To protect themselves from danger, they hide their true identities by transforming into people and Pokémon. Zorua appears to be based on the kitsune of Japanese folklore, a mythical fox capable of shape-shifting. The concept of a Zorua still having its tail while in human form may refer to how a kitsune has difficulty in hiding its tail when it takes on human form in some stories. Its facial markings may draw inspiration from Kabuki and Noh theater makeup. If Foresight or Odor Sleuth is used by an opponent, the opponent has Scrappy, or this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of Normal-type moves is 1× and the effectiveness of Fighting-type moves is 2×.

This Pokémon has a cowardly disposition, so when it's not around friends, it basically always stays transformed as something else. Zorua sometimes transforms into a person and goes into cities to search for food. When Zorua does this, it usually takes on the form of a child.Zorua's Hisuian Form was teased in a blurry found-footage style promotional video, and was revealed in full two days later. A final trailer was released the next week, showing its official artwork and information about it. It changes into the forms of others to surprise them. Apparently, it often transforms into a silent child.

In Hisui, Zorua has a dual-type Normal/ Ghost regional form. It evolves into Hisuian Zoroark starting at level 30. Pinsir Sea, Mimikyu Sea, Rowlet Sea, Buzzwole Sea, Mimikyu Sea Final, Rowlet Sea Final, Buzzwole Sea Final Zorua may be a combination of zorro (Spanish for fox) and rua (Irish for red, possibly referring to its red fur; madra rua is Irish for fox). Glacial Underpass (B1-B9), Glacier Palace (1F-13F), Silent Tundra (Uncharted Road, Gilded Hall), Dreamy Island (Uncharted Road, Gilded Hall), Moonlit Forest (Gilded Hall)Luke's female Zorua debuted in Movie Time! Zorua in "The Legend of the Pokémon Knight"!, where she was used to play multiple roles in her Trainer's films.