Unlike Hylians, who are more prolific and possess wide, pointed ears, Humans have rounded ears and are much less commonly seen in the series. The term Human is occasionally used to refer to Hylians[5] and is frequently employed as an umbrella term for multiple humanoid races.[6]
The terms "human" and "mankind" can also be used as a euphemism for mortals, as opposed to beings such as demons or spirits. In this context it includes not just the round-eared Humans but also the pointy-eared Hylians[7] and Gerudo.[8]
On Zelda Wiki, characters whose ears are obscured are assumed to be Humans.
Humans are for the most part identical to Hylians, with the sole exception being their small, rounded ears in contrast to the Hylians' pointed ears. As it is often said that the Hylians' long ears allow them to hear the voice of the gods,[9] it can be assumed that Humans do not possess this same ability. The origins of Humans and their relationship to Hylians is never quite elaborated in the series, and indeed, round-eared Humans are never given any specific name in the games. Humans are also capable of learning magic, as shown by Maple. The Hytopians, in particular, are noted for their powerful magic users that later taught many people in Hyrule magic.[10]
Humans are seldom seen in contrast to the more prolific, dominating Hylian race. Nonetheless, round-eared Humans do still occasionally appear across the series, and are often especially populous in lands in outer Hyrule. Labrynna, Holodrum, Ordon Village, and Hytopia are notable places whose populations consist almost entirely of round-eared Humans. In fact, round ears are so commonplace to Hytopia that pointed ears are seen as something of a rarity,[11] enough to be one of the prerequisites for being a Tri Force Hero of legend.[12]
History
Link's Awakening
Round-eared Humans first made their appearance in Link's Awakening, in which all of the people living on Koholint Island have round ears, making Link the only Hylian to reside on the island during his stay. They mostly live in Mabe Village, but several others also live in remote houses across the isle. Tarin is a notable Human in this game, whose round ears are clearly visible in his artwork.
In Twilight Princess, Humans predominately live in the autonomous Ordona Province, which is said to not be a part of Hyrule proper.[13][14] Link is the only Hylian to live in the village. While Humans are most populous to the Ordona Province, a couple of round-eared Humans also live within the kingdom of Hyrule, including Ashei of the Resistance, Barnes of Kakariko Village, Hena and Iza of Zora's River, and their brother Coro living in the Faron Woods.
Tri Force Heroes
In Tri Force Heroes, the kingdom of Hytopia is entirely inhabited by round-eared Humans; no Hylians or other races live as residents in the state. This fact is pointed out by many of the inhabitants,[15] as notably demonstrated when the populace reacts with surprise to Link's pointed ears or regards them as fashionable.[11] Round ears are so common to Hytopia that pointed ears are even regarded as one of the prerequisites for being a Tri Force Hero.[12]
The following section has content which has neither been confirmed nor denied as canonical by Nintendo.
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
In Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, Tingle was originally a Human before meeting Uncle Rupee and turned into a Tingle with the promise of going to Rupeeland, giving him his pointed ears and distinctive green suit. Rupeeland is also predominately home to round-eared Humans as well; only a very few Hylians live in this land.
↑What's your problem? So I like getting dressed up like a mythical creature! I'm a human being, treat me like one! I'm not some freak you can throw stuff at! Don't just stand there staring at me! Apologize! — Joanne (Phantom Hourglass)
↑They say we Hylians have big ears in order to hear the voices of the gods...but I've never heard them! — Hylian (Ocarina of Time)
↑Hytopia's powerful magic users led to many people who could use magic to exist during this generation, and the residents of settlements to the northernmost region of Hyrule were particularly fashionable. (Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 186 (TFHTri Force Heroes))
↑ 12.012.1Oh? My! Oh my, oh my, oh my! Ears fit to pierce the heavens! An impeccable side parting! And the universal symbol of heroism...magnificent sideburns! I say, my boy, you are the spitting image of a Tri Force Hero! — Bearded Baron (Tri Force Heroes)
↑Oh, no, I don't believe he's from Hyrule proper at all. No, my understanding is that he's from the big neighboring province of Ordona. — Shad (Twilight Princess)
↑I was supposed to deliver something to the royal family of Hyrule the day after tomorrow... Yes, it was a task set to me by the mayor, but...would you go in my stead? You have...never been to Hyrule, right? — Rusl (Twilight Princess)
↑That noisy child over there... He seems to have a lot of friends, even though his ears are round. Hasn't anybody told him? — Woman (Tri Force Heroes)
