There are more to Koroks than being cute little creatures that Link can encounter as he explores the Kingdom of Hyrule in Breath of the Wild and Tears Of The Kingdom. Koroks have been a part of the Zelda series since The Wind Waker. They made a comeback in Breath Of The Wild, they've also been featured in Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity and Tears of the Kingdom. These plant-like beings are not only adorable but strange as well.
Nonetheless, these quirky creatures have a lot to tell. There's much history behind their origin and the species has some interesting characteristics of its own. Here are ten facts about Koroks that might surprise you.
Updated June 18, 2023, by Ashely Claudino: The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom, the sequel to Breath Of The Wild, has been launched after years in the making. This is yet another Zelda game that features Koroks, and this time around there are completely new ways to deal with them and handle them in order to find their mysterious Korok seeds. Link can now move Koroks and help them get around the map.
Given their importance in this latest entry to the Zelda series, we've updated this guide with more recent information and quirky facts about these wooden fellows.
12 Origins
Long after the events of Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf manages to escape and once again begins to attack Hyrule. The people prayed, they appealed to the Gods to stop Ganondorf's wrath. This resulted in The Great Flood, which sealed away not only Ganondorf's evil but Hyrule itself, creating The Great Sea.
In order to adapt to these new conditions, the Kokiri race had to evolve. It was then that they turned into plant-like creatures and became Koroks. Much like their ancestors, they have extensive woodworking knowledge. They can craft shields, spears, swords, and bows, which are particularly strong for wooden weapons.
11 Pranksters
Koroks are also known as the "Children of the Forest," a title that the Kokiri used to hold as well. These species are known for their child-like personality, naturally acting childish at times. It is not unusual for Koroks to play pranks on each other or Hylians. Their pranks can even get a little out of hand and cross a few boundaries.
Hestu's first appearance in Breath Of The Wild is not long after he becomes a target of one of these pranks. When Link first approaches Hestu, he describes how other Koroks took the maracas that he had been shaking since he was two years old.
10 Rarely Ever Seen
When Link first encounters Hestu in Breath Of The Wild, the giant Korok is actually surprised, as no one has been able to see him in 100 years. In Ocarina of Time, Link (the Hero of Time), despite being a Hylian, is taken in by the Great Deku Tree and raised among the Kokiri. As Kokiri's descendants, this might explain why it's so easy for him to see Koroks.
Plus, most Koroks don't fear Link and this may be why they aren't so likely to hide from him, even though some still do.
9 Korok Seeds Are Gifts Of Friendship
Whenever Link finds or helps a Korok in Breath Of The Wild and Tears Of The Kingdom, he receives a Korok Seed as a thank you gift. On top of this, once Link collects all the Korok seeds that can be found throughout the Kingdom of Hyrule, he can talk to Hestu to receive an item called Hestu's gift.
According to Hestu's gift's description, it's a gift of friendship from Hestu himself. Their shape and smell indicate that this is Korok waste, but these creatures see it as a friendly gesture and give it to Link to show appreciation.
8 They Get Along Really Well With Fairies
In the past, Kokiri folk all had a Guardian Fairy to help guide them. And, although The Hero of Time grew up among the Kokiri, he did not have a Fairy of his own as he was in fact a Hylian and therefore always considered a bit of an outsider.
Koroks don't have a fairy of their own, but it is said that they can still easily get along and befriend fairies. Perhaps their ancestry has somehow facilitated this relationship with fairies. Some can even be spotted living on top of The Great Deku Tree.
7 Ridiculously Resistant
Hyrule has many regions that have rough climates. In order to travel through them or stay in these places, Hylians require specific gear or elixirs. However, Koroks don't have this same problem.
Koroks are known to endure extremely hot or extremely cold temperatures just fine. This is odd as they are plant-like creatures made of wood and, unlike wooden weapons and wooden shields, they won't combust in the Goron region. It is possible that they became so resistant to certain weather hazards due to the evolutionary changes they suffered during The Great Flood.
6 There's A Lot Of Them
There are over 1,000 Koroks throughout the lands of the Kingdom of Hyrule. This makes them one of the numerous races in Hyrule.
There are various reasons that could contribute to their high numbers, such as their high resistance to different temperatures. Plus, how well protected they are hidden away in the Korok Forest, surrounded by the mist of the Lost Woods. And, lastly, due to vast woods and forests and wildlife scattered all throughout Hyrule. The living conditions that Hyrule provides them are undoubtedly better than those of The Great Sea.
5 Great Bravery
Even though they can't fight, Koroks can still be brave little creatures. In the Korok Forest, some Koroks will actually hide shortly before being approached by Link, so it's a bit strange how they're brave enough to visit terrifying locations. Certain areas in Hyrule, such as the Hyrule Castle Town Ruins and the Castle itself, are notorious for how dangerous they can be.
These are places that others wouldn't dare cross, since they have been taken over by Malice and monsters. And still, oddly enough, Koroks have no problem facing them.
4 Easily Frightened
Weirdly enough, even though Koroks aren't afraid of hiding in scary places in Hyrule, they are easily frightened by simple things. When Link moves them using the Ultrahand ability, they will instantly cry out with extreme.
Additionally, if Link is using a vehicle to transport tired Koroks, whenever he encounters an obstacle on his way to the destination, such as a rock, for example, they will start weeping immediately.
3 The Wind Sage
In Breath Of The Wild, the Master Sword is hidden in the Korok Forest and is only reachable after Link successfully travels through the Lost Woods. It is here that the Great Deku Tree watches over the mighty Sword. As the name suggests, the Forest is inhabited by Koroks.
However, in The Wind Waker, Fado, a Kokiri and the former Wind Sage, was, along with the Earth Sage, responsible for protecting the Master Sword from losing its power to repel evil. After Ganondorf kills Fado, the new Sage is no other than Makar, a Korok. Once again underlining the deep connections that exist between the Kokiri and Koroks.
2 Scared Of Vegetarians
It may seem like an odd thing to be afraid of, but Koroks are actually scared of vegetarians. This makes sense as they are plant-based creatures and therefore it is more likely that they'd get eaten by a vegetarian if they ever came across one.
One of the Koroks that resides inside the Great Deku Tree in Breath Of The Wild even has nightmares in which it expresses its fears of meeting and being confronted by a vegetarian. Perhaps they'd get along better with Wolf Link.
1 Connected To The Great Deku Tree
After the events of The Great Flood in The Wind Waker, the Koroks are tasked with planting new trees all throughout The Great Sea. Once a year, a ceremony will occur. The Great Deku Tree will sprout Forest Tree seeds, these are the seeds that the Koroks will then transplant so that new forests will grow.
If new forests aren't raised, then the Deku Tree's powers will become weaker, and consequently so will the Korok's. It is then implied that the Great Deku Tree may wither and the Koroks may wither with it. The small wooden people are connected to The Deku Tree that sprouts them.