minish

Minish, also known as Picori in some lore, are a fictional race of diminutive humanoids in Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series. They are typically only a few inches tall and reside in the Minish Realm, a hidden dimension that intersects with Hyrule. The Minish are portrayed as magical, skilled craftsmen and scholars, and they generally appear benevolent toward humans. They have their own culture, language, and social structures, and are sometimes depicted under the leadership of a Minish king in various depictions.

A central element of their lore is the origin of the Four Sword and the historical battle against Vaati, a sorcerer. According to legend, the Picori aided humans in ancient times and forged or empowered the Four Sword to seal away evil. Vaati’s emergence from the Minish world leads to renewed conflicts that the hero must resolve with the Minish’s aid. The Four Sword’s power is closely tied to the Minish, and their story emphasizes the crossing of worlds and the careful balance between tiny and human realms.

The most explicit portrayal of the Minish occurs in The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004), where Link shrinks to Minish size with the help of Ezlo, a talking Minish hat who accompanies him. While in miniature form, Link travels the Minish Realm, seeks the means to reforge the Four Sword, and confronts Vaati to restore peace to both worlds. In broader Zelda canon, the Minish appear mainly in lore and promotional materials as part of the series’ expansive mythos.