#poor grunt

Galra as a race

There has been many theories (all interesting and plausible) about Galra being some kind of mutated kin. We can’t know for sure yet what Galras exactly are, but there is a few indications pointing toward a race with maybe multiple roots in other races/species. Galras are much more diverse than Altean, humans, or Balmerans (or whatever Slav is) in terms of looks and anatomical peculiarities.

Based on Kolivan quote after the Marmora trial: « You’ve awoken the blade. [This is only possible] if Galra blood runs through your veins. », it is pretty safe to assume Galra is a race on it’s own. If Galra blood is running through Keith’s veins, it’s means DNA heritage from his mom (?) => so genetic => so race. I know this sounds like pushing open doors, but it’s important to make it crystal clear.   #this is still speculation though  #let’s be careful with assumptions

Galras Types

I’ve made a « check table » listing the individual « features » of every Galras we’ve meet in the first 2 seasons. This table will be updated with season 3 and the followings. I was able (arbitrarily but as objectively as possible) to list 3 groups divided into 13 sub-groups (to which I won’t give names because this would be hc and no hc is allowed in this analysis, so i’ll just referred to them with some general concept of something).  

Groups

A => First group consisting of Zarkon and the lizard-types. They share common points in ears, shell/scale-like skin and outgrowths.

B => Second group consisting of Manta-ray, Hairy and Furry types. They’re all very alike, hairs put aside. Color spectrum, skin, crest, claws, ears placement, etc.. Basically, they have almost everything in common. Except Sendak who’s a special snowflake.

C => Third group consisting of all sub-groups that are more or less showing altean features. Either the characteristic ears and/or the white hair. Smooth type is here too, because Galra!Allura looks a lot like them.

Sub-groups

 1-Tailed => Antok is the only one but so little is known that, except for the fact he’s wielding a Marmoran blade, we couldn’t even be sure he’s Galra. Antok is the most unique Galra meet in the show: tail, 3 fingers, massive built, presumed cyclop.

2-Shell-Skin => the sole representative of this category is Zarkon, hence the very specific shell-like skin covering his body. Myzax got vaguely similar traits, but I don’t think he is considered Galra.

3-Lizard-type-1 => the commander from the Kerberos mission is the only one here and he gets his solo category just because of his fin-ears (which changed half-way) and horned crest, other than this he is pretty close to type-2.

4-Lizard-type-2 => this type got hair (?) and facial hairs they trim in various manner. Note the characteristic ears: same as Zarkon. All blue skinned.

5-Lizard x Manta => Varkon is the unique example we have with those mixed features. Would initially put him under the same category as Haxus and the like, but he’s blue and he’s got “beard”. Also turtle teeth, like Zarkon.

6-Manta Ray-type => could very well be the hairy type but bald. I have not clue about this since I can’t shave Prorok or whatnot. Put them under their own category as a matter of fact, but basically very similar to hairy.

7-Multi-colored => Kolivan is the only one in this category. Very peculiar characteristics which seems like a mix of a few sub-groups (hairy, smooth, manta-ray, Altean-like). Also, 4 colors, very unique.

8-smooth x Altean => initially I thought Ulaz and Kolivan would be pieces from the same game, but no. Ulaz has a lot of Altean-like traits which make him differs a little from Kolivan.

9-x Altean => As yet to be confirmed as part altean (no clue if this is following the GoLion plot). Beside that, nothing much to say: looks like a purple Altean. Except for the color, Lotor doesn’t seem to have any redeeming features from his supposed Galra heritage. Looks just like the smooth type actually. Got his own category because of Altean lineage probability.

10-Smooth => basically any grunt or peon seen falls under this label. Some have beards, some don’t. Based on the poor guy that got smacked into the wall by Allura, they don’t have a crest on their head, but a protruding bonehead.

11-Smooth x Hairy => commander Sideburns™ is a difficult case, because I have no clue what those majestic “sidefringes” are. Is it skin? Hairs? Locks of flesh? It’s drawn like hair so I assumed x hairy type (also, the brows), but he’s got much features from the lizard-types too.

12-Hairy-Type => the most human-like type of Galra. We can’t know for sure what’s under those hairs, how the ears look like exactly, but they share features with the manta-ray type. Only hair and facial/body hairs, no fur whatsoever.

13-Furry => surprisingly Sendak seems to be a rare type of Galra. He’s the only furry appearing in the show as of now and also the only Galra who’s displaying only one color where other Galras, even grunts, have at least a second color. Can also be considered very tall for the race standards, only second to Zarkon (Shiro is the measuring unit).

This closes part 1. The following parts are going to describe each character more in depth. Next part focus on some generic anatomical concepts and the detailed presentation of each sub-group.