Highlights
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has had a significant impact on the franchise, particularly in terms of gameplay and storytelling elements. The integration of the Zonai tribe has provided an alternate take on Zelda's overall lore.
- The Zonai, a mysterious and little-known tribe hailing from the skies above Hyrule, have the potential to play various roles in future Zelda games. Their mystical nature and history-shaping abilities make them a fascinating addition to the Zelda universe.
- The Zonai could appear as distinct and sequestered from the rest of the world in future Zelda games, ensuring their unique presence. They could also play a significant role in Zelda's historical texts, serving as keepers of the Triforce or as an advanced civilization, among other possibilities.
Even after waiting years for it, the impact that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has made on the Zelda franchise hasn't been diminished. Things like Ultrahand and the general focus on player expression and physics interactions is certainly one thing, but Tears of the Kingdom has also done a lot for Zelda's storytelling. It plays out like a reinterpretation of common plot beats found throughout past games, with some scenes practically being remade from older entries. The end result could be considered as an alternate take on Zelda's overall lore, and a lot of that revolves around the integration of the Zonai tribe.
Hailing from the skies far above Hyrule, not much is known about the history of the Zonai. Only two living representatives are present in TotK's plot, with a third implied to be elsewhere. Supposedly, by the time the story reached Rauru and Mineru's role in the founding of Hyrule, the two siblings were the only known living members of their race. Apart from lore regarding the Zonai's Secret Stones and some vague speculation that they could be descended from the gods, there aren't many other details on them right now. However, that also means future Legend of Zelda games have plenty of room to do with Zonai as they please.
Zonai Are Mysterious Enough To Play Any Zelda Role
The Zonai, as they are presented, fit in well with the other known tribes. Tears of the Kingdom already features the typical Gerudo, Gorons, Sheikah, and Zora, as well as the Rito and Koroks from The Wind Waker. Zonai are somewhat similar to the Oocca, being a special race mostly confined to the skies, as well as being mystical, history-shaping figures like the Twili and Minish. It’s possible that these animalistic beings may be considered too integral to Tears of the Kingdom’s lore to casually reappear, but the notion that more unknown members may live elsewhere can't be ignored either.
If any other Zelda game were to take place in the world of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the Zonai would almost certainly be involved. Whether another member of the species appears as a prominent character, the topic of what the wider race was like feels hard to avoid. Perhaps the greatest thing holding the Zonai back is Nintendo's reluctance to explore the Zelda world outside and far above Hyrule, as well as define too much of any Zelda entry's setting, cosmology, and history. That may mean players have seen all they will see of the Zonai's original incarnation, but new Zelda games are known to put fresh spins on old concepts.
Future Zelda Games Could Have Distinct Takes On The Zonai
In a take on The Legend of Zelda far removed from Tears of the Kingdom, the Zonai could be a distinct tribe, largely sequestered from the rest of the world. An engineer similar to Mineru could be part of the main cast, though a mage like Rauru would work just as well. Either way, if Nintendo wants to keep functions like Ultrahand around in The Legend of Zelda, a Zonai presence could ensure that it happens.
Other Zonai might occasionally show up, but chances are most of this race will live in its own region, likely airborne, to avoid Zonai feeling like just another Hyrulean tribe. Alternatively, no Zonai could appear in person, but they could become regular figures in Zelda's historical texts. Whether keepers of Zelda's iconic Triforce or equivalents, servants of the gods, or just an advanced civilization, the Zonai’s lack of definition means they can fill any niche in future Legend of Zelda titles.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now on the Nintendo Switch.
