As an ardent Legend of Zelda fan, few things excite me more than the roster of characters in each new game. Tears of the Kingdom has assembled a truly diverse and fascinating cast – both familiar faces and newcomers alike.
In this guide, we will analyze both major and minor characters while speculating on the lore behind these complex personas. From the main heroes to sages, NPCs, villains and more, let‘s uncover their stories.
Link and Zelda – The Legendary Heroes
Obviously Link and Princess Zelda are integral once again as Hyrule‘s storied saviors. As the latest warriors in a 10,000 year struggle against Calamity Ganon, much rests upon their courage and wisdom respectively.
Link – Champion of Hylia Reborn
- 120 shrines completed in Breath of the Wild
- Over 500 Korok seeds collected
- 200+ hours of playtime
As someone quite familiar with Link‘s exploits in Breath of the Wild (see stats above!), I‘m intrigued to see how this stoic hero has grown. Glimpses of memories in trailers suggest he retains his Champion‘s Tunic, Hylian Shield and preference for one-handed swords/bows.
However, the new abilities system stands to expand Link‘s combat versatility even more than the last game‘s runes. Each shrine power directly boosts mobility or attacking prowess, like Yunobo‘s Charged Smash or Sidon‘s Water Surge.
After his slumber in the Shrine of Resurrection, Link has reconnected with his roots as the eternally reborn Hylian Champion. His deeds over 100 years may fade from memory, but his Spirit continues blessing new generations.
Zelda – Seeker of the Goddess‘ Wisdom
Meanwhile Princess Zelda has a much larger share in the adventure compared to most past games. Trailers show Zelda venturing out from underneath Hyrule Castle alongside Link, implying she joins the journey early on.
Could her research on ancient Sheikah technology in Breath of the Wild foreshadow Zelda harnessing abilities akin to the monks‘ spirit orbs? I suspect she may gain Light-based attacks, fitting her divine heritage and parallels to Goddess Hylia.
In fact, official art depicts a glowing, winged Zelda resembling the oriental dragons of Asian mythology. Perhaps this empowers her to directly combat Ganondorf‘s forces and seal his hatred.
Completing Shrine Quests as the Five Sages
While Link and Zelda drive the central storyline, our hero depends heavily on help from five Sages connected to the races of Hyrule. Each assigns Link challenging trials that teach their most coveted secrets once overcome.
| Sage | Reward Upon Completion |
|---|---|
| Yunobo (Goron) | Charged Smash – wrecks obstacles by sprinting with flaming aura |
| Tulin (Rito) | Gust Mastery – catch updrafts to launch skyward drawing bow midair |
| Riju (Gerudo) | Lightning Fury – unleashes devastating lightning strikes |
| Sidon (Zora) | Water Surge – temporary underwater speed and attack boost |
| Mineru (Monk) | Ancient Strength – pilots/combines with powerful Zonai mech |
Take Yunobo for example. Finding the descendant of Champion Daruk having inherited little skill frustrated me initially. Yet aiding his pilgrimage to claim Sage powers renewed my appreciation.
Battling fiery Taluses and dodging erupting geysers during his trial tested my limits. But then Yunobo would Charge ahead smashing debris, inspiring me to keep pace. His bracelet‘s orange gem now adorns my inventory, proof of lasting friendship.
I foresee Tulin‘s Gust allowing unparalleled mid-air combat, hitting weak points from any angle. And I badly want to pilot Mineru‘s mini-Guardian style robo-walker to lay down ancient Sheikah firepower!
Impa, Purah & Robbie – Consistent Sources of Wisdom
Several sages and elders return to provide Link guidance or resources for his adventure. Despite over 100 years passing since Calamity Ganon‘s defeat, their vast knowledge persists alongside magic or tech keeping them spry.
As the elder of Kakariko Village, Impa shares her century of experience advising Hyrule‘s royal family. I hope she reunites with her sister Purah who now leads the Hateno research team. Imagine those two debating ancient lore and new Hateno tech discoveries!
In fact, I‘d love a photo capturing Impa, Purah, Robbie and his wife Jerrin – basically Mount Rushmore for Champions era historians! Though Robbie better leave his experimental guidance Stone at home…
While Impa interprets prophecy, the Hateno tech lab unearths new artifacts and ancient materials for gear upgrades. I foresee Robbie analyzing remnants of Guardians/towers, unlocking combat modules for weapons/arrows.
And documentarian Purah likely chronicles events leading the next generation. Maybe her protege Symin handles archiving field images from the Camera rune? I hope Paya follows in their footsteps as well.
Hestu, Teba & Tauro – Friendly Explorers
Several nomadic wanderers offer rewards in exchange for curios or leads unearthed during exploration. Meeting them brings welcome levity between the epic struggles.
For example, few things lift my spirits like the musical Korok Hestu dancing about, Maracas shaking wildly as seeds pour from his basket. By giving him Korok seeds found across Hyrule, he‘ll expand my inventory capacity letting me equip more weapons and bows. Plus his silly dancing as gratitude simply delights me!
I‘m also eager to visit active Rito sentinel Teba soaring over Tabantha frontier. His aerial view surely provides insight on shrine locations and enemy encampments in the rugged mountains. In return perhaps he requests photographic reconnaissance of key routes only accessible with my paraglider.
Finally, History buff Tauro with his academic curiosity keeps me probing ruins across Hyrule seeking their purpose. I love how emerging details on the mythical Zonai tribe mirror real world Mesoamerican societies – just wrap your mind around ancient alien gods sharing pyramid engineering secrets! By investigating sites pointed out by Tauro, I bet unique Zonai weapons and questlines unlock.
And given the Zonai‘s trademark look is luminous lavender eyes, I have to wonder…is Tauro hiding something supernatural behind his affable explorer facade? The historical implications there raise phenomenal questions!
Master Kohga & Ganondorf – Ambitious Evil
While I enjoy the lighter side adventures meeting quirky NPCs, evil forces still seek to destroy Hyrule in this tale. Ganondorf‘s Malice persists as both incarnations and infected creatures. And where there is Ganon, agents of chaos often foment as well.
Take Master Kohga, the buffoon turned brutish leader of thieves called the Yiga Clan. Originally, I chuckled at this chump‘s overly dramatic proclamations and sloppy banana peel traps. However, when a Yiga assassin‘s sickle suddenly left me at 1 heart, I realized not to underestimate their stealth and Kohga‘s vendetta.
Now having battled his gang across multiple towns, I take their banana-hoarding ninja tactics seriously indeed! Just picture – you are foraging mushrooms when shrieking laughter erupts overhead. A dozen red-clad Yiga surround you, cleaver blades gleaming as you draw your sword. Kohga apperates overhead, cackling about promoting his new second-in-command as the circle tightens. Care to wager who prevails?
As for Ganondorf himself, millennia of persisting as Calamity Ganon‘s hatred manifest have left only vengeful madness. His demonic power threatens to corrupt Hyrule entirely towards darkness. Images of a warped Hyrule Castle aloft on crimson umbilical cords make my blood cold.
I cannot fathom how many incarnations of Hero and Princess have risen to face such eternal evil again and again. Glimpses of a flaming demonic entity possibly foreshadow yet another epic confrontation ahead. Will the cycle only continue unless this hatred becomes sealed for all time? I dearly hope Link and Zelda discover a solution – for Hyrule and Nintendo’s sake!
More Waiting in the Wings
Part of the mystique for any Legend of Zelda entry remains the surprise introductions wandering the world or hiding just out of sight. Is there a civilization thought lost to time? What native creatures or monsters will challenge me to hone new survival skills? Are champions from distant lands drawn by prophecy over the horizon? I eagerly await who or what this gorgeous Hyrule landscape conceals until discovered through my controller.
My fondest hope would be uncovering descendants of previous games’ tribes scattered across realms. Maybe a band of Twili whose ancestors aided Midna still perpetuate magic arts using realms between. I‘d love light puzzles with their shadow residents! Perhaps gorilla-like Rock Ogres related to Breath of the Wild‘s stone Talus roam mountains, testing my climbing instincts.
The possibilities span millennia! I still find it incredible when obscure characters referenced once reappear two console generations later, suddenly elevated by fully fleshed out backstories. That long view scope amazes me.
So bring on the next crazy character Nintendo! My Sheikah Slate and paraglider stand ready to meet whatever the winds blow our direction. And I wouldn‘t have it any other way as both a gamer and explorer of Zelda’s incredible world. Just point me towards that horizon fill of mystery and adventure!
