Summary
From Calamity Ganon to the end of the world,The Legend of Zeldagames are home to someseriously scary enemiesand disasters. Players have faced a lot of enemies over the years, with the central antagonist Ganon behind most of the evil. But alongside these terrifying battles is a whole collection of kooky and memorable characters that have enhanced the player’s journey.
Many of these characters have stood up for what they believe in across the dozens ofZeldagames released by Nintendoover the last few decades. Whether they’re fighting for the little guy or sheltering civilians in times of terror, it’s safe to say that Link isn’t the only person in Hyrule trying to stand up against malevolence. When it comes to thinking about which brave characters have stood in solidarity alongside the player’s righteous cause, there are a few that come to mind.
Hailing fromThe Legend of Zelda’s moreunique and atmospheric game,Majora’s Mask, the Bombers Secret Society of Justice is a group of six rascal kids looking to do good in their beloved Clock Town. Link will run into them toward the beginning of the game, but to join the gang, players must find these conscientious kids in a tough game of hide-and-seek.
In a dark and, frankly, frightening time, this group of children is doing what they can to stand up against the misery that’s overcome Clock Town. Their leader, Jim, is a bold and outgoing individual with a tough exterior but a genuine and brave interior. While they might not do all that much to stop the moon from falling, points can be given for their intentions.
Speaking of those who stepped up when things were looking bleak, players need not look any further than Gralens and the Monster Control Crew. This ragtag group of volunteers, led by researcher Gralens, can be found in the iconic sequelTears of the Kingdom.
After the legendary hero Link is sent into a memory-wiping slumber, and monsters roam the land freely, there’s little the people of Hyrule can do but attempt to get by. Holding their own against the groups of violent monsters around the land are the Monster Control Crew, who have dedicated their time to taking down these threats. Arranged by Gralens, alongside other key members Hoz, Toren, and Flaxel, these brave souls risk their lives day after day to eliminate the large bands of monsters that swamp certain areas of Hyrule. There’s no denying that these everyday people deserve some serious respect for volunteering to put their lives on the line.
Not all players took to the Wii iterations ofZelda, which means that not everyone will be familiar with the host of characters that came from titles likeSkyward SwordandWind Waker 3D. Butit’s the GameCubeand Wii’s moodyTwilight Princessthat’s home to one of the bravest civilians inZeldahistory.
Renado is another example of an individual stepping up in times of literal darkness. This Kakariko Village local took in the children from Ordon Village after their traumatic experiences with King Bulblin, proving time and time again to be a caring and protective individual. He also takes in Ralis and Illia after Ralis falls ill, and cares for the young Prince. He’s easily a stand-out person when it comes to empathy and bravery.
The brilliantly vibrant and refreshing spiritual successor toLink to the Past,The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worldsis home to all sorts of wacky and energetic characters. The game is, as the name might suggest, split between two worlds: the familiar Hyrule, and its dark counterpart, Lorule. One of the biggest reveals in anyZeldagame is the discovery that Princess Hilda (Princess Zelda’s Lorule counterpart), who advises Link throughout the game, is actually working against him.
Despite this twist, Princess Hilda isn’t exactly the villain she’s made out to be. After Lorule’s Triforce is destroyed, Hilda fights tooth and nail to restore her home, risking her life in a bid to obtain Hyrule’s Triforce and bring it back to Lorule. While she’s not exactly doing the right thing, there’s no denying that her bravery in the face of world-ending stakes is very impressive. It’s even more courageous that Hilda later has the insight to realize the error of her ways and assist Link in saving Hyrule. A selfless and intrepid character, even if she wasn’t always on the right side of the plot, Princess Hilda is absolutely a pillar of bravery.
4The Champions
Hyrule’s Heroic Group
It’s no surprise that Hyrule’s legendary Champions are some of the bravest characters to ever feature inThe Legend of Zeldaseries. As descendants of themythical elemental Sages, these fierce warriors are chosen to fight against Calamity Ganon and keep evil from overtaking Hyrule.
The four champions are Urbosa, Revali, Daruk, and Mipha, who all courageously agree to stand beside Link, wielding the ancient Divine Beasts in an attempt to stop Calamity Ganon. After bravely agreeing to put their lives on the line to protect Hyrule, these committed soldiers lose their lives to a surprise attack from Calamity Ganon. Then, one hundred years later, their spirits are awakened by Link, and they once again agree to wield their powers against evil. There are very few other examples ofZeldacharacters being so repeatedly selfless and brave.
Legendary character Impa has been featured inZeldagames for decades, appearing in different iterations since the very firstThe Legend of Zelda. From wise old lady to powerful sage,all the versions of Impaare heroic and brave, and zeroing in on one example is a tough choice. But one of Impa’s most iconic appearances is inOcarina of Time, as the loyal servant to Zelda and the stone-cold Sage of Shadows.
It’s heavily implied that Impa does the lion’s share of raising Princess Zelda when she was chosen to be her advisor, and is one of the only people who believes Zelda’s visions. When Hyrule Castle is attacked, it’s Impa who helps Zelda escape safely and then spends her time training Zelda to fight like a Sheikah warrior, which helps her survive during the dark times and eventually assist Link. Throughout all of this, Impa keeps a watchful eye on Kakariko Village, her original home, and does what she can to protect innocent people from danger. As if this wasn’t enough, it’s later revealed that Impa is the Sage of Shadows, awakened by Link in the Temple of Shadows. She is then one of the Sages that uses their power to seal away Ganon once Link defeats him. It’s safe to say that Impa’sOcarina of Timeappearance easily demonstrates how brave, loyal, and righteous she is.
2Princess Zelda
Always Ready To Do What’s Right
It’s no secret that the eponymous Princess Zelda has had a far more active role in more recentZeldagames than when the franchise was first created. Although she’s been at the center of most games, Zelda has had fewer opportunities to demonstrate her character than some players might think. A great example of how truly courageous and compassionate the Princess of Hyrule truly comes with the recent smash-hitTears of the Kingdom.
Although gamers don’t get toplay as Zelda, locating the tears in the various hieroglyphs around Hyrule reveals her heartbreaking and selfless story. It’s through these visions that Link watches Zelda undertake one of the most brave acts in anyZeldagame: utterly sacrificing herself to save Hyrule. After many terrible and frightening experiences, the Master Sword appears in the past, alongside Zelda, and explains it needs time to build up the strength to defeat Ganondorf. It is then that Zelda realizes she has been sent to the past to protect the sword and ensure it reaches Link in the future. Despite knowing that the process is irreversible, Zelda undergoes draconification to rejuvenate the sword with her powers of light and watch over it until Link needs it to defeat Ganondorf - becoming the Light Dragon that soars the skies above Hyrule. It’s this act that gives the game its name, and has brought thousands of gamers to tears. It’s the perfect example of how brave Princess Zelda truly is, and how committed she is to saving Hyrule at all costs.
As the epic and courageous protagonist ofThe Legend of Zeldafranchise, no one game perfectly summarizes how brilliantly brave Link truly is. Over and over again, this silent hero risks his mind and body to protect the world from evil and throws himself against all enemies that seek to spread chaos.
From avenging his kidnapped sister inThe Wind Wakerto saving Termina from the falling moon inMajora’s Mask, this fearless character has never given up in the face of great and terrible danger. Earning his status as one of the most legendary and recognizable heroes in video game history, Link has repeatedly slain dragons, lynels, modulgas, giants, wizards, gibdos, and, most importantly, Ganon. No single character in the universe has ever stood so tall against the most frightening of enemies or risked his life so often to protect the weird and wonderful people who inhabit the dozens ofZeldagames released over the last several decades. There’s no doubt that he is, unsurprisingly, the bravest hero in Hyrule.
