Twinrova

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Kotake and Koume,[5] collectively known as Twinrova,[6] are a recurring pair of Gerudo twin witches in The Legend of Zelda series. They are known as the Sorceress of Ice and the Sorceress of Flame, respectively.[2][3] As the surrogate mothers of Ganondorf, they are among his more devoted servants.[7]

Biography

Ocarina of Time

Descriptionshide ▲
Second phase
Ocarina of TimeOcarina of Time 3D
Twinrova
This is the combined form of Kotake and Koume. Turn their magic attack back at them!
Twinrova
This is the combined form of Kotake and Koume. Turn their magic attacks back at them!
First phase - Koume
Ocarina of TimeOcarina of Time 3D
Twinrova Koume
Ganondorf's surrogate mother. Sorceress of Flame. She seems vulnerable to low temperature.
Koume
Ganondorf's surrogate mother. Sorceress of Flame. She seems vulnerable to low temperatures.
First phase - Kotake
Ocarina of TimeOcarina of Time 3D
Twinrova Kotake
Ganondorf's surrogate mother. Sorceress of Ice. She seems vulnerable to high temperature.
Kotake
Ganondorf's surrogate mother. Sorceress of Ice. She seems vulnerable to high temperatures.

In Ocarina of Time, Kotake and Koume are a pair of 400-year-old twin witches who secretly lead the Gerudo tribe,[8][9] and are the surrogate mothers of Ganondorf.[2][3] They maintain their long lives by using their powerful magic.[10] They both have green, wrinkled skin and dress in black robes with white Gerudo patterns near the hems, with an obi-like belt around their waists. Kotake's association with ice is noted by a blue jewel on her forehead and blue slippers. The markings on her headband are in red with a blue border, whereas these distinctions are red on Koume to highlight her association with fire.

They first appear outside the Spirit Temple just after child Link obtains the Silver Gauntlets. They kidnap Nabooru, who they subsequently brainwash and dress in an Iron Knuckle armor.[11] After adult Link defeats her, he fights Kotake and Koume inside the boss room of the Spirit Temple. After being defeated, halos appear over their heads and they are absorbed by a column of light,[12] presumably passing to the afterlife.

Koume tends to act as the leader of the two, usually appearing first and deciding what their course of action should be. She is the first to introduce herself during the boss battle and is also the one who formulates the idea of combining with Kotake to form Twinrova.

Characteristics

Link reflecting Kotake's ice attack using the Mirror Shield

The boss room where Twinrova is fought has four small platforms surrounding a larger central platform. Link must climb the central platform in order to trigger the battle. Kotake and Koume emerge from the smaller platforms before circling above him, then flying off in different directions.

Kotake and Koume fight using magic bolts of the elements from which their respective powers are derived. Using the Mirror Shield, Link is able to redirect the attacks of one sister against the other. After taking a total of four hits, the pair will use their "Double Dynamite Attack" and merge into Twinrova, a single being with the combined powers of both witches.[13]

After the transformation, the Mirror Shield remains essential in winning the battle. Link is able to use it to absorb the power of both the fire and ice spells. He is required to collect three consecutive charges of one type of spell, which allows him to release the spell back at Twinrova. However, since Twinrova frequently alternates between fire and ice attacks, care must be taken to only block attacks of one type at a time. Blocking a fire attack followed by an ice attack, or vice versa, will cause all power currently stored in the Mirror Shield to dissipate.

Once Twinrova is injured by the reflected attack, she collapses on one of the four outlying platforms, allowing Link to attack with his Sword. After enough damage is dealt, Twinrova will be defeated, at which point she splits back into Kotake and Koume. The two witches intend to keep battling,[14] but soon realize that they are already dead.[12][15] They then enter a comical argument about whether they were twins or not due to Kotake claiming she was two decades younger than Koume while ranting about how they're not ready to die,[8][16] before eventually threatening Link with coming back to haunt him.[17]

Majora's Mask

Main articles: Kotake and Koume

The sisters appear in Majora's Mask, though in stark contrast to Ocarina of Time, they are not evil and help Link on his journey.

Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages

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In Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, Kotake and Koume send Veran and General Onox to cause chaos and light two of the three flames needed to resurrect Ganon; the Flame of Sorrow and the Flame of Destruction.[18][19] They appear as a disguised old lady to dissuade Link from his quest,[20] revealing themselves when he reaches the final dungeon.[21] In a Linked Game to either Seasons or Ages, they show up to taunt Link and his allies in Labrynna before leaving[22] or rub the Flame of Destruction being lit in his face after he completes Unicorn's Cave.[23] Once the flames are lit, the two kidnap Princess Zelda to light the final flame, the Flame of Despair, by sacrificing her.[24] In a Linked Game, Link fights the sisters both individually and as Twinrova. After Link defeats Twinrova, she chooses to become the vessel for the ritual herself instead of Zelda, so that Ganon can return.[25] Unfortunately for the pair, their sacrifice is in vain as it only allows a mindless, raging Ganon to come forth.[26]

Characteristics

Twinrova casts magical projectiles at Link that he must deflect back at them. However, Link must use his Sword to deflect them rather than his Shield. The Mirror Shield, an upgrade that can only be attained in a Linked Game, can only protect him from their magic attacks. After the sisters have taken three hits, they fuse together and become Twinrova.

Twinrova alternates between two phases of attack, which affect the room around her and Link. In her cold phase, the room's floor is covered with slippery ice and Twinrova materializes spiked ice crystals that she launches at Link and which ricochet off the walls. In her fire phase, parts of the floor become lava pits and Twinrova launches fireballs. Link must strike Twinrova with his Sword several times to stun her, and once stunned, he must use a Mystery Seed to actually damage her.

Tears of the Kingdom

Koume and Kotake behind Ganondorf

In Tears of the Kingdom, Koume and Kotake appear behind Ganondorf in the Memories "The Gerudo Assault" and "A Show of Fealty". They are much younger in this game than in any previous appearance. The twins have no dialogue and are not identified by name, but wear fabrics on their shoulders styled after Koume and Kotake's hairbands, with their names written on them in Katakana コタケ (Kotake) and コウメ (Koume). They also have gold masks covering their faces with red and blue gemstones on the foreheads. Similar to Ganondorf, they have green skin unlike the brown skin of other Gerudo in Tears of the Kingdom, though they still have pointed ears like the other Gerudo and unlike Ganondorf.

The Hylian script from The Wind Waker reading "Kotake Koume" is also inscribed alongside the Crest of the Gerudo on the blades of the Gloom Sword and Gloom Spear wielded by Phantom Ganon and Demon King Ganondorf.

Other Appearances

Ocarina of Time (Himekawa)

The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.

Kotake and Koume first appear alongside the Gerudo and an Iron Knuckle after Ganondorf realizes he was tricked with the Fairy Ocarina 7 years ago. Their first speaking roles are in the chapter "Shadow Guide: Sheik", where they convince Ganondorf to allow them to brainwash Ingo so they could lure Link into Lon Lon Ranch (as Ganondorf initially planned to have Ingo executed for his failure to keep Epona around long enough for Ganondorf to acquire her). They later witness Link slipping the crystal out of Ingo's ear, revealing the reason for the Gerudo tribe's brainwashing and hostile behavior in the Adult timeline. Later, they disguise themselves as fortune tellers when Link stocks up for the trek into Gerudo Desert telling him he would find the one he seeks by entering the Spirit Temple. After a brief questioning of Sheik's true loyalties to Ganondorf, they have Nabooru work with the Sheikah to capture Link and find out if he really is a traitor, which the Sage of the Temple agrees while one of the witches creates a sandstorm to make Link's journey into the desert more difficult. Afterwards, they confronted Sheik over "his" treachery (as he initially seemed to attack Link, only for him to save Link), making the ninja reveal he was never one of them and flees with Link on Epona fending off Lizalfos and Moblins the Gerudo witches summon. Later when Sheik reveals himself to be Zelda, they attack and demand the Hero of Time to give them the Princess. Link defends Zelda with his Hylian Shield against Koume's flames, but almost gets burned to a crisp until Nabooru gives Link the Mirror Shield, allowing the Hero of Time to give the witches a taste of their own medicine. They die, while cursing their own loss and vow for the King of Evil and their surrogate son to avenge them.

Oracle of Seasons (Himekawa)

The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.


Oracle of Ages (Himekawa)

The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.


Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, Kotake and Koume appear in the Gerudo Valley stage. They appear as a stage hazard, with Kotake attacking the right side with ice, and Koume attacking the left side with flames. Twinrova also appears as a Trophy.

Trophy Information

# Trophy Appears in Description How to unlock
227 N/A Ocarina of Time

Ocarina of Time 3D
Koume and Kotake are twins who can merge to form Twinrova. They have about 800 years between them, but as Twinrova they appear young and alluring. It is best to remember that Twinrova possesses the magical powers of both sisters, making her a very dangerous foe, even to herself... RandomCan be obtained in Classic Mode, in All-Star Mode, in Trophy Rush, in Smash Run, or purchased from the Trophy Shop
Twinrova

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.
Spirit Information

Spirits

Twinrova Primary SpiritNo. 203
Type Neutral
Rank★★★ ACE
Slot(s)⎔⎔⎔
Lv. 1Lv. 99
Power28728617
Strength14504350
Defense13123936
TraitMagic Attack 🠅
Slightly increases the power of magic attacks, such as Zelda's and Robin's spells.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, they act the same as in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, however their graphics are more improved. If the Gerudo Valley stage is set to Battlefield or Final Destination design, they will not appear at all.

Trivia

Twinrova's magic seals
  • In Ocarina of Time, the magic seals out of which Kotake and Koume rise in the boss room display the Fire Medallion and Water Medallion symbols, respectively. The design for the Water Medallion was originally intended for the Ice Medallion, which was removed from the final product but is still found in the game's code.[27]
  • Despite being evil, the twins' souls are surrounded in angelic halos and they ascend in a column of light, a Western depiction of rising to Heaven.
  • In Majora's Mask, Koume is certain that the potion given to her is Kotake's, even if it was purchased from the Trading Post in Clock Town.[28] Therefore, Kotake may be supplying the Trading Post with its potions. As an alternative, it may simply be an oversight of the developers.
  • In the linked ending fight against Twinrova, their boss theme is a remix of the mini-boss theme from the game (as well as the boss theme for Link's Awakening).
  • In Breath of the Wild, Koukot Plateau, South Koukot Plateau, and the Koukot Plateau Path are all named after Koume and Kotake.
  • In The Wind Waker, Koume and Kotake's names are engraved on Ganondorf's swords in Hylian. Similarly, in Tears of the Kingdom the Gloom Weapon set has their names engraved as well.

Nomenclature

Twinrova is a modified version of the characters' Japanese name, ツインローバ (TsuinrōbaTwin Old Women), which is a portmanteau of the English "twin" and the Japanese "老婆Rōba (old woman)".[29]
Their individual names come from the Japanese mystery novel 八つ墓村Yatsuhaka Mura (Village of Eight Gravestones). In it, a pair of elderly twin sisters bear the names Kotake and Koume.[30]
Kotake come from 小竹 (Kotake): 小 (kolittle) and 竹 (takebamboo).
Koume comes from 小梅 (Koume): 小 (kolittle) and 梅 (umeplum).

Names in Other Regions
LanguageNamesMeanings
Japan
Japanese
  • ツインローバ (Tsuinrōba) (OoTOcarina of Time)[31]
  • 双生魔道師 (Sōsei Madōshi) (OoTOcarina of Time)[32]
  • ツインローバ (Tuinrōba) (OoSOracle of Seasons)[33]
  • Twin Old Women
  • Sorceress Twins
  •  
The French Republic
FrenchEUEuropean
  •  
  • Sorceress twins
The Italian Republic
Italian
  • Duerova (OoTOcarina of Time | OoT3DOcarina of Time 3D | OoSOracle of Seasons | OoAOracle of Ages)[37][38][39][40]
  • Sorelle megere (OoT3DOcarina of Time 3D)[37]
  • Kotakoume (OoT3DOcarina of Time 3D)[41]
  • Birova (OoTOcarina of Time)[42]
  • Streghe gemelle Gerudo (OoTOcarina of Time)[38]
  • Two-rova
  • Hag sisters
  • Portmanteau of "Kotake" and "Koume"
  • Tworova
  • Gerudo witch twins
This table was generated from Zelda Wiki's translation data.

Gallery

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See Also

References

  1. Sorceress Sisters
    Twinrova
    — Game Screen (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Koume
    Ganondorf's surrogate mother. Sorceress of Flame. She seems vulnerable to low temperatures.
    — Navi (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Kotake
    Ganondorf's surrogate mother. Sorceress of Ice. She seems vulnerable to high temperatures.
    — Navi (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  4. We are the Gerudo witches, Twinrova! — Twinrova (Oracle of Ages)
  5. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 239,(OoTOcarina of Time) 244,(MMMajora's Mask) 250,(OoSOracle of Seasons) & 254 (OoAOracle of Ages)
  6. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 210 (OoTOcarina of Time | OoT3DOcarina of Time 3D | OoSOracle of Seasons | OoAOracle of Ages)
  7. Maybe we should make her work for the great Ganondorf for a little while longer! Ho ho ho! — Kotake (Ocarina of Time 3D)
    Then we should brainwash her again! Hee hee hee! — Koume (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  8. 8.0 8.1 But I'm only 400 years old! — Koume (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  9. It could be said that the sisters, who have lived for over four hundred years, rule the tribe from behind the scenes. (Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 90)
  10. Kotake and Koume, about four hundred years old at the time of Ganondorf's rise, are said to maintain their long lives by way of powerful magic. (Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 45)
  11. You...you fiends! Ganondorf's minions! — Nabooru (Ocarina of Time 3D)
    Link! Get out of here! Now! — Nabooru (Ocarina of Time 3D)
    These witches! They're using black magic on me! — Nabooru (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  12. 12.0 12.1 What? Hey, Koume, what is that above your head? — Kotake (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  13. OK, let's get serious now, Kotake! — Koume (Ocarina of Time 3D)
    Oh, OK, Koume. Kotake and Koume's Double Dynamite Attack! — Kotake (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  14. Shoot! What a fresh kid! This time we'll get serious. Right, Kotake? — Koume (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  15. I don't know, but you have one over your head too, Kotake! — Koume (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  16. And I'm just 380 years old! — Kotake (Ocarina of Time 3D)
    We're twins! Don't try to lie about your age! — Koume (Ocarina of Time 3D)
    You must have gone senile! — Kotake (Ocarina of Time 3D)
    Who are you calling senile?! Is that how you treat your older sister? — Koume (Ocarina of Time 3D)
    We are twins! How can you be older? — Kotake (Ocarina of Time 3D)
    Keeeyaaah! How heartless you are! — Koume (Ocarina of Time 3D)
    How can you be so ungrateful? — Kotake (Ocarina of Time 3D)
    You're heartless! — Koume (Ocarina of Time 3D)
    You ungrateful... — Kotake (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  17. We'll come back to haunt you! — Twinrova (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  18. Look, Veran! The troubles you caused now burn as the Flame of Sorrow! — Twinrova (Oracle of Ages)
  19. Behold, Onox! The troubles you caused now burn in the Flame of Destruction! — Twinrova (Oracle of Seasons)
  20. Hee hee hee hee! Link... Know this, foolish boy! If you save Din, the world will be filled with destruction, sorrow and despair. Our great sacrifice will be offered, and the Evil King revived!!! Then people will know true pain as darkness falls across the lands. Eee hee hee hee! Ho ho ho ho! — Twinrova (Oracle of Seasons)
  21. All will be for naught! Ho ho ho ho! Are you shocked? We are Twinrova, Gerudo witches! Ho ho ho ho! Soon the Flame of Destruction shall burn, and when it does, no one can keep us from holding our rites! Despite your every effort, the Evil King shall return to spread darkness across the land! Eee hee hee hee! — Twinrova (Oracle of Seasons)
  22. Oh ho ho ho! Link, Link! Don't forget about us! Nice to see you after so long, Link! We are Twinrova, Gerudo witches! You were quite busy back in Holodrum! Eee hee hee hee! You seem pleased to have rescued Naryu, but Ambi's age is filled with cries of sorrow! By extending the reach of the Dark Realm, Veran has spread sorrow across the land. Soon, the Flame of Sorrow will ignite! Ho ho ho ho ho! Now only one flame remains... When the three flames burn in the darkness... The Evil King shall return! Oh ho ho ho ho! — Twinrova (Oracle of Ages)
  23. Eee hee hee hee! Despair, Link... Your struggles are fruitless! Decay seasons! Steal the fruits of the ravaged lands of Holodrum... Raze the earth! Oh ho ho ho! Ho ho ho ho! The lands rot, and the Flame of Destruction burns! The Flames of Sorrow and Destruction are lit! Now, only the Flame of Despair remains! Eee hee hee hee! Our sacrifice will revive the Evil King and guide him to the light of the three flames! Oh ho ho ho! — Twinrova (Oracle of Seasons)
  24. Oh ho ho ho! Wandering about? Foolish Princess! Eee hee hee hee! We've found you, Princess Zelda! Hope for the people? We'll snuff it out! And you shall light the Flame of Despair! Eee hee hee hee! The sacrifice is in our grasp... — Twinrova (Oracle of Seasons)
  25. Hoh hoh! Ganon's return was but a step away! Link! It is not over! Our rites have failed, but by sacrificing this body, Ganon will return! — Twinrova (Oracle of Seasons)
  26. Since they could not sacrifice me in their final rite, the powers of darkness could revive only a mindless, raging Ganon. Your power, wisdom and courage were able to prevent Twinrova's planned resurrection of Ganon. — Princess Zelda (Oracle of Seasons)
  27. "These two icons left inside the rom of Ocarina can be translated as Wind Medallion and Ice Medallion, and they are most likely the leftovers of two temples removed from the final game and probably scheduled for Zelda Ura."Project Zelda 3D: The Development of Zelda 64 , Unseen 64, retrieved May 14 2011.
  28. Ah! That color! That smell... That's definitely Kotake's... — Koume (Majora's Mask)
  29. 老婆 - Wiktionary, the free dictionary , Wiktionary, retrieved June 22, 2025.
  30. 「六つ墓村?八つ墓村じゃなくて?」 (in English) , The Case Files of Ho-Ling, June 1, 2011.
  31. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Shogakukan, pg. 144
  32. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Shogakukan, pg. 132
  33. Hyrule Encyclopedia, Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co., Ltd., pg. どうじゃおどろいたかえ?
    われらは ゲルドのまどうし
    ツインローバじゃ!
    ウヒャヒャヒャヒャ!
    — Sign (Oracle of Seasons, Japanese version)
  34. Twinrova
    Le feu et la glace réunis en un corps parfait. Sers-toi de leurs propres attaques magiques !
    — Navi (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  35. Twinrova
    Le feu et la glace réunis en un corps parfait. Sers-toi de leurs propres attaques magiques !
    — Navi (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  36. Twinrova
    Sorcières jumelles
    — Navi (Ocarina of Time 3D)
  37. 37.0 37.1 Duerova - Sorelle megere — N/A (Ocarina of Time 3D, Italian version)
  38. 38.0 38.1 Enciclopedia di Hyrule, Magazzini Salani, pg. 210
  39. Sei sconvolto? Siamo Duerova, le streghe di gerudo! Oh oh! — Twinrova (Oracle of Seasons, Italian version)
  40. Onox, Generale delle Tenebre! Duerova farà onore alla tua morte! — Twinrova (Oracle of Ages, Italian version)
  41. Arriva Kotakoume! — Twinrova (Ocarina of Time 3D, Italian version)
  42. L'arte di una leggenda, Magazzini Salani, pg. 180
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