25 Best Legend of Zelda Characters (From All Games)
This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. (Learn more).The Legend of Zelda is likely one of the longest-lived and hottest Motion/Journey franchises in gaming historical past.
A part of what makes it so widespread is how colourful the Zeldaverse is.
The enemies, locales, and characters are all vibrant and numerous. All of them pull you into their world and make you need to expertise every little thing it has to supply.
After over 25 years of video games, there are numerous characters within the annals of Hyrule historical past – however they’re not all the identical. A few of them stand tall amongst others, symbols of wonderful writing and character design.
Let’s check out among the greatest.
25. Navi
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
If there’s a divisive subject amongst Zelda followers, it’ss whether or not Navi is as annoying as some individuals describe her to be.
The Nice Deku Tree summoned this tiny fairy to information and defend Hyperlink whereas he lived within the Kokiri Forest – and that she did.
Positive, she could have been a tad overbearing.
However she taught us the controls to the sport and offered (kind of) helpful suggestions every time consulted. Give the fairy some credit score!
24. Agahnim
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: A Hyperlink to the Previous
Very like Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time, Agahnim first approaches the royal household beneath the guise of a useful pressure.
His heroic deeds land him a title, status, and a place because the King’s advisor. From there, he spreads his evil roots.
Finally this menacing and mysterious wizard strikes to undo the seal preserving Ganon within the Corrupted Shadow Realm.
It’s then revealed that Agahnim is none aside from Ganon, or relatively, an avatar of the demon lord capable of transfer freely outdoors his everlasting jail.
23. Vaati
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: 4 Swords
Vaati is a type of villains that carry on giving – he was current all through the whole GBA saga of video games, and he stays related within the hearts and minds of anybody who performed them.
His most enjoyable look might be in TLoZ: The Minish Cap, the place his origins are defined.
What makes Vaati such an ideal villain is how despicable he’s.
Each time he seems in your path, you actually really feel like he’s actively making an attempt to cease you – and laughing about it too. This contrasts with, say, Ganon, who appears to be rigorously grooming you to be a hero that may defeat him.
22. Agitha
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Not everybody will keep in mind Agitha.
However I assumed she was too lovable – and useful – to go away out.
This little Hylian lady calls herself the Princess of Bugs and appears to have a deep connection to the exoskeleton-clad creatures. She attire in Gothic-style clothes with a butterfly motif and holds balls for bugs to attend.
In-game, she’ll improve your pockets in alternate for Golden Bugs, a collectible unfold all throughout TLoZ: TP’s Hyrule.
21. Medli
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Our subsequent spot goes to my online game childhood sweetheart, Medli.
Half cutie, half fowl, this lovable member of the Rito tribe – the advanced, airborne descendants of the Zora – is the apprentice attendant of the dragon god Valoo.
As such, she’s extraordinarily accountable and hard-working. But additionally variety and caring towards these round her.
She’s finally revealed to be the Sage of Earth, which is why she accompanies Hyperlink to the only most terrifying place within the Nice Sea – the Earth Temple.
I appreciated the corporate.
20. Fi
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Fi is likely one of the greatest companions Hyperlink might ask for – and he or she was the primary chronologically to meet that function.
This blue statue of a lady is the spirit that resides throughout the Goddess Sword – just a little a part of the Goddess Hylia herself, tasked with defending the blade and guiding the hero who wields it.
Fi acts a bit chilly and robot-like towards Hyperlink at first, however her needs and emotions are slowly revealed all through their journey.
This makes the scene the place she lastly goes to sleep throughout the sword specifically heart-wrenching.
19. Ruto
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
After we first meet her, Ruto is the tomboyish, considerably egocentric princess of the Zora tribe.
She’s fated to develop into the attendant of the Zora patron deity Lord Jabu-Jabu, one thing she doesn’t appear all that all for at first.
After the seven-year time-skip the place Hyperlink is frozen within the Sacred Realm, Ruto adjustments rather a lot.
She’s now the accountable and dependable ruler of the Zora populace. Nonetheless, her youthful emotions for Hyperlink burn deep inside her.
18. Saria
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Very like Ruto, Saria is certainly one of Hyperlink’s childhood heartthrobs – a Kokiri lady that grew near him throughout his keep within the Kokiri Forest.
Their story takes a flip for the gloomy as the sport progresses.
After saying their goodbyes at first of Hyperlink’s journey, they’d by no means be really reunited.
Saria is later revealed to be one of many Sages with the facility to seal Ganondorf within the Sacred Realm, however this additionally means she should abandon the bodily world. A bittersweet victory.
17. Linebeck
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Some characters are dashing from the second we meet them. However others want a little bit of time earlier than they present their value.
At first, Linebeck is nothing greater than a treasure hunter obsessive about riches.
This grasping and cowardly man is so selfish, he even named his seafaring vessel after himself!
Nonetheless, his travels with Hyperlink serve to mood his spirit, finally serving to him overcome his cowardice when push got here to shove. Ultimately, he’s an unlikely hero.
And a beautiful one at that.
16. Cranium Child
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Masks
Most villains in The Legend of Zelda are clear reduce.
They’re dastardly, egocentric, and evil, with out a lot clarification as to why.
Cranium Child is completely different.
Like all Cranium Kids, this mischievous woodland spirit began his life as a baby that bought misplaced within the Misplaced Woods. Deserted in historical occasions by the Giants that defend Termina, Cranium Child is little greater than a lonely youngster in want of a buddy.
Regrettably, he was alone till coming into contact with energy far past his understanding within the type of the Majora’s Masks.
15. Demise
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
A way more conventional villain is Demise. Reasonably, he’s the origin of villain traditions in Hyrule – and the metaphorical “father” of Ganon.
Regardless of trying ridiculous in his first few appearances as The Imprisoned, this darkish being is a primal pressure of evil and rebel motivated by little greater than a thirst for energy and destruction.
On the finish of TLoZ: Skyward Sword, he’s sealed away for good with the assistance of the Grasp Sword and Hyperlink.
However his hatred turns into a curse upon the world.
Very like Hyperlink and Zelda, Demise may also come again time after time within the type of Ganon.
14. Ezlo
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Hyperlink’s companions can are available many shapes and varieties.
Generally they’re fairies, generally a sword – and in The Minish Cap, it’s a inexperienced bird-hat.
Ezlo is a profoundly likable character that at all times is aware of simply the correct factor to say. In addition to nice dialogue, Ezlo can present assist within the type of recommendation, helpful background data, and even flip himself right into a parachute if the scenario requires it.
He could not look it, however this cover is a fairly tragic character.
He was became a bit of clothes by his personal disciple – Vaati – who wielded the Mage’s Cap Ezlo had created himself as a present to the Hylians.
13. Mipha
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
One other tragic character is Mipha, the Zora’s ultra-cute Princess and one of many Champions sealed throughout the corrupted Divine Beasts.
She could look lovable. However Mipha is a skillful fighter.
Regrettably, this finally ends up working in opposition to her. As she’s chosen to pilot the Divine Beast Vah Ruta earlier than Calamity Ganon corrupts it.
Her spirit is finally free of the traditional mecha by Hyperlink. However she’s already lengthy gone from this mortal aircraft.
After giving her childhood buddy Hyperlink her therapeutic powers within the type of Mipha’s Grace, she strikes on and leaves us with a bittersweet feeling in our chest.
12. Tetra
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
I like pirate women.
Be it in One Piece or Bodacious Area Pirates, I can’t shake the sensation that the tricorn hat and captain’s coat seems to be higher on girls than it does on furry males.
Properly, Tetra doesn’t actually have any of those staple pirate gadgets, however she’s nonetheless a succesful captain with a crew that loves her.
She’s a complete bad-ass, and will come throughout as cold-hearted at occasions.
Nonetheless, she’s a caring lady that follows the “tsundere” stereotype to a T. This hidden loving nature hints at Tetra’s secret: she’s truly the reincarnation of Princess Zelda.
11. Sheik
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Talking of Zelda’s secret identities…
Our first impression of Sheik is that of a mysterious ninja-esque warrior belonging to the Sheikah tribe.
She helps Hyperlink perceive Time’s true which means and offers steering and assist in his quest to cease Ganon as soon as and for all.
A lot knowledge in a single particular person ought to have alerted us to her actual id, contemplating Zelda carries along with her the Triforce of Knowledge.
10. Ghirahim
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
One of the crucial entertaining villains in Zelda historical past is Ghirahim, a flamboyant and narcissistic demon lord with a penchant for theatrics.
He doesn’t look all that menacing at first look, along with his delicate body and fluid actions.
However he’s truly a sadistic prick obsessive about resurrecting Demise to accumulate his energy.
As the sport progresses, extra of his lunacy is revealed by means of his merciless acts and the benefit with which he loses his composure when issues don’t go his approach.
9. Blissful Masks Salesman
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
He could not fairly rely as a villain, however the Blissful Masks Salesman is likely one of the most sinister and mysterious characters in the whole Zelda franchise.
This creepy particular person makes his first look in Hyrule, peddling his wares to all who take care of some masks, together with Hyperlink.
I didn’t suspect something aside from common creepiness till I noticed him within the intro for Majora’s Masks. Like Hyperlink, he appears to have traversed the area between Hyrule and Termina, which is not any small feat.
Plus, he’s the unique proprietor of the Majora’s Masks.
Wherever did he even get it from?
8. Groose
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Apart from having the most effective pompadour coiffure in Skyloft, Groose can be one of many strongest & most succesful college students within the Knight’s Academy together with Hyperlink.
This provides delivery to a rivalry solely made worse by the truth that Groose has a crush on Zelda, who’s extra all for spending time with our blonde boy.
After a number of failed makes an attempt at making Hyperlink’s life tougher, Groose step by step accepts he’s not meant to be the hero on this story.
So he forges his personal path by working with Impa to guard the Sealed Grounds.
There’s nothing fairly like good character growth to make me fall in love with a personality.
7. Tingle
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Masks
The factor with nice characters in video video games is that they don’t actually need to make sense.
They simply must be memorable and lovable – two issues Tingle excels at.
This tiny green-clad middle-aged man with dashing facial hair is likely one of the weirdest characters within the Zeldaverse.
Not solely does he fly on balloons, however he’s a grasp cartographer, and the creator of a novel type of magic solely he is aware of tips on how to carry out.
Tingle, Tingle, Kooloo-Limpah!
6. King of Pink Lions
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
In case you’re in search of a sturdy, reliable ship to sail the Nice Sea, you want look no additional than the King of Pink Lions.
This speaking ship was instrumental in Hyperlink’s journey to rescue his little sister and, finally, save the world from Ganon’s reawakening.
He serves as a information for the younger hero, in addition to his car.
As if being a speaking ship wasn’t bizarre sufficient, it’s finally revealed that the boat is being managed by the King of Hyrule himself, who’s astral-projecting into the vessel from his place within the frozen Hyrule beneath the waves.
His disappearance by the top of the sport is a profoundly transferring second. And it’s one I’m not forgetting anytime quickly.
5. Ganon
Seen first in: The Legend of Zelda
Very like Hyperlink and Zelda, Hyrule’s cyclic story wouldn’t be full with out Ganon – an formidable soul possessing the Triforce of Energy, locked in an everlasting battle with the Goddess and the Hero.
Generally he’s a large pig demon lord, others a powerful chief for the Gerudo desert tribes.
A technique or one other, energy finally ends up corrupting him completely. Which leads him to brew horrible plans to take over the land.
4. Impa
Seen first in: The Legend of Zelda
Impa is the identify given to a number of members of the storied Sheikah tribe, who’ve taken it upon themselves to accompany, information, and defend each reincarnation of the Goddess.
The place there’s a Zelda, there’s additionally an Impa.
These characters command the respect of these round them.
Be it the Outdated Lady in Skyward Sword, the Elder of Kakariko Village in Breath of the Wild, or Princess Zelda’s attendant in Ocarina of Time – they’re all simply as dependable and key to the story.
3. Hyperlink
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda
Regardless of the sport being referred to as “The Legend of Zelda” relatively than “The Story of Hyperlink” or one thing of the type, this blonde hero is the true fundamental character.
There are as many Hyperlinks as there are video games, all of them with completely different backgrounds and personalities that set them aside.
The one in Wind Waker is lovable, the one in Twilight Princess is a stoic bad-ass, and so forth.
Nevertheless, they’re all introduced collectively by the braveness and grit wanted to develop into a Hero – making him the most effective vessel for the Triforce of Braveness.
2. Midna
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
One of the crucial beloved characters ever to grace our screens is Midna, a small mischievous imp with a big function within the story of TLoZ: Twilight Princess.
This mysterious gal is a member of the Twili – the denizens of the Twilight Realm – and, in reality, she’s their princess.
Consider it as a darkish and edgy model of Princess Zelda.
She’s lovable in her imp type, and jaw-dropping in her extra “human” one – however what attracts us to her is her enjoyable, even when a bit acidic, character.
1. Princess Zelda
First seen in: The Legend of Zelda
It’s solely becoming that the highest spot on our rating went to Zelda.
I imply, her identify is within the title of each sport.
Hyperlink solely has, like, one sport along with his identify on it!
That stated, Zelda has carried out rather a lot to earn our appreciation and respect.
Regardless of being a damsel in misery throughout her first appearances, the occasions have since modified.
And so has Zelda.
These days she’s a pirate captain, a bad-ass ninja, and a powerful and imposing ruler.
Regardless of being trapped in an countless cycle of repetition that sees her kidnapped, many times, she presses on – and with every incarnation, her inside energy grows.
And we love her for it.