Summary
- Some overlooked side characters in The Legend of Zelda have interesting backgrounds and development, adding depth to Hyrule.
- Characters like Tingle, Impa, and Groose have unique complexities beyond the main trio of Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf.
- Each game introduces new and intriguing side characters, contributing to the richness and uniqueness of the Zelda universe.
The Legend of Zelda is full of memorable characters, but the returning trio of Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf usually gets the most attention. However, there's a cohort of side characters with interesting backgrounds or development throughout the games' stories that end up being overlooked. Even so, this attention to detail helps make the world of Hyrule feel alive and breathing.
It can be difficult to uncover the backstories of some characters in Zelda, or to notice their character development. Sometimes, it takes multiple playthroughs to uncover the secrets of Zelda games. However, even on a first playthrough, these characters steal the show with how interesting they are in of background, development, or both.
Every Time Link Transformed In The Legend of Zelda, Ranked By How Weird It Is
Link can transform in many different ways throughout the Legend of Zelda series, with the details of some changes being stranger than others.
10 Zant Is A Fascinating Secondary Villain
Twilight Princess
Zant isn't the primary antagonist of Twilight Princess, instead entering a deal with Ganondorf so that they can both achieve their goals. Unlike Ganondorf, Zant wasn't born into a position of power. He served the royal family of the Twilight Realm, feeling that he'd earned the right to become the next ruler due to his loyalty. However, he was different from other Twili, and that made them wary enough of him that they gave the position of ruler to Midna. As a result, he tried to take his position by force with Ganondorf's help, and almost succeeded.
9 The Goddess Of Time Is One Of Zelda's Most Mysterious Figures
Majora's Mask
The Goddess of Time is never seen in-game, but her presence is most strongly felt in Termina during Majora's Mask. That alone makes her an interesting figure, because she's the only deity who's mentioned in both Termina and Hyrule. No other deity is worshiped or acknowledged by both, although Termina worships her more, with the main town being dedicated to her. The Song of Time can even be used to a greater extent in Termina to manipulate time. Since Hylia is also associated with time, this leads to theories that she's the Goddess of Time in OoT and MM.
Who Zelda's Goddess Of Time Might Really Be
The Legend of Zelda’s obscure Goddess of Time may actually be a title for another, more well-known goddess in the long-running franchise.
8 Tingle Is A Character With An Identity Crisis
Majora's Mask
Tingle appears in multiple games, but Majora's Mask gives the most background for his behavior and appearance. He believes that he's a reincarnated fairy, but he's sometimes described as believing he's a Kokiri instead, which is why he dresses in a green outfit. In fact, this is why he's willing to speak with Link, who appears to be a Kokiri and travels with Tatl. Considering he's an adult, it's clear that he's not actually a Kokiri or the reincarnation of a fairy, and no fairy will be coming to him anytime soon.
7 Skull Kid May Not Be From Termina
Majora's Mask
Majora's Mask isn't the only game that Skull Kid appears in, and it's heavily implied that he's the same Skull Kid that Link plays Saria's Song for in Ocarina of Time. He ends up in Termina, having been abandoned by the Four Giants, who actually just left because they needed to prevent disasters in different areas. However, his misunderstanding, loneliness, and mischievous nature made Skull Kid the perfect target for Majora's Mask to control and use in its attempt to destroy the world of Termina.
6 Impa Is Fascinating In Several Zelda Games
Every Incarnation
Impa appears as a Sheikah who stays by Zelda's side in multiple games, often filling the role of nursemaid, attendant, or bodyguard. However, it's never explained why she accepts these roles, or what she gains from fulfilling them, if anything. Her sense of loyalty and devotion to Princess Zelda is unwavering, and it doesn't diminish her loyalty towards her tribe, which is seen when she takes up the role of Sage in OoT. No matter how or where Impa appears, she's shrouded in mystery, making her a fascinating character.
5 King Of Red Lions Is Also The King Of Hyrule
Wind Waker
The King of Red Lions in Wind Waker acts as both transportation and an advisor for Link. However, it's later revealed that the boat is possessed by the spirit of Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, the king of Hyrule when it was flooded by the goddesses, only to be awakened by them later for the purpose of helping Link. For a seemingly minor character, the King of Red Lions was given an intense backstory.
20 Best Legend Of Zelda Games, Ranked
The Legend of Zelda is a Nintendo franchise that has become synonymous with producing great games but which Zelda titles are the best?
4 Fi Is One Of Zelda's Most Important Characters
Skyward Sword
In short, Fi is a spirit sealed inside the Master Sword to guide the hero who wields it when the time comes. Since she's never been a living human, she's cold and robotic in the way that she speaks, being direct about events as she works to help Link. However, her background as a spirit made solely to be a guide makes her development more impactful as she starts to see Link as a friend, and thanks him for their time together at the end of their journey.
3 Midna Is Link's Most Complex Companion
Twilight Princess
Midna is the rightful ruler of the Twilight Realm, but her position was usurped by Zant, who cursed her to have an imp form. She seeks out Link, believing him to be a Divine Beast from Twili legends, and finds that they're both in a position where they need help from the other. Although she's using Link and Zelda at the beginning, their sacrifices on her behalf lead to a change of heart where she does her best to help them save their realm, not just her own.
2 Majora Is An Ancient Evil
Majora's Mask
When Majora is seen in-game, it's in the form of a spirit possessing a mask, which allows it to control the wearer of the mask and cause destruction. In ancient times, Majora was an evil entity summoned by a tribe as part of a ritual. However, it's never explained why this entity is so angry, or how it ended up sealed in a mask in the hands of the Happy Mask Salesman.
1 Groose Has Surprising Depth As A Zelda Character
Skyward Sword
Groose comes off as a comical character at first, and that nature doesn't exactly go away during the events of the game. By the end of Skyward Sword, he shows more growth than any other side character. He starts jealous of Link's relationship with Zelda and the knowledge that he can't save her, but once he accepts that, he becomes a huge help in Link's journey to save her, doing anything he can and showing off his talent for inventing.
10 Zelda Puzzles You (Probably) Still Need Need Help With
The Legend of Zelda is notorious for being filled with puzzles ranging in difficulty from simple to nearly impossible. Here are the most frustrating.
Even with the same set of characters making multiple appearances, Zelda manages to spice up each game with a cast of side characters. Not every side character is memorable, and not all of them have backgrounds that are fleshed out to the same extent as others. However, the care that goes into fleshing out Hyrule helps make The Legend of Zelda special.
