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A page for Link, Midna, Princess Zelda, and their companions in Twilight Princess.

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Heroes

Main Heroes

    Link 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/link_tp.png
Click to see Link in wolf form
Voiced by: Akira Sasanuma
"Your name is Link. You are the hero chosen by the gods."
Faron

This Link is a simple Farm Boy living in Ordon Village who rounds up goats on the Mayor's ranch. One day, he is attacked by Bulblins and pulled into a mysterious fog known as Twilight by a Shadow Beast. After realizing he has turned into a wolf, he is rescued by the imp Midna in exchange for agreeing to help her recover the Fused Shadows to stop the Usurper King Zant.


  • The Ace: In Ordon Village alone, Link is a top-rated horseman and goat herder on friendly terms with the mayor and his daughter, in addition to being a capable swordsman. His quest to save Hyrule makes him even more powerful and capable.
  • Ambiguously Related: While this version of Link is confirmed to be a direct descendent of the Hero of Time, there's no mention of who the Hero of Time had a child with. Some theorize it to be Malon in Ocarina of Time, by virtue of this Link being a rancher that knows Epona's song. Then again, the Hero of Time could have just told it to his kin and so forth.
  • Animal Talk: He can understand and talk to animals as a wolf.
  • Animorphism: He turns into a wolf when in Twilight, and can transform voluntarily by touching the Shadow Crystal created by Zant's magic.
  • Badass Adorable: He has his moments. The wolf form is maybe easier to see this aspect in, due him to being both a big sharp-toothed predator and basically a big friendly dog if you're on his good side, but despite the realistic art style making him look more serious compared to a lot of other Links, this is the one who carries around stray cats and dogs by cradling them against his shoulder and the one who is completely stoked when he walks into the fishing hut for the first time.
  • Badass Normal: Wolf form aside, he's this compared to some other Links due to not having a magic pool, with many of his items and abilities relying more on his physical strength - the only indication of magical abilities is his transformation into a wolf in the Twilight, ability to interact with spirits as a wolf, and the charged up Jump Strike and Great Spin, which carry an extra punch. He can also use magical items though, which show that he at least has some aptitude for magic.
  • Bad with the Bone: Downplayed. The Ordon Sword he wields is mentioned to be inlaid with Ordon goat horns, although it still appears to be made primarily of metal.
  • Bag of Holding: This is the game where it's actually seen where Link puts all his stuff: a small pouch on the back of his belt, where he stuffs such things as a huge ball and chain, a fishing pole, and a top he rides like a skateboard.
  • Beware the Nice Ones: A staple of the character. The only reason such an amazing warrior can be kind and caring is that he can afford to be.
  • Big Brother Instinct: To all the kids in Ordon Village, but particularly Colin. When Colin is abducted, Link is beyond furious with King Bulblin and gives chase through Kakariko Village to save the boy.
  • Birthmark of Destiny: As mentioned by the Sages, Link has a noticeable birthmark in the shape of the Triforce on his sword hand.
  • Blow You Away: The Gale Boomerang becomes the center of a small whirlwind as it's being thrown.
  • Bow and Sword in Accord: He gets to use a sword shortly after the start of the game, and the Hero's Bow during his visit to the Goron Mines. Mastering both weapons proves vital to succeed in his adventure.
  • But Now I Must Go: At the end of the game, Link leaves Ordon for parts unknown.
  • The Call Knows Where You Live: Initially, Link is nothing but an unassuming farm hand who just wants to live a peaceful life and take care of his village's children. Then Ordon gets attacked by monsters and Link is literally dragged into the Twilight Realm against his will, at which point Midna forces him to aid in her war against Zant and the Light Spirits thrust his status as The Chosen One onto him.
  • Chained by Fashion: His wolf form. It comes from being shackled up by Zant's minions at the start of the game, and Midna only breaks the chain instead of removing the shackle, so it's retained when Link becomes a wolf.
  • The Champion: Although the gods and Zelda have a stake in his victory, he most fills the role for the Princess of Twilight, Midna, as he is the one that purges Zant and Ganondorf's influence from her realm.
  • Charles Atlas Superpower: As a result of his physical strength earned by wrestling goats, he's strong enough to sumo wrestle Gorons and grew powerful enough to best Ganondorf.
  • Character Tics: When targeting an enemy with his sword drawn, he will frequently twirl his weapon in his hand. This was carried over in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and the 3DS remake of Ocarina of Time.
  • Chick Magnet: Link gets a lot of attention from a lot of girls. Like Ilia, Beth, Midna, and Telma (who flirts with a lot of men), even Hena seems to have a thing for him along with three other fangirls he meets upon completing the claw shot challenge. In a literal case, he also gets hit on by a chicken while in wolf form.
  • Childhood Friend Romance: At certain parts, it is implied that he has one with Mayor Bo's daughter, Ilia, with a significant portion of the game centered on their relationship.
  • The Chosen One: The direct successor for the Hero of Time.
    Faron: You were transformed into a blue-eyed beast… That was a sign… It was a sign that the powers of the chosen one rest within you… and that they are awakening.
  • Clothes Make the Legend: The Light Spirit Faron gives him the clothes that the Hero Of Time once wore.
  • Combat Pragmatist: As expected from an incarnation of Link, but this one wins a sumo match against the Goron elder Gor Coron by wearing the Iron Boots.
  • The Comically Serious: What few humorous moments he gets usually involve him dealing with the quirkiness or snark of other characters, particularly in wolf form whenever he has to put up with Midna quipping at him.
  • Cool Horse: Epona makes her third appearance in the series as Link's trusty steed.
  • Cool Sword: The Master Sword, as usual. It's also an Ancestral Weapon, previously wielded by his ancestor, the Hero of Time.
  • Counter-Attack: The Mortal Draw Hidden Skill, which involves Link sheathing his sword and slashing an enemy just as they attack.
  • Crazy-Prepared: Has a weapon/item for every possible situation.
  • Cursed with Awesome: The Invasion of Twilight has affected all Hylians, Link included. However unlike the rest of them, barring Princess Zelda, who turn into ghostly phantoms, his connection to the Triforce of Courage allows him to keep his corporeal form, albeit that of a Wolf, allowing him to reach places he never could before, able to sense things only an animal could, and communication with other wildlife.
  • Destructive Savior: Link in general has a reputation as a human wrecking ball, and one dungeon item is a giant flail that can smash up just about everything in the dungeon – the home of two of the friendliest people in the game. He also (accidentally) blows up Barnes' bomb storage shed while hunting for the twilight bugs.
  • Distinguishing Mark: He has a "birthmark" on the back of his hand that resembles the Triforce. It foreshadows that he himself possesses the Triforce of Courage.
  • Epic Flail: The Ball and Chain allows Link to deliver blunt force blows from a distance.
  • The Ego: He's much more compassionate than Midna but also more hands on than Zelda. As the warrior he brings the muscle while also being clever to solve puzzles.
  • Farm Boy: Link was a rancher before he was pulled into a world of Triforces, shadow demons, and the never-ending battle of good vs. evil.
  • Forced Transformation: His wolf transformation, especially when he is shown writhing painfully when he first becomes a wolf.
  • Friend to All Children: He is the self-appointed guardian of the other children in Ordon.
  • Friend to All Living Things: Even in human form, animals follow him around.
  • Genius Bruiser: Smart enough to solve the various puzzles in the dungeons, strong enough to swing around a huge ball-and-chain.
  • Guest-Star Party Member: Wolf Link appears in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as an AI-controlled ally to that game's Link via his amiibo.
  • Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: A trait he shares with the Hero of Time, his ancestor. His hair is more of a dirty blond rather than the more yellow/golden color of his predecessors, which was also used for the Links in Skyward Sword and Breath Of The Wild.
  • Hammerspace: Made more interesting because some weapons weigh him down when he uses them, but he walks normally when he puts them away.
  • Heartbroken Badass: Downplayed, since he doesn't show too much distress. For a portion of the game though, he loses his friends to the Bulblin bandits, being unable to reunite with them due to turning into a wolf. Also, when Link finds Ilia again, she's suffering from amnesia and doesn't recognize him. Fortunately, he manages to save them all and restore Ilia's memory.
  • The Hero: He's chosen by the ancient gods to be this after the Prolonged Prologue ends (when Faron Province is purged from Twilight curse).
  • Heroic Build: As seen in his sumo fight with Bo, this Link is quite ripped for a boy his age, especially compared to others in the series. This is likely due to being a goat herder.
  • Heroic Lineage: As confirmed per Hyrule Historia, he's a descendant of the Hero of Time, who appears in this game as the Hero's Spirit. This is especially notable as a departure from most Links before and after, who only resemble one another as per being the reincarnation of the Hero as opposed to being a direct succeeding generation by bloodline.
  • Heroic Mime: Lampshaded by Midna. It's implied that he does speak, other characters react like he does, but he is never shown speaking and no subtitles appear.
  • He Who Fights Monsters: Defied. Link is briefly tempted by the the Fused Shadow, with Lanayru warning him of the consequences of searching for power and how said power can corrupt even the purest of hearts. Nevertheless, Link's drive to save and protect his loved ones overrides any potential lust for power, proving his worth as The Hero and contrasting him with Ganondorf.
  • Hope Bringer: Over the course of the game, Link becomes this to the denizens of Castle Town. Darkness clouds the land, bandits and monsters both familiar and unfamiliar roam the land, and the guards are ridiculously incompetent, leaving the townsfolk scared. Once news of Link's deeds reaches the populace, the feeling of fear and hopelessness fades away, and citizens will commend Link for stepping up.
  • Horse Archer: Now he can use most of his weapons while on Epona, not just his Bow. He even fights King Bulblin in a jousting match.
  • Hunk: As much of this as he is a Pretty Boy. This Link's got a nice, buff body, and the game isn't afraid to show it.
  • Iaijutsu Practitioner: One of the Hero's Spirit's techniques, the Mortal Draw, allows him to strike a One-Hit Kill from the sheath.
  • Implied Love Interest: It's implied that Link and Ilia are a pair, or close enough friends that they might as well be. Also, Midna warms up to him over the course of the game, losing her snark and showing concern for his wellbeing. At the end when she returns to the Twilight Realm, she is unable to say goodbye and can only stammer out the words "Link... I... See you later..." while shedding a tear.
  • Innocent Blue Eyes: Of the heroic and idealistic variety.
  • Instant Cosplay Surprise: Justified, since he had just regained his human form for the first time since becoming a wolf. His new attire is that of his ancestor, the Hero of Time.
  • Instant Expert: While his skill with swordplay is justified by Rusl teaching him, his skill with the rest of his arsenal isn't. Lampshaded by Malo, who wonders if Link can use a bow as he's never seen Link so much as hold one back in Ordon.
  • It's Personal with the Dragon: While King Bulblin serves as The Brute instead of The Dragon, Link's most personal beef is with him instead of Zant or Ganon as his tribe of Bulblins raided Ordon Village and kidnapped the local children.
  • Just Whistle: He can use whistle grass to call for Epona. Even in wolf form, which is definitely a weird way to use wolf whistling.
  • Kindhearted Cat Lover: He can pick up cats and puppies; when he does, rather than holding them above his head like Cuccos, he cradles them against his chest.
  • Knight in Shining Armor: The Magic Armor literally makes him one.
  • Lady and Knight: The White Knight to both Midna's Dark Lady and Zelda's Bright Lady.
  • The Lady's Favor: After regaining her memory, Ilia tells Link that it was the reason she made the Horse Call. She intended to give it to him, just before he set off to deliver the Ordon Sword and Shield to Hyrule Castle, but was abducted by King Bulblin before she had the chance.
  • Legacy Character: Probably the most explicit example of the series, as he is a direct descendant of the Hero of Time, who appears as the Hero's Spirit. In fact, the reason he receives his trademark green outfit is because he is recognized as the next bearer of the Triforce of Courage by the spirit Faron.
  • Leitmotif: Finally receives one in the form of the new Hyrule Field theme, which also plays after particularly heroic moments, when he has the upper hand in boss fights, and in the Link/Hero dedicated part of the Zelda 25th Anniversary montage.
  • Master Swordsman: As expected of the wielder of the Master Sword. His skill at fighting is highlighted here through the various swordfighting techniques he learns. Although most of them are optional, he defeats Ganondorf in a straight-up duel. While he doesn't start the game as a distinguished fighter, the Hero's Spirit ensures that, by the end of it, Link truly lives up the title of "master swordsman".
  • Magic Music: Less so in this game than usual, but he can howl in wolf form to do things.
  • Man in a Kilt: During his sumo fight against Bo, he's wearing practically nothing except for the waist-wrap of his Ordon outfit, which ends up being worn like a skirt or kilt.
  • Mr. Fanservice: As explained in Hunk and Pretty Boy, he's got quite the chiseled face and also a buff body, and the game treats us to it. The pinnacle is his shirtless sumo fight against Mayor Bo.
  • Muggle in Mage Custody: He becomes the servant of the magical imp Midna who treats him condescendingly at first, but warms up to him later on.
  • Muscles Are Meaningless: An interesting variation compared to other Links. While this Link is more visibly muscular, he also performs his incredulous feats of strength without the need for some sort of magic artifact.
  • Nice Guy: He shows remarkable maturity and goes out of his way to help everyone he meets.
  • Noble Wolf: Link retains his heroism, modesty and kindness when he turns into a wolf. Many animals notice this, which is why they're not frightened upon seeing him. His Big Brother Instinct towards the kids in Ordon Village would also turn him into, pardon the pun... a Papa Wolf.
  • Not So Stoic: While this Link isn't as emotive as other Links, some moments do catch him off guard. The game manual even refers to his sword twirling as a sign of teenage cockiness.
    • Link is literally brought to his knees in fear is during the Lanayru Spirit’s history lesson, regarding the battles the denizens of the world fought over the very existence of the Sacred Realm along with the Triforce itself, and the Interlopers who killed the denizens and sought to conquer the sacred realm to satiate their own lust for power (and were sealed away by the three spirits in the Twilight Realm). The visions and warning Link received from the Lanayru Spirit - to not let his search for the Fused Shadows end up corrupting his quest of saving Hyrule into a lust for power - shakes him up so badly he collapses in shock.
    • In a minor example, after seemingly defeating Armogohma, even striking his sword twirling Victory Pose, he gets visibly surprised when it gets back up.
  • One-Man Army: He is much braver than the cowardly Hylian soldiers, and he's got the skills, gear, and weapons to back it up. The most overt demonstration being when he single-handedly storms King Bulblin's desert fortress and routs his army. No "clearing one room at a time" to minimize the number of enemies he has to fight simultaneously here, like in most dungeons.
  • Our Werewolves Are Different: The Triforce of Courage causes him to transform into a wolf in the Twilight Realm, and Midna later uses a cursed crystal to let him transform at will.
  • The Paragon: While downplayed, it's implied that he inspired a handful of characters to be more selfless and/or courageous simply by setting a good example for them.
  • Parental Abandonment: In tradition with the rest of the series, his parents are nowhere to be seen.
  • Pretty Boy: One of the most mature-looking Link in the series, and appropriately one of the most handsome. Uniquely for the trope, he's also pretty muscular. That said, he is actually quite short in stature, with Zelda and Midna taller than him.
  • Real Men Wear Pink: While he's one of the most conventionally masculine Links, the very affectionate way he carries cats around is something you'd expect from a far more feminine character.
  • Red Baron: His wolf form is known as the Blue-Eyed Beast in Twili legend. Breath of the Wild would also retroatively grant him the title "Hero of Twilight", though it had widely been used in the fandom beforehand.
  • Required Secondary Powers: Despite his prodigious strength, he's just as vulnerable to being knocked around as anyone else his weight. Because of this, he needs the Iron Boots to do things like catch and throw rolling Gorons.
  • Rewarding Vandalism: However, in Iza's boat shop, he has to pay for vandalism.
  • Shared Family Quirks: Retroactively. Link sometimes twirls his sword in his hand when targeted on a foe. The 3DS remake of Ocarina of Time has this backported to his ancestor, the Hero of Time.
  • Ship Tease: He has this with a lot of characters, owing to his natural good looks. Storywise, the Ordon kids, Telma, Renado, and Midna note how close he and Illia are. The manga version also showed Midna him goodbye in the end.
  • Shirtless Scene: When Mayor Bo teaches him Sumo wrestling.
  • Signature Headgear: He gets the legendary green hat along with the rest of the green tunic after he restores Faron Woods from the influence of the Twilight Realm.
  • Signature Move: The famous Spin Attack returns, and he gets a new one in the form of the Ending Blow. He can upgrade the former to the more powerful "Great Spin", while the latter is the only Hidden Skill actually needed to finish the game.
  • Silent Snarker: An easy-to-miss moment when Wolf Link teleports from a portal* has Midna land too hard on his back, prompting him to quietly growl at her. Even Nice Guys have standards!
  • The Stoic: This Link is probably the most aloof, serious, and mature incarnation yet, showing more subtle and understated responses than other Links. Even the versions of adult Link from Ocarina of Time and Skyward Sword had more moments of goofy adorableness.
  • Strong Family Resemblance: This Link looks nearly identical to his ancestor and predecessor. The only main difference is that this Link has darker hair than the one from Ocarina of Time.
  • Super-Senses: As a wolf, he gains heightened senses that allow him to follow scent trails, find objects underground, and see in the dark. They also enable him to see the physical forms of spirits and ghosts.
  • Super-Strength: One of the strongest Links in the entire franchise, being able to stop a charging goat without budging, stop a Goron's Rolling Attack before throwing them off to the side, wrestling their Elder, pulling down Fyrus to stun him, using the absolutely huge ball and chain, and shoving aside massive stone doors. While many of these feats require the Iron Boots, they only keep him planted. The actual physical strength required to carry out these feats may be his own. In the 6th temple, he can throw items pretty far across a scale, with it taking a couple or so of them to match his weight.
  • Supporting Protagonist: Link is the muscle, as the main plot revolves around Midna collecting the Fused Shadows/Mirror shards to fight her nemesis Zant and retake the Kingdom. The ending shows how she's changed. The quest to find the children of Ordon Village is less vital than her quest to stabilize the Twilight, and the subtitle refers to her.
  • Travel Transformation: His wolf form can do Tightrope Walking, while his human one can't.
  • Tsurime Eyes: His eyes are sharp and angular, signifying his serious and determined nature.
  • Unknown Rival: This time around, Ganondorf doesn't seem the least bit bothered about him, likely because the Hero of Time didn't fight Ganondorf in the childhood timeline, which Twilight Princess follows. He gives Midna more attention, and only really acknowledges Link after Midna's presumed death.
  • Voluntary Shapeshifting: After obtaining the Master Sword, Link gets the ability to change between his wolf and human forms at any time with the help of the Shadow Crystal Zant had tried to use on him.
  • Weapon Twirling:
    • Link sometimes twirls his sword while L-targeting. Ocarina of Time 3D suggests that he inherited it from that Link.
    • He's also often shown twirling his sword after defeating a boss or miniboss.
    • If Link sheathes his sword with the right timing after killing an enemy with the Mortal Draw, he twirls his sword as he resheathes it. While this looks cool, you can't interrupt it until the end, leaving you open to attack.
  • Wolverine Publicity: Nintendo has treated this incarnation of Link as the default Link from 2006 to 2017, when Breath of the Wild was released. Even when Skyward Sword came out years later, Twilight Princess Link usually received the lion's share of media attention, and the HD remake only helped in this regard. This version of Link also has more amiibo than his other incarnations, with his Super Smash Bros. and Zelda Hylian variants as well as Wolf Link - and all three can summon companions for the Link in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,note  something that no other Link amiibo can do. Somewhat fitting, considering he is the descendant of the previous Link to have Wolverine Publicity.
  • Wooden Katanas Are Even Better: Inverted. The wooden sword is the weakest sword in the game and is broken well before Link reaches the first dungeon.
  • Wrestler in All of Us: Not only does he grapple goats during his work time, he sumo wrestles a Goron.

    Midna 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/midna_tphd.png
Click to see Midna's true form
Voiced by: Akiko Koumoto
"Listen, I like you, so I think I'll get you out of here. But in exchange for my help, you have to do EXACTLY as I say!"

An enigmatic and snarky imp who has a mysterious connection to the Twilight that has enveloped Hyrule. She offers to help Link escape from his prison and eventually becomes his guide. She rides on his back when he's in wolf form, and hides in his shadow when he's a human.


  • Action Girl: Despite her being an imp, Midna is not one to be underestimated. She isn’t afraid to ride into battle on Wolf Link’s back, and while she doesn’t actively fight back, she assists Link by locking onto enemies with an energy field she projects with her magic while he strikes. When she does fight back, she grabs Darkbeast Ganon by his face and tosses him to the ground with her magic hair to help Link bite the scar on his belly and attempts to kill him with her trident after transforming into a monstrous multi armed form of herself and teleporting Link and Zelda to safety.
  • Aloof Ally: Starting off, she's only interested in overthrowing Zant and, in the English localization at least, states didn't care a second about what happened with the Light World.
  • Anti-Hero: At first, she's arrogant and only really cares about putting a stop to Zant.
  • Arc Hero: Midna is effectively the titular and main character at the same time. She gets the brunt of Character Development and is more emotionally invested in stopping Zant than Link, who is merely doing his duty to save Hyrule.
  • Artifact of Doom: The Fused Shadows, one of which she wears as a helmet.
  • Back from the Dead: It's implied that Ganondorf killed her when they fought, and the Light Spirits resurrected her, restoring her true form.
  • Badass Adorable: When in a good mood, her imp form can be downright cute. Her actions include helping Link kill giant monsters and throwing the massive Dark Beast Ganon across the room.
  • Barbie Doll Anatomy: Shown in both imp and true forms, but more obvious in the latter considering how humanoid it is. Played with in that her true form's bottom half is covered up with a wrap yet she's still apparently topless. Also her natural skin markings give the appearance of a designer bodysuit.
  • Bequeathed Power: Zelda transferred some sort of energy to her that allowed her to survive in the light, resulting in the latter losing her physical form. It's never specified what the energy was, but it's hinted to be the Triforce of Wisdom.
  • Black Magic: She uses Twilight magic to teleport and shapeshift.
  • Casting a Shadow: She can merge with Link's shadow at will, and uses it to stay alive in non-Twilight Hyrule.
  • Cerebus Call-Back: Her Catchphrase is "See you later!", which she says playfully and laughingly while disappearing into Link's shadow whenever a Light Spirit is freed. She says it one last time tearfully when she must destroy the Mirror of Twilight.
  • Character Title: Though she quips with Zelda by calling her the Twilight Princess, the title rightfully belongs to her.
  • Cool Helmet: The piece of the Fused Shadow she wears for most of the game.
  • Creepily Long Arms: Though it's not as prominent than Zant or the Shadow Beasts, her arms reach her knees when she's standing up on her imp form.
  • Creepy Good: Her initial Slasher Smile makes it clear that she's initially more like a creepy person from the start, and through her echoing laughter, it remains a bit throughout (even if she gets much nicer). Especially with the completed Fused Shadows, which turns her into an Eldritch Abomination.
  • Cute Little Fangs: In her imp form, Midna has a prominent fang that is visible whenever she smiles.
  • Cute Monster Girl: The appearance and behavior she had in her imp form give her this trait. In her true form, however, she appears to be the most human-looking of the Twili.
  • Dark Is Not Evil: Midna has shadow-based abilities. She's also arrogant, sarcastic, and initially selfish, but not evil (as in she openly stated she did not wish harm on Zelda). Never mind her being flung out of those negative traits about one third of the way through. She opposes Zant and his minions because she doesn't like how he tries to govern the Twilight Realm.
  • Deadpan Snarker: Many characters have some snark to dish out, but Midna takes the cake over all of them.
    • During the first third of the game, she's snarky towards Link and even Princess Zelda, along with providing a usually unflattering running commentary on everyone else around them. By the time Link completes the Fused Shadow/gets the Master Sword, he's no longer her favorite target...
    • That said, she still has this gem to offer when her Link is wordless over her true form.
      Midna: What? Say something! Am I so beautiful that you've no words left?
  • Defrosting Ice Queen: Over the course of the game, she slowly becomes far less arrogant and haughty.
  • Devil's Pitchfork: Her weapon of choice when she invokes the Fused Shadows is a trident-like spear, first used against the barrier blocking Hyrule Castle and then against Ganondorf himself.
  • Dimension Lord: It is revealed that she's the true ruler of the Twilight Realm. Zant usurped the throne from her.
  • Disney Death: After going One-Winged Angel on Ganon and their ensuing duel destroying even Hyrule Castle, Ganondorf emerges victorious, even destroying the Fused Shadow Midna used to wear as proof. She gets better courtesy of the goddesses, though.
  • Does Not Know Her Own Strength: When she kills Zant using the power of the completed Fused Shadow, she is visibly shocked, stating that she only used a fraction of its power to pull it off.
  • Eldritch Abomination: With the Fused Shadows, she becomes an amorphous creature made of Twilight, though she still retains her normal personality.
  • Exotic Eye Designs: Her eyes have yellow scleras and two concentric irises, an outer orange one and an inner red one.
  • Exposition Fairy: She takes this role as part of a deal she and Link have at the start of the game, though she's generally a lot more impatient and sardonic about it (at least to begin with).
  • Fallen Princess: Not only was she the princess of the Twilight Realm, she was also chosen to be its new ruler. But Zant was so jealous, tired of being a servant, and power-hungry that he usurped her and turned her into an imp. It led to a fall from grace and a struggle to regain what she once had.
  • Fiery Redhead: Her hair glows red and yellow. It enlarges its size when Midna is using the force field attack.
  • Fisher King: She fulfils this role for the Twilight Realm.
  • Forced Transformation: She's the princess of the Twilight Realm forcibly transformed into an imp.
  • Forgotten Phlebotinum: She can levitate titanic hunks of rock with her mind, then teleport them through space, but makes Link do all the fighting in his human form. She can fly, but chooses to ride around on his back while he's a wolf. Justified by it being in-character for her — first out of letting others do her work and then probably out of solidly believing in his skills.
  • Full-Frontal Assault: She's naked in her imp form, though she has no sensitive anatomy to hide anyway. Although, some have postulated that she wore black clothes of some kind or had a form of fur.
  • Green-Skinned Space Babe: In her true form. She even teases Link over it.
  • Hartman Hips: Her imp form has pronounced hips. Her real form has these as well, but that fits mildly into another trope.
  • Herd-Hitting Attack: When riding wolfback, she can create a circle of magic around her that lets Link become a Pinball Projectile to One-Hit Polykill enemies caught in it.
  • The Id: Among the three protagonists, she starts being selfish and schemes to recover her throne. Even after becoming a nicer person, she remains as the most expressive and, in rare cases, snarky of the three.
  • The Imp: She essentially forces Link into helping her, emotionally manipulating him in the process, and snarks at him along the way. She defrosts over time, and later drops this characterization completely after Zelda saves her life.
  • Impossible Hourglass Figure: Her true form qualifies into this trope. Her thin waist isn't very noticeable as her bust size and hips though.
  • It's Personal with the Dragon: Her only conflict is with Zant, being the one who cursed her and directly usurped her position as ruler of the Twilight Realm, and she does not find out about Ganondorf until the midpoint of the game.
  • Jerkass Realization: When Midna is mortally wounded by the goddesses' light (courtesy of Zant) and Zelda sacrifices herself to save Midna, she asks Link to stop the princess. It's at that moment when Midna realizes the princess' selflessness was genuine, and her parting words for the wind are those that signify her Character Development has started.
    Midna: Zelda, I've taken all you had to give... even though I did not want it.
  • Jerk with a Heart of Gold: By the game's climax, she averages around here. Even when she was acting like a jerk to Link and some others, it's evident that she still loved and cared about her people. Midna also heavily defrosts towards Link and later Zelda when she realizes how much they sacrifice to help her. Post-Zelda sacrificing herself to save Midna, she's still snarky, but no longer unpleasant.
  • King Incognito: She doesn't let anyone in the Light World know that she is the rightful ruler of the Twili, preferring to let them assume that she is just some random imp. Zelda and the Sages are able to figure it out on their own, leaving Midna disappointed in the latter case.
  • Lady and Knight: The Dark Lady to Link's White Knight.
  • Leaning on the Fourth Wall: At one point in the game, she hums her own theme music.
  • Leitmotif: A minor-key variation of Zelda's theme, which hints at her identity as the Twilight Princess.
  • Living Shadow: She can merge with Link's shadow, and even in the Light World early in the game, she shows up on Wolf Link's shadow's back.
  • Lust Object: A very, very disturbing example. The way he gets uncomfortably close to her and (assuming those are not teeth or stitches) drools while calling her "My Midna" during the post-Lakebed Temple scene implies that she's Zant's.
  • Magikarp Power: In the beginning, she's only capable of basic spells. Gathering all of the Fused Shadows and tapping into their power allows to her to vaporize Zant and temporarily hold off Ganondorf.
  • Male Gaze: In her imp form, she has a big butt and the camera angles will often remind you of this. Her introduction scene is the most obvious example.
  • Manipulative Bitch: Before her Character Development, she happily blackmails Link into helping her, before playing on his emotions by taking on the scared forms of Colin and Ilia - the latter of which she retains, with a smirk, as she's manipulating Link into helping her get the Fused Shadow. Her disrespectful words, more often to him, occur sporadically and dwindle until the third temple is done.
  • Mask of Power: The creepy-looking helmet-thingy covering her left eye is part of an ancient artifact of dark magic.
  • Modest Royalty: In the scope of her species, and in stark contrast to Zant. The Twili wear no clothing at all, and Zant wears no shortage of it to display his opulence. Midna, however, wears only a sarong about her waist and a simple cape. In the manga this is reversed, as most of the other Twili have more human-like appearances and wear significantly more, while Midna's outfit remains the same.
  • Morphic Resonance: Cat-like head aside, her imp form's body is revealed to be nearly identical to her true form's body, albeit with smaller proportions on the former.
  • Ms. Fanservice: In either form, she's quite curvy. Her true form is a gorgeous young woman whose beauty renders Link speechless, which she even lampshades. While in her imp form, the camera likes to linger on her butt, particularly in her introduction scene. Plus, you'll be playing as Wolf Link for quite a bit of the game, and given that Midna rides on Wolf Link's back, there'll be no shortage of generous camera angles.
  • My God, What Have I Done?:
    • Shades of this trope show up once she's learned how far Link and Zelda have gone to help others, even someone as selfish as she had been.
    • She also has this after killing Zant with her ancestors' power. Unusually for the trope, it's not that she killed Zant that shocked her, but how easily she did it.
      Midna: (shocked) I... I used just a fraction of the power that's in me now... (horrified) I did THAT using only a fraction of my ancestors' magic?!
  • My Greatest Failure: She feels profound guilt about letting Zant overrun her kingdom, Ganondorf or no Ganondorf. Then, when she realizes how noble Link and Zelda are, she feels even more guilt about how she treated Link. She goes from Jerkass to Defrosting Ice Queen with enough of a Heel–Face Turn over the course of the game.
  • Nonhumans Lack Attributes: While she is naked in her imp form, she lacks certain attributes.
  • Nonstandard Character Design: Looks much more humanoid compared to the Twili, who could charitably be described as "early AI art of red-eyed pandas".
  • No Sense of Personal Space: She hops on Wolf Link's back when they first meet and treats him like a horse.
  • One-Winged Angel: The completed Fused Shadow turns her into an enormous trident-wielding multi-limbed, octo-spidery monstrosity.
  • Our Imps Are Different: She begins the game as a small black imp, and is disrespectful and very clearly only using you as means to an end. However, eventually you learn that it isn't her real form at all, but the result of a curse that sealed away most of her powers (and seeing as she still has access to teleportation, energy blasts and flight in her weakened state, her true powers must be quite considerable). Soon enough into the game she's a fully heroic character, and beating the final boss restores her to her true form.
  • Prehensile Hair: She can transform her ponytail into a clawed hand and uses it to grab handles, designate large objects for teleport, and punch through Zant with it.
  • Princesses Rule: Implied. Her ability to shatter the Mirror of Twilight is a testament to her being the true ruler of the Twili, yet she is only ever addressed as "Twilight Princess" rather than "Twilight Queen". Considering Zelda's situation, Zant may have done the same thing to her, attacking before her coronation.
  • Proud Beauty: Midna's reaction to Link's speechlessness over her true form is, though harmless, rather smug.
  • Punny Name: Word of God says Midna was meant as a play on Midnight.
  • "The Reason You Suck" Speech: She gives a brief, but brutal one to Zant after he's beaten.
    Midna: Traitors, ha! You want to know why none would call you king? It was your eyes, Zant. All saw it, a lust for power burning in your pupils... Did you think we'd forget our ancestors lost their king to such greed?
  • The Reveal: Halfway through the game, it's revealed that Midna is the Twilight Princess, trapped in an imp form by Zant.
  • Royalty Superpower: As the Twilight Princess, Midna inherited the Fused Shadows, powerful artifacts that embody the magic once used by the Twili's ancestors. They work great against Zant; not so much against Ganondorf.
  • Shapeshifting Trickster: She takes an almost sadistic delight in trickery before her Character Development.
  • She Cleans Up Nicely: After she regains her true form. She even teases Link about it in a friendly manner.
  • She Who Fights Monsters: In her quest to stop Zant, Midna becomes fixated on the power of the Fused Shadow. To get her hands on it, she both uses and abuses Link and is even willing to steal and burn down homes to do so, while constantly disregarding the suffering of Hyrule, not unlike Zant himself. It's only when she realizes just how selfless Link and Zelda are that Midna decides to commit herself to saving both her own world and theirs.
  • Slasher Smile: When she sees Link turn into a wolf while being captured, she busts out an absolutely malevolent grin. Just before that, she takes on an outright demonic one wide as a boomerang when she first discovers a fragment of the Fused Shadow and forms a plan for revenge (seen here from 2:24-2:28). And when she and Link confront Ganondorf, she sports another unsettling one. She seems to have a thing for this trope. It may be that the Fused Shadows, in their status as a highly forbidden power, increase her/one's violent impulses.
  • Speaking Simlish: Her method of speech. It's made of scrambled English phrases, and deciphering them yields surprisingly relevant sentences: "Have you made up your mind?", "I'll take you there with my power.", "What do you think happened to those who tried to rule with sacred magic?", "I'll be watching.", and "I guess you aren't stupid."
  • Spotlight-Stealing Squad: If Twilight Princess is the only Zelda you've played, you can be forgiven for wondering why all the other games focus on that quiet chap she rides around on and that other girl. Even the conversations with Zant and Ganondorf are more about her than Link, with the latter only acknowledging him after he assumes Midna is dead.
  • Statuesque Stunner: Midna’s true form is noticeably taller than Link, being at least six feet tall, and she’s utterly gorgeous to look at.
  • Super-Deformed: Midna's imp form is a chibi version of her true form.
  • Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Of Tatl from Majora's Mask. She's a Little Miss Snarker with a connection to the main antagonist who only allies with Link out of convenience, but over the course of the story, grows to genuinely care for him.
  • Swiss-Army Tears: She sheds a Single Tear to destroy the Mirror of Twilight.
  • Technicolor Eyes: Her eyes have yellow sclerae, and her irises are multicolored, pink on the outside, and dark red on the inside.
  • The Tease: 'Teases' Link about her true form at the end of the game.
  • Tiny Tyrannical Girl: Spends the first half of the game mocking Zelda's and Hyrule's plight, and belittling Link should he screw up in his quest. It's not until Link and Zelda save her life that she (really) starts to clean up her bossy act.
  • Title Drop: She sarcastically calls Zelda the "Twilight Princess" during Link's first meeting with them. It turns out that Midna is the Twilight Princess; her earlier Title Drop was a false lead.
  • Took a Level in Kindness: Initially, Midna comes off as very condescending and sarcastic, even manipulative and downright cruel at points, but she comes to regret her behaviour and apologizes for it. After Zelda sacrifices her physical body to save Midna's life, she is touched by the princess's selflessness and dedicates herself to saving the kingdom of Hyrule.
  • Tsundere: A classic Harsh example. If she was learning how to care about the light world as the game was unfolding, her old self was sure too proud to let others know, stating after the first dungeon that she did not care, finishing the quote as seen below. But this trope counts in a Heel–Face Turn sense - Midna develops a soft spot for Link (and Hyrule) over the course of the Fused Shadows arc (one that Zant informs her cannot work out, as the worlds are apparently destined to be separate). After that, she drops the rudeness, only getting irritated but not insulting if Link misleads her in carrying a heavy bridge.
    Midna: I'm helping you because I have to! You remember that!
  • Voluntary Shapeshifting: She transforms into Colin and Ilia to taunt Link while blackmailing him. Oddly, this is the only time she displays this ability. The same goes for her changing into bubbles to bypass prison bars... though you can see her form 'bubbling' when she travels through the air via magic.
  • Weakened by the Light: In this case, light power. She can freely travel on Wolf Link's back even during day, and has full control of the powers she can offer Link. However, it's when exposed to the goddesses' raw light, however, that she's mortally wounded, turning palid and almost irrecognizable, courtesy of Zant in that one.
  • What You Are in the Dark: For all her bossing Link around, she begs Zelda to save him from Zant's curse while she's dying of fatal light exposure, even asking Zelda to tell Link how to continue his quest without her because his life is more important than hers.
  • Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: The miniboss of the Lakebed Temple suggests that she is grossed out by frogs and/or toads, to the point that she refuses to give Link any hints during the battle. Even when she gets much nicer, she still has a hard time dealing with creepy things - and this adventure has such monsters in no short supply.
  • The Worf Effect: She loses to a more ethereal form of Ganondorf while transformed and wielding the Fused Shadows just to demonstrate how strong he is at full power. But, it doesn't quite last...

    Zelda 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tphd_zelda_artwork.png
Voiced by: Jun Mizusawa
"Shadow and light are two sides of the same coin…one cannot exist without the other."

The Princess and reigning monarch of Hyrule. She was to be crowned queen, but Zant invaded on the day preceding her coronation. She gives Link advice in a tower in Hyrule Castle in which she is imprisoned.


  • Action Girl: Zelda is a skilled archer and, judging by her holding a rapier when about to confront Zant’s forces during the invasion of her castle, implied to have some skill in swordplay. She puts her archery to good use to aid Link against his fight with Ganondorf and attempted to join Link in the final duel before Ganondorf's barrier stopped her at the last second, forcing her to stay mounted on Epona, calming her down when Epona rears up startled from Ganondorf summoning his barrier to face Link alone.
  • Adaptational Personality Change: Compared to most of her 3D incarnations, this Zelda is relatively stoic and serious, very rarely cracking a smile once during the events of the game.
  • All-Loving Heroine:
    • She is a kind and benevolent ruler who wants the best for everyone. She doesn't even hate Ganondorf, even after everything he had done. In a small, yet noticeable moment after the final battle, Zelda makes a praying gesture next to his corpse. That's right, Zelda is praying for the soul of her enemy.
    • Also, during the horseback battle against Ganondorf and his horse, if Link is dismounted from Epona, Zelda takes her reins to keep her calm until Link can remount her and take over. When Link is separated from Zelda and Epona to face Ganondorf alone in a final sword duel, Zelda calms down Epona and holds onto Epona's reins with her free hand, staying mounted on her while watching the outcome of Link and Ganondorf's final clash.
  • Alone with the Psycho: Not seen from Zelda's perspective, but she was trapped with Ganondorf alone for an awful long time.
  • Badass in Distress: She was perfectly willing to face Zant's forces alongside her soldiers, but surrendered to prevent unnecessary death. She spends the rest of the game under house arrest.
  • Beat the Curse Out of Him: When her body is possessed by Ganondorf, Link and Midna drive him out by force.
  • Big Good: Zelda is the de facto ruler of Hyrule and one of the key figures keeping the Twilight at bay.
  • Black Cloak: A particularly stylish one complete with In the Hood.
  • Boss Subtitles: "Ganon's Puppet: Zelda" when Ganondorf possesses her body in the final battle.
  • Braids of Action: Princess Zelda wears one long braid in the back and has a slim braid on either side of her face. She does get in on the action as part of the endgame.
  • Brainy Brunette: Princess Zelda, in her only remotely brunette incarnation, is noted by her former tutor to have been an excellent student. She's also the chosen disciple of the Goddess of Wisdom, so it's only logical.
  • Cool Crown: A lovely golden tiara with a blue gem in the center.
  • Damsel in Distress: Link can't rescue her the first time they meet, nor the second for that matter. Third time's the charm, as she gets saved near the end.
  • Demonic Possession: Used on her empty body near the end of the game, while Zelda's soul is secretly keeping Midna alive.
  • Ermine Cape Effect: She wears her dress even under her brown cape.
  • Eye Awaken: Not her, specifically, but Ganondorf does this with her body after he possessed her, shortly before the Ganon's Puppet: Zelda battle. The result literally sends Midna flying.
  • Graceful Ladies Like Purple: A very graceful combo of purple, ivory, and gold here.
  • Hartman Hips: She has pretty prominent hips, but not to the same extent as Midna.
  • High-Class Gloves: She wears elbow-length gloves.
  • Heartbroken Badass: Possibly. The Black Cloak she wears while imprisoned in the tower is actually a robe of mourning for her ravaged country.
  • Heroic Sacrifice: While technically still alive, she sacrifices her physical body to enter Midna’s dying body to protect her from the toxic light of the Light Realm.
  • The High Queen: Subverted, which is sad as otherwise she'd perhaps be this more than any other game — she was about to be crowned queen, but Zant invaded on the day before her coronation.
  • Iconic Outfit: Her Twilight Princess dress is the closest thing she has to one, anyway.
  • In the Hood: Wears a hooded Black Cloak at the beginning of the game.
  • Lady and Knight: The Bright Lady to Link's White Knight.
  • Lady of War: She's got a sword this time around, as well as a bow that's almost as long as she is tall. She joins Link in the final battle, shooting light arrows at Ganondorf while riding on Epona. The prologue also shows her wielding the Royal Rapier (Ganondorf also uses it when possessing her body, but only for diving lunges, not any actual swordfighting).
  • Legacy Character: She keeps the tradition of having the name Zelda as a female of the Royal Family.
  • Leitmotif: As usual, her Lullaby. It gets a Dark Reprise as part of her Puppet Zelda theme.
  • Light 'em Up: The Light Arrows as well as in her boss fight as Instant Runes and an Energy Ball because she is a Tennis Boss.
  • Light Is Good: With the Light Arrows when she's free.
  • Living MacGuffin: Once again, she possesses the Triforce of Wisdom, and her soul keeps Midna alive.
  • Magic Knight: She wields a sword in a flashback, and she fights Ganondorf with light arrows in the final battle.
  • Nice Girl: While she doesn't get much screentime and she doesn't smile much, from what we see Zelda is constantly polite and impressively selfless, willing to surrender her power to save her people and help Link and Midna in whatever way she can.
  • Out of Focus: While she doesn't really get that much less screen-time than her predecessors (and indeed, more than some), on average, she is less important to the plot than usual. In fact, she is barely shown interacting with Link at all, a stark contrast to their usual relationship. However, she is a pivotal part of Midna's Character Development and helps Link in his horseback fight against Ganondorf.
  • Parental Abandonment: The fact that she was due to be crowned queen implies that her parents have died, although they're never mentioned at all.
  • Pimped-Out Dress: Zelda has her standard fancy dress with the gold trimmings.
  • Princesses Rule: Despite the title, she's the reigning monarch of Hyrule — she would be Queen Zelda if her coronation had gone on schedule.
  • Royal Rapier: Wields one during the cutscene showing her kingdom's fall, but drops it when she surrenders to Zant. Ganondorf takes it up when he possesses her body.
  • Royals Who Actually Do Something: She's the reigning monarch of Hyrule. Like most other incarnations of Zelda, she's a very competent ruler and helps Link during the final battle, but notably this Zelda gives her life to save Midna's. She also clearly had every intention of joining Link in the final duel, but was stopped by Ganondorf's barrier, and left to keep Epona calm.
  • Sadistic Choice: She surrenders to Zant so that he will not harm her people.
  • Sexy Backless Outfit: Her dress bares her back pretty well, which combined with her High-Class Gloves makes her the "elegant evening dress" version of this trope.
  • Silk Hiding Steel: A kind and gentle princess who is not afraid to fight.
  • Statuesque Stunner: She's taller than Link.
  • The Stoic: Doesn’t emote much, not even during her Heroic Sacrifice.
  • Symbol Motif Clothing: Just about the hem, her skirt is decorated with harp symbols.
  • The Superego: Zelda is the most compossed and wise among the main trio, as well as the first willing to make self-sacrifices in the name of her people.
  • Tennis Boss: How she is defeated as Puppet Zelda.
  • The Wise Princess: Bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom, natch.
  • Wolverine Publicity: Much like Link, Nintendo treated Twilight Princess Zelda as the default Zelda until Breath of the Wild came out in 2017. Even then, the Twilight Princess Zelda remains one of the most heavily referenced of the legacy Zelda characters, where even in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate where she gets a redesign, she still has an outfit that is clearly based on this version of her.

    Epona 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tphd_link_on_epona.png
"Even though you change shape, I still understand you. Link… Hurry up and return to your true self…"

Link's trusty steed. A magnificent mare tended to by Ilia, Epona helps Link out with his day-to-day job as a ranch hand. However, after the invasion of Ordon Village, Epona finds a new calling by helping her master ride across the vast fields of Hyrule and battle various foes.


  • Action Pet: She is an abnormal powerful and resilient horse who willingly rides into battle with her master.
  • Amplified Animal Aptitude: Epona is fully capable of thought and extremely devoted to her master, being able to race across Hyrule when he needs aid.
  • Ascended Extra: Continuing on from her already expanded role in Majora's Mask, Epona is now absolutely required for progression from the game's outset. From mounted combat, to boss battles against Link's Arch-Enemy, to even a phase of the Final Boss itself, Epona is more important than ever.
  • Automaton Horse: She never requires any sort of care, other than the Sprint Meter that prevents unlimited spurring to full gallop.
  • Badass Adorable: She's an extremely cute and friendly horse who can and will tear through armies of Bulblins at her master's behest.
  • Cool Horse: As the hero's horse, this comes naturally, but she has some unique qualities of her own, like her chestnut coloration with white accents. This time around, she's an enormous Clydesdale with a spiky facial marking who facilitates Link's Horseback Heroism by obligingly pulling some badass Rearing Horse poses.
  • Horseback Heroism: More so than usual, as Link is now a farm hand-turned-hero who rides Epona all across Hyrule, with the two even sharing a special bond that is commented on in-universe.
  • Horse Jump: Epona can jump certain fences that are more than a waist high.
  • Horsing Around: As she charges into Kakariko Village, she aggressively bucks off a pair of Bulblins trying to cling onto her.
  • Invulnerable Horses: She's completely impervious to enemy damage, to the point that trampling foes is a highly effective tactic. Even her injury at the beginning of the game does not hinder her in any way.
  • It Can Think: Link is able to communicate with Epona while in wolf form. As it turns out, she's quite observant and well-spoken.
  • Legacy Character: She is a new iteration of the Link's beloved horse from Ocarina of Time. This is fitting, since this game's Link is the direct descendant of the Hero of Time.
  • Leitmotif: Epona's Song, the tune that Link uses to summon her, has several variations throughout the game.
  • Meaningful Name: Like her predecessor, she is named after Epona, a minor Celtic fertility goddess and protector of horses.
  • Moody Mount: If anyone other than Link tries to ride her, Epona will not take it kindly and attempt to buck them off.
  • Only the Chosen May Ride: Epona refuses to allow anyone other than Link, The Chosen One, to ride her. Not even Ilia is exempt from this, and some Bulblins find this trope out the hard way.
  • Pet Positive Identification: Despite Link being transformed into an unrecognizable wolf, Epona recognizes him immediately.
  • Power-Up Mount: Riding Epona allows Link to plow through enemies, engage in horseback combat, and dash across the map at high speeds.
  • Rearing Horse: Does this during some victory close-ups, with a particularly iconic one occurring after the first battle against King Bulblin.
  • Sapient Steed: Downplayed. Epona is sapient, but she can only communicate with Link directly when he's in wolf form.
  • Sprint Shoes: Her primary purpose is to get Link to places more quickly than running.

The Resistance

    In General 
"What hope there is in our kingdom is frail and dying… but there's still a group trying to do what it can."
— Telma
A secret group of vigilantes devoted to fighting back against Zant's forces and regaining control of Hyrule.
  • Badass Normal: All of them are completely normal humans, but that doesn't stop them from being courageous enough to rebel against the Twilight.
  • Benevolent Conspiracy: They plot their next moves in secret, but only because they are trying to free Hyrule from Zant's tyranny.
  • Big Damn Heroes: They arrive just in time at Hyrule Castle to blast away a hoarse of monsters preparing to ambush Link.
  • The Call Knows Where You Live: All of them were driven to form the Resistance when the Twilight overtook their homes.
  • Cool People Rebel Against Authority: Not only are they leading an uprising against Zant and Ganondorf, but all of the Resistance members are either Nice Guys, Badass Bookworms, or both.
  • Covert Group with Mundane Front: They are a group of rebellious fighters that meet up and make plans at the back of an innocuous bar in the center of Castle Town.
  • Five-Man Band: They form a pretty textbook one:
  • Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: The Resistance consists of:
    • Rusl, the only true swordsman in Ordon Village… who also inexplicably has a bond with a magic Cucco.
    • Telma, a flirtatious bartender who may or may not be one of the last remaining Gerudo.
    • Ashei, a blunt, anti-social woman from the mountains with a Mysterious Past.
    • Auru, an old man who happens to be the tutor of Princess Zelda herself and knows of the Gerudo Desert's dark history.
    • Shad, a fairly normal guy who nonetheless is obsessed with discovering the bizarre secrets of the Oocca tribe.
  • La RĂ©sistance: The aptly-named Resistance is a small group of rebels devoted to fighting back against the evils oppressing their land.
  • The Revolution Will Not Be Vilified: They are a group of rebels attempting to overthrow an Evil Overlord and a complete lunatic that have taken over Hyrule.
  • The Sixth Ranger: Link is basically an honorary member of the Resistance, but he only meets up with them every so often on his quest.
  • Storming the Castle: In the game's finale, Rusl leads Ashei, Shad, and Auru in an assault on the seized Hyrule Castle, even blasting away a bunch of monsters before that are attacking Link.

    Rusl 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rusl.png
"Tell me… Do you ever feel a strange sadness as dusk falls?"

Link's mentor and big brother figure. A swordsman from Ordon village, he acts as a surrogate father to Link and gathers some old friends to form a small group of mercenaries later in the game to counter Zant's forces in Hyrule.


  • Action Dad: As the swordsman of Ordon Village and the father of Colin and his newborn baby sister.
  • Babies Ever After: In the end credits, it's revealed that his wife, Uli, gave birth to a baby girl.
  • Big Brother Instinct: He regards Link as his younger brother, and is appropriately protective of him.
  • The Blacksmith: While not shown, he's credited for forging the Ordon Sword.
  • Dub Name Change: His original Japanese name is Moi.
  • Happily Married: To his wife Uli, who is pregnant with their second child during the course of the game. Uli is briefly seen with their newborn baby during the end credits.
  • The Hero: Of the Resistance, not the game.
  • La RĂ©sistance: Hearing of Link's endeavors to save Hyrule inspires Rusl to pitch in and offer his assistance, along with his old friends Auru, Ashei, and Shad. Each of them (except Shad) has expertise in different forms of combat and gathers intel on the areas related to Link's journey. Rusl covers the Lost Woods and gives Link the golden cuckoo that allows him to reach the Sacred Forest Meadow.
  • The Leader: Of the Resistance Group, though he mentions that Telma is kind enough to let them use her tavern as their meeting place.
  • Machete Mayhem: He begins carrying a machete across his lower back in the later stages of the game, although he never gets a chance to use it.
  • Master Swordsman: Rusl was formerly a soldier in Hyrule's army and has long since retired. As such, he's skilled with a sword and has taught Link much of what he knows. He even gives him his wooden practice sword near the beginning of the game.
  • Nice Guy: Rusl is a loving family man, a kind mentor to Link, and a dear friend to all of the Resistance members.
  • Papa Wolf: He valiantly defends his family from what he thinks is a ferocious wolf (who just happens to be Link). He does so while seriously injured from a recent raid on the village. This makes it all the more humorous later in the game where a fully recovered Rusl will cower if Link runs up to him in wolf form in Faron Woods.
  • Ranger: According to Mayor Bo, Rusl routinely scouts the area of Faron Woods surrounding the village to protect them from monsters, which is how he gets injured a short time later. Even so, if Link approaches Uli in wolf form, Rusl will appear and defend his wife, despite his injuries. He also has a mustache.
  • Storming the Castle: Near the end of the game, he helps save Link from an ambush at Hyrule Castle. Then he and the others storm the castle themselves, presumably to prevent any stragglers from pursuing Link.

    Auru 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/auru.png

Auru is the oldest member of the Resistance, and one of the most knowledgeable. He helps Link get over the mountains and into Gerudo Desert. He used to tutor Princess Zelda in her youth.


  • Badass Teacher: As noted above, he was Princess Zelda's private tutor when she was younger.
  • BFG: During the Storming the Castle sequence, he shoots Lizalfos with a bazooka.
  • The Big Guy: Judging from his size and muscularity.
  • Bit Character: Auru has the smallest role among the resistance group, as his only contribution is to call in a favor from Fyer, to get him to transport Link to the Desert Colossus.
  • Cool Old Guy: He used to be one of Princess Zelda's tutors, and Fyer owes him a debt of gratitude for saving his life.
  • Dub Name Change: He's called Lafrel in the original, and also renamed PerĂ­cleo in Spanish.
  • La RĂ©sistance: For his part of the effort, he tells Link about the Mirror Chamber in the heart of the Desert Colossus, then calls in a favor with Fyer to get him there free of charge.
  • Storming the Castle: He and the rest of the Resistance infiltrate Hyrule Castle to help Link during a difficult situation.

    Ashei 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ashei.png

A female knight who scouts out the Snowpeak region in search of the Yeti tribe. She joins the rest of the Resistance at the end of the game by storming the castle. Supplemental material explains that her father was a soldier who raised her to be a warrior like the son he never had.


  • Action Girl: A lady knight who aids Link through her skills in combat.
  • Braids of Action: She has glossy black hair worn in two braids.
  • Dub Name Change: She's called Ash in Japanese, and is also renamed Salma in Spanish.
  • Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette: Minus the sickly aspect.
  • La RĂ©sistance: She works alongside Rusl and the others to restore peace to Hyrule. She investigates the Snowhead region and tells Link about the snow monster (Yeto) who's been seen around Zora's Domain.
  • The Lancer: To Rusl's hero for the Resistance.
  • Master Swordsman: She learned from her father, a knight.
  • Pretty in Mink: She wears a set of furry armor while in Snowpeak which makes her look like a yeti. When she takes off the helmet, she has this look.
  • Raised by Dudes: Her backstory, given very briefly, is that she was raised by her single father, so she doesn't always have the most ladylike manners.
  • Ship Tease: Possibly, though unconfirmed. During their very last appearance in the game, she and Shad are having what looks to be an animated discussion at the ruins of the Temple of Time.
  • The Stoic: She's portrayed this way, though her actions in the game are limited to researching what's wrong with Snowpeak.
  • Storming the Castle: She helps to save Link from an ambush, while he's storming Hyrule Castle, by picking off a pair of Lizalfos with her crossbow.
  • Verbal Tic: She ends sentences with "yeah?"

    Shad 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shad_tp.png

Shad is The Smart Guy of the Resistance, who is usually too involved with his studies to do any fighting - and admits that he isn't all that good at it. However, his knowledge of ancient Hylian lore does help Link get to the City in the Sky. According to supplemental material, his father worked as a butler in the royal palace.


  • Artistic Age: Shad looks and acts like someone in his late 20s minimum, is apparently the same age as Link... which is 17.
  • Badass Bookworm: Implied by his participation when the gang is Storming the Castle, although he's not actually seen doing anything particularly badass.
  • Book Safe: His weapon of choice is an ornamental dagger... which he uses as a bookmark.
  • Cloudcuckoolander: He's always researching an ancient City in the Sky, which everybody believes to be mythical. Turns out he's right, though.
  • Collared by Fashion: His outfit features an oddly high, round collar.
  • Cunning Linguist: He's the only person in all of Hyrule who understands the ancient "Sky Language" of the Oocca.
  • Doing Research: His usual occupation. At the end of the game, having helped Link reach the City in the Sky, he seems to feel he's completed his work on that subject. He's shown to have moved on to the ruins of the Temple of Time, assisted by Auru and Ashei.
  • Dub Name Change: He's called Jehd in French, Jargo in German and Charley in Italian.
  • La RĂ©sistance: He feels somewhat inadequate, compared to the others, but he's willing to do his part for the effort. And, let's face it, without his knowledge of the ancient "Sky Language", it wouldn't have been possible to reach the City in the Sky.
  • Noble Bigot: Downplayed, but in an overheard conversation prior to actually meeting Link, he remarks that the rising hero - about whom he's heard much - is a provincial from "outside Hyrule proper", and attributes Link's bravery to country folk not knowing the meaning of fear. However, he's also polite to Link in person and genuinely impressed by his abilities and achievements (probably thanks to realising that Link isn't just some ignorant country bumpkin).
  • Non-Action Guy: Shad admits that he's the only member of the resistance group without any combat experience. But, should you need intel about "the Sky People" and ancient texts, he's your man.
  • Pretty Boy: Is the youngest member of the Resistance, and he does look rather cute.
  • Quintessential British Gentleman: Patterned after one, with fancy clothing, old-fashioned British verbal tics, and just a hint of classism in an overheard conversation about Link prior to their actual meeting.
  • Redundant Researcher: Despite being vital to the discovery of the City in the Sky, he never gets to see it. He makes it his life's work to find the City in the Sky, and Link just swoops in, uses magic tech from the past to find all the runes Shad couldn't, teleports the Sky Cannon away to get it fixed, and explores the city himself.
  • Ship Tease: Possibly, though unconfirmed. During their very last appearance in the game, he and Ashei are having what looks to be an animated discussion at the ruins of the Temple of Time.
  • The Smart Guy: Covered in the Non-Action Guy entry.
  • Smart People Wear Glasses: A "textbook" example. He spends most of his time researching through books, so he uses glasses to read better.
  • Speaking Simlish: He's the only character, apart from Midna, who actually has a speaking scene in the game — he chants an incantation in the scene where the Sky Cannon is discovered. Seen here.
  • Storming the Castle: He and the rest of the Resistance enter Hyrule Castle some time after Link does so.
  • Verbal Tic: His speech is peppered with quaint Britishisms, like "I say" and "old boy".

    Telma 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/telma.png

Telma is the proprietor of the bar where the Resistance usually meets, and she frequently helps Link throughout the game, mainly by taking care of Ilia during her amnesia.


  • Abhorrent Admirer: Her time in Kakariko is mostly spent trying to flirt with Renado, the shaman, and she takes offense later when he pens a letter about Ilia’s condition and doesn’t mention Telma at all. Renado confides in Link that although he’s ashamed to admit it, he just can’t stand having her around.
  • Ambiguously Brown: With her red hair and dusky skin, she bears a heavy resemblance to the Gerudo tribe, who are otherwise absent from Hyrule in her time.
  • The Bartender: She runs the bar of Castle Town, which also serves as the headquarters of the Resistance.
  • Escort Mission: Telma enlists Link's aid, by having him escort her and Ilia to Kakariko Village, to seek Renado's help to save Prince Ralis.
  • Friend to All Children: She has a very motherly nature, and demonstrates this toward both the amnesiac Ilia and the ill Prince Ralis.
  • Kindhearted Cat Lover: And her cat is a nice one, too.
  • La RĂ©sistance: She presents herself as the primary member of the Resistance after Link helps her during the Escort Mission.
  • Shout-Out Theme Naming: Her name's Telma, and her cat's is Louise.
  • Team Mom: She's very sweet and flirty and fun... until the soldiers prove too cowardly to perform the Escort Mission, at which point she tears them a new one and tells them never to come back to her bar.
  • Uncatty Resemblance: She's rather portly, and her cat Louise is a long-haired Persian.

Other Allies

    The Hero's Spirit 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/heros_shade_tp.png
Voiced by: Nobuyuki Hiyama
"Although I accepted life as the hero, I could not convey the lessons of that life to those who came after."

A mysterious figure known only to Link, who claims to be of his bloodline. He appears when Link encounters the golden wolf, and teaches him the seven Hidden Skills. According to the Hyrule Historia book, he's the spirit of the Hero of Time from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask which is cryptically hinted in his final meeting with the Hero of Twilight. See here for his appearance in Ocarina of Time and here for his appearance in Majora's Mask.


  • And Then John Was a Zombie: His current undead form has elements of both Poes and Stalfos, both monsters he fought in life. Hyrule Encyclopedia states that he is indeed a Stalfos.
  • All for Nothing: Downplayed, but still. The Hyrule he saved in the Adult Timeline ended up ruined, while the Child Timeline ended up in trouble because he retained the Triforce of Courage from his adventures. Not to mention how the general public almost completely forgot about his heroic feats, leaving him in despair and regret.
  • Animated Armor: Inside the armor, only the spirit remains.
  • Antiquated Linguistics: In the French version, he uses "dextre" and "sĂ©nestre" for right and left, along with other outdated terms.
  • Ascend to a Higher Plane of Existence: It's implied that he does this after imparting the final Hidden Skill.
  • Attack Hello: The first time Link meets him, they both take up their swords (after all, Link's experience with skeletons up to this point isn't exactly pacific) and he only talks after Link's fallen down, to prove he is yet unworthy of learning all his skills.
  • Back Stab: His third and fourth skills, the Back Slice and Helm Splitter.
    • The Back Slice involves leaping to the opponent's side, rolling behind them, then jumping while delivering a spinning back slash.
    • The Helm Splitter starts with a Shield Attack, then jumping over the opponent while attack their head from behind, and ending behind them.
  • Bittersweet Ending: The Hero of Time died forgotten and full of regret, but he finds some closure after passing his skills on to his descendant, who uses them to defeat Ganondorf.
  • Black Knight: Has this design, though he remains heroic in goals and spirit.
  • Bling of War: To compliment his golden wolf form, his armor seems to be solid gold.
  • Brutal Honesty: After the Attack Hello above and before becoming Link's mentor, he tells Link that, in his current shape, he wouldn't be ready to save Hyrule.
    "A sword wields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage. You may be destined to become the hero of legend... but your current power would disgrace the proud green of the hero's tunic you wear."
  • Canon Character All Along: Eiji Aonuma has confirmed that the Spirit is the one of the Link from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the Hero of Time.
  • Character Tic: When in a battle stance, he shuffles his feet the same way he did during his adventures in life. note 
  • Chronic Hero Syndrome: Even though the Zelda of his generation sent him back to live his lost childhood, he ultimately died with regret over not being remembered as a hero. Likewise, he hoped to pass on his skills to the next generation, possibly so they can protect Hyrule in his place.
  • Cool Helmet: His helmet is reminiscent of those of the Darknuts (not only from Twilight Princess, but also The Wind Waker), but he's on the good guys' side.
  • Coup de Grâce: His first skill, the appropriately named Ending Blow, is a sword thrust on a downed target.
  • Creepy Good: He’s a Stalfos with one glowing eye and rusted armor, but is a heroic spirit who aids Link in becoming a better swordsman.
  • Curb-Stomp Battle: He effortlessly deflects Link's first attack and instantly counters with a blow that sends the would-be hero flying.
  • Dark Is Not Evil: Link gets attacked by a golden wolf. Next thing he knows, he's trapped in a mysterious, misty world with an ominous, Stalfos-like thing, drawing deep, raspy breaths with his sword drawn. He effortlessly mops the floor with Link... But instead of dealing the final blow, he tells Link off for his novice swordsmanship, and promptly becomes his mentor.
  • Foreshadowing: His first few techniques have him telling Link that they will be needed to face the latter's "true enemy", indicating that he is aware of Ganondorf's role in the plot.
  • Ghostly Goals: To pass on his hidden techniques to a worthy successor, which turns out to be his current incarnation and descendant.
  • Greater-Scope Paragon: He is a previous incarnation of Link and he had Ganondorf arrested long before the events of Twilight Princess. His spirit lingers to teach the current Link the Hidden Skills.
  • Heroic Lineage: The current Link is his descendant.
  • Hero of Another Story: Of a previous story, actually. This is the same Link who defeated Ganondorf in another timeline, had him found guilty of treason in this one, and stopped Majora from dropping the moon on Termina.
  • Iaijutsu Practitioner: His fifth skill, the Mortal Draw, requires the sword to be sheathed, then allows him to strike a One-Hit Kill from the sheath.
  • Irony: In life, he healed the souls of many restless spirits during his journey through Termina. After his death, he became a restless spirit himself, and had to be healed by his descendant. Fittingly enough, he was healed by the current Link starting with the same "Song of Healing" from Majora's Mask.
  • Kid Hero All Grown-Up: Exaggerated and deconstructed; this is the same Hero of Time who saved multiple worlds in his youth, but not just as an adult, but reflective and regretful even in death. It turns out that having spent much of his youth saving the world left him with little other purpose in life, leaving him tied to the mortal plane just because he couldn't pass down what he learned to ensure Hyrule's peaceful future.
  • Legacy Character: He's a deceased past incarnation of Link. Specifically, he's the one who fought Ganondorf in a different timeline and had him arrested and executed in this one.
  • Lightning Bruiser: Despite his size and bulky armor, he is quite agile and can perform many of the abilities he teaches Link.
  • Like a Son to Me: As elaborated in the Hyrule Historia, the Hero of Twilight isn't merely his succeeding incarnation; he's his direct descendant by blood. The Hero's Spirit specifically chooses to act as Link's mentor and, in his parting words for Link, refers to him as "my child", as he never had the chance to pass on his own gifts to another in life.
  • Magic Knight: Quite aside from taking the form of a golden wolf, he can split into multiple forms and cast balls of magic at Link.
  • Master Swordsman: Literally, as he did fight evil with the Master Sword in Ocarina of Time, and of course he's the one who teaches Link all those flashy moves.
  • The Mentor: He, alongside Rusl, becomes one of Link's tutors in the game. The catch is that he had already passed away after the era of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.
  • Me's a Crowd: Uses this to teach Link the Jump Strike and Spin Attack techniques.
  • My Greatest Failure: He battled across time to save Hyrule and other lands, but died with regret over not being remembered as a hero, as well as not passing any of his sword techniques to others.
  • Mysterious Past: Before The Reveal, it was uncertain who he was (though a lot of people guessed correctly). After, it's still pretty unclear what happened between Majora's Mask and his death, including who he had children with (resulting in the Hero of Twilight), and how he ended up as a Stalfos in armour much like a Darknut. Unsurprisingly, there are a lot of theories, including that he and his armour were the basis for the Darknuts, and that he was killed by one. The latter is supported by the heavy emphasis he places on Hidden Skills most applicable to fighting Darknuts long before they turn up, before reverting to simpler moves, though as yet, no one actually knows.
  • Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: When he was sent back by Zelda at the end of Ocarina of Time, he had Ganondorf arrested and sentenced to execution, averting the events of Ocarina of Time. However, since he still had the Triforce of Courage, the Triforce of Wisdom went to Zelda, and Ganondorf got the Triforce of Power just as he was being executed, enabling him to survive impalement and break free.
  • Nigh-Invulnerability: The Master Sword does nothing to him. In fact, Link is only able to strike him down at all because he allows it.
  • Noble Wolf: His overworld form is a one-eyed golden wolf, showing his affiliation with the Golden Goddesses and the Triforce of Courage he wielded once. Instead of the "knight" image that Twilight Link has, his is more like an old sage.
  • No Name Given: He never states his name throughout his many encounters with Link, and he is variably referred to as the Ancient Hero and Hero's Spirit in official material. Given his true identity, however, his real (canon) name is Link, same as his descendant.
  • One-Hit Kill: The Mortal Draw does this to any unlucky enemy. Lampshaded by him.
    "There is no defense to this. The mortal draw deals death."
  • Passing the Torch: After imparting all his hidden techniques onto his descendant, his spirit is finally able to find peace, and heavily implied he got to Ascend to a Higher Plane of Existence.
  • Posthumous Character: He's the incarnation of Link who first appeared in Ocarina of Time.
  • Previous Player-Character Cameo: This is the first time in the series in which two incarnations of Link interact with each other.
  • Precursor Hero: To the current Link.
  • Red Eyes, Take Warning: Subverted. He may be an undead warrior and have a single red eye, but he's still a good guy.
  • Shield Bash: His second skill, the Shield Attack, is a blunt hit with the front of the shield; it deals no damage, but leaves enemies wide open for a hit. It can reflect certain projectiles, and it's also the first step to performing a Helm Splitter.
  • Significant Double Casting: He shares a voice actor with Adult Link from Ocarina of Time. It's because he's the Hero of Time's restless spirit.
  • So Proud of You: His parting words to Link, after learning his final skill, are those of pride.
    "Go on, and do not falter, my child!"
  • Spin Attack: His final skill, the Great Spin, upgrades Link's own Spin Attack if his health is full.
  • Spirit Advisor: Whenever Link plays one of the Howling Songs, he'll get the chance to meet him. Given that Midna never comments on him, it's possible that only Link is aware of his existence, which makes sense considering the Spirit of the Hero reincarnates anew in every generation.
  • Suddenly Speaking: Given that he is the Silent Protagonist from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.
  • Tragic Hero: The Hero of Time, despite saving the world multiple times, died before being able to pass on his wisdom and was eventually forgotten. In death, he has become the exact kind of lost soul that he spent his life healing, waiting for his successor to awaken as a Hero to finish his goals.
  • Unfinished Business: It's implied in his dialogue that he is unable to completely cross into the afterlife until he has passed on his sword techniques to a worthy successor. It's also said that he regrets not being remembered as a hero, due to being sent back in time after defeating Ganon.
  • The Unfought: Link is unable to battle his golden wolf form. Each time he encounters it, the divine beast pounces, pulling him into the Ghostly Ether.
  • Vader Breath: Rare heroic example. He does this all the time except in his Golden Wolf form, where he pants loudly instead.
  • You Can't Thwart Stage One: Technically averted, as he foiled Ganondorf's plan before he could set it into motion, but he ended up getting the Triforce anyway.

    Ooccoo and Ooccoo Jr. 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ooccoo_and_ooccoo_jr_tphd.png

An odd creature that looks like a chicken with a human head. Link encounters her inside dungeons where she's stuck in a pot. Despite her strange appearance, she's helpful in that once you free her, she can warp you to the dungeon's entrance if you need to go back outside for something. She also has a meek son called Ooccoo Jr, who returns you to where you were.


  • Cloudcuckoolander: An almost literal example. Both of them are from the City in the Sky, and given this, it explains why they tend to act more than a little strange compared to everyone else whenever you meet them.
  • Creepy Good: They're both incredibly unsettling to look at, but they're nothing but helpful to Link on his journey.
  • Dub Name Change:
    • Ooccoo is referred to as "Aunty" in the original Japanese, and also renamed Baba in French, Polly Molly in Italian and Ucayaya Spanish.
    • Ooccoo Jr. is typically identified as "[X]'s Son" per whatever a given dub calls Ooccoo, but he's also called Ucanene in Spanish.
  • Escape Rope: They allow you to instantly leave the dungeon any time then teleport back to the spot where you left off.
  • Flying Face: Ooccoo Jr. appears to be this. Just a tiny Oocca head constantly flapping with tiny wings.
  • The Homeward Journey: They have fallen out of their home of The City in the Sky and are investigating Hyrule's dungeons for a way back up. They finally succeed once Link has the Sky Cannon repaired, joining him on the trip to their city.
  • Mix-and-Match Critter: She resembles a chicken with a woman's face.
  • Nice Girl: Ooccoo is probably one of the nicer characters in the game, with a very sweet, motherly personality somewhat at odds with her strange and creepy appearance.
  • Teleportation: Ooccoo Jr. can teleport Link in and out of a dungeon.

    Light Spirits 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ordona_tp.png
Ordona
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/faron_tp.png
Faron
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/eldin_tp.png
Eldin
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lanayru_tp.png
Lanayru

Ordona (a goat), Faron (an ape), Eldin (a hawk), and Lanayru (a water serpent) are the four Spirits of Light, who maintain the light that maintains all life throughout Hyrule. Zant subdues all but one of them in order to spread his dominion over the world of light, and Link must restore their power.


  • Dismantled MacGuffin: The fragments of their power were distributed to a number of Twilit Parasites, and Link needs to find all of them in a province to restore the light and proceed further.
  • Divine Birds: Eldin is a massive bird who holds its ball of light in its claws.
  • Dub Name Change: They're Latoaan, Firoune, Oldin and Lanayru in Japanese, and further renamed Latouane, Firone, Ordinn and Lanelle in French, Latoan, Phirone, Eldin and Ranelle in German, Ratane, Firone, Oldin and Ranel in Italian, and Latoan, Farone, Ordon and Lanayru in Spanish.
  • A Form You Are Comfortable With: The ball of light that each of them holds is implied to be their true form. The animals whose appearance they adopt seem to be merely avatars, which they use on the rare occasions when they need to communicate directly with mortals like Link and Midna.
  • Good Is Not Nice: Lanayru is ready to drive Link to the verge of madness to warn him about the dangers of the dark power.
  • The Great Serpent: A rare benevolent example: Lanayru, one of the Spirits of Light whom took on the form of a serpent, is a benign spirit that warns Link of the dark power.
  • Healing Serpent: Lanayru takes the form of a serpent and, like all of the other Spirits Of Light, resides in a Healing Spring, which can be used.
  • Healing Spring: They reside in springs, and due to their holy power, the water from their springs have healing properties. If Link sets foot in them, he will slowly regenerate health.
  • He Who Fights Monsters: Invoked by Lanayru during his vision, warning Link of the corrupting power of the Fused Shadow.
    Lanayru: O hero chosen by the goddesses… Beware… Those who do not know the danger of wielding power will, before long, be ruled by it.
  • Holy Is Not Safe: While their light is a cure for light world people, it is mortal for Twilis: when Zant forces Midna to take the full brunt of Lanayru's light, it ends up almost killing her.
  • Light 'em Up: They maintain the power of light throughout the world.
  • Light Is Good: They are powerful spirits who serve the Golden Goddesses of the Triforce, and defeated the ancestors of the Twili when they tried to defile the Sacred Realm with their power. They are also implied to resurrect Midna after her apparent death at the hands of Ganondorf, and provide Princess Zelda with the final weapon needed to defeat him.
  • Mr. Exposition: After Link restores its power, Lanayru, through an illusory vision, exposits the history of the Fused Shadows and warns Link that its power must not be misused.
  • Sacred Bow and Arrows: After Zelda prays to them, they grant her their power in the form of the Bow of Light.
  • Sea Serpents: Lanayru is a benevolent freshwater example, a bright lake serpent holding its power in its mouth.
  • Sole Survivor: Ordona is the only one spared from being attacked by Zant's Shadow Beasts, since Link was coincidentally in the area to stop it.
  • The Worf Effect: Lanayru suffers this when Zant ambushes Link and Midna at its spring. Its light has no effect on Zant, since he is bonded to Ganon.

    The Ancient Sages 
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sages.png

A group of spirits empowered by the elements, who have been guarding the Mirror of Twilight since ancient times.


  • Floating Limbs: Their hands and faces are detached from their bodies.
  • Hoist by Their Own Petard: The sword with which they attempted to execute Ganondorf was turned against them, killing the Sage of Water.
  • Holy Halo: They have stacked rings above their heads which invoke this.
  • It's All My Fault: They blame themselves for the events that lead to Zant usurping the Twilight Realm since they sealed Ganondorf there. They even apologize to Midna for their role in accidentally getting Ganondorf and Zant to team up.
  • Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Their sealing Ganondorf in the Twilight Realm only enabled Zant to usurp the throne and invade Hyrule.
  • Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Sending Ganondorf to the Twilight Realm is what leads to Zant's invasion 100 years later.

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