Minish
Template:Species The Minish (pronounced /ˈmɪnɨʃ/ MIN-ish),[1] also known as Picori by the Hyruleans, are a small race of people no bigger than Link's thumb that appear in The Minish Cap. Ezlo, the talking cap, and Vaati, the main antagonist of the game, were once Minish too.
Characteristics
The Minish resemble anthropomorphic mice that have, like Hylians, long pointy ears. They came from the Minish World a long time ago, when monsters threatened mankind, and gave the Hero of Men a sword of unparalleled power, the Picori Blade. They also left behind the Light Force for the Royal Family. Their help is celebrated annually in Hyrule through the Picori Festival. Every one hundred years, the doorway between their world and the world of men appears in the courtyard of Hyrule Castle.
It is said that Minish are invisible to adults; only good, well-behaved children can see them. The Minish are well-known for their Kinstone hiding capabilities. Wanting their human counterparts to find them, they place them in various obvious and inconspicuous places, and even keep some for themselves to fuse with Link when he comes along.
Types of Minish
Forest Picori
The Forest Picori are the Minish that live in the Minish Woods, and throughout Hyrule Field. They are easily noticed by the green clothes, red cone-shaped hats, and feather-like tails. Their elder is Gentari, and the wisest member aside from him is Festari. The Forest Picori also have lots of Kinstone pieces to fuse. These Picori often visit the Town Picori in Hyrule Town.
Interestingly, the description of the Forest Picori Figurine explains why items can be found throughout The Legend of Zelda series by slashing grass and moving rocks.
Mountain Picori
The Mountain Picori are seven Minish that followed Melari from the Minish Woods to Mount Crenel. They now live in Melari's Mine, where they hunt for Kinstones by digging those from the walls. It is common to dig and find bombs underground in this area. These Minish often sing a particular song about their community.
In The Minish Cap, a certain Mountain Minish named Chiruta takes Link to Melari's Mine.
Town Picori
The Town Picori are the Minish that moved from the Minish Village to Hyrule Town due to their love for humans. Their elder is Librari, twin brother of Gentari (the Forest Minish elder). The Town Picori are found all over the place, and even hold a secret diner in the attic of Mama's Cafe. They wear blue, green or pink clothing. The Minish in the Royal Hyrule Library wear orange clothing.
The Town Minish help the residents with various tasks, like Rem, the shoemaker who is always falling asleep while working, to finish his shoes (this being based on the tale The Elves and the Shoemaker).
Trivia
- The Minish appear to be based on the Koro-pok-guru of Ainu folklore.
- Likewise, the Town Picori are reminiscent of the Brownies from Scottish folklore and the German Heinzelmännchen.
- It is possible that the name Minish is derived from the word "diminish," meaning to make something smaller.
- Breath of the Wild was originally planned to feature small people as well, with Link even shrinking down to interact with them. While they are not specifically identified as Minish, the video where this is revealed does show footage from The Minish Cap during the discussion.[2]
Nomenclature
 Names in Other Regions 
| |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | ||||||
| Minish | Forest Minish | Village Minish | Mountain Minish | Town Minish | Library Minish | ||
 |
Japanese | ピッコル (Pikkoru) | 森のピッコル (Mori no Pikkoru) | 村のピッコル (Mura no Pikkoru) | 山のピッコル (Yama no Pikkoru) | 町のピッコル (Machi no Pikkoru) | としょかんのピッコル (Toshokan no Pikkoru) |
 |
FrenchEU | Minish | Minish sylvestre | Minish sylvestre | Minish montagnard | Minish citadin | Minish citadin |
 |
German | Minish | Wald-Minish | Dorf-Minish | Berg-Minish | Stadt-Minish | Bücherei-Minish |
 |
Italian | Minish gnomi  |
Minish silvani | Minish di villaggio | Minish montani | Minish urbani | Minish biblioteca |
 |
SpanishEU | Minish | Minish bosque | Minish comunidad | Minish montaña | Minish ciudadela | Minish biblioteca |
Gallery
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A Minish holding a bag of Kinstones
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Minish sketches
