List of The Legend of Zelda characters

Promotional artwork depicting several characters from The Legend of Zelda series and its spin-offs. Left to right: Fi, Impa, Darunia, Princess Zelda, Midna, Link, Ganondorf, Ghirahim, Lana, Zant, Sheik, Ruto and Agitha.

The Legend of Zelda is a high-fantasy video game series created by Japanese game designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka. It is primarily developed and published by Nintendo, although some portable installments have been outsourced to Capcom, Vanpool and Grezzo. The series' gameplay incorporates elements of action, adventure, and puzzle-solving games.

The series centers on Link, the playable character and protagonist. Link is often tasked with rescuing Princess Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule from Ganon, who is the series' principal antagonist; however, other settings and antagonists have appeared in several games. The plots commonly involve a relic known as the Triforce, a set of three omnipotent golden triangles.

Since the original The Legend of Zelda's release in 1986, the series has expanded to include 20 entries on all of Nintendo's major game consoles, as well as a number of spin-offs. An American animated TV series based on the games aired in 1989. Individual manga adaptations commissioned by Nintendo have been produced in Japan since 1997. The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo's most prominent and successful franchises. Many of its games are considered by critics and fans alike to be among the greatest video games of all time.

Main characters

Link

Main article: Link (The Legend of Zelda)

Link is the silent protagonist of the series and the main playable character. He is a Hylian youth of varying age who has traditionally been depicted wearing a green cap and tunic. He has appeared as the hero of every game in the series, each time as a new iteration of the same character. Although each game stars a new variation of Link, he typically sets out on a journey across Hyrule to defeat evil, usually in the form of Ganon, and save Princess Zelda. To defeat his enemies, he typically obtains and wields the legendary Master Sword. Each incarnation of Link is humble, brave, and worthy to bear the Triforce of Courage, one of three pieces that form the Triforce. As the protagonist, Link has appeared in related media, including spin-off games such as Hyrule Warriors, comics and manga, and other video game series, such as Mario Kart 8 and the Super Smash Bros. series. Although he is mainly silent in the video games, he does speak in the Legend of Zelda cartoon series and the CD-i games from The Legend of Zelda series produced by Philips. Link was recognised as the second greatest video game character of all time behind Mario in the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2011. Nintendo Life counts Link as "one of gaming's most iconic heroes". GamesRadar described him as, "one of the most enduring heroic archetypes". Time named him as one of the most influential video game characters of all time.

Princess Zelda

Main article: Princess Zelda

Princess Zelda is Hyrule's princess and the guardian of the Triforce of Wisdom. While older titles portray her as a "princess in peril" requiring Link to save her from Ganon, since Ocarina of Time she has been developed as a more fully realized character, particularly in Breath of the Wild. Zelda is the reincarnation of the goddess Hylia in mortal form and is therefore capable of using various magical powers to aid Link. She is powerful enough to use light magic to seal Ganon away. She has wielded the Bow of Light as a recurring weapon in the series. Zelda occasionally has aliases and alter egos, including Sheik in Ocarina of Time and Tetra in The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass. Despite being the titular character, Zelda is only a playable character in Spirit Tracks in the main series and the CD-i games, but is playable in spin-offs such as Hyrule Warriors, or other games, such as the Super Smash Bros. series. She was named as one of the most iconic female game characters of all time by Digital Spy. Alongside Link, she was counted as one of the greatest video game characters of all time by the 2011 Guinness World Record Gamer's Edition.

Ganon

Main article: Ganon

Ganon is the series' primary villain and final boss. His specific motives vary across games, but general themes include seeking the Triforce for power and destruction, and kidnapping Princess Zelda as a means to that end. Like Link and Zelda, he is the bearer of one third of the Triforce, namely, the Triforce of Power. Ganon was introduced as the main antagonist of the original The Legend of Zelda video game in the form of a blue boar and his role and appearance has since evolved over time. Over the course of the series, he has generally appeared in two forms: Ganon, a monstrous, demonic pig-like form, and Ganondorf, a humanoid Gerudo form first introduced in Ocarina of Time. In Breath of the Wild, he appears in two forms in the final boss fight as Calamity Ganon and Dark Beast Ganon. Ganon's primary objective is to conquer Hyrule to achieve ultimate power. His portrayal varies across each game in the series, ranging from a mute beast to a powerful warlock with formidable sword skills, but all variations are so powerful that only Link and Zelda are capable of defeating him. In addition to the main Zelda series, Ganon/Ganondorf appears as a playable character in spin-off games, such as Hyrule Warriors and the Super Smash Bros. series. Ganon was recognized as one of the greatest video game villains of all time in a 2013 poll for Guinness World Records 2013 Gamer's Edition. In 2022, GamesRadar named him as one of the most iconic gaming villains of all time.

Supporting characters

Nintendo Entertainment System, Super NES and Game Boy era (1986-1993)

Old Man

The Old Man appears in the original 1986 The Legend of Zelda video game and is notable for being the first character that Link meets in the series. He is encountered inside a cave and offers Link a sword, saying, "It's dangerous to go alone! Take this." Ozzie Mejia, writing for Shacknews, remarked that this quote has become synonymous with gaming in popular culture and has been referenced in various media. Jack Yarwood of GamesRadar called him "iconic" and commented that he acts as a tutorial for the player, who is otherwise given no clear direction. The Old Man was the inspiration for several other characters that appear in the series, including a similar character in Breath of the Wild.

Impa

Impa was introduced in the game manual for the original The Legend of Zelda video game as a caretaker to Princess Zelda and member of the Sheikah. She takes the form of an old woman and seeks out Link to save Zelda from Ganon. She returns in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, where she acts as a guide to Link. In Ocarina of Time, she plays a major role in the plot as a young warrior and Zelda's guardian. Her character design is similar in Skyward Sword, where she appears in both a young and elderly form. Breath of the Wild depicts her as a Sheikah elder in Kakariko Village, where she is about 120 years old. She is a playable character in Hyrule Warriors and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity as a young warrior. In Tears of the Kingdom, Impa has retired and is busy investigating the Geoglyphs that have appeared around Hyrule. She sets Link on a quest to find the locations of the Dragon's Tears and the memories they hold. Impa's characterisation was praised by Jenni Lada of Siliconera, who admired her for being an intelligent warrior and a respected character.

Impa's character design has evolved significantly over the course of The Legend of Zelda series. She has been depicted in various forms and ages to fulfill various roles in the games. In her first appearance, Impa was created as an elderly woman for the instruction manual of The Legend of Zelda. In Ocarina of Time, she appears as a slimmer, younger character with a sturdy build and hair tied back in a pony tail. By contrast, she was designed as an overweight woman for Oracle of Seasons. In Skyward Sword, she appears as younger and older versions of the same character due to the storyline shifting in time and is dressed in Sheikah attire. The younger version of Impa was given an androgynous appearance. The older version wears a costume designed to reflect the passage of time, including a pendulum braid and a triangular robe that becomes a sundial. In Breath of the Wild, she appears as a much older village elder with a short, shrunken stature. In Hyrule Warriors, she is depicted as an athletic warrior, which is similar to her appearance in Ocarina of Time and her younger form in Skyward Sword. In Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, which features the younger self of her Breath of the Wild incarnation, she is portrayed as a powerful fighter and strongly resembles her future granddaughter, Paya. Impa's design, abilities, and gestures in Age of Calamity drew heavy inspiration from Naruto Uzumaki.

Throughout her many incarnations, she bears the typical traits of the Sheikah tribe, having white hair and red eyes. She also typically displays the Sheikah symbol, an eye with three triangles above and a teardrop below, on her forehead or clothing. As a representative of her people, she wears the unique garments of the Sheikah, which take inspiration from historical Japanese clothing. As a member of the Sheikah, Impa is highly skilled in combat and the use of magic.

Dark Link

Dark Link (also known as Shadow Link) is a recurring boss and doppelgänger of Link with a black color scheme and red eyes. His first appearance was as the final boss of The Adventure of Link. He is a mini boss in the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time and is capable of mirroring his movements in combat. Dark Link appears in A Link to the Past and Four Swords in the optional dungeon Palace of the Four Swords, which requires the player to defeat four versions of him. He makes recurring appearances in Four Swords Adventures. In Oracle of Ages, multiple Shadow Links are summoned by the sorceress Veran during the final battle. He also appears in a mini game in Spirit Tracks and the Den of Trials in Tri Force Heroes. The Dark Set, an obtainable armor set in Breath of the Wild is based on his appearance. He is also a downloadable costume in the spin-off Hyrule Warriors and an optional costume for Link in most entries of the Super Smash Bros. series. Game Informer considered Dark Link in The Adventure of Link as one of the top ten best Zelda boss fights, describing it as, "a notoriously difficult battle". Den of Geek praised Dark Link in Ocarina of Time as one of the series' most creative battles as his counter moves force the player to try different methods to defeat him. In 2010 IGN ranked Dark Link as 77th on its list of the Top 100 Video Game Villains for being a "formidable opponent, mirroring your moves and putting up a seemingly impenetrable defense".

Agahnim

Agahnim is an evil wizard and a major villain in A Link to the Past. He assisted the Royal Family by dispelling multiple plagues and became their trusted advisor for some time. However, he soon displayed his true colors and seized power for himself by killing the King of Hyrule and brainwashing the castle soldiers. Agahnim begins capturing the descendants of the Seven Sages and banishes them to the Dark World to release Ganon from his imprisonment. Link is unable to stop Agahnim from capturing Princess Zelda, as Agahnim escapes to the Dark World and drags Link with him. After a battle atop Ganon's Tower, prior to his defeat, it is revealed his body is a vessel for Ganon's soul. Link faces Agahnim twice, first at the end of the light world and again near the end of the dark world, where he is assisted by two shadow clones. In the second battle, the player must distinguish between the shadow clones and the real Agahnim as they shoot projectiles at Link, who can bounce them back to defeat him. In Link's Awakening, Agahnim's Shadow is one of the Shadows of Link's former foes who attack him in the final battle at Koholint Island's Wind Fish Egg.

Error

Error is a minor NPC that appears in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. He is a bearded man dressed in a purple outfit who meets Link in the town of Ruto. He introduces himself with the words "I AM ERROR". After Link speaks to another character in the town of Mido and returns to Error, he will reveal the passage to the Island Palace. Although only a minor character, Error became an internet meme. Although his name appears to be a mistranslation of the Japanese, it is considered to be a developer's in-joke, as an identical character dressed in red is named Bagu, the Japanese word for bug. Aaron Kaluszka of Nintendo World Report commented that the character had "become one of the most well known in all of video gaming".

King of Hyrule

The King of Hyrule is the title given to the various ruling monarchs of Hyrule, who are generally the father of Princess Zelda in most incarnations. He appears in many entries, but his presence is often relegated to cameos, backstory, or lore. In The Minish Cap, he is named King Daltus, and Link must rescue him after Vaati turns him to stone and imprisons him. In The Wind Waker, he is named Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, and is later revealed to be the true identity of The King of Red Lions, the sentient red sailboat that accompanies Link. He is instrumental to the game's plot, as he helps Tetra to uncover her real identity as Zelda and leads Link to the Triforce of Courage, ultimately usurping the Triforce to sink Hyrule. He later appears as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors Legends. In Breath of the Wild, he is introduced as the Old Man, who guides Link throughout the Great Plateau and helps him obtain the paraglider. He is eventually revealed to be the spirit of King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule. In the game's backstory, he prepares for the return of Calamity Ganon and puts pressure on his daughter Zelda to awaken her sealing powers, but his efforts end in failure and his death. King Rhoam returns as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.

Great Fairy

Great Fairies appear in almost every game in the series, residing in springs called "Great Fairy's Fountains". They first appeared in the original The Legend of Zelda video game. Their designs have varied across the series, but they usually appear as voluptuous women. Their function is generally to help Link by bestowing hearts and upgrades. Ocarina of Time's Great Fairy designs moved away from traditional winged depictions and feature them with bright pink hair worn in braids and ivy across their body. Visiting these fairies allows the player to replenish health and magic and receive upgrades that can be used in boss fights. Similar Great Fairy designs were later used in Majora's Mask. In The Wind Waker, the Great Fairies resemble dolls with blank expressions, and upgrade Link's item inventory. Four Great Fairies, Cotera, Kayla, Mija and Tera, appear in Breath of the Wild; they are scattered across Hyrule, and will upgrade Link's armor in exchange for materials. They return in Tears of the Kingdom, where they are found in different locations and can only be unlocked after being serenaded by a musical group called the Stable Trotters. In Hyrule Warriors, one of Link's unlockable weapons allows the player to control a Great Fairy, with Link held in a bottle that she carries with her. In Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Great Fairies are secret characters that can be unlocked by completing four Fairy Fountain challenges.

Marin

Marin is a young girl who appears in Link's Awakening. She finds Link washed ashore on Koholint Island and nurses him back to health, after which she spends her time in the village with her father Tarin. Marin is loved by the villagers for her singing, specifically her favorite song, the Ballad of the Wind Fish. If the player does not die during the game, a secret ending is revealed after the credits, where the Wind Fish grants her desire to fly away from Koholint by reincarnating her as a seagull. Jenni Lada of Siliconera considered Marin to be one of the most charming aspects of the game because, rather than being a one-note character, she grows as a person and plays a major role in the story. Timothy Monbleau of Destructoid opined that Marin's close relationship with Link marked a change in the series that resulted in more personal character stories in subsequent games, changing Zelda's role, and revealing more information about Link's character. Marin appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee and as a playable character through downloadable content in Hyrule Warriors Legends.

Nightmares

Nightmares are evil monsters and the primary villains of Link's Awakening, who invade Koholint Island in hopes of ruling over it. They include Moldorm, a segmented worm who guards the Full Moon Cello in the Tail Cave, Genie, a clown-like spirit in a jar who guards the Conch Horn in the Bottle Grotto, Slime Eye, a huge, one-eyed slime who guards the Sea Lily's Bell in the Key Cavern, Angler Fish, a huge angler fish who guards the Surf Harp in the Angler's Tunnel, Slime Eel, a massive eel who guards the Wind Marimba in the Catfish's Maw, Façade, a disembodied face who guards the Coral Triangle in the Face Shrine, Evil Eagle, a huge eagle who guards the Organ of Evening Calm in the Eagle's Tower, Hot Head, a disembodied head cloaked in fire who guards the Thunder Drum in the Turtle Rock, and Dethl, a shadowy being who put the Wind Fish to sleep and is the final Nightmare fought.

Nintendo 64 era (1998-2000)

Epona

Main article: Epona (The Legend of Zelda)

Epona is Link's horse, who was introduced in Ocarina of Time and appears in other games in the series, including Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom. She comes to Link's aid after being called by Epona's Song, which he plays on the ocarina in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, and on a blade of "horse grass" in Twilight Princess. Shigeru Miyamoto said that Epona was chosen as Link's main mode of transport so that he could get in contact with other characters. In Ocarina of Time, she is first encountered at Lon Lon Ranch, where Malon teaches young Link "Epona's Song". Later, Link frees her from Ingo's control and she becomes his steed. Charlotte Krol of NME chose the experience of riding Epona in Ocarina of Time as one of the most enjoyable aspects of the game, noting that the speed at which players traverse the game world felt revolutionary at the time. Chris Hoffman of GamesRadar praised the subtle bond between Link and Epona and described her as his steadfast companion throughout the game.

Navi

Main article: Navi (The Legend of Zelda)

Navi is a fairy who is Link's "navigator" in Ocarina of Time. The Great Deku Tree in Kokiri Forest instructed her to assist Link in his quest to stop Ganondorf. All Kokiri have companion fairies, but because Link is actually a Hylian, he does not receive one until Navi joins him near the beginning of Ocarina of Time. In gameplay, Navi functions primarily as a guide that points out clues in the environment and helps the player learn the controls and advance in the game. Most of her hints are about how to progress in the story or defeat enemies. She can also be used to lock onto enemies, items and other characters in the game. She is one of the few characters with any voice-acting in the series, and one of the few characters who uses English words, such as "Hey", "Look", "Listen", "Watch out", and "Hello". Navi leaves Link at the end of the game after he puts the Master Sword back in the Pedestal of Time. In Majora's Mask, Link's search for a "beloved and invaluable friend", who is implied to be Navi, leads him to enter Termina. GamesRadar editor Mikel Reparaz ranked Navi as the most irritating female character, stating that she would have been bearable if she did not interrupt the gameplay as often. Fellow GamesRadar editor Tom Goulter listed her as the second most annoying sidekick ever.

Great Deku Tree

The Great Deku Tree is a ancient, large tree with a humanoid face and big mustache who appears in Ocarina of Time. He is charged with watching over the Kokiri, a childlike race of forest spirits who inhabit the Kokiri Forest. He suffers from a curse Ganon cast upon him, as he wishes to gain the power of the Spiritual Stone of the Forest. The Deku Tree sends Navi to retrieve Link to destroy the cause of the curse, and he serves as the first dungeon. Although Link succeeds, he ultimately succumbs to the curse. Seven years in the future, Link discovers a little sprout which grows into the Deku Sprout, his successor. In The Wind Waker, the Great Deku Tree appears as the guardian of the forest. He also appears in Breath of the Wild, where Zelda tasked him with guarding the Master Sword in Korok Forest until Link is ready to claim it. In Tears of the Kingdom, the Great Deku Tree has been poisoned by Gloom, requiring Link to cleanse the tree by defeating the Gloom Hands and Phantom Ganon.

Kaepora Gaebora

Kaepora Gaebora is a wise owl who guides Link throughout various games in the series. In Ocarina of Time, he is referred to as the reincarnation of an ancient sage, which Hyrule Historia clarifies to be Rauru, the Sage of Light. He also appears in Majora's Mask and Four Swords Adventures. Screen Rant described the character as "arguably Ocarina of Time's most hated character", noting his lengthy speeches, which rarely provide useful advice. Devin Ellis Friend reported that interacting with the character had caused particular frustration, as at the end of his speeches he asks players if they want the advice repeated; as the cursor defaults to yes, this can cause players to accidentally repeat the advice.

Rauru

Rauru is a Hylian high priest and the Sage of Light, as well as the last of the ancient Sages. He cares for Link during his temporary imprisonment in the Sacred Realm and provides him with information about the Sages and the events of the past seven years. He then tasks Link with finding the five remaining Sages and gives him the Light Medallion.

Saria

Saria is a Kokiri girl and Link's childhood friend. She is encountered on a bridge leading out of Kokiri Forest, where she gives him the Fairy Ocarina, an instrument that the player uses to learn several songs. She is later encountered in the Lost Woods, where she teaches Link Saria's Song. Saria eventually sacrifices herself by becoming the Sage of the Forest Temple to help Link on his quest.

Darunia

Darunia is the leader of the Goron tribe, a race of rock-eating giants, and the Sage of Fire. Link first meets him in Goron City, but he refuses to speak to him until he hears Saria's Song, which changes his mood and causes him to start dancing. He also appears as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors.

Ruto

Princess Ruto is a Zora who is both their princess and the Sage of Water.After the Zora refused to follow Ganondorf's rule, he punished them by sealing their entire domain in ice. However, Sheik saved Ruto and traveled to the Water Temple to break Ganondorf's curse. Ruto later reunites with Link, whom she was engaged to as a child due to a misunderstanding, and guides him through the temple. After Link kills Morpha, the source of the curse, Ruto awakens as the Water Sage and reluctantly puts her marriage on hold to aid him. She also appears as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors.

Nabooru

Nabooru is a Gerudo and the Sage of Spirit as well as the second-in-command of the Gerudo tribe, a race of thieves. She protested Ganondorf's cruelty toward innocents and traveled to the Spirit Temple to interfere with his plans, recruiting Young Link to recover the Silver Gauntlets for her. However, Twinrova, Ganondorf's surrogate mothers, kidnap Nabooru and brainwash her into becoming his follower. After Link defeats them, Nabooru awakens as a Sage and decides to seek vengeance against her captors.

Dampé

Dampé is an old gravekeeper who appears in several games. He was introduced in Ocarina of Time, where he is found in the Kakariko Village graveyard and provides a guided tour of the graveyardm as well as help child Link find treasures. When playing as adult Link, Dampé is dead and Link must enter his grave and challenge his ghost to a race to claim the hookshot. In Majora's Mask, he is found in the Ikana Graveyard looking for a treasure, which Link helps him find. In Four Swords Adventures, he is found at the graveyard in the swamp area and tells Link about the Forest of Light. In The Minish Cap, he is found in the Royal Valley, where Link can fuse kinstones with him to unlock rewards and locations. He also appears as a graveyard caretaker in A Link Between Worlds. In the Nintendo Switch remake of Link's Awakening, he runs the Chamber Dungeon editor, where players can assemble custom dungeons.

Malon

Malon is a young girl who appears throughout the series. She first appears in Ocarina of Time, where she interacts with Link on several occasions. She is encountered outside Hyrule Castle, where she sings "Epona's Song". Later in the game, Link visits Lon Lon Ranch and helps Malon and her father Talon with their ordeals. There, she teaches Link "Epona's Song", which allows him to call Epona at any time. After Link takes ownership of Epona, he can return to Malon to challenge her in a time trial. If he beats Malon's record of 50 seconds around the track, she will put a cow in his house in Kokiri Forest. In Oracle of Seasons, she and her father breed Cuccos north of Horon Village near Eyeglass Lake in Holodrum. As part of the trading quest, if Link gives her the Cuccodex, she will give him the Lon Lon Egg. In Four Swords Adventures, the four Links guide Malon to her father, Talon, when her path is blocked by castle knights. Upon reuniting her with Talon, he gives the Links permission to use his horses, which appear when one of the Links touch a carrot. She also appears in The Minish Cap, where Link helps her and Talon back into their house by finding a key; they later move to the town to sell Lon Lon Milk.

Twinrova

Kotake and Koume, collectively referred to as the Twinrova Sisters (/ˌtwɪnˈroʊvə/), are Gerudo witches and the surrogate mothers and servants of Ganon. They can brainwash others to serve him and merge to form the stronger witch Twinrova; the brooms they use to fly become scepters that channel Twinrova's power. They appear in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Oracle of Seasons, and Oracle of Ages. When Link fights them in a boss battle in Ocarina of Time, as Twinrova they are capable of attacking him with both fire and ice, and are defeated by deflecting their attacks using the Mirror Shield. Chris Freiburg, writing for Den of Geek, listed this battle as the best temple guardian boss fight in the game and considered it one of the best in the series. Kenneth Shepard of Kotaku thought that the Twinrova battle represents the fusion of the two sisters' contrasting magical abilities and personalities, but is also an allegory for their fraught relationship. Dan Ryckert of Game Informer ranked Twinrova as the best boss battle in the series calling it a "thrilling fight" because, in the final phase, Link must absorb three blasts of the same element before being able to deflect an attack, which means that the player must anticipate Twinrova's moves to succeed.

Skull Kid

Skull Kid is a young Imp who first appears in Ocarina of Time. Three can be found in the Lost Woods, that appear with no faces. Two play a memory game with Link as a child, and one rewards him if he plays a particular song for him on his ocarina. In Majora's Mask, the Skull Kid is seen alongside the fairies Tatl and Tael. He steals Majora's Mask, which grants him great power at the cost of corrupting him. Under its influence, he curses the inhabitants of Termina and causes the moon to fall toward Clock Town. He is thwarted after the Four Giants of Termina stop the moon from falling and Link defeats Majora. Skull Kid notes that Link "smells a lot like that fairy kid who taught [him] that song in the woods", suggesting that he is the same Skull Kid that appeared in Ocarina of Time. Skull Kid also makes an appearance in Twilight Princess. He appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as a Sticker. He appears in The Legend of Zelda manga. Skull Kid also appears as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors Legends and Cadence of Hyrule. Levi Winslow of Kotaku chose Skull Kid as the scariest aspect of Majora's Mask, because his pranks become increasingly more violent as the mask takes over his sanity. Bloody Disgusting praised the character's physical design, particularly his vibrant, heart-shaped mask, which "exudes a mystic appeal". Skull Kid's appearance in the 2016 short fan film Majora's Mask: Terrible Fate, voiced by Joe Zieja, received widespread attention among The Legend of Zelda fandom and critical acclaim.

Majora

Majora is the main villain of Majora's Mask, a mysterious entity in the form of a sentient artifact once used by a nameless tribe for hexing and torture. The mask is primarily seen being worn over the face of Skull Kid, who, corrupted by Majora's influence, uses the mask's dark magic to wreak havoc across Termina. During the final boss battle, three forms of Majora are shown; a floating jelly fish-like creature, its Incarnation form, and Majora's Wrath. The last two are humanoid creatures, while Majora's Wrath has long, whip-like arms. CJ Andriessen of Destructoid described it as "the freakiest final boss battle in Zelda history", citing the point when Majora's Mask sprouts arms and legs and a third eye, and naming its final form Majora's Wrath "the stuff nightmares are made of". Kenneth Shepard of Kotaku considered the fight with Majora to be unnerving and disorientating: "You spend all this time watching the citizens of Termina coming to terms with death and grieving, then find the force of nature behind all this despair is this raving mad creature that only exists to sow chaos". Majora's Mask appears as an obtainable head piece in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

Happy Mask Salesman

The Happy Mask Salesman is a mysterious man who travels the world collecting masks. He appears in Ocarina of Time and Oracle of Ages, where he sells masks used in item-trading sidequests. In Majora's Mask, he plays a more integral role. On his travels to find rare masks, he is ambushed by the Skull Kid and his fairies, Tatl and Tael, who steal Majora's Mask. After noticing that the Skull Kid cursed Link into a Deku Scrub, he offers to undo the curse in return for Majora's Mask and Link's Ocarina of Time. The Happy Mask Salesman also provides Link with information about the various masks that can be recovered whenever Link speaks with him. Marty Sliva, writing for The Escapist, described the character's first words "You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?" as "iconic" as they convey a wealth of meaning. The phrase is the character's reaction to Link's transformation at the start of the game, but also hints at an uncertainty that this dark fate can be reversed. IGN ranked him number four on its list of the Top 20 Weirdest Zelda Characters: "With his manic smile, followed by that hideous sneer, followed by all other manner of mood swings, this guy was downright unsettling".

Tatl

Tatl is a fairy companion who appears in Majora's Mask. Like Navi, her function is to provide Link with guidance throughout the game. She is initially hostile to Link, as she and her brother Tael ambush him with the Skull Kid. The ensuing events result in her being left behind, causing her to reluctantly agree to help Link so she can reunie with her brother. She comes to realize that the Skull Kid must be freed from the influence of Majora's mask to save the land of Termina from destruction. Tatl was chosen as the best fairy companion by Lowell Bell of Nintendo Life, who praised her backstory, personality and prominent role in the game's events. Jeff Levene, writing for The Escapist, praised her as a significant upgrade from Navi and highlighted her rich personality, good advice and development as Link's companion.

Tingle

Main article: Tingle (character)

Tingle is a eccentric middle-aged man who is obsessed with fairies and believes himself to be the reincarnation of one. He first appears in Majora's Mask, where he wears a green body suit and floats around on a balloon selling maps. He reappears in Wind Waker, first in a jail room located on Windfall Island, and then in a tall wooden tower, where he acts as a map maker. He also appears in Oracle of Ages, Four Swords Adventures and The Minish Cap. He makes cameo appearances in Phantom Hourglass as a poster, in Spirit Tracks as a shop figurine, and in Skyward Sword as a doll in Zelda's room at the Knight Academy. Tingle has gained notoriety due to being disliked by American players and has not appeared in the main series since Twilight Princess. He ranked first on IGN's list of the weirdest Zelda characters. IGN staff expressed their distain for the character with a 2004 "Die, Tingle, Die! Die!" Campaign", describing him as a "nutty clown freak" and stating, "we hate Tingle, we want him dead, and we're not going to stand for him in another Zelda game". He has starred in his own games, including Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland and Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love. He is also a playable character via downloadable content in Hyrule Warriors. His suit is an obtainable armour set in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

GameCube and Game Boy Advance era (2002-2004)

Vaati

Vaati (Japanese: グフー, Hepburn: Gufū) is the antagonist of The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures and The Minish Cap. His most common appearance is a black orb with a single eye, though he was originally a human sorcerer. In Four Swords, Vaati is initially sealed in the Four Sword weapon, but escapes and captures Princess Zelda, only to be returned to the sword by Link, who had been split into four by the sword. In the sequel, Four Swords Adventures, he escapes with Princess Zelda with help from Ganon, forcing Link to be split up again to defeat him. Before the events of The Minish Cap, Vaati was a Picori that became corrupted by the evil in the hearts of mankind. He used the Wishing Cap created by his master, Ezlo, to transform himself into a Hylian sorcerer and curse him into his current hat-like form, and now seeks out the power of the Light Force.

Ezlo

Ezlo is a magical talking green cap with a bird-like face who appears in The Minish Cap. He serves as Link's companion throughout the game, offering him advice and comments. He gives Link the ability to shrink down to the minuscule size of the Minish and can be used like a parachute to carry Link between areas. Prior to the game's events, he was a sage and Minish craftsman who took Vaati in as an apprentice, only for him to curse him after gaining the power of the Mage's Cap. Jeff Levene, writing for The Escapist, praised Ezlo's design as a "delightful play on Link's own iconic green cap" and described him as a fully realised character. Thomas Jones of Nintendo Life expressed a preference for Ezlo as a companion in comparison to previous characters like Navi, describing him as "one of the more endearing and loveable guides/companions Link has had on his many journeys".

Beedle

Beedle, also known as Terry in other localizations, is a traveling merchant who sells Link items. He also values his consumers with rewards discounts. He first appears in The Wind Waker, where he can be found on islands in the Great Sea on his boat shop. In The Minish Cap, he appears in Hyrule Town selling Picolyte after Link fuses kinstones and clears the area with the Gust Jar. In Phantom Hourglass, he sells boat parts. In Spirit Tracks, he is seen soaring above in a balloon across New Hyrule. In Skyward Sword, he travels from his island home to Skyloft in a pedal-powered wooden shack with helicopter-type propellers, which also serves as his shop. In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, he travels on foot with a large backpack, and is often seen at stables. IGN ranked him number 14 on its list of the weirdest Zelda characters.

Medli

Medli is a young Rito girl and the Sage of Earth as well as the apprentice attendant of Valoo, a powerful dragon and the Sky Spirit. When not serving Valoo, she tends to the young Prince Komali and practices her harp, the symbol of the Sage of Earth. Her ancestor Laruto, a Zora, was the original Sage, and teaches Link the Earth God's Lyric and appears to Medli in a vision to inform her of her sacred duty. Medli later travels to the Earth Temple with Link and helps him navigate it. She eventually begins offering up her prayers, which restores the energy and edge of the Master Sword. She also appears as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors through downloadable content. Josh Max of Nintendo World Report named Medli as his favourite Zelda character, describing her as "a little bird girl with a heart of gold". He praised her responsibility and kindness and noted that although she is unprepared to take on the role of sage and Valoo's attendant, she always tries her best and is a valuable ally in the game.

Makar

Makar is a young Korok and the Sage of Wind, as well as one of the beloved children of the Great Deku Tree. During the annual Seeding Ceremony, Makar performs a special song on a leafy violin, the symbol of the Sage of Wind. His ancestor Fado, a Kokiri and the original sage, was killed by Ganondorf when he invaded the Wind Temple. Fado appears to Link and teaches him the Wind God's Aria to awaken Makar to his destiny. After Makar discovers that he is the successor of Fado, he accepts his role as the Sage of Wind. Though Makar is captured in the Wind Temple, Link frees him, and he assists Link and fully restores the power to repel evil to the Master Sword, which manifests as a brilliant glow. Zachary Miller of Nintendo World Report chose Makar as his favourite character in the Zelda series, describing him as "adorable" and naming him as the game's standout character.

Wii, Nintendo DS and 3DS era (2006-2015)

Midna

Main article: Midna

Midna is the titular character of Twilight Princess. She is an imp-like creature and the princess of the Twili race, who serves as Link's companion and guide, much like Navi in Ocarina of Time. She initially shows contempt for Link and uses him to further her own goals, but over time grows to like him as she helps him on his quest. They share a common goal in defeating Zant, who invaded Hyrule and usurped the Twilight Realm's throne. When Link is transformed into a wolf in the Twilight Realm, she rides on his back and acts as his counterpart in battle. She is eventually revealed to be the true ruler of the Twilight Realm, the titular "Twilight Princess", who Zant overthrew and cursed into an impish form. At the end of the game, Midna's true form is revealed and she severs the connection with Hyrule by breaking the Mirror of Twilight. Midna returns in Hyrule Warriors as a playable character in both her imp and Twili forms. Destructoid listed Midna as one of the top ten best companions in gaming history, citing her cheeky character, her ability to help Link destroy enemies, and her emotional moments in the game. Jeff Levene, writing for The Escapist, also chose her as the best companion, describing her as a fully realized character with more layers than other companions.

Zant

Usurper King Zant is a sorcerer and the enemy of the Twili, who willingly offered himself to Ganondorf, whom he saw as a god, to dispose of Midna and invade Hyrule. He is the antagonist for the majority of Twilight Princess. He dresses in an oversized robe with his head enclosed in a large silver helmet that resembles a chameleon's head. Rob Crossley of GameSpot remarked that Zant's personality "descends from composed usurper king to a confused, overpowered adolescent" as he becomes increasingly desperate. He described Zant's story arc as "fascinating and overbearing and weird and brilliantly imaginative". The final battle against Zant involves fighting him in the arenas of other bosses and sub-bosses before fighting him in front of Hyrule Castle. Destructoid expressed a "hatred" for the character due to him being set up as the main villain, only to be reduced to a puppet of Ganondorf with no real power of his own. Zant also makes an appearance as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors. Zant's helmet is an obtainable armour piece in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

Malo

Malo is a young child from Link's village who appears in Twilight Princess. He is Talo's brother and has a large, round head and large eyes. When he speaks, his character is revealed to be in direct contrast to his youthful appearance, as he is often mean and sarcastic. He also has an entrepreneurial streak and runs a shop. He often complains about the store at Hyrule Castle, particularly the high prices and customer service. Eventually, he takes over the store and names it Malo Mart. After becoming boss of the store, he makes his employees, who are much older than him, wear colorful outfits displaying his face. Pedro Hernandez of Nintendo World Report compared Malo to Stewie Griffin from Family Guy due to his intelligence. He also praised the writers for creating a funny and unforgettable character rather than another archetype. Malo appeared as a host in several Tweets on Nintendo's Japanese Twitter account leading up to the release of Twilight Princess HD. He was also an internet meme, in reference to Damien, the son of Satan, in the South Park episode of the same name.

Linebeck

Linebeck first appears in Phantom Hourglass as he helps Link save the World of the Ocean King from Bellum. He provides transport for Link in his ship, the S. S. Linebeck, and is greedy and self-centered. During the first half of the game, he seeks to obtain the Ghost Ship's treasure. After the Ghost Ship's treasure is revealed to be a rumor devised by Bellum to attract people to it, Oshus, who is revealed to be the Ocean King, promises Linebeck one wish if he continues to sail Link across the oceans, which will be granted after Bellum is defeated. In the endgame, Linebeck saves Link and Tetra from Bellum by stabbing him. Bellum, enraged, then possesses Linebeck. After Bellum is defeated by Link once again, he dies and Linebeck is freed. When the now-restored Ocean King asks him what his wish is, Linebeck first questions whether he even has to make a wish, then decides that he wants his ship, which was destroyed, back rather than having great treasure. In Spirit Tracks, Linebeck's grandson, Linebeck III, runs Linebeck Trading at the Trading Outpost in New Hyrule, and hires a bridgemaker to build a bridge for Link in exchange for a precious ring he retrieves from the resting place of the original Linebeck.

Ghirahim

Demon Lord Ghirahim is a boss encountered throughout Skyward Sword. He seeks to kidnap Zelda to break the seal of the goddess Hylia so that the ancient evil Demise can be released, forcing Link to battle him to save her. Eiji Aonuma said that he wanted to include a different type of antagonist for the game in place of Ganon, so Ghirahim's delicate appearance was designed to contrast with Ganon's "very masculine, powerful, evil" image. In the final boss battle, Ghirahim is revealed to be the spirit of Demise's sword, given life so that he can resurrect his master. He returns to his sword form, but is ultimately defeated by the Master Sword during the climactic battle with Link. Kenneth Shepard of Kotaku described him as a "queer-coded menace" and noted that despite all of his theatricality and cockiness, him resorting to brute force in the final battle reveals his true character. Nintendo Life described Ghirahim as, "one of Nintendo's most edgy, downright creepy creations", noting his intimidating character and strange mannerisms. Outside the main series, Ghirahim appears in Hyrule Warriors and both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as an Assist Trophy.

Demise

Demon King Demise is an evil deity and the final boss in Skyward Sword. He is presented as the origin of the evil that manifests throughout the history of Hyrule. Despite not being the first game in the series, Skyward Sword was designed to be the beginning of The Legend of Zelda timeline. In the ancient past, Demise entered the world with his forces seeking to steal the Triforce from the goddess Hylia and have ultimate power over the world. To protect the Triforce, Hylia sealed him away in the Sealed Grounds. However, he takes on a monstrous form called The Imprisoned and attempts to escape by breaking the seal. His sword, which assumes the form of the Demon Lord Ghirahim, tracks down Hylia's reincarnation, Zelda, and uses her lifeforce to resurrect Demise. Impressed to see a Hylian like Link willing to stand up to him, Demise decides to battle him out of amusement. After Link mortally wounds him and restores Zelda's soul to her body, Demise's remains are sealed within the Master Sword. Before his end, Demise curses the future incarnations of Link and Zelda with the promise to manifest repeatedly throughout history. Within the history of the series, this is widely considered to be Ganondorf's origin as Demise's reincarnation. In Hyrule Warriors, Demise reappears in his Imprisoned form.

Fi

Main article: Fi (The Legend of Zelda)

Fi (/faɪ/) is a female humanoid representation of the Goddess Sword, which later evolves into the Master Sword, who appears in Skyward Sword. She serves as Link's logical-minded companion and assists him throughout the game. In the end, after Demise is sealed within the Master Sword, Fi reveals her last order from the goddess is to let Link put her into an endless sleep within the weapon, which he does after encouragement from her and Zelda. She also appears in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, where she informs Zelda that Link can be saved by bringing him to the Shrine of Resurrection. Fi also appears as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors.

Groose

Groose is a bully from the Knights' Academy, who appears in Skyward Sword. He is often hostile and works to undermine Link out of jealousy of his close relationship with Zelda. Over time, through Link's exploits and his own shortcomings, he is humbled and becomes more helpful. He builds a catapult called "The Groosenator" to aid Link in halting the imprisoned Demise from escaping the pit of the Sealed Grounds and reaching the Sealed Temple, and looks after the elderly Impa at the Sealed Grounds. David Roberts of GamesRadar compared Groose's conceit and selfishness to Gaston from Beauty and the Beast and listed his transformation from bully into Link's ally as one of the greatest moments in Zelda history.

Yuga

Yuga is a powerful sorcerer and the main antagonist of A Link Between Worlds. His obsession with beauty and art compels him to transform his victims into paintings. In the game, Link uses this ability to merge with walls to travel between Hyrule and Lorule. Yuga conspires with Lorule's ruler Princess Hilda to infiltrate Hyrule and steal its Triforce to restore Lorule, which has crumbled into ruin as a result of its people destroying their Triforce. Rather than being another pawn in Ganon's plan to take over the world, Yuga decides to resurrect Ganon and use him to make himself more powerful by merging with him to become Yuga-Ganon. Link must defeat Yuga-Ganon in a boss fight that involves deflecting light arrows to hit him from behind. At a New York Comic Con panel, Eiji Aonuma explained that Yuga had been designed with long hair and physical features that make him "a little bit ambiguous gender-wise". Outside the main series, Yuga appears as a character introduced in downloadable content for Hyrule Warriors.

Princess Hilda

Princess Hilda is the princess of Lorule in A Link Between Worlds, a world that mirrors Hyrule. She is Zelda's counterpart in the game, although Eiji Aonuma noted that although the two are similar, they have "different desires" and "different motives". She is voiced by Kei Hayami. Hilda plots to save her kingdom by stealing Hyrule's Triforce, as it crumbled into ruin as a result of its people destroying their Triforce. She initially conspires with Yuga, an evil sorcerer, but after being double-crossed by him, attempts to steal Link's and Zelda's Triforce pieces. At the end of the game, she decides to return Link, Zelda and the Triforce back to Hyrule. CJ Andriessen of Destructoid counted her as a memorable Zelda villain because she is "pulling the strings all along" and the driver behind the events in the game. Peter Tieryas of Kotaku commented positively on the nature of Hilda's journey as an antagonist, noting that the tragic context of her committing evil acts to save her kingdom contrasts with the motivations of other villains in the series like Ganon.

Ravio

Ravio is a mysterious merchant and a supporting character in A Link Between Worlds. He wears a purple outfit with a rabbit mask covering his face, referencing Link transformation into a rabbit upon entering the Dark World in A Link to the Past. Ravio sets up a shop and rents equipment to Link for Rupees, and sends his pet bird Sheerow to retrieve rented items should Link fall in battle. Jim Sterling, writing for The Escapist, described Ravio as "really annoying" and disliked the rental system, as it requires the player to return to Ravio when they run out of health and rent the items again. Ravio is later revealed to be Link's counterpart in the Dark World, who attempted to stop Princess Hilda from stealing Hyrule's Triforce. GamesRadar's David Roberts thought that Ravio's reveal is one of the coolest moments in the series, describing it as a "brilliant yet subtle callback". Peter Tieryas of Kotaku responded positively to Ravio's role, noting that his rental system means that the player can tackle the game's dungeons in any order and that losing a life has more significance than in other Zelda games. He also considered Ravio's reveal as the cowardly version of Hyrule's hero as an opportunity to see Link in a new light. Ravio also appears as a playable character through downloadable content in Hyrule Warriors.

Wii U and Nintendo Switch era (2017-2023)

Mipha

Mipha is the Zora Champion and pilot of Divine Beast Vah Ruta. She is voiced by Amelia Gotham in English and Mayu Isshiki in Japanese. She is the pilot of the Divine Beast Vah Ruta and the first of the Champions to master her Divine Beast. Mipha, alongside the other three Champions, died during the battle with Calamity Ganon. In the game's backstory, Mipha and Link were once childhood friends. In the Memory "Mipha's Touch", Mipha reminisces with Link about their past and promises to always heal him. Mipha is shown to have romantic feelings for Link, to the extent that she makes Zora armor for him to wear. However, it is not revealed whether Link returns her affections. Her spirit is set free in the present day after Link awakens 100 years later and helps to reclaim control of Divine Beast Vah Ruta. Afterwards, she bestows a powerful healing skill, Mipha's Grace, upon him. She apologizes to her father for not returning safely and wishes that she could see her family again. Link honors her memory by wearing the Zora armor that she made for him and by aiding the Zora people.

Mipha also appears in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity as a playable character. She wields the Lightscale Trident or Zora Spear in battle and has the ability to heal herself and her allies on the battlefield. She also uses her ability to manipulate water to create water-based attacks. Mipha plays a major role in the storyline as one of the four Champions. During a cutscene, she accepts her role as the Zora Champion, although her father King Dorephan says that it is only on the condition that she returns safely.

Lead artist Hirohito Shinoda stated in development notes that he based her design off of a dolphin. Cinematic designer Naoki Mori said that Mipha's relationship with Link was intended to be different to his relationship with Princess Zelda, commenting that "it almost ended up being too intense. I tried to balance things by making her into a quieter person".

Daruk

Daruk is the Goron Champion and pilot of Divine Beast Vah Rudania. He is voiced by Joe Hernandez in English and Koji Takeda in Japanese. Although usually calm, he becomes ferocious during battle and believes in Link's fighting capabilities. He grants Link "Daruk's Protection", which protects Link from attacks. His signature weapon is the Boulder Breaker. Daruk also appears as a playable warrior in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Cinematic designer Naoki Mori stated that Daruk is reminiscent of Darunia from Ocarina of Time because he calls Link "little guy", which serves as a homage to Darunia calling him "brother". He designed him to have a straightforward nature like the other Gorons while being the elder spiritual leader of the Champions. Lead artist Hierohito Shinoda added that he wanted Daruk to feel like an experienced leader that anyone can count on, with his hair looking like armour. He also focused on his body shape to ensure he is bulky and muscular.

Revali

Revali is the Rito Champion and pilot of Divine Beast Vah Medoh. He is voiced in English by Sean Chiplock and Noboru Yamaguchi in Japanese. Revali is skilled in aerial battles and has exceptional sight and archery skills. He believes himself to be superior to Link, but changes his views after Link frees his spirit from Calamity Ganon. He grants Link "Revali's Gale", a powerful vertical wind column that blows Link into the air. In Creating a Champion, cinematic designer, Naoki Mori stated that the Champions were designed as a throwback to characters in earlier games. He thought it would be interesting to create a character that does not accept Link as a hero like the other Champions, but wanted to ensure that he was not disliked for his overconfidence. The lead artist of NPCs, Hirohito Shinoda, stated that Revali was the first Rito character to be created for the game and defined the other Rito designs. Various bird motifs were considered for his design, including swallows and woodpeckers, before the team chose birds of prey. Shinoda also stated that it took a lot of experimentation to create a character that sees Link as his rival, but is unable to be honest about it. He also appears in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity as a playable character. VG247 reported that players lamented the absence of Revali's Gale in Tears of the Kingdom, describing it as the most useful of the four Champion abilities.

Urbosa

Main article: Urbosa

Urbosa is the Gerudo Champion and pilot of Divine Beast Vah Naboris. She is voiced by Elizabeth Maxwell in English and Rei Shimoda in Japanese. Urbosa is a strong and courageous leader who showcases care and concern for Princess Zelda's well-being, as she was good friends with Zelda's mother, the deceased Queen of Hyrule. Urbosa still feels bitter about her failure as a Champion one hundred years before. However, she is happy to be able to make up for her people's shame, as one of Ganon's previous incarnations was a Gerudo. She grants Link "Urbosa's Fury", a devastating electric attack. She also appears in Age of Calamity as a playable character. She was generally well-regarded, as she was considered one of the best characters of 2017 by Paste Magazine and Destructoid.

Sidon

Main article: Sidon (The Legend of Zelda)

Sidon is Mipha's younger brother and heir to the Zora throne, who is admired by the Zora for his strength and optimism. He is voiced by Jamie Mortellaro in English and Kosuke Onishi in Japanese. He aids Link in stopping Vah Ruta from flooding Zora's Domain and causing damage to the surrounding regions, as the Zoras, being weak to electricity, are unable to use the Shock Arrows needed to disable it. Sidon also helps Link win the support of the prejudiced Muzu by proving Mipha's love for him with the Zora Armor. A younger version of Sidon appears in the Memory "Champion Mipha's Song" during the Champion's Ballad DLC, and again in Age of Calamity. He also appears in Age of Calamity as a playable character.

In Tears of the Kingdom, Sidon assists Link in purifying Zora's Domain of sludge by entering the Water Temple and defeating Mucktorok. Subsequently, he becomes the Sage of Water and king of the Zora after Dorephan abdicates the throne. He and Link are now depicted in a statue in Zora's Domain, which depicts Link riding on Sidon and honors them saving Zora's Domain from Vah Ruta.

Yunobo

Yunobo is a young Goron and a descendant of Daruk. He is voiced by Joe Hernandez in English and Miyuki Kobori in Japanese. Despite being cowardly, Yunobo possesses Daruk's power of protection and helps Link enter Vah Rudania by acting as a cannonball to disable it. In Age of Calamity, Yunobo can eat special Rock Roasts to change the effects of his Protection when he attacks.

In Tears of the Kingdom, Yunobo is mind controlled by Ganon, becoming a drug kingpin and leader of a marbled rock mining operation. After fighting Link and breaking the mask being used to control him, Yunobo accompanies Link to the Fire Temple and later becomes the Sage of Fire, gaining the ability to create a spirit avatar who assists Link using powerful rolling attacks.

Teba

Teba is a Rito archer known for his great skill in combat, as well as his focus and temper. He is voiced by Sean Chiplock in English and Takuya Masumoto in Japanese. With the Rito unable to fly freely for fear of getting shot down by Vah Medoh, Teba intends to attack the Divine Beast by himself while disregarding the potential consequences. Teba aids Link in the attack on Vah Medoh, drawing its attention so Link can disable it and climb aboard. In Tears of the Kingdom, he becomes the new leader of the Rito following Kaneli's retirement.

Riju

Makeela Riju is the young chief of the Gerudo, who inherited the throne at a very young age. She is twelve years old in Breath of the Wild, and returns in Tears of the Kingdom as an older teenager. She is respected by the Gerudo despite her young age. Link wins her support by retrieving the Gerudo's treasured Thunder Helm from the Yiga Clan. Riju plays a major supporting role by helping Link board Divine Beast Vah Naboris, using the Thunder Helm to protect Link from Vah Naboris' lightning attacks while he injures its feet to immobilize and board it. In battle, Riju rides on a shield pulled by her favorite sand seal, Patricia.

In Tears of the Kingdom, Riju again plays a major role in the main quest, aiding Link in defending Kara Kara Bazaar and Gerudo Town from Gibdo attacks and accompanying him to the Lightning Temple. She later becomes the Sage of Lightning, gaining the ability to create a spirit avatar to aid Link in combat.

Master Kohga

Master Kohga is the leader of the Yiga Clan, who first appears in Breath of the Wild. He appears as a boss in the main quest line, as Link fights him to obtain the Thunder Helm. He is lazy and egotistical, as he spends most of his time sleeping in the Yiga Clan's hideout, which is located in the desert through the Karusa Valley, while the clan goes after Link. When Link infiltrates the Yiga hideout to confront him, Kohga summons a spiked ball that rolls over him and sends him falling into the depths. He also appears with the Yiga Clan in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Kohga returns in Tears of the Kingdom, which reveals he survived following his supposed death in Breath of the Wild, and appears as a reoccurring boss in the Depths' abandoned mines. His boss fight is part of the main quest and allows the player to unlock the Autobuild ability. He also appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a spirit. Jacob Linden, writing for The Escapist, described the Kohga boss quest line as "utter joy" and praised the character's expressive animation, as well as his boss fights.

Magda

Magda is a Hylian woman who is encountered near Hila Rao Shrine in Breath of the Wild. She is devoted to caring for her patch of flowers, which surround the shrine and block Link's path. If Link steps on the flowers, she becomes increasingly enraged to the point where she physically attacks him. Magda achieved notoriety amongst players, with some attempting to take revenge on her and giving her the nickname "Flowerblight Ganon" in reference to the game's main bosses. Writing for Kotaku, Narelle Ho Sang considered this moment to be hilarious, commenting on the irony that Magda is more obsessed with caring for her flowers than Hyrule's destruction. She returns in Tears of the Kingdom, where she is encountered at the end of a side quest in the same location. Although still protective of her flowers, she is noticeably calmer and will no longer attack Link if he steps on her flowerbed.

Purah

Purah is a Sheikah researcher who first appears in Breath of the Wild. She is the director of the Hateno Tech Lab and helps Link to upgrade the Sheikah Slate. Her physical appearance is that of a small child, after having conducted research that caused her to age backwards. Despite her young appearance, she is described in Creating a Champion as being about 124 years old, older than her sister Impa. Alongside her research partner Robbie, she also appears as a young woman in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Purah returns in Tears of the Kingdom as the head of Lookout Landing. Her renewed appearance as a young woman gained attention from players across social media upon the game's release. Nintendo Life reported that players were "enamoured" by her redesign, which spawned numerous works of fan art.

Robbie

Robbie is a Sheikah researcher and colleague of Purah, who first appears in Breath of the Wild. He manages the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and conducts research on ancient Guardian technology. After Link restores his machine Cherry, he trades Guardian parts for various items. He returns in Tears of the Kingdom, where he takes over the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab and works with Purah to develop the Purah Pad. He plays an integral role in the story by setting up the Purah Pad for Link to use at Lookout Landing and sending him on a quest into the Depths, which allows the player to unlock the Camera and the Hyrule Compendium. He also upgrades the Purah Pad with additional functions, including the Shrine Sensor, which can track nearby shrines, and the Travel Medallion, which sets a travel return point. He also appears in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity as a playable character alongside Purah.

Paya

Paya is a young Sheikah who first appears in Breath of the Wild. She is Impa's granddaughter and is encountered at Impa's house in Kakariko Village. Paya is a dutiful assistant to Impa and is typically found performing household duties during the day or praying to deities at night. She returns in Tears of the Kingdom, where she has taken on village elder following Impa's retirement. Paya has a quiet personality and is especially shy when interacting with Link, but her dialogue and diary entries show that she harbors a secret crush on him. VentureBeat highlighted that her interactions with Link in Breath of the Wild show an attraction towards him and reveal details about her character.

Hestu

Hestu is a large, music-loving Korok who first appears in Breath of the Wild. He is first encountered near Kakariko Village, where Link must retrieve his stolen maracas. In both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, he upgrades Link's weapon inventory slots using collected Korok Seeds. In both games, collecting all Korok Seeds will reward the player with "Hestu's Gift". Allegra Frank of Polygon described Hestu as the "true star" of Breath of the Wild, commenting that he is a familiar and comforting presence in the game's enormous world and highlighting that he is a fan favorite amongst many players, who responded positively to his appearance. Hidemaro Fujibayashi confirmed that the Korok Seeds are actually Korok poop, stating that the development team "thought it would be funny to make that a big joke". Hestu also appears as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.

Hudson

Hudson is a builder who first appears in Breath of the Wild. Link can aid Hudson as he works to found a new settlement called Tarrey Town in a side quest that involves various minor characters across Hyrule. In Tears of the Kingdom, Link again encounters Hudson and his Gerudo wife Rhondson at Tarrey Town. They own Hudson Construction, a building company known throughout Hyrule. Link meets their young daughter Mattison, who embarks on her own journey to reach Gerudo Town. Caleb Pistoni, writing for Paste, considered that the side quest to help Hudson build Tarrey Town was a highlight of Breath of the Wild and praised the story continuity in Tears of the Kingdom, which shows the existing characters thriving and rebuilding Hyrule after its destruction. After helping Mattison achieve independence, Link can purchase a plot of land from Rhondson, giving him the opportunity to build his own home.

Kass

Kass is a Rito bard who first appears in Breath of the Wild. He plays a major supporting role in guiding Link throughout his adventure by playing distinctive tunes on his accordion to reveal hidden shrines. Kass also guides Link throughout the Champion's Ballad DLC, as his songs provide the clues to its shrines. IGN highlighted that Kass is noticeably absent from Tears of the Kingdom despite being a beloved character amongst fans. Rebekah Valentine considered it strange that he is not mentioned by name and that fans hoped that he would return in the game's DLC. Writing for VG247, Oisin Kuhnke considered Kass to be an "incredibly iconic character from Breath of the Wild", as his soothing accordion can be heard all over Hyrule.

Kilton

Kilton is a merchant who appears in Breath of the Wild. He runs a shop called Fang and Bone, which only appears at night. There, Link can trade collected monster parts for a currency called Mon, which can be exchanged for masks and other items. These masks allow him to disguise himself amongst certain monsters by mimicking their appearance and movements. Narelle Ho Sang of Kotaku counted Kilton and his masks as one of the weirdest moments in the game and noted the similarities to Majora's Mask, where Link wears various masks. She also highlighted that Kilton's patchwork balloon mimics the colors of Majora's mask and considered this to be an callback to the game. In Tears of the Kingdom, Kilton's brother Koltin fulfils a similar function, trading collected Bubbul Gems obtained from Bubbulfrogs in Hyrule's caves.

Satori

Satori is a glowing ghostly creature that appears in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. It is also known as the Lord of the Mountain. In the game, Satori can be found on Satori Mountain near a blossoming cherry tree surrounded by glowing bunny spirits called Blupees. It can be ridden by Link if tamed and is the fastest mount in the game with infinite stamina; however, it cannot be registered at stables, and disappears once dismounted. In Tears of the Kingdom, it can be summoned at cherry trees scattered around Hyrule by offering an apple to reveal nearby caves. Satori is widely considered by critics to be the development team's tribute to Satoru Iwata, who died during Breath of the Wild's development. Oscar Dayus of GameSpot highlighted the character Botrick, who he believes bares a striking resemblance to Iwata. The game's director Hidemaro Fujibayashi stated that "When he passed away, there were moments we'd come up with an idea which we'd be excited to talk to Iwata about. Then we'd remember he was no longer here".

Rauru

Rauru is a Zonai who appears in Tears of the Kingdom as a major supporting character. He is voiced by Chris Hackney in English and Riki Kagami in Japanese. At the beginning of the game, he saves Link after Ganondorf attacks him with Gloom beneath Hyrule Castle by attaching his own arm, which gives him various abilities. He is the Sage of Light and his name references Rauru, who appears in Ocarina of Time and has the same title. In the game's story, Zelda meets him in the distant past, where he is revealed to have been the king of Hyrule, founding it alongside his wife Sonia. Rauru plays a critical role in the Imprisoning War, which takes place in the game's distant past, where he battles against Ganondorf's army. When Ganondorf betrays Rauru and kills Sonia to transform himself into the Demon King using the power of her Secret Stone, Rauru gathers the Sages to defeat him, ultimately sacrificing himself to seal him away. Cody Perez, writing for Destructoid, considered Rauru to be one of the most important characters in the game, as he is the source of Link's arm and plays an integral role in battling Ganondorf. Hope Bellingham of GamesRadar noted that many players had reacted positively to the character's design.

Sonia

Queen Sonia is a major supporting character who appears in Tears of the Kingdom. She is voiced by Cherami Leigh in English and Yūko Kaida in Japanese. She is Rauru's wife and the first queen of Hyrule. She appears in the memories of the Dragon's Tears, which are found at geoglyphs and reveal Hyrule's distant past. Sonia possesses the power to manipulate time and, being the ancestor of Zelda, is the origin of her power alongside Rauru. After Zelda is transported through time to Hyrule's distant past, she meets Sonia and Rauru, who try to help her understand her newfound power and return to her own time. Sonia recognizes Zelda's strength and they develop a close connection. Although Ganondorf swears an oath of peace to the Zonai, he betrays them to gain power over Hyrule. He then kills Sonia, taking her Secret Stone to transform himself into the Demon King. Her death motivates Zelda and Rauru to defeat Ganondorf.

Tulin

Tulin (voiced by Cristina Vee) is Teba's son, who initially made a minor appearance as a child in Breath of the Wild and returns in Tears of the Kingdom, where he helps Link traverse the Stormwind Ark and stop the blizzard threatening the Rito. Afterward, he becomes the Sage of Wind, gaining the ability to create a spirit avatar who assists Link by creating gusts of wind that allows him to quickly travel horizontal distances. GamesRadar reported that players reacted positively to the character, describing him as "adorable", particularly because the two feathers that hang from his Great Eagle Bow are a display of love for his parents.

Mineru

Mineru is a Zonai and Rauru's brother, who appears in Tears of the Kingdom. She is voiced by Heather Gonzalez in English. After Zelda is transported to the distant past, she meets Mineru and Rauru, who are the last two remaining Zonai. Mineru helps Zelda to return to her own time by explaining the power of the Secret Stones and the forbidden act of draconification; swallowing a stone to become an immortal dragon. She is the Sage of Spirit, which gives her the power to separate her spirit from her body. After the Sages' battle against the Ganondorf, she succumbs to her injuries and her spirit remains in the Purah Pad. In the present, Link encounters Mineru in the Depths and builds a Zonai mech to house her spirit before helping her recover her Secret Stone from the Spirit Temple.

Josha

Josha (voiced by Maya Tuttle) is a major supporting character who first appears in Tears of the Kingdom. She is a young Sheikah researcher who developed her knowledge by researching the Depths. She works alongside Purah and Robbie at Lookout Landing and has a passion for cave exploration. As the Head of Depths Research, Josha plays a critical role in sending Link into the Depths as part of the main quest, which leads him to unlock the Camera and the Hyrule Compendium. Due to being unable to go down to the Depths herself, she asks Link to find evidence of an ancient race that she believes can be found there. Returning to her at Lookout Landing begins a quest that sends Link into the Depths to follow a trail of statues that lead to an old mine. Josha's request eventually leads him to battle Master Kohga, which unlocks Autobuild, one of Link's main abilities.

Penn

Penn is a Rito who first appears in Tears of the Kingdom. He works alongside editor Traysi as a journalist for the Lucky Clover Gazette, a newspaper in Hyrule. His energetic character is reflected in his dialogue, which he typically ends with the catchphrase "Soar long!" While working with Penn, Link can take on the role of reporter and earn Rupees by investigating sightings of Princess Zelda around Hyrule. Penn sets high standards for his journalism, stating with enthusiasm the importance of only publishing facts. This positive stance on journalism is reflected in the response of many minor characters who read the Lucky Clover Gazette. Luke Winkie, writing for Slate, highlighted that players responded positively to Penn's side quests and considered his high standards to be a commentary on the positive nature of old-fashioned journalism.

Addison

Addison is a supporting character that appears throughout Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom. His job is to promote his boss Hudson, who is the president of Hudson Construction. Hudson supports the rebuilding of the kingdom by depositing caches of building materials in various locations, where Addison can be found trying to support a sign bearing Hudson's face. The player is tasked with creating constructions using Ultrahand to support Addison's sign. Polygon's Olly Welsh chose Addison as his favorite character in the game, commenting that he is one of many minor characters who demonstrate that The Legend of Zelda series is about real life and the fantastical. He also opined that Addison's eagerness to support his boss, who is motivated by his own self interests, is a satire on Japanese work culture and that, even when catastrophe hits the world of Hyrule, the mediocre aspects of life continue. Jim Norman of Nintendo Life wrote an entire "love letter" to the character, describing him as "hilarious" due to him being "terrible at his job" and commented that he felt unable to walk past him in-game without stopping to help him out.

Yona

Lady Yona (voiced by Lauren Mayfield) is a Zora who appears in Tears of the Kingdom and resembles a manta ray. Link encounters her while investigating the phenomenon of strange muck appearing in Zora's Domain. She appears alongside her fiancé Sidon. She has been Sidon's best friend from early childhood and dedicates her life to helping her fellow Zora. Yona's presence in the game caused a generally negative reaction. Polygon described the character as "public enemy No. 1" and reported that many fans of Sidon expressed their dismay on social media upon discovering that he was officially betrothed to another Zora. IGN also noted the angry fan response to the character, stating that Yona was "tearing apart Sidon's fans" and reported on the possibility that Nintendo had introduced her in an attempt to end shipping of Sidon and Link.

See also

• Characters in the Mario franchise