Fi is Data? (similarities) SPOILERS

First time I've ever posted in the theorizing section. With all the questions of what the relationship between Fi and Girahim really entails, I thought this might help.. probably not

After people mentioning the similarities in the roles of Fi and Girahim to their respective masters, and the fact that Fi is basically emotionless, it led me to make the connection between Fi and Lieutenant Commander Data from Star Trek: Next Generation



Data's creator Doctor Soong, created the android Data, which was meant to "perfect his design of his androids" (quote from Memory Alpha, a Star Trek wiki). However, as revealed by the episodes in the series, Data had a "brother" android: Lore



Off the bat, notice the most intriguing difference, rather the only visible difference, between the two androids: Lore is smiling

According to the same wiki as cited earlier, "Lore was extremely advanced and sentient, possessing superior strength, speed and intelligence when compared to a Human. Lore's emotional programming was also very advanced; however, he began displaying signs of emotional instability and malevolence, leading him to see himself as superior to Humans. Lore frightened the other colonists, who demanded that Soong deactivate him. Lore later claimed that they saw him as 'too perfect' and were envious."

This now brings us to the topic of the two "swords" of the game: Fi and Girahim.



Right off the bat, once again, a huge difference between the two characters is the fact that Girahim is smiling... Something Fi never exhibited.

Fi always mentions the flaws in humans, such as oral communication being so unreliable. Often times, Data does the same throughout the series, pointing out the flaws of the human condition.

However, I think through the last scene of Fi in Skyward Sword we see her almost strive to be human, although it is difficult. She thanks Link, mentioning that it is a part of human tradition. Data throughout the whole series strives to be human, as shown by his attempts at making music, whistling, etc.

Girahim is very similar to Lore as both appear emotionally unstable. Both have emotion, but they don't really know how to control it well.

According to the Star Trek wiki, Lore was created before Data, but Data was created so that "when Data was perfected, his improvements [would be applied] to Lore." (Memory Alpha, Star Trek wiki)

So... Maybe the same could possibly said about Hylia?

She created Girahim at first, but found that he was emotionally unstable, and thus abandoned him like Lore was abandoned by his creator?

Demise took Girahim as his own, with the power to give him a truly human form (the form in the picture of him above)?

Demise used Girahim against Hylia when they fought, but Hylia won, and Girahim disappeared like he did at the end of SS?

Hylia then created Fi, making her emotionless knowing that emotion would corrupt Fi?

This is all speculation, but it also kind of brings about the similarities between the Lore and Data relationship and the Fi and Girahim relationship.

Just some thoughts.Might shed light on Girahim and Fi's relaitonship. Aonuma might be a big Star Trek fan? (Raises flame shield)

Very interresting. Your theory holds merit, however we don't know the origin of Ghirahim.

I like it. It explains Girahims similarities to Fi in appearance and purpose. They most say Master a lot. Girahim is Demise's sword as Fi is Link's. It works.

I immediately thought of Data from Star Trek when I realized what Fi was. I'm not really a Trekkie though, so i never knew about data's "brotherly" counterpart. Those are some interesting connections.

I don't know if Aonuma is a Star Trek fan, but someone high up in charge on the Zelda team is definitely a fan of science fiction, and I think it's cool that they're trying to implement those kind of elements into Zelda, which is traditionally viewed as a medieval, low-tech kind of thing. It was pulled off very well in Skyward Sword, and I hope to see it expanded upon.

Interesting theory, although I must note that Fi does smile in some occasions, probably because she was programmed to.

Originally Posted by Thanatos-Zero

Very interresting. Your theory holds merit, however we don't know the origin of Ghirahim.

This is the exact reason why I made this theory, as we don't know where Girahim came from. But Fi and Girahim obviously have a relationship of some sort, being implicit/explicit.

I think that Ghirahim and Fi are the same type of spirits, and they both have an "instinct", you might say, to serve their masters. They are devoted to Link and Demise, so I think they learn the emotions their masters feel.

Link was a kind, brave, determined guy who was willing to sacrifice everything for Zelda and the greater good, so Fi learned to feel happiness.

Demise was a ruthless, hateful demon who would kill anyone in his way to gain power, so Ghirahim was also angry and violent.

Anouma might very well be a Star Trek fan. After all, the show was popular when he was a kid, and as a young adult. I'm not sure how popular it was in Japan, but I'd be willing to guess it had its own niche there.

There are also plenty of American/European influences in Japanese video games. Sometimes also for intentional purposes to sell the games well back in America.

Very interesting topic! I knew Ghirahim was emotionally unstable and that he was a sword spirit like Fi, but...I never compared the two enough to realize that Ghirahim is bursting with emotion, whereas Fi hardly expresses any, and that, perhaps, there's a reason for it.

I suppose it could be said that emotion itself is a "flaw," because it can cause beings to become corrupt and, as a result, do outrageous things. Fi is basically "perfect" since she isn't full of the "hatred" Demise speaks of. Emotion leads to hatred, but Fi has no (well, little) emotion, and thus, no hatred. Fi, as a servant of the goddess, is dutiful and analytical, so she serves her purpose well.

SS seems to imply that hatred is the main source of evil, so it would make sense that Fi would have next to no emotion.

This is really good stuff! I also thought Fi was created based on Ghirahim. Although I think Demise made Ghirahim. Either way I think Ghirahim came first, and was a template for Fi.

Originally Posted by Esalia

I think that Ghirahim and Fi are the same type of spirits, and they both have an "instinct", you might say, to serve their masters. They are devoted to Link and Demise, so I think they learn the emotions their masters feel.

Link was a kind, brave, determined guy who was willing to sacrifice everything for Zelda and the greater good, so Fi learned to feel happiness.

Demise was a ruthless, hateful demon who would kill anyone in his way to gain power, so Ghirahim was also angry and violent.

I agree... in fact, I posted the same thing in my last post. As they store data they start using it on their own, maybe explaining Ghirahim's humanoid form due to the fact that he spent a lot of time with his ruthless master...

Excellent theory. I completely agree, though I'm still undecided on whether or not Hylia created Ghirahim. Maybe that's why Fi and Ghirahim (final form) look alike.

I dunno about this thread, but I think it's a little bit old for further discussion now.




*locks*