Respect Link, the Hero of Hyrule
The many incarnations of Link.
From 1986 to the present day, the Legend of Zelda has starred none other than Link, the Hylian youth destined to rise in times of peril, and purge the evil that plagues the land.
Garbed in a forest green tunic, a matching cap, sporting elven ears and wielding the Blade of Evil's bane, Link is an recognizable among gamers old and new. He is named for acting as the one "link" between the gamers and the adventures in which he appears. One of the biggest things to be known for Link is that he is not one character, but exists as multiple incarnations, spread throughout the several generations in the kingdom of Hyrule. Since the first game, there have been upwards of seven or eight individuals by the name of Link, each with their own journey, but with the same destiny to save the kingdom of the evil Ganondorf. With the Triforce of Power, Ganondorf is known and feared as the King of Evil, a nigh-Godly sorcerous tyrant. Vulnerable only to the sacred power of the Goddesses, it is Link keeper of the Triforce of Courage, who is chosen to vanquish him. For everytime Ganon rises, so too, will a new hero emerge.
As mentioned earlier, there are several Links. Most often, each Link has appeared in at least one or two games, usually in the direct sequel to its predecessor (i.e. the original Legend of Zelda, and Adventure of Link feature the same Link, as do Ocarina of Time and its direct sequel Majora's Mask). Some interpret each Link as a sort of reincarnation or ancestor of a previous Link as they all have the same general appearance which includes hair the ranges from blonde to brown, eyes most commonly blue in color, and skills in several arts.
Throughout the years, Link has met a number of different people and had visited several places inside and outside of Hyrule. Besides his archnemesis Ganondorf, Link is fatefully bound by she who is also blessed by the Gods, Princess Zelda. The third wielder of a piece of the Triforce, she is often brought into captivity by Ganondorf, and only Link, the chosen keeper of the Triforce of Courage can save her. Their relationship is often the subject of fan speculation, and ranges from a romantic bond, to even an unknown familial connection. To this day, Link has been acquainted to several girls considered potential love interests, who include, but are not limited to: Malon, the angel-faced red-head farmgirl of Lon Lon ranch (known for her singing), Marin a girl who resembles Princess Zelda and resides with her father on Koholint Island, Ilia, a childhood friend of Link who lives with him and the other villagers of Ordon, and Midna, a small, mysterious, sassy, charismatic, cuddly, all-around loveable imp-like creature who frees Link from captivity and accompanies him on his quest who, in secret is the Princess of the Twilight Realm.
Link's age is dependant on the incarnation, but he is most often a young boy of adolescent years, not far beyond eight to ten years old. Occasionally, there will be a Link of teenage years, such as the adult version of OOT Link, or the Link who appears in Twilight Princess. The oldest he is shown is around sixteen to eighteen years old.
Link's battle prowess is also quite formiddable for a person of his young age. Even in youth, he is proficient with the sword, able to fight the forces that come his way. His skill with the sword depends usually on which Link is the subject. In some, he is able to use basic swordsmanship, and other Links (particularly Twilight Princess Link) are able to perform several special techniques. One of the most common and notable skills of Link is known as the Spin Attack, where he gathers energy in his sword and unleashes it in a rotating slash. Link is also skilled in several other weapons, which include the bow and arrow, boomerangs, bombs, and more unique weapons such as magical staves (i.e, Cane of Byrna, Dominion Rod, etc), hammers, and chained weapons known as the Hookshot (as well as a variant known as the Clawshot).
Physically, he is also very competent. His strength is often quite impressive, and in some cases, can be enhanced to superhuman levels with the aid of items (such as the Power Bracelets, or the Silver/Golden Gautnlets). Link is also very agile, being able to perform quick leaps, rolls, somersaults and backflips with relative ease. As with his strength, Link also has items that can increase his agility such as Roc's Feather.
Link is also commonly a wielder of magic in some way or another. At times, he possesses powers granted to him by higher being, and others gain magical items such as arrows imbued with fire, ice, or light.
There are a few interesting notes about Link as a character. For one, he is left-handed in a majority of his games (save for a few tehcnical exceptions), as shown by how he wields the sword in his left hand and a shield in his right.
What;s possibly most unique about Link is his status as a character. He can be summed up as a "silent protagonist", one who says nothing throughout the entire adventure, save for a few grunts, laughs, etc. This has been but one of the many traditions in the series, but with each passing game, Link grows more and more personable and expressive as a character, making it that much easier to understand what is on his mind. He is generally seen as a humble, courageous, and sometimes naive young man, and grows into a hero as his journey comes full circle.
With each passing game, Link's iconic status in the gaming realm is strengthened by the fanbase (save for the bishie fangirls. F**k them 🙄 ). Link is but one of many Nintendo characters that proves it doesn't take stubbles, mile-wide jawlines, cocky attitudes, or unrealistically large muscles to be a good character. For that, Link, and his Nintendo bretheren deserve nothing less than the utmost respect.
RESPECT LINK!
