We are currently doing the 'strip Link naked' portion with the Zonai Research Team -- my partner is of the firm opinion that there was some miscommunication with these people. (Which turned out to be accurate!)

We haven't gone over to Gerudo Town or Zora's Domain yet. I don't hang out in much of the fandom, so I have missed any of the racist nonsense you reference, for which I'm pretty grateful: Urbosa was my favorite Champion and I would be Very Upset. I liked Revali once the Champions' Ballad was completed, but Urbosa my queeeeeeen -- I loved everything about her relationship with Zelda except that she never yelled at Rhoam.

I think my favorite thing about TotK so far is how much more optimistic all the NPCs are. Instead of cowering about The Upheaval, which is terrifying and awful, they're like 'we're gonna study it! we're gonna work together!' and it's just so much more _warm_ than BotW. I loved seeing Zelda's shadow all over Hyrule, with that hope and optimism and community-building.

My current favorite pastime is to idly mention to my partner 'wow, Stasis would be really useful right now' or 'gee, Revali's Gale would sure help you get up there' and they mutter and sulk and it's hilarious.

I told Partner about Gloom Evermeans and they shuddered full-body, so thank you for that warning!