What is Link's race?

[gerudo goyo]

Most people think he is an elf, Tingle seems to think he is a fairy, and Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask makes mention that he is human. But if he is human, what's up with his ears?:hmm:

[Zero]

Isn't he Hylian, a made up race?

[Josh]

Hylian is made up? Are we talking about for real life or just the game? Because if real life then yeah. I'm pretty sure it's an actual fictional race though.

And yeah, he would be Hylian.

[Zero]

An actual fictional race? Isn't that an oxymoron? Or is it meta fiction?

[Josh]

Well I speaking more along of it's an actual race in Hyrule, and since Hyrule is fictional, that would seem like it would make it an actual fictional face within the not real world.

[blackice_cc]

Ok. Link is, as Josh and Zero both said, a Hylian. Hylians are a fictional species invented by Nintendo. They are human-like in appearance, except for the pointy ears. They also are very skilled in armed combat, and some of them are able to use magic. Here is an article about them at Zelda Wiki (http://zeldawiki.org/Hylian)

[Midna666]

Link's human,and his race is Hylian.

[Jake]

Link is Hylian :/

Says on OoT....

[Midna666]

Link is Hylian :/

Says on OoT....

Hylian is the name of his race,but he's still human.
Example Asians are the name of a race of people,but they are still called humans.

[Jake]

Hylian is the name of his race,but he's still human.
Example Asians are the name of a race of people,but they are still called humans.


"Human" is a race, "Hylian" would probably be a nationality o.o

[Midna666]

He's still a type of human.

[Kitsu]

Just because Link may be of a different denomination of races or whatnot doesn't mean he can't be an human. He obviously has the typical characteristics of a average human, save for the ears.

I suppose I'll just go with "humanoid".

[Mehplep]

Hylian is the name of his race,but he's still human.
Example Asians are the name of a race of people,but they are still called humans.

Asians isn't a race, it's a nationality. Trying to separate human beings into different "races" was just the thing Hitler did, my friend. The Human, Homo sapiens, is a race. And Link would be a Hylian, not a human.

[Midna666]

Asians isn't a race, it's a nationality. Trying to separate human beings into different "races" was just the thing Hitler did, my friend. The Human, Homo sapiens, is a race. And Link would be a Hylian, not a human.

First of all don't ever compair me to Hitler!
Second you know what I was saying!

[Skull_Kid]

Link is Hylian, so is Tingle

[Ver-go-a-go-go]

I suppose I'll just go with "humanoid".

I'll go with humanoid too.

[Skull_Kid]

I've heard him being called other things ended with oid... like... no... not metroid... but freakazoid xD... my neighbour used to call him that

[Kybyrian]

I do believe he is human, and there are quite a few people in the series with long ears and such, and elves, depending on what you go by, also have other abilities, like being able to jump from high heights without being hurt, Link can sort of be like that but not entirely, without rolling that is. And running real fast... not really. But I don't really know. I say human, still.

[kpllk]

He is Hylain and Hylians are humans.

[Josh]

Don't have to be kpllk. The only difference I remember is that Hylians have pointed elf like ears, which I at least don't think humans have. So they aren't really humans, just another race that really really look like humans.

[Axle the Beast]

"Human" is a race, "Hylian" would probably be a nationality o.o
There aren't nationalities in Zelda, at least, not that I can tell.

Hylian is distinctly referred to as a race, not a nationality. Same with Gerudos, Sheikah, Zuna, etc..

And Link is a Hylian.

[chrisbg99]

Asians isn't a race, it's a nationality. Trying to separate human beings into different "races" was just the thing Hitler did, my friend. The Human, Homo sapiens, is a race. And Link would be a Hylian, not a human.

People have been doing that for longer than Hitler, my friend. It is a long lived facet of humanity that isn't going away anytime soon.

[Onilink89]

He is just a human, but its roots are hylian!

the gerudo and sheikah is more like a tribe!

races are zora, gorons, deku 's ect...

[MajoraKing12]

I hate Tingle, and he said in one of the legend of zelda's that Link was the fairy.:yuck:

[Zemen]

he is hylian. he is not human. as far as the game goes, no one ever talks about humans that i know of so lets assume that hylian is the standard (like humans are the standard life in the real world).

he is a hylian regardless of what tingle says. the great deku tree, many gods, zelda, and the king all at one point in some game said he is hylian so thats probably what we should say he is..

[Onilink89]

he is hylian. he is not human. as far as the game goes, no one ever talks about humans that i know of so lets assume that hylian is the standard (like humans are the standard life in the real world).

he is a hylian regardless of what tingle says. the great deku tree, many gods, zelda, and the king all at one point in some game said he is hylian so thats probably what we should say he is..

ok so does that make the people of kakariko also hylians?

for example: in TP, link is called a ordonian instead of a hylian.
also in TP, the gorons don 't say hylians, but humans.

[MrMosley]

Pointed ears dosen't make one not human. I know real people who have sorta pointed ears. Even knew a guy once who could have easily passed as an elf.

But the point is, he is of human race, and Hylian decent. Look at some of the other characters in Zelda. The Gerudo tribe is obviously humans, but they are of Gerudo decent. Terminians are of the human race, but of Terminian decent. Even the Kokiri, which would more likely be elf related characters since they are small, would be of some sort of human decent.

[Zemen]

ok so does that make the people of kakariko also hylians?

for example: in TP, link is called a ordonian instead of a hylian.
also in TP, the gorons don 't say hylians, but humans.

as i said in my previous post, they dont call them human THAT I KNOW OF.

he is called ordonian because he lives in ordon village...not that hard of a concept to grasp. kakariko are specifically called fairy children and they are not born normally like the other "humans" in the games. if a magical tree made you and you looked like a human that would not make you a human. if two human people had sex and a baby human was created months later then you would be a human.

[Axle the Beast]

While I will grant that Sheikah and Hylians could possibly be the same species, I must say that it is fact that Gerudos are not.

They have specific traits unique to their species, specifically the fact that only one male is born every 100 years.

And there is no such thing as two races in the same species having different ears. Hylians are different than humans.

[Onilink89]

as i said in my previous post, they dont call them human THAT I KNOW OF.

he is called ordonian because he lives in ordon village...not that hard of a concept to grasp. kakariko are specifically called fairy children and they are not born normally like the other "humans" in the games. if a magical tree made you and you looked like a human that would not make you a human. if two human people had sex and a baby human was created months later then you would be a human.

you mean kokiri are called fairy children.
but ordonians and the people in kakariko village has also pointy ears, so does that make them hylian?

anyway putting aside that. i'm 100% sure the gorons call them "humans" and not "hylians".
ok you may not know its so i'm posting a example.

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=JKTs2tAEaKU

[Mike Pothier]

The use of the word "human" in TP struck me as odd, and I think it might be an oversight on Nintendo's end. Link has pointed ears, which to me indicates he is Hylian, not human. I've always seen them as two different things. They are capable of interbreeding, but still two different races.

Then again, the Gorons might have seen Link's general appearance and thought "HUMAN!", not caring about specific details.

[Axle the Beast]

That instance of the Goron calling Link a human seems more like a mistake to me than anything else.

The term "human" hasn't ever been used in the Zelda series before that point...

[Onilink89]

That instance of the Goron calling Link a human seems more like a mistake to me than anything else.

The term "human" hasn't ever been used in the Zelda series before that point...

that was an example, there are more gorons in the game who used the word human.
But please, a mistake? I really don 't think so.

Yeah you are right, that till now the term "human" has never beem used before.
But i don 't think thats a good reason to think its a mistake.

I don 't know why you people keep thinking that a "hylian" is a race.
i mean come on, Hylian --> Hylia --> Hyrule. its a basic concept.


While I will grant that Sheikah and Hylians could possibly be the same species, I must say that it is fact that Gerudos are not.

They have specific traits unique to their species, specifically the fact that only one male is born every 100 years.

And there is no such thing as two races in the same species having different ears. Hylians are different than humans.

Yes the Sheikah are from Hyrule so that makes them Hylian. The Sheikah is a Tribe.

The Gerudo is not from Hyrule so they are not Hylian. But i really doubt that the are 2 different races, just because hylians have pointy ears. So i guess the whole "pointy ear thing" is just a trademark that you are from hyrule"

Its like comparing people from America with people from China. they look different because of their roots, but still they are both humans.

[Axle the Beast]

that was an example, there are more gorons in the game who used the word human.
But please, a mistake? I really don 't think so.

Yeah you are right, that till now the term "human" has never beem used before.
But i don 't think thats a good reason to think its a mistake.

I don 't know why you people keep thinking that a "hylian" is a race.
i mean come on, Hylian --> Hylia --> Hyrule. its a basic concept.



Yes the Sheikah are from Hyrule so that makes them Hylian. The Sheikah is a Tribe.

The Gerudo is not from Hyrule so they are not Hylian. But i really doubt that the are 2 different races, just because hylians have pointy ears. So i guess the whole "pointy ear thing" is just a trademark that you are from hyrule"

Its like comparing people from America with people from China. they look different because of their roots, but still they are both humans.
I consider it a mistake because it's utterly contrary and different from the rest of the games. But perhaps mistake is the wrong word... I think that whoever did it, did it intentionally, but I do think they screwed up. Remember, TP was NOT made by Miyamoto.

There are other examples in fiction of whole species being named after their native land. In the Narnia books, for example, the Telmarines (sp?) came from a land which they were named after, but they were the only humans in Narnia, at least during that time period.

Well, actually, the thing about the "tribe" term in Zelda... ALL the species are called "tribes." Including the Zoras, Gorons, and even the Rito and other species throughout the various games.

I know about racial differences on earth. But this isn't earth. First of all, if Sheikah (which are specified as a tribe) are the same species as Hylians, they aren't the same race. They have red eyes and if I'm not mistaken, white hair. Hylians don't.

And I really doubt the Gerudos can be of the same species, as they have utterly different breeding traits. Unlike Hylians, and well, every other species, Gerudos only give birth to a male every 100 years or so. For that to happen, they would have to be far more genetically different than it would be possible for them to be considered the same species, in my opinion.

[Onilink89]

I consider it a mistake because it's utterly contrary and different from the rest of the games. But perhaps mistake is the wrong word... I think that whoever did it, did it intentionally, but I do think they screwed up. Remember, TP was NOT made by Miyamoto.

There are other examples in fiction of whole species being named after their native land. In the Narnia books, for example, the Telmarines (sp?) came from a land which they were named after, but they were the only humans in Narnia, at least during that time period.

Well, actually, the thing about the "tribe" term in Zelda... ALL the species are called "tribes." Including the Zoras, Gorons, and even the Rito and other species throughout the various games.

I know about racial differences on earth. But this isn't earth. First of all, if Sheikah (which are specified as a tribe) are the same species as Hylians, they aren't the same race. They have red eyes and if I'm not mistaken, white hair. Hylians don't.

And I really doubt the Gerudos can be of the same species, as they have utterly different breeding traits. Unlike Hylians, and well, every other species, Gerudos only give birth to a male every 100 years or so. For that to happen, they would have to be far more genetically different than it would be possible for them to be considered the same species, in my opinion.

Well windwaker was also not made by miyamoto. and speaking about windwaker, are all the people with pointy ears there are also conciderd as hylians? what about the the people in MM, are they also hylian?
So you think nintendo did that intentionally, ok you can think it that way, but there is no proof about it. mistake or no mistake, for now there is proof that they are actually called "humans".
Also one other thing, its not like that the term "human" is only used in TP. in fact it is also used in TMC.

Sorry i never watched or read Narnia, but you are right we are not discussion earth right now, so i agree with you on that. I intended to use that as an example for people who has a certain trademark from its roots.

but putting that aside, you are really really really confusing me with your statements right now. u are also talking about "species" all of a sudden.



Well, actually, the thing about the "tribe" term in Zelda... ALL the species are called "tribes." Including the Zoras, Gorons, and even the Rito and other species throughout the various games.
in zelda or not in zelda, i think you get the wrong idea of the word "tribe"
For instance, the sheikah is called a tribe because a certain group in kakariko village served the royal family. the red eyes and the two earrings is a trademark of the "tribe" (as in culture, roots, formed group)


And I really doubt the Gerudos can be of the same species, as they have utterly different breeding traits. Unlike Hylians, and well, every other species, Gerudos only give birth to a male every 100 years or so. For that to happen, they would have to be far more genetically different than it would be possible for them to be considered the same species, in my opinion.
a male born in every 100 years, yes thats right, but whats the process?
you can think its genetically, but maybe there is a other process in that? maybe if a male is born before 100 years and there is still a garudo king, they kill it. or maybe the are forbidden to have sex before its time to give birth to a new gerudo king. you can think of so many other things about this process.

[Axle the Beast]

Well windwaker was also not made by miyamoto. and speaking about windwaker, are all the people with pointy ears there are also conciderd as hylians? what about the the people in MM, are they also hylian?
So you think nintendo did that intentionally, ok you can think it that way, but there is no proof about it. mistake or no mistake, for now there is proof that they are actually called "humans".
Also one other thing, its not like that the term "human" is only used in TP. in fact it is also used in TMC.

Sorry i never watched or read Narnia, but you are right we are not discussion earth right now, so i agree with you on that. I intended to use that as an example for people who has a certain trademark from its roots.

but putting that aside, you are really really really confusing me with your statements right now. u are also talking about "species" all of a sudden.
Miyamoto didn't make Wind Waker? As far I can remember, he did...

And yeah, I'm pretty sure that the people of the Great Sea and of Termina are also Hylians.

Ah, okay. I never played MC either. But keep in mind neither Minish Cap nor Twilight Princess were made by Miyamoto, so mistakes are easy (in fact, I consider Minish Cap utterly separate from the normal timeline.)

The difference between "races" and "species" is, for example... A human/hylian, and a Goron are obviously two different species. But an african person and a chinese person are two different races of the same species, which is human. So your theory is that Hylians, Sheikah and Gerudos are the same species, just different races. Mine is that they're different species altogether.


in zelda or not in zelda, i think you get the wrong idea of the word "tribe"
For instance, the sheikah is called a tribe because a certain group in kakariko village served the royal family. the red eyes and the two earrings is a trademark of the "tribe" (as in culture, roots, formed group)
The use of the word tribe that Zelda uses is likely "noun: a social division of (usually preliterate) people," which indicates they could be of any species. Within the Zelda games, they refer to Hylians, Sheikah, Gerudos, Gorons, Zoras, and pretty much every other group as a "tribe." You used it as though it implied they were of the same species. It doesn't, because Gorons and Zoras are also referred to as tribes. I believe this makes it possible that ALL the tribes are actually different species. It's not definite, but I think it does support the idea slightly.


a male born in every 100 years, yes thats right, but whats the process?
you can think its genetically, but maybe there is a other process in that? maybe if a male is born before 100 years and there is still a garudo king, they kill it. or maybe the are forbidden to have sex before its time to give birth to a new gerudo king. you can think of so many other things about this process.
I don't think they would kill the kid. This is Zelda; it's kid friendly.

And the idea of them not breeding until it's time to have another king wouldn't make sense, as it would kill the species. Biological clock. It's likely most of the females wouldn't have the ability to have kids anymore. And while it may be possible some would, after a few hundred years of that process, I consider it likely that it would wipe out the species.

[Mike Pothier]

Miyamoto didn't make Wind Waker? As far I can remember, he did...

Miyamoto produced it and had some creative input, but most of the credit for Zelda today (from Ocarina of Time onward) goes to Eiji Aonuma. He's sort of Miyamoto's protege.

[Axle the Beast]

Miyamoto produced it and had some creative input, but most of the credit for Zelda today (from Ocarina of Time onward) goes to Eiji Aonuma. He's sort of Miyamoto's protege.
Oh, alright. I didn't know that.

Did he do Twilight Princess, too?

[Onilink89]

Damn, you are really going deep in this arn 't you?
Anyway i will try to keep it short and will cool off of this topic for a while, because whatever reasons we give to eachother, its going nowhere because we have different ideas/vieuws about it. right now we are only repeating what we already said before.


Miyamoto didn't make Wind Waker? As far I can remember, he did...

And yeah, I'm pretty sure that the people of the Great Sea and of Termina are also Hylians.

Ah, okay. I never played MC either. But keep in mind neither Minish Cap nor Twilight Princess were made by Miyamoto, so mistakes are easy (in fact, I consider Minish Cap utterly separate from the normal timeline.)

Well Miyamoto was involved in WW but the man in charge was Eiji Aonuma.

And even if you didn 't play TMC, actually TMC does fit in the normal timeline. but thats a whole other topic. In fact, Miyamoto was in charge at TMC. the developers is Capcom, but Miyamoto did play a huge partk of making the game, this also includes the stroyline.

[Axle the Beast]

Damn, you are really going deep in this arn 't you?
Anyway i will try to keep it short and will cool off of this topic for a while, because whatever reasons we give to eachother, its going nowhere because we have different ideas/vieuws about it. right now we are only repeating what we already said before.
I generally agree. It's the kind of thing that can't be proven either way. And yet, I participate in the discussion. XD


Well Miyamoto was involved in WW but the man in charge was Eiji Aonuma.

And even if you didn 't play TMC, actually TMC does fit in the normal timeline. but thats a whole other topic. In fact, Miyamoto was in charge at TMC. the developers is Capcom, but Miyamoto did play a huge partk of making the game, this also includes the stroyline.
Oh, alright. I didn't know that either.

[MrMosley]

People its really not that hard of a thing to figure out, or a valid argument. Human does not mean "not Hylian", and Hylian does not mean "not human". Human is a species. Hylian is a race.

People from America=Americans
People from Africa=Africans
People from Canada=Canadians

That dosen't say they are not human, and the same rule applies here. A race and a species is not the same thing.

Which is why people from Hyrule are Hylian.

[Axle the Beast]

People its really not that hard of a thing to figure out, or a valid argument. Human does not mean "not Hylian", and Hylian does not mean "not human". Human is a species. Hylian is a race.

People from America=Americans
People from Africa=Africans
People from Canada=Canadians

That dosen't say they are not human, and the same rule applies here. A race and a species is not the same thing.

Which is why people from Hyrule are Hylian.
I agree, mostly.

The only thing is that I believe Hylians are not human, hence the debate. I don't even think Sheikah or Gerudos are the same species as Hylians.

[Mike Pothier]

Oh, alright. I didn't know that.

Did he do Twilight Princess, too?

Yup. He's doing the next one as well.

[Claire]

As we are aware, Link has given signs to be a human being (unless he is another species, although by what we know, this seems rather unlikely). We know that Link is a Hylian, and being Hylian does not mean he is no longer human. Those who originated in Hyrule, are called Hylians - just as those from Egypt are called Egyptians (similar to darklink_01 stated prior) - and this does not remove human quality.

[Midna666]

I'm sure the people at Nintendo put a lot of thought into what Link's race is.

[fredthehylian]

He's a Hylian. He just takes on so many roles (transform into deku zora and goron, dress like a fairy, get followed by a fairy, etc.) some of the NPCs assume what race he is. They're like Nazis without the racism.

[Axle the Beast]

As we are aware, Link has given signs to be a human being (unless he is another species, although by what we know, this seems rather unlikely). We know that Link is a Hylian, and being Hylian does not mean he is no longer human. Those who originated in Hyrule, are called Hylians - just as those from Egypt are called Egyptians (similar to darklink_01 stated prior) - and this does not remove human quality.
Then why aren't the people of Termina called Terminians, or the people of Labrynna, Labrynnians?

The people of those other lands are of the same species, heck, the same race, as Hylians, because they have the same physical traits.

The only "humans" that have different physical traits from Hylians are the Sheikah, Gerudo, and the Ordonians (they have round ears, not pointed like Hylians.)

Hylians: Pointy ears
Ordonians: Round ears.
Sheikah: White hair and red eyes.
Gerudo: Dark skin and red hair (plus pointy noses, but I believe that's just the style, not a physical trait)

I suppose all in all, they are all intended to be humans (except for the Gerudo, I still think they're not,) but it still seems odd to me, as there are many inconsistencies.

[LinkOwnsYou]

Human indeed, but he looks like an elf XD

[Claire]

Then why aren't the people of Termina called Terminians, or the people of Labrynna, Labrynnians?

The people of those other lands are of the same species, heck, the same race, as Hylians, because they have the same physical traits.

The only "humans" that have different physical traits from Hylians are the Sheikah, Gerudo, and the Ordonians (they have round ears, not pointed like Hylians.)

Hylians: Pointy ears
Ordonians: Round ears.
Sheikah: White hair and red eyes.
Gerudo: Dark skin and red hair (plus pointy noses, but I believe that's just the style, not a physical trait)

I suppose all in all, they are all intended to be humans (except for the Gerudo, I still think they're not,) but it still seems odd to me, as there are many inconsistencies.

The best answer I can give you for your question, would be that not all people are given names by their location. For instance, Native American tribes. There were so many, with so many different groups - within these tribes, or groups, were numerous names given. This is what I connect it with, or more or less a group of people within a location, apart of a group (Sheikah).

[Amelie]

As we are aware, Link has given signs to be a human being (unless he is another species, although by what we know, this seems rather unlikely). We know that Link is a Hylian, and being Hylian does not mean he is no longer human. Those who originated in Hyrule, are called Hylians - just as those from Egypt are called Egyptians (similar to darklink_01 stated prior) - and this does not remove human quality.


This said what I was going to say! I mean. Is Link a elf? I dont think so because in TP it says Human! So he is a hylian but he is human ^^

[Axle the Beast]

The best answer I can give you for your question, would be that not all people are given names by their location. For instance, Native American tribes. There were so many, with so many different groups - within these tribes, or groups, were numerous names given. This is what I connect it with, or more or less a group of people within a location, apart of a group (Sheikah).
I suppose that's true.

After thinking on the subject for a while, I think I do remember someone using the word "human" in Majora's Mask as well.

So I suppose it is likely true that they're all human. Though there are a couple of aspects here and there that make them a lot more different from each other than normal human races are. Like the ear difference between Hylians and Ordonians, and the reproduction issues with the Gerudo...

[LucarioMaster]

elfs
tiny

simalaritys
pointy ears
use magic
smart
fake

hylain
acs(armed combat spesilasts)
have faries

[Smertios]

I don't know how the rest of this thread is going, but i'll reply to the first post anyway.

In OoT, MM, TP, TWW and PH, Link is referred to as a Hylian. Hylians are a tribe of humans, with pointed ears.

In TP and TMC, Link is also called 'human' (actually, Link is called only human in TMC), which proves my point that hylians (as well, as the sheikah, the gerudo, the rito, the hyruleans from LttP etc) are just a tribe of humans.

In LttP, Link (as well as the rest of the people) are said to have dscended from the hylians, but are only called hyruleans (and humans too, if i'm not mistaken).

In the Valiant comics, it is said that the Link from LoZ/AoL comes from a land named Calatia, so he isn't hyrulean in those games, but calatian.

Nevertheless, Link is human in all the games...

[Japua_<3s_Ralis]

that was an example, there are more gorons in the game who used the word human.
But please, a mistake? I really don 't think so.

Yeah you are right, that till now the term "human" has never beem used before.
But i don 't think thats a good reason to think its a mistake.

I don 't know why you people keep thinking that a "hylian" is a race.
i mean come on, Hylian --> Hylia --> Hyrule. its a basic concept.



Yes the Sheikah are from Hyrule so that makes them Hylian. The Sheikah is a Tribe.

The Gerudo is not from Hyrule so they are not Hylian. But i really doubt that the are 2 different races, just because hylians have pointy ears. So i guess the whole "pointy ear thing" is just a trademark that you are from hyrule"

Its like comparing people from America with people from China. they look different because of their roots, but still they are both humans.

No, the fact that the Sheikah are from Hyrule makes them Hyrulean, not Hylian, as Hylians are a race of people, they just happen to be humanoid. Just like Gorons and Zoras are humanoid. All of them have pointy ears, and as I've read magic infused blood. While the people from Ordon Village are Humans, round normal ears as we have, a slight point doesn't matter, their ears are at least twice as long as normal a human's.

[Smertios]

No, the fact that the Sheikah are from Hyrule makes them Hyrulean, not Hylian, as Hylians are a race of people, they just happen to be humanoid. Just like Gorons and Zoras are humanoid. All of them have pointy ears, and as I've read magic infused blood. While the people from Ordon Village are Humans, round normal ears as we have, a slight point doesn't matter, their ears are at least twice as long as normal a human's.

TP clearly shows that hylians are human ;)

[Mike Pothier]

My gut keeps nagging me that its a translation error, or a mistake on the writer's part.

[Smertios]

My gut keeps nagging me that its a translation error, or a mistake on the writer's part.

Well, I doubt it is a translation error, because they do use the word Hylian sometimes too.

And Aonuma was the main director, while Miyamoto was producer of the game. If they wanted Hylians not to be humans, they wouldn't let that pass...

Also, it's not that difficult to imagine the hylians as one race of humans. In the real world we have etchnic groups that are completely different (japanese to africans, for example). The hylians are not that different from other humans...

[Midna And Peter]

his Hyrulan >.> i know it says it its self

[Mike Pothier]

Well, I doubt it is a translation error, because they do use the word Hylian sometimes too.

And Aonuma was the main director, while Miyamoto was producer of the game. If they wanted Hylians not to be humans, they wouldn't let that pass...

Also, it's not that difficult to imagine the hylians as one race of humans. In the real world we have etchnic groups that are completely different (japanese to africans, for example). The hylians are not that different from other humans...

Except being from another world with pointed ears and able to use magic, etc, etc. Its the first game I'm aware of that they actually use that word, and I found it jarring. It just doesn't mesh well with the rest of the Zelda world.

[Smertios]

Except being from another world with pointed ears and able to use magic, etc, etc. Its the first game I'm aware of that they actually use that word, and I found it jarring. It just doesn't mesh well with the rest of the Zelda world.

But the thing is, in TMC, even though hyruleans have pointed ears, they are not called hylians at any point, just humans.

Also, lttP states that the hylians are extinct, but there are descendents (who are not hylians). This is mainly the reason why I believe them to be just a human tribe, pretty much like the ordonians and the wind tribe...

[Alder Dragon]

According to the OoT Storyline, he was a Hylian, raised as a Kokiri.

Whether "Hylian" is a race or just a subdivision of humans, I think, is up to the player to decide. We still consider African Americans or Asians to be of a different race than Caucasians, even though we're all still of the human species. I would consider Hylian to be in that category.

Then again, is Hylian just a reference to where he was born? (eg. American)

I don't know much on this topic to be honest. I'd like if someone could answer that.

[bellum]

definetly not a kokori cause true kokori's don't grow up and in Oot it proves he's hylian in many ways
1,if he's not kokori what else is he ,gerudo
2.and in the game it says that his Mom was a hylian,possibly the hylian queen,killed during the war thus if his mom was hylian technichally he is hylian and I dont know why any of you would think he's anything other than kokori
3.the great deku tree even told him he was hylian not kokori
4.when link grows up he actually grows up

[zeldafreak]

Isn't Link Hylian? (Or Hyrulian?)
Don't the 2 races above have people with pointy ears?
So isn't Link Hylian?
Sorry for no strong points:(

[Midna666]

Hylian's are a type of human.
Link is called a human in Twilight Princess.

[MOS3]

He's hylian isn't he? we're told that in OoT

[Midna666]

He's hylian isn't he? we're told that in OoT

Yes,but we are also told that he's a human in TP.

[Funtykoon]

Geez... You guys know nothing.

Hyrulean-Person living in Hyrule ( includes gorons ,zora ,sheikah etc.)
Hylian- Race of people, have pointed ears, affinity of magic, etc.

Notice in TP how all the people living in Ordon Village (except link) have rounded ears.
Because Ordona isn't part of Hyrule Proper. It's why they are called Ordonians and not Hylians. It's also why you dont hear Lanayruians. Humans live in Holodrum or Lybranna,
or in Calatia. Goron's in TP calling Link human is one of two things:

1. Mistake by developers.
2. Gorons use the word human sometimes to identify humaniod-type people like Ordonians, Hylians, and Skeikah.

Gorons saying human might have also been the cornerstone for the citizens of Lybranna, Holodrum and Calatia being called humans, as Goron are present ( in Lybranna or Holodrum) or refrenced to ( Darunia town in Calatia)

Srsly guys, brush up on your Zelda.

[Josh]

Geez... You guys know nothing.

Hyrulean-Person living in Hyrule ( includes gorons ,zora ,sheikah etc.)
Hylian- Race of people, have pointed ears, affinity of magic, etc.

Notice in TP how all the people living in Ordon Village (except link) have rounded ears.
Because Ordona isn't part of Hyrule Proper. It's why they are called Ordonians and not Hylians. It's also why you dont hear Lanayruians. Humans live in Holodrum or Lybranna,
or in Calatia. Goron's in TP calling Link human is one of two things:

1. Mistake by developers.
2. Gorons use the word human sometimes to identify humaniod-type people like Ordonians, Hylians, and Skeikah.

Gorons saying human might have also been the cornerstone for the citizens of Lybranna, Holodrum and Calatia being called humans, as Goron are present ( in Lybranna or Holodrum) or refrenced to ( Darunia town in Calatia)

Srsly guys, brush up on your Zelda.

Okay. So that's one game. What about the rest?

LoZ, AoL he doesn't live anywhere to my knowledge. Alttp he lives in Hyrule with his Uncle. LA doesn't even deal with Hyrule. OoT in the Kokiri Forest which is still Hyrule, MM is the same link, OoX I don't know about, WW he lives in Outset Island which is above Hyrule I guess.

[Funtykoon]

Okay. So that's one game. What about the rest?

LoZ, AoL he doesn't live anywhere to my knowledge. Alttp he lives in Hyrule with his Uncle. LA doesn't even deal with Hyrule. OoT in the Kokiri Forest which is still Hyrule, MM is the same link, OoX I don't know about, WW he lives in Outset Island which is above Hyrule I guess.

He is Hylian in all the games, I am sure of that. We are never given a reason why a Hylian is living in Ordona in TP, but he is. Humans are a race, and so are Hylians. In fact, at one point the are in a quarrel because the Hylians thought they were better than humans. Also, I dont understand your question, what do you mean other games? I gave a explaination on the difference between a Hylian and a Human, what more is to it?

[bellum]

Isn't Link Hylian? (Or Hyrulian?)
Don't the 2 races above have people with pointy ears?
So isn't Link Hylian?
Sorry for no strong points:(I've never heard of hyrulian

Anyone who's played OoT knows that link is hylian

[porygonzx]

Hes white obiously. Thats rascist :P why can they make a black link.

Well, hes probbly elf or hylian

[Chrono]

No mystery, he is Hylian. .

[DekuLink]

Link is Hylian. Confirmed in OoT. The new Deku Tree told him.

/thread.

[lonely_moon]

Hylians are the ones with pointed ears, e.g. Link, Zelda, etc..

Hyruleans are the inhabitants of Hyrule who may or may not have pointy ears. All races are considered Hyrulean, from Gorons to Ordon Village inhabitants to Hylians.

I believe that Hyruleans are a sub-race of Hylians, as the Hylians were around first (assuming that Ocarina of Time was first in the timeline, because all the "human" characters in that game had pointy ears).

Therefore, Link is a Hylian, as he has pointy ears. Always has, always will.

[Funtykoon]

Actually, inhabitants of Ordon Village are Ordonians not Hyruleans. Ordona is not part of Hyrule Proper. Because if you listen in TP when he is going to deliver the sword, they say journey to Hyrule. If Ordona was part of Hyrule, they wouldnt say that.

Ordonians could have traveled from Hyrule and settled in Lybranna, Holodrum, and Calatia, but this is mere speculation.

[Liam]

Hylian is the name of his race,but he's still human.
Example Asians are the name of a race of people,but they are still called humans.

Couldn't have put it better myself. I think :) is Hylian.

[Funtykoon]

Geez Louis People!

Hylians are not human!
Gerudos are not Human!
Skeikah are not human!

Humans are human. It's not a hard concept to grasp.

[Bokbok567]

Most people think he is an elf, Tingle seems to think he is a fairy, and Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask makes mention that he is human. But if he is human, what's up with his ears?:hmm:

In the game they said he is Hylian so obiviously he is Hylian!

[Zeanith]

He is Hylian, but in Hyrule, Hylians are human. So both Hylian and Human. Hylian Human. xP

[skullkidsreveng]

I... really don't find this too difficult.

Link is a Hylian. A Hylian is a race. The reason why the Gorons, who are also a race, called link Human was becuase they used a lower-case H which we can thus guess that a lower case H human is a humanoid figure. The Shekieh, Gurudo and Hylians would be humans and the residents of Ordona village would be Humans. A Hyrulean is a person who lives in Hyrule just as a Termanian is a person who lives in Termania.

[Bluelink6]

In the game they said he is Hylian so obiviously he is Hylian!

True, but still, some humans, rarely, haveears like taht. But rarley, so it cnat be taht, becuase all the people have ears like taht, save a few.

[Chris]

Are you serious, this guy didn't know this...

He is Hylian, end of story. Though, people get into the idea that he is kokori because he lives in Kokori Forest. That is wrong because he was born a Hylian, but somehow got put into the forest...

To also prove he is not a Kokori, he can turn into an adult, which a Kokiri obviously can't do.

[Zemen]

Geez Louis People!

Hylians are not human!
Gerudos are not Human!
Skeikah are not human!

Humans are human. It's not a hard concept to grasp.

not necessarily true. human is a species. they have all the chracteristics of humans (except for a couple who have magic and they all have pointy ears) so its safe to say they are human. Hylian, Gerudo and Sheikah are just their races just like we have americans, germans, russians etc...

they are humans, they just are different races of humans.


as for what race Link is, he is Hylian. the games have said this dozens of times. the only game i could it being confusing is in OoT when hes raised as a kokiri but later on he is told that he is Hylian.

every other game he lives in Hyrule which makes him Hylian. he looks just like every other Hylian.

[DvSag]

Well, I think it's pretty obvious it varies from game to game.

- In LoZ and AoL he is most likely Hylian. We are never told of his roots, but since all people migrated north of Hyrule into a new land, then I guess you can consider him to be from that country, depending in what era of Hyrule's history he was born.
- In ALttP, MC, and FSA he is most likely Hylian. Although we don't know his exact ancestry, he does have an uncle. However, we don't know either of ancestry so they could have come from a distant land.
- In OoT and MM he IS Hylian. He was born of a Hylian woman, though he is raised Kokiri.
- In Wind Waker and PH he is from Outset Island. If you consider The Great Sea part of or a new constituted Hyrule, and take knowledge in the fact that most of the denizens of the Great Sea must have ancestry from Hyrule, then I suppose you can classify him as Hyrulian, but to the best of our knowledge he is nothing more than Outsettian or Great Sea-ese.
- In TP he is from Ordon. Now, you can classify him as Ordonian, but we actually don't know his origins. He lives alone in Ordon with no direct relatives, so he could have a similar background to OoT Link... but it's never mentioned.

And a final note, even though the different Links may all have different roots and homes, and some may be born outside of Hyrule, all Links are apparently linked by blood of the Great Legendary Knights of the original Hyrule. So in some cases, though Link may not be prodominantly Hylian, he always has some Hylian blood in him.

[Link_IshSexy]

Well, I think it's pretty obvious it varies from game to game.

- In LoZ and AoL he is most likely Hylian. We are never told of his roots, but since all people migrated north of Hyrule into a new land, then I guess you can consider him to be from that country, depending in what era of Hyrule's history he was born.
- In ALttP, MC, and FSA he is most likely Hylian. Although we don't know his exact ancestry, he does have an uncle. However, we don't know either of ancestry so they could have come from a distant land.
- In OoT and MM he IS Hylian. He was born of a Hylian woman, though he is raised Kokiri.
- In Wind Waker and PH he is from Outset Island. If you consider The Great Sea part of or a new constituted Hyrule, and take knowledge in the fact that most of the denizens of the Great Sea must have ancestry from Hyrule, then I suppose you can classify him as Hyrulian, but to the best of our knowledge he is nothing more than Outsettian or Great Sea-ese.
- In TP he is from Ordon. Now, you can classify him as Ordonian, but we actually don't know his origins. He lives alone in Ordon with no direct relatives, so he could have a similar background to OoT Link... but it's never mentioned.

And a final note, even though the different Links may all have different roots and homes, and some may be born outside of Hyrule, all Links are apparently linked by blood of the Great Legendary Knights of the original Hyrule. So in some cases, though Link may not be prodominantly Hylian, he always has some Hylian blood in him.

I don't believe he is an Ordonian, actually. Look at his ears, and the rest of his townsfolk. He has pointy ears, while the rest of them have more humanoid, round ears. Is there an Explanation?

[Johnny Boy]

In Oot, the Deku Sprout tells Link about his past as a child.
He says that after a battle, his mother was gravely injured.
She came upon the Kokori Forest and gave Link to the Deku Tree.
Link was raised as a Kokori even though his true roots were hylian.
Link is human, but his race is known as Hylian. I don't really know exactly why he has pointy ears though.

[DvSag]

I don't believe he is an Ordonian, actually. Look at his ears, and the rest of his townsfolk. He has pointy ears, while the rest of them have more humanoid, round ears. Is there an Explanation?
That's a good point. I never noticed that.
It's still not impossible to have Ordonian blood in him, though.


Link is human, but his race is known as Hylian. I don't really know exactly why he has pointy ears though.
Because... all Hylian's have point ears?

[Zemen]

just like Link_IshSexy said, Link is the only one in the town that has pointy ears. also, if you recall, it mentions that Link is an orphan. this means that his parents (who are unknown) could have been (and probably were) Hylians. its kinda like the same thing in OoT. Link was left in the care of the kokiri and he is Hylian. this Link was left in the care of the ordonians when he was a baby and he could quite possibly be Hylian.

[peanutjoepap]

I think that hylians are like a human elf mix. And don't go by Tingle's judgment he's a nut case.

[DvSag]

And don't go by Tingle's judgment he's a nut case.
I'm sorry, but this had to be quoted again for truth.

By the way, what race is Tingle? He was introduced in Termina, but he's been around to see the Great Sea, but he's even been around early enough to see the Four Swords Adventures in Hyrule.

[Zemen]

I'm sorry, but this had to be quoted again for truth.

By the way, what race is Tingle? He was introduced in Termina, but he's been around to see the Great Sea, but he's even been around early enough to see the Four Swords Adventures in Hyrule.

hes also in OoX. TRR makes it clear that there has been, and at one time there can be more than one tingle. its the name given to those who work for uncle rupee. in TRR tingle is a middle aged Hylian before he becomes tingle. its pretty obvious that he is Hylian seeing as how he has the pointy ears just like them.

[DvSag]

hes also in OoX. TRR makes it clear that there has been, and at one time there can be more than one tingle. its the name given to those who work for uncle rupee. in TRR tingle is a middle aged Hylian before he becomes tingle. its pretty obvious that he is Hylian seeing as how he has the pointy ears just like them.
Wow. I just looked Tingle's story up. Tingle's life is a MESS, man.

[Zemen]

Wow. I just looked Tingle's story up. Tingle's life is a MESS, man.

yeah i know. you think hes this happy go lucky guy when hes really like a slave.

[DvSag]

Oh, but look at this!

http://www.zeldawiki.org/images/f/fd/Tinlgenotwierd.JPG

This is a picture of Tingle before he was a Tingle.
Check the ears.

[Zemen]

Oh, but look at this!

http://www.zeldawiki.org/images/f/fd/Tinlgenotwierd.JPG

This is a picture of Tingle before he was a Tingle.
Check the ears.

for the record this is a thread about Links race, not Tingles race so if you want to discuss tingles race then make a thread for that... in fact, i think there might already be one.

[DvSag]

I already put my 2 cents in about the main topic; plus the topic changed momentarily, so I thought I'd discuss my findings quickly.

But, I don't think it even matters at this point. If a Tingle is a state of mind and body as opposed to a person, it'd be just as worthwhile to guess what race you or I were.

[YoshiFlame]

I've always thought of him as Hylian, which some call Hyrulian.

[Gildragon]

In Oot It straight up says that Link is a Hylian (basically a race of people with long ears)

However in TP it does mention that he is a human ( I believe the Goron's say it)

[garato]

hes hylain case closed they say it point blank in ocarina of time

[Zemen]

In Oot It straight up says that Link is a Hylian (basically a race of people with long ears)

However in TP it does mention that he is a human ( I believe the Goron's say it)

Human=race

Hylian=culture

i am a human but i am also american. link is a human but he is also a hylian.

im surprised this thread hasnt been closed yet...

also for whoever said that link is "hyrulian"...ive never once heard anyone call him that. i assume you think thats what someone from hyrule is called but no. a HYLIAN is from HYRULE. there is never any mention of a hyrulian in the entire series.

[Axle the Beast]

also for whoever said that link is "hyrulian"...ive never once heard anyone call him that. i assume you think thats what someone from hyrule is called but no. a HYLIAN is from HYRULE. there is never any mention of a hyrulian in the entire series.
That person didn't state that he is referred to as "Hyrulian" in the game itself, he just said some people say that, such as the fans.

I have heard it myself. Not in the games, though, of course.

[Linknerd09]

Since his race is made-up, he's a hylian

[Aurelia]

Since his race is made-up, he's a hylian

I know that it isn't my place to say this, but I must.
This question was solved a while back with answer's that are correct, so you didn't really need to bring the subject back out. Unless it was something important, which in this case, it wasn't.

[nintendo4ever]

in my opinion. Hylian, = half human half elf