>[[Parella]]<br>[[Spume]]<br>[[Toadpoli]]
|expand=expandable}}
'''Zoras''', also translated as '''Zolas''',<ref>''The Legend of Zelda'' instruction booklet, page 30 (FDS) or 31 (NES).</ref><ref>M. Arakawa. ''The Legend of Zelda – Link's Awakening'' Player's Guide. Page 95.</ref> are fish-like creatures that first appear in ''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' as enemies, with an appearance likely inspired by the {{wp|Gill-man}} from the film ''{{wp|Creature from the Black Lagoon}}''. Starting with ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'', the species has been portrayed as being peaceful and human-like, though the original design and purpose are still occasionally used, typically in games that throw back to older titles. Of note is that the ''Ocarina of Time'' design has never demonstrated the enemy design's ability to breath fireballs. Despite their human-like appearance in later games, they still require a certain amount of water to survive, and hatch from fish-like [[Zora Egg|eggs]].

==History==
===''The Legend of Zelda'' series===
====''The Legend of Zelda''====
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Zolas first appear in ''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]'', where they poke their heads above the surface of water, spit a fireball at link, and then duck back under, doing the same in another part of the water. In the original Japanese [[Family Computer Disk System]] version of the game, the Zola's sprite was different. Notably, it lacks an outline, making it less distinct against the water, and its mouth is shut, causing the projectiles to appear to come from the front of its face. This sprite can also be seen in Western manuals.

====''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link''====
[[File:Zora ZII sprite.png|frame|left]]
In ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]'', Zolas are now shown above water, where they crawl around on all fours before rearing up on their hind legs to spit a fireball. They begin appearing midway through the game, and appear in locations such as in caves and on bridges. In western releases, normal attacks do not affect them at all, though they are weak to [[Fire (magic)|Fire]].
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====''The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past''====
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In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]]'', Zoras, also referred to as '''Zora's Spawn''',<ref>M. Arakawa. ''The Legend of Zelda – A Link to the Past'' Player's Guide. Page 27.</ref> are now green and have a home location, [[Zora's River]]. In this area, they sometimes pop up from the shallow water and pursue Link on foot. Attacking these ones will stun them for a moment, allowing them to be picked up. Attacking them while stunned defeats them, which tends to award [[bomb]]s in varying amounts. There is also a [[King Zora|large one]] at the start of the river who will sell Link [[Flippers]] to let him swim. This is notably the first friendly Zora shown. In the [[Dark World]], they are replaced by the {{wp|kappa (folklore)|kappa}}-like [[Ku|Dark Zora]].

====''The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening''====
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In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening]]'', Zolas appear as enemies with the same abilities as in the original game. In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX]]'', a friendly Zora can be found in [[Animal Village]] with the aid of the [[Magnifying Lens]]. In addition to acting as a photo opportunity, it provides a hint to finding the [[Boomerang]].

====''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time''====
''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'' features Zoras as an entirely friendly race, and have a large redesign to make them look friendlier, notably with faces that are more human-like than fish-like. They live in [[Zora's Domain]] and can usually be spoken to on foot. Some, however, still pop out from hidden spots in the water - marked by a cloud of bubbles underneath - where they can be spoken with instead. Specific Zoras in the game are [[King Zora]] and his daughter [[Ruto|Princess Ruto]], the latter of which becomes infatuated with Link after he rescues her. The Zoras worship a large whale-like fish named [[Jabu-Jabu|Lord Jabu-Jabu]]. One Zora operates a diving minigame in Zora's Domain, and gives Link the [[Silver Scale]] if he passes. In the future, [[Ganondorf]] freezes Zora's Domain and most of the Zoras are trapped under a sheet of ice. The Zoras' old enemy behavior is for the most part given to [[Octorok]], which in turn is replaced by [[Mad Scrub]].

====''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask''====
In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask]]'', Zoras are found in the [[Great Bay]] on the west side of [[Termina]], where the power of [[Majora's Mask]] has caused the water to become foggy with abnormal water temperature, making it hard for them to catch fish to eat. Notably, a popular band known as [[The Indigo-Go's]] performs at [[Zora Hall]] and plans to play on the carnival. However, several [[Gerudo]] pirates steal several of lead singer [[Lulu]]'s unhatched eggs and mortally wound her boyfriend, guitarist [[Mikau]]. By using the [[Song of Healing]], Link can gain the [[Zora Mask]] and take Mikau's form, allowing him to swim faster and throw his fins like boomerangs. Other Zoras include one that operates a [[jar]]-smashing minigame, which Zora Link can use his fins for, and several inside Zora Hall. Most express their admiration for the band or worry about the water quality, but one is attempting to spy into Lulu's room for presumably lecherous reasons. Speaking to him as Zora Link will cause him to run away. [[Baby Zora]]s are also seen when all of the eggs are gathered, and resemble tadpoles. Presumably due to being the children of two musicians, they also resemble music notes, and teach Link the [[New Wave Bossa Nova]] by arranging themselves on a musical staff.

Additionally, the question "Are the fins damp lately?" is said by [[Toto]] to be a typical Zora greeting.

====''The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/Ages''====
{{quote|Don't think us noble sea Zoras the same as those savage, vulgar river Zoras!|Zora|The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages}}
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Hostile Zoras appear in both ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons|Oracle of Seasons]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Oracle of Ages]]'', while friendly Zoras appear in ''Ages'' only unless a linked game starting from ''Ages'' is being played. In this game, they are differentiated as '''river Zoras''' for the hostile ones and '''sea Zoras''' for the friendly ones, though the dialog implies it is a cultural distinction rather than one of species. The ''Nintendo Power'' guide refers to the enemy as "Zolas" to differentiate them from the friendly Zoras.<ref>Averill, Alan. ''The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages'' Player's Guide. Page 133.</ref> River Zoras are found in water across both [[Holodrum]] and [[Labrynna]]. Sea Zoras live underwater in Zora's Domain, now found in the western side of Labrynna's ocean. However, mysterious pollution has caused King Zora to become ill and eventually die. However, Link saves him in the past with a [[secret medicine|Magic Potion]]. This game shows that Zoras have extremely long lifespans, as it is indicated that the King Zora of the past and present is the same person. In the present, he gives Link the [[Library Key]] and later allows Link to explore inside Jabu-Jabu, who is still a baby in the past.

====''The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker''====
In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker]]'', only the spirit of a Zora, [[Laruto]], is spoken to, being the former [[sage]] of the [[Earth Temple]]. Her descendant, [[Medli]], becomes the next in that position. Medli is of a bird-like race called the [[Rito]], implying the Zoras may have evolved into them after Hyrule flooded.

====''The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures''====
[[File:FSA Zora.png|frame]]
In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures]]'', Zoras appear as enemies, where they are blue and cycloptic, but otherwise resemble their typical enemy design. In [[The Swamp]], some Zoras hide under [[lily pad]]s, and will bounce the Links if they stand on them.

In [[Hyrule Castle]], a [[Fairy Queen#Four Swords Adventures|Great Fairy]] is transformed into a pair of green Zoras resembling the ''A Link to the Past'' design, which are then split up. Upon finding both, they re-merge into her.

Another green Zora acts as a friendly character in [[Kakariko Village]], where the Links must feed him fish for a reward of a large [[Force Gem]] and a [[Heart Container]]. To do so, the Links must chase the fish across a horizontal band of deep water, trying to get them to go up a path in the middle that leads to the Zora.

====''The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess''====
In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]'', Zoras live in Zora's Domain to the north in the [[Lanayru (region)|Lanayru]] province, where they were previously led by [[Queen Rutella]]. However, she is killed, Zora's Domain frozen with many Zoras trapped in ice, and her son, [[Prince Rhalis]] missing. Once Zora's Domain is restored, the drained [[Lake Hylia]] is also restored, and the Zoras attempt to find Rhalis. Once Rhalis is found and restored to good health, Link attains the [[Zora Armor]], allowing him to travel to the Zoras' [[Lakebed Temple]]. Another Zora is found in the raft minigame, where she swims ahead and keeps watch on Link's progress. Zora knights are also shown, having fish-like helmets. It is also demonstrated how different [[Hylian]] and Zora physiology are when the Hylian [[Doctor Borville]] considers himself to be unfit to care for a Zora, presumably having inadequate knowledge on how their bodies work. A Zora can also be found on the outskirts of [[Goron City]] looking for the [[Hot Springs]], and worrying that they will dry up if they cannot find it.

====''The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass''====
In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass]]'', Zoras are mentioned in the description of the [[Ruto Crown]] [[treasure]]. They are effectively replaced by [[Geozard|Zora Warrior]]s.

====''The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds''====
Hostile and friendly Zoras appear in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds]]'', both resembling their ''A Link to the Past'' design.  They are among the only enemies that can be encountered before [[Yuga]] invades the [[Sanctuary]]. Their queen, [[Oren]], lives in Zora's Domain (at the location Zora's River is in ''A Link to the Past'') and is an unusually-humanoid depiction of the design, but bloats up to an immense size when without her [[Smooth Stone]]. After Oren is restored from her swelling, she mentions that she tells her subjects to not attack passerby, but they do not listen to her due to being territorial. Other friendly Zoras, called '''Zora Underlings''' are found on land and wear capes. One in a blue cape is shown worrying about the bridge to Zora's Domain being broken after the [[Shady Guy]] jumps the gap, particularly as the Zora was uncharacteristically unable to swim. Later, Zora Underlings worry over her lack of Smooth Stone, and after it is returned, express their relief at her restoration and annoyance in her continued reliance on it. Once Link clears the [[House of Gales]], a yellow-caped Zora Underling can be found outside, having gone to Lake Hylia for a swim with Oren, only to be left behind. After Oren is kidnapped by [[Yuga]], a purple-caped one can be found alone in Zora's Domain, and simply assumes she is late in returning until Link tells him he rescued her. Walking enemy Zoras do not appear, but walking [[Ku]] are introduced in [[Lorule]].

In the Japanese script, it is instead indicated that her bloated form is her true form that she hides with the Smooth Stone, with one Zora repeatedly mentioning he likes and even prefers it.<ref>[https://legendsoflocalization.com/fat-beauty-and-a-link-between-worlds-localization Fat, Beauty, and A Link Between Worlds's Localization, Legends of Localization]</ref>

====''The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes''====
Zoras themselves do not appear in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes]]'', but the [[Zora Costume]] is based entirely off their appearance in ''A Link Between Worlds''.

====''The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild''====
In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]]'', Zoras again live in Zora's Domain in Lanayru. This game expands on ''Oracle of Ages''{{'}}s depiction of their longevity. Their lifespans are about twice as long as Hylian ones, and often take longer to physically mature. As such, mentally-adult Zoras may still physically resemble children. It is stated that a better indicator of Zora age involves speech mannerisms, as older Zoras try to speak more eloquently. Fully-grown Zoras are much taller than adult Hylians in this game, having vey long torsos and short legs, and come in many colors. The majority of them have large shark-like foreheads (somewhat resembling those of [[Cranioc]]s) and sharp teeth. However, this is not the case for all of them, as [[King Dorephan]] more closely resembles a humanoid whale and his adviser has a manta ray-like head. Much of Zoras' weaponry in this game is made of silver, and they are weak to electricity, causing [[Shock Arrow]]s to be banned from selling at their shop. They are shown to sleep in water, having their heads poking above the surface in a pool in Zora's Domain at night.

Prior to the [[Great Calamity]], Link apparently spent a large amount of time around Zoras due to being in a relationship with their princess, [[Mipha]], who was also the [[Champion]] chosen to pilot the elephant-like [[Divine Beast]] [[Vah Rutah]]. However, after the Calamity occurred and Mipha died as a result, many of the older Zoras blamed Link. 100 years later, Vah Ruta begins causing excessive rain in Zora's Domain by spraying the water from the reservoir from its trunk, threatening to eventually flood the [[Lanayru Wetlands]] and the rest of Hyrule. When Link returns alongside the popular [[Prince Sidon]], all but one of the Zora elders openly despise Link, and he must prove his worth. Once he does so and it is revealed that Mipha genuinely was in love with Link, they start to become more trusting, and once he frees both Vah Ruta and Mipha's soul from [[Waterblight Ganon]] (in turn saving Zora's Domain), they realize they were wrong about him and welcome him as a friend.

Additionally in this game, [[Lizalfos]] are often found in water and spit water balls at Link, closely resembling the original enemy Zoras in appearance and attack.

===CD-i games===
====''Link: The Faces of Evil'' and ''Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon''====
[[File:Zora TFoE-TWoG sprite.png|frame]]
In ''[[Link: The Faces of Evil]]'' and ''[[Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon]]'', Zoras appear as enemies and are brown. They move back and forth slowly along the surface of the water, occasionally stopping to spit projectiles in a wide arc. In the former, they appear from the murky liquid surrounding the [[Hermit Flat]] and [[Ganon's Lair]]. In the latter, they appear much earlier, in the water near the [[Gobiyan Ship]], in [[Shutoy Lake]], and in the swamp under [[Dodomai Palace]].

====''Zelda's Adventure''====
[[File:ZA Swamp Zola.png|frame]]
Zolas,<ref>[http://www.cdinteractive.co.uk/download/mags/0601-02-03%20010203-1999.pdf ''CD-i magazine'' first 1999 issue], page 6</ref> also known as '''Swamp Zolas'''<ref>''Zelda's Adventure'' instruction booklet, page 5.</ref> appear as enemies in ''[[Zelda's Adventure]]''. In this game, they usually appear on land, seemingly buried up to the waist, but occasionally appear in shallow water. They use their long arms to throw spiked balls at Zelda instead of spitting fireballs. They appear in the [[Forest of Torian]] and in the [[Swamp of Vendoss]], where they are green. A cyan type called the '''Sea Zola'''<ref>[http://www.cdinteractive.co.uk/download/mags/0606-07%200607-1999.pdf ''CD-i magazine'' third 1999 issue], page 4</ref> appears at the [[Seacoast Plain]], acting the same but taking more hits to defeat. A rock-throwing enemy called [[Dolomite]] has a similar stance and attack pattern.

===''BS Zelda no Densetsu Inishie no Sekiban''===
In ''[[BS Zelda no Densetsu Inishie no Sekiban]]'', Zoras appear in the water and walking around outside the [[Waterfall of Wishing]] and at [[Zora's River]] during the rainstorm that happens when the fog clears up. King Zora also appears in his original capacity from ''A Link to the Past''.

===''Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda''===
[[File:CoH Zora blue.png|frame]]
In ''[[Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda]]'', both friendly and hostile Zoras make an appearance. Both have designs based on the typical fixed-camera appearance. The friendly ones appear as characters in Lake Hylia. They enjoy surfing, and have a prince that was put to sleep. He can be woke up by bombing a specific ghostly apparition of a Zora in his chamber and defeating the [[Ghast]] that then attacks. As a reward for saving him, the prince gives the player flippers. Another unique Zora, this one with a manta ray-like head, can be found running a shop on the [[beach (Cadence of Hyrule)|beach]], where he sells a [[snorkel]] and an [[bottle|empty bottle]].

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The hostile Zoras appear in more areas and look quite similar, but have a pierced upper fin and unfocused eyes. Unlike friendly Zoras, they appear exclusively in water, popping up to spit projectiles that travel with every beat. These can be fireballs which burn the player or balls of ice which can freeze the surface of water, the player character, and other enemies. Unlike most appearances, they always appear from the same spot in the water, and unlike Octoroks, will appear even when the player character is close. The green variant is known as '''Evil Zora''' and the red variant is known as '''Eviler Zora'''.

===''Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity''===
In ''[[Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity]]'', Zoras in their ''Breath of the Wild'' design appear, along with Mipha, Dorephan, and Sidon in both young and adult forms. They initially appear in [[Mipha, the Zora Princess]], where the heroes help them fend off a horde of electrical enemies, which they are weak against. Zoras appear as troops in battle, having a large array of colors and other design elements between each, though unlike with monsters the colors do note denote any difference in strength. They are led by [[Zora Captain]]s, which can be told apart by being slightly larger and having different armor. Zora wield silver weapons, like in ''Breath of the Wild''.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
TLoZ Zola artwork.png|''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]''
Zora TLoZ sprite.png|''The Legend of Zelda'' (NES sprite)
TAoL Zola art.jpg|''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]''
TAoL Zola dark.png|''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link''
TLoZ MB Zola.jpg|''[[The Legend of Zelda (Milton Bradley)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' (Milton Bradley)
ALttP BBII Zora.jpg|''[[Barcode Battler II]]''
BSZnD Zola.png|''[[BS Zelda no Densetsu]]''
BSZnD Zola dark.png|''BS Zelda no Densetsu''
ZA Sea Zola.png|''[[Zelda's Adventure]]''
Zora OoT artwork.png|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''
MM Zora group art.jpg|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask]]''
OoA Zora group art.jpg|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages]]''
CoH Zora cyan.png|''[[Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda]]''
CoH Zora green.png|''Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda''
CoH Zora ghost.png|''Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda'' (ghost)
CoH Zora prince.png|''Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda'' (prince)
CoH Zora shopkeeper.png|''Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda'' (shopkeeper)
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=ゾーラ<br>''Zōra''<br>ゾーラ （歩行タイプ）<br>''Zōra (Hokō Taipu)''<br>川ゾーラ<br>''Kawa Zōra''
|JapM=Zola/Zora<br><br>Zora (walking type) (''A Link to the Past'')<br><br>River Zora (''Oracle of Ages'' and ''Cadence of Hyrule'' enemy)
}}

==Trivia==
[[File:Ocarina of Time-Early Zora Scene Art.jpg|thumb|200px|Zora scene art in ''[[Hyrule Historia]]''.]]
*As shown in at least one concept illustration, the Zoras in ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' were intended to look more like they did in the 2D games earlier in development. Due to the eyelashes one has, this may have been an early [[Ruto|Princess Ruto]].

==References==
<references/>
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[[Category:Zoras]]
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[[Category:The Legend of Zelda enemies]]
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[[Category:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time species]]
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[[Category:The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages species]]
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[[Category:The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess species]]
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[[Category:The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild species]]
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[[Category:Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity troops]]
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