There’s been a lot of great supporting characters in the Zelda series’ 38-year history. From companions to side characters, they add to the games’ stories and enrich their incarnations of Hyrule. With Echoes of Wisdom set to release next month, let’s take a look back at some of the best side characters the series has given us.
Sheik (Ocarina of Time)
Sheik is introduced shortly after Link wakes up from 7 years of sleeping in the Sacred Realm. One of the few surviving Sheikah, whom Princess Ruto calls a “young man”, Sheik helps Link by teaching him songs that can bring him to each of the dungeons where the sages will be awoken. He’s a mysterious character, disappearing as quickly as he appears, but nonetheless a helpful ally during Link’s quest.
Late in the game, it’s revealed that Sheik is actually Princess Zelda, as well as the Sage of Time. She, along with Impa, had fled Castle Town when Ganondorf attacked. With Ganondorf searching for the other two pieces of the Triforce, she hid her identity so the Triforce of Wisdom would not fall into Ganondorf’s hands. However, as soon as she reveals her true identity, Ganondorf captures her and traps her in his tower. Following Ganondorf’s defeat, she sends Link back 7 years in the hopes of allowing him to live out his childhood.
Groose (Skyward Sword)
At the start of Skyward Sword, Groose is a bully who is jealous of Link’s closeness with Zelda. He kidnaps and locks up Link’s Crimson Loftwing, in the hopes of preventing Link from being able to participate in the Wing Ceremony. When Link wins the Wing Ceremony despite Groose’s interference and Zelda disappears beneath the clouds, Groose blames Zelda’s disappearance on Link.
However, Groose begins to have a change of heart after he follows Link to the surface. He witnesses Link’s courage first-hand, and comes to realize that he can play a part in helping to save and protect the world. As part of his character arc, he develops a cannon to help Link in the fights against the Imprisoned, a machine he calls the Groosenator. At the end of his character arc, he even seems to let go of his jealousy over Link’s closeness with Zelda.
Tetra (The Wind Waker)
Tetra is a confident pirate captain, having earned the respect of her crew even though she’s the youngest of them. Even with her tendency to act bossy, she also shows great kindness and compassion. She helps Link several times during his quest to save his sister and even tries to help when Ganondorf nearly defeats him.
Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, who shows himself to be the true identity of the King of Red Lions, reveals that the triangle necklace Tetra wears is actually a piece of the Triforce of Wisdom. When the Triforce of Wisdom is put back together, Tetra is revealed to be Princess Zelda. While King Daphnes believes she will be safe from Ganondorf in the castle, when Link returns Zelda has already been kidnapped. However, she returns at the end of the game to help Link finally defeat Ganondorf.
Honorable Mentions
King Bulblin (Twilight Princess)
King Bulblin starts as a simple antagonistic force against Link. He kidnaps the children of Ordon Village at the start of the game, calls the shadow beasts to Ordona’s spring, and kidnaps Colin again after the children are found to be staying in Kakariko Village. Link fights the Bulblins’ king several times across the events of Twilight Princess, culminating in a last battle against him in the courtyard of Hyrule Castle.
However, upon his defeat in this fight, King Bulblin grins as he throws the door key to Link. As he prepares to leave the castle, the Bulblin King says simply that he follows the strongest side – Link has earned his respect through several shows of strength, and he will no longer fight for Ganondorf. During the ending credits, some Bulblins and their king are shown riding over the fields of Hyrule, perhaps suggesting a brighter future for the Bulblins.
Kass (Breath of the Wild)
Kass is a traveling Rito bard, whose accordion-playing can be heard in many places across Hyrule. He appears near stables to play the stable theme, but he can also be found singing hints to some of the game’s shrine quests. If Link finishes all of the shrine quests, Kass returns to Rito Village to be with his wife and daughters, hoping that his teacher is proud of him for passing down the songs. It’s here that Kass tells Link more about his teacher and his motivations.
The Champions’ Ballad DLC gives him a major role, with notes from his teacher’s journal that set Link on the DLC’s quest. At the end of the DLC’s story, he sings the final song from his teacher, which he calls the Champions’ Ballad. His absence from Tears of the Kingdom, as well as some dialogue from his family and from Penn, has led fans to theorize that Kass might have died before the events of the game.
Final Thoughts
There are so many great side characters in the Zelda series, from mysterious allies to characters who grow and change over the course of the game’s story. With Echoes of Wisdom set to feature Tri as Zelda’s companion, what other characters might we meet? Perhaps one of Zelda’s servants, unaware that they’re talking to the princess; or maybe even Link himself, who wouldn’t be used to being the one in need of saving.
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