List of The Legend of Zelda characters
This is a list of characters from The Legend of Zelda video game series. This list only covers those that appear in more than one game or in games which do not have their own character pages; for any others, please see the page for the appropriate game in the See also links below.
Agahnim
Agahnim is an evil wizard that is an agent of Ganon. Agahnim drives the plot in A Link to the Past. Additionally, one of the nightmares in Link's Awakening takes on his form, and he is also featured in Oracle of Seasons as a boss. His attack pattern and the method used to defeat him have also been used as the model for other bosses.
Biggoron
A very big Goron. He'll also forge a sword for Link if he brings Biggoron different items depending on the game. The sword called Biggoron's sword is stronger than the master sword and is longer but link cannot have a shield with it.There seems to be other Biggorons in other locations such as Holodrum but this may just be the same Biggoron travelling. Biggoron has a little brother called Medigoron. Medigoron is not nearly as good as Biggoron when it comes to making swords, since it took him 7 years to make a very frail giant's knife in Ocarina of Time. However, he has mastered the art of making powder kegs, which are huge barrels of gunpowder that can blow up giant boulders. Powder kegs are only found in Majora's Mask. Biggoron also appears on the top of the mountains of Veil Falls and as one of the collectible figurines in The Minish Cap. Biggoron was King Zora's best friend during their childhood.
Dampé the Gravekeeper
A mysterious, old man whose likenesses and/or descendants play similar roles in the storylines of Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, The Minish Cap and Four Swords Adventures. In the Minish Cap, he enjoys collecting kinstones, and is isolated by his terrifyingly ugly face. In the Ocarina of Time (in which he was first introduced), he will dig around the graveyard at night for a small fee. In Majora's mask, Dampé (or his alternate universe counterpart) also tends Ikana Graveyard in Termina, but during the day, so as to avoid the Stalchildren. In the future as presented in Ocarina of Time, he dies and his ghost resides at his grave just outside Kakariko Village. Although it is never mentioned in the game, his name is probably a reference to Italian writer Dante Alighieri.
Epona
Link's horse, a light sorrel mare with flaxen mane and tail. In Ocarina of Time, Epona was born and raised at the Lon Lon Ranch. After the ranch was taken over from Talon and Malon by the cruel Ingo, Link saved Epona from being given to Ganondorf by winning her in a race. Later, in Majora's Mask, the Skull Kid stole Epona and sold her to the Romani Ranch in Termina. Link reobtained her there. Epona also makes a brief appearance in The Minish Cap, however, this time she's only seen pulling a cart of Lon Lon Milk. Although she isn't available to ride, it's possible to fuse kinstones with her. In trailers for the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Link rides a horse that looks very similar to Epona; however, the game developers have stated that players will be able to name Link's horse in this new adventure.
Epona is named after a Celtic goddess of horses.
Ganon
The most infamous villain in The Legend of Zelda series. Also called Ganondorf, but such is usually given to his human form. In earlier games, his name was spelt "Gannon".
Great Deku Tree
The Great Deku Tree, appearing in Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker, is the 'Father of the Forest' charged with watching over the Kokiri who live in Kokiri Forest and the Koroks who live in the Forest Haven. He is an exceptionally large tree with a human-like face.
When Ocarina of Time begins, the Deku Tree is suffering from a curse cast upon him by Ganondorf in an effort to gain the Spiritual Stone of Forest which is in the Deku Tree's possession. Knowing Link's destiny, the Deku Tree sends Navi the fairy to retrieve the boy and asks him to destroy the curse spider named Queen Gohma within him. Though Link defeats Queen Gohma, it is too late. Before he dies, the Deku Tree gives Link the Kokiri Emerald and tells him to seek out Princess Zelda at Hyrule Castle. After adult Link completes the Forest Temple, however, he discovers a little sprout, which grows into the Deku Sprout. It is this sprout who tells Link the truth about his past, and reveals that Link is not a member of the Kokiri, but rather a Hylian who was given to them by his mother, who died soon after. This is possibly the same tree Link comes across in The Wind Waker, and that the Koroks, the leaf-masked tree creatures, are evolutions of the Kokiris that the Great Deku Tree once fathered. Though the Deku tree is visible above land, the story in Wind Waker states Link's and Tetra's ancestors took everyone to refuge on the mountaintops. This suggests they somehow moved the Deku tree. It is also likely the Tree encasing the Wind Waker Deku Tree is the original from Ocarina of Time. A theory about the original The Legend of Zelda is that the first dungeon, the Tree Dungeon, is a dead Deku Tree.
The Great Deku Tree is not to be confused with the two Maku Trees in Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages.
Happy Mask Salesman
The bizarre man known as the Happy Mask Salesman first appeared in Ocarina of Time, offering to let Link work for him as a Happy Mask Salesman. After selling all the masks, Link receives the Mask of Truth, allowing him to understand what the Gossip Stones say.
In Majora's Mask, the Happy Mask Salesman played a major role, as it was his mask, dubbed Majora's Mask, that the Skull Kid had stolen and was planning to use to destroy Termina. Asking the transformed Link for help and returning him to his original form, he teaches the hero the Song of Healing, one of the songs used several times throughout the game. When Link finally returns the mask to him, he simply vanishes. The Happy Mask Salesman is best known for his volatile temper, his wacky theme tune (which is in fact a remix of the Song of Healing) and his ability to change position without moving ie. without occupying any intervening frames. In a particular scene, the Happy Mask Salesman plays on a massive organ that appears seemingly out of nowhere. This organ is used to teach Link (still in his Deku Scrub form) the Song of Healing. This scene is considered by many fans to be one of the more comical scenes in the Zelda series. It is interesting to note that in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, when playing as the character Link and walking to the back of the Happy Mask Salesman's large back-pack, there is visible a mask resembling the face of Mario.
His most recent appearance was in Oracle of Ages. He owns a shop on the outskirts of Labrynna Town, and is very hungry, and will give the player a Mask in exchange for something to eat.
His origins are unknown, as he may either be from Hyrule or the parallel universe Termina, and it is never established which. A theory is that he, a supposed Ocarina of Time Character, does not have a Termina double, he and his seeming passion for masks spawns from Termina as a native. He was introduced in Ocarina of Time when he gives you the Keaton mask from his shop in Hyrule, but he also knows how to travel from Hyrule to Termina, which could mean that he is native to either land, or possibly somewhere else.
Near the end of Majora's Mask, Link travels to the moon and meets kids who resemble the mask salesman. One of them even hints that all of them are destined to become mask salesmen. This adds many questions to the origin of the Mask Salesman.
Manga
The Happy Mask Salesman is quite different in the manga. Though he appears exactly the same as in the game at first, towards the final battle with Majora's Mask, he is shown saying something far more sinister than previously seen of him:
"Heh heh... Looks like they're after the little ogre (Skull Kid). But this is when the real action begins! Once they bring me back that mask, I will no longer have a purpose in this world. I will scurry away quickly then! Heh heh heh heh..." [1]
After the battle, the Happy Mask Man appears before Link (still wearing the Fierce Deity Mask) to take his mask. However, the mask that Link is wearing causes the hero to strike the Mask Man down. With this, the mysterious man picks up Majora's Mask and fades away laughing.
Impa
Various appearances and roles, including nursemaid for Princess Zelda, leader of the Sheikah, the Sage of Shadow, and a High Priestess.
Jabu-Jabu
Jabu-Jabu (jä'boo jä'boo), called Lord Jabu-Jabu by the Zoras, first appeared in Ocarina of Time. He is a giant fish, worshipped by the Zora race as their patron deity and guardian.
In Ocarina of Time, he lives in Zora's Fountain where the Zoras care for him and bring him food. Ganondorf places a curse on him, causing him to act strangely and swallow his Zora caretaker, Princess Ruto, while she is bringing him food. Link must then enter Lord Jabu-Jabu's belly to rescue her and break the curse. Sometime during the seven years Link is trapped in the Sacred Realm, Lord Jabu-Jabu disappears from Zora's Fountain, and is never seen or mentioned in the game again. It is widely believed that he either died or migrated southward when Zora's Domain froze over.
He also appears in Oracle of Ages in the underwater Zora Village. In this game there is also a dungeon in his belly. In the past age, the player can encounter a younger and significantly smaller Jabu-Jabu (too small for the player to enter and explore), while in the present the player sees him at his more well-known size. The filthy water from Veran's curse in the Zora Seas leaves Lord Jabu-Jabu fatally ill, and it is Link's quest to clean the waters of the impurities in order to access to his innards.
In The Wind Waker, a water spirit with a similar name, Jabun, exists. It is likely that he is or is a descendent of Jabu-Jabu because the flooding of Hyrule would not have greatly affected him, as he is a fish. Jabun also can speak traditional old Hylian, and expresses familiarity with the King of Hyrule.
Jabun
Jabun, the protector and overlooker of Greatfish Isle, is a giant, supposedly holy fish worshipped by its residents. When, due to his rising power, Ganondorf was able to destroy Greatfish Isle, he hid in a cave behind Outset. He is the one who gives Link the final key to raise the Tower of the Gods from the sea, Nayru's pearl. Like Valoo, and the Great Deku tree, his main language is Hylian, of which only the King of Red Lions (and, apparently, Tingle) can understand. He is very large, similar to Lord Jabu Jabu from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Due to this, some believe that he actually is, Lord Jabu Jabu, which, as of now, is still largely speculation. The most widely accepted theory is that he is actually a descendant of Lord Jabu Jabu.
Kaepora Gaebora
Kaepora Gaebora is a wise owl that assists Link throughout various Legend of Zelda games. One of the Gossip Stones in Ocarina of Time (found in the Sacred Forest Meadow) says that he is the reincarnation of an ancient sage. Sometimes, among fans, he is presumed to be the reincarnation of Rauru, the sage of light, or at least his physical manifestation in Hyrule realm. It is interesting to note that he claimed (during his meeting with young Link in the Desert Colossus) to not have believed in the Hero of Time, making him the only person in the game to do so. He also appeared in Majora's Mask, teaching Link the Song of Soaring. He also has his own statues, mainly used to warp to with the Song of Soaring, but also as an alternative of the Song of Time to save the game. By saving this way, you would keep all of your items and rupees but you would not go back in time. In Four Swords Adventures, he is a very loyal friend.
Link
Link's uncle
Link's blue-haired uncle appeared in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Link got his first sword and shield from him when his uncle was struck down in an attempt to rescue Princess Zelda. Link, who received a telepathic message from Zelda, rushed to the castle as well, where he found his dying uncle. Hoping that Link could save not only Zelda, but all of Hyrule, he gave his trusty sword and shield to Link. Later in the game when Link uses the legendary Triforce to restore peace to the land, it is said that his uncle comes back to life. It is said that this was part of the wish Link made with the Triforce. Link's uncle has only been seen in A Link to the Past.
Malon
Malon lives with her father Talon in Ocarina of Time. The two own Lon Lon Ranch, where they take care of Epona the horse. Malon calls Link "fairy boy" in this game, because his clothes resemble those in the legends she has heard of the 'fairy children of the forest', presumably the Kokiri. Her mother died when she was a child and taught her "Epona's Song."
There has been speculation and heated debate about the possibility of Malon, rather than Zelda, being Link's love interest; reasons include the fact that one of the Gossip Stones outside the Temple of Time states that Malon dreams of a knight in shining armour, that fact that Talon jokes that Link should marry her and the fact that, aside from Navi, Malon is the only female of the entire supporting and main cast who does not become a Sage. When Ruto awakens as the Sage of Water, she hints that Sages cannot marry.
In Majora's Mask, Link visits an alternate world called Termina which is populated by different versions of Ocarina of Time characters. Malon has two equivalents in this world, Romani (younger sister) and Cremia (elder sister), two orphaned sisters who own Romani Ranch. These characters make use of the two Malon character models in Ocarina of Time, one for child Malon and one for adult Malon after Link has been asleep for 7 years.
Malon also made a cameo in Oracle of Seasons. She had a small house in which you could visit her. Talon also makes an appearance as her father.
In Four Swords Adventures and The Minish Cap, Malon and Talon once again own the Lon Lon Ranch, although it is nothing like the ranch in Ocarina of Time.
The emblem around her neck resembles the face of Bowser.
Midna
A character in The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess, may be someone who was kidnapped and stuck in a dungeon. Midna rescues Link when he is imprisoned in the twilight realm in his wolf form. Midna allies with Link during certain portions of the game, but is neither friend nor foe. Few details have been revealed.
Tingle
Tingle is a grown up man who wears tights and believes he is a fairy. He is actually 35 years old and acts like an infant. Good at deciphering maps and making them. Appears in Majora's Mask, The Wind Waker, The Minish Cap, Four Swords Adventures and a side appearance in The Oracle of Ages. Refers to Link as "Mr. Fairy" based upon his green clothes and partner fairy (Majora's Mask). Also an actual playable second character in The Wind Waker (using a Game Boy Advance to Nintendo Gamecube via Nintendo GameCube-Game Boy Advance cable). A DS title starring Tingle is on the way in Japan, Mogitate Tingle no Barairo Rupee Land. It is not known whether or not it will be released outside of Japan.
The Old Man
The Old Man is a character found in the original The Legend of Zelda for the NES, and also in its remake BS Zelda for the Satellaview. The Old Man was a bald character who wore a red gown and had a white beard in the game. The player could usually find the old man in dungeons or inside caves, usually between two torches (if the player attacked the old man, then the two torches would defend him by shooting fireballs). The Old Man was used for several things in the game, ranging from giving the player items to help him in his quest to giving the player advice on how to move forward in the game. He also gambled with Link for rupees. There is speculation that the old man who teaches spells to Link in the various villages of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is this same old man, or at least based from him. This is somewhat backed up by a translated quotation of the Old Man in the first cave location in the remake in which he says "Heed my words", referring only to himself. He also called the Old Woman as 'the' Old Woman, meaning there might be one of her as well.
The Old Man is known for his vague and/or badly translated advice in the original version. It should be noted that nearly all of the game's text resembled this, not just the Old Man's quotations. In the version on the Gamecube promotion disc, (and the GBA version) the translation was reworded and thus improved.
He makes a return appearance in the oracle games.
The Three Goddesses
Din
Din is the Goddess of Power. According to legend (told by the Great Deku Tree in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time), she used her strong flaming arms to sculpt the land and create the red earth. She also helped create the sacred Triforce, along with Nayru and Farore. That being the case, she is often associated with the Triforce of Power, wielded by Ganondorf. She is generally linked with the color red or orange, and the element of fire.
Oracle of Seasons and The Minish Cap also refer to her as a famous dancer. Some say she is the mother of the Goron race
In Ocarina of Time the great fairy in the fairy fountain outside of Hyrule Castle can grant Link the knowledge of "Din's Fire", a magic attack that creates an expanding globe of flame, starting from his fist as he drives it into the ground, and expanding for a limited distance around him. In addition to killing enemies, it can light torches. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Zelda wields this in a modified form. She can shoot a ball of fire out of her hand and can control it for a distance, targeting the opponent.
Farore
Farore is the Goddess of Courage. According to legend (told by the Deku Tree in Ocarina of Time), with her rich soul, she created all the life forms who would uphold the spirit of law. She also helped create the sacred Triforce, along with two other goddesses, Din and Nayru. She is often associated with the Triforce of Courage, wielded by Link. She is generally linked with the color green, and the elements of wind or forest.
In Ocarina of Time the great fairy inside a cave in Jabu Jabu's lair in Zora's Domain can grant Link the knowledge of "Farore's Wind", a magic ability that can teleport him to the start of a dungeon. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Zelda uses this as her third jump, a form of horizontal, vertical or diagonal teleport.
Nayru
Nayru is the Goddess of Wisdom. According to legend, she used her wisdom to give the spirit of law to the world. It can be safely assumed that she bestowed the laws of physics on the world, therefore giving matter and living things order. She also helped Din and Farore create the sacred Triforce. She is often associated with the Triforce of Wisdom, wielded by Zelda, and the key to being able to control the Triforce of Power. She is generally linked to the color blue, and the element of water.
In The Minish Cap, she is referred to as coming from a line of priestesses from Labrynna.
In Ocarina of Time the great fairy at the Desert Colossus can grant Link the knowledge of "Nayru's Love", a magic defense that created a force field around his body in the form of a crystal similar to the one Zelda is later imprisoned in by Ganondorf, yet he is fully able to attack while using it. While active, he is impervious to damage. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Zelda uses this as an active defense which also damages her attacker and reflects things.
The Oracles
Princess Zelda
See also
- The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening characters
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time characters
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask characters
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker characters
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