Zoras ARE inspired by something.

The zoea (from Greek: ζωή; pl. zoeae, zoeas) is a free-swimming larval stage of crustaceans. It follows the nauplius stage and precedes the post-larva.

Zoea larvae swim with their thoracic appendages, as opposed to nauplii, which use cephalic appendages, and megalopa, which use abdominal appendages for swimming. The zoea often has spikes on its carapace, which may assist these small organisms in maintaining directional swimming.[1] These spikes also play a role in the improvement of buoyancy and anti-predation.

In many decapods, due to their accelerated development, the zoea is the first larval stage. In some cases, the zoea stage is followed by the mysis stage, and in others, by the megalopa stage, depending on the crustacean group involved.








Hmm... Zoea sounds fairly similar to Zora. And they bare a striking resemblance. And they both dwell in the water.

I completley discovered this on my own after reading the book 'Strange Begingings' and it showed a picture of a Zoea slowly turning into a crab. It turns out that a zoea turns into a crustacean.

This is exclusive information, and I've never seen this mentioned ANYWHERE.
Look it up in Google.

I'm awesome. : D

Originally Posted by Ivysaurusz

And they both dwell the water.

Lost me here.

Fixed.

Well, that is something I never knew.

Wow! That's awesome, whether or not Nintendo was thinking of these guys or not. The words Zoea and Zora could just share an etymological root or something. But nice speculation!

Actually, the Zelda franchise was inspired by many things including real people, places, and even religions.

(Ex: The Gerudo are based on an African tribe who also are all women)

Awesome points for me. : D

Interesting. Good find, Ivysuarusz.

almost everything in zelda is inspired by something. anyway, good find!

This were the orinigal zora

They are inspired on this


The zoras from OOT are inspired in fishes like dolphin,shark,swordfish,etc... they basically are half man and half fish. The creature that you show above looks like a shrimp not like a fish.

The original Zoras were called Zolas.

Originally Posted by Princess Sheik

The original Zoras were called Zolas.

They never change theire name, "r" and "l" is the same in japanese, i mean zora and zola are the same word in japanese.

EDIT:


I clearly see a ray(tijo,the guy on the drums), a hammer fish(lulu/ruto), a globefish(toto/king zora),mikau seems to be a swordfish or a shark.

Zoras do have different forms, but only a few. The main Zoras were based on Zoeas. Zolas are COMPLETLEY different then Zoras.

Originally Posted by Ivysaurusz

And they bare a striking resemblance.

No they don't. In fact, they look nothing alike. The Zoea is a shrimp, the zora is a manfish

Also that is only the larval stage of one particular crustacean. Other species' Zoea look nothing like that, thus even less like Zora.

Also the names don't sound the same- I expect Zoea is pronounced 'Zee-a'. This is how 'oe' words are usually pronounced.

Originally Posted by Princess Sheik

The original Zoras were called Zolas.

Din-damned Nintendo of America!
It was never Zola. That was a translation error.

Very interesting find. Even if this isn't the true source of inspiration for Zoras, it's still a pretty interesting coincidence that they're somewhat similar.

Originally Posted by Renatrix

Very interesting find. Even if this isn't the true source of inspiration for Zoras, it's still a pretty interesting coincidence that they're somewhat similar.

So true! I mean, the more I think of it, the less I think the creators of Zelda had Zoea in mind, but it is still that we can find things that remind us of the things in Zelda. You know, I've learned something today-haha South Park anyone? I didn't really have a lesson to share... but before this post I had no clue what a Zoea was, or that crustaceans started as little shrimp things...

Thanks

Your find is interesting, but it's not conclusive evidence to say that Nintendo based Zora's off of those little crustaceans. I'm more inclined to believe what SVB said, for his evidence is very compelling in this argument.