Father Figures in Zelda

Link obviously doesn't have a father, but that doesn't stop Eiji Aonuma from creating characters that are very fatherly. In fact it's becoming a little trademark to the series with Eiji around. These characters are usually the ones that are loved for their fatherly guidance...at the end of most Zelda games these characters disappear.

King of Red Lions from Wind Waker and The Hero's Shade from Twilight Princess, were created by Eiji Aonuma and most of their dialouge was created by Mr. Aonuma too.

Many people worked on this game, and I entrusted them with the events and the dialogues, but I wanted to include something of my very own, so I wrote the script for the skeleton warrior that teaches you the hidden skills. He’s my child inside this game (laughs).

–Really? (laughs)

Aonuma: In The Wind Waker it was the King of Red Lions.

Source

Do you think these types of characters will continue to appear?

Originally Posted by Zeldablue777

Link obviously doesn't have a father, but that doesn't stop Eiji Aonuma from creating characters that are very fatherly. In fact it's becoming a little trademark to the series with Eiji around. These characters are usually the ones that are loved for their fatherly guidance...at the end of most Zelda games these characters disappear.

King of Red Lions from Wind Waker and The Hero's Shade from Twilight Princess, were created by Eiji Aonuma and most of their dialouge was created by Mr. Aonuma too.

Source

Do you think these types of characters will continue to appear?

At times, but it depends on how they are introduced and developed.

For Twilight Princess one could also argue that towards the beginning of the game it is implied that Rusl is the father figure to Link, and I do see how they can be backed up.

In TWW, you pegged it with the King of Red Lions.

But beyond that I cannot recall many other father figures, and I dont think a trend can go on with only two games (correct me if I'm wrong)

I think the worth of a father figured character is in the development and execution... yet at the same time, I feel its crucial Link maintains that somewhat loner character...

It depends on situation I suppose.

<Now that I think about it, in OOT the Great Deku Tree could be considered a father figure, especially since he was considered the father of the Kokiri and Link assosiated himself with the Kokiri>

The Uncle from ALTTP could be considered a father figure because link lived with him. But he's injured in the beginning of the game so he doesn't really have time to give Link much advice, but i still consider him a father figure.

I saw Rusl as more of an older brother than a father figure. I don't know, I guess the general thought was that Link in TP was more than old enough to take care of himself, so a father figure really wasn't needed.

I can see how KotRL could be a father figure, though, given Link's age in that game.

I wouldn't expect it in the Wii one.

What about Link being a paternal figure to someone? In the new concept art Miyamoto released, that fairy chick looked quite young. I think it'd be cute and unprecedented if Link were to serve as a kind of father figure to her.

It's almost never done in any video game, and it has certainly never been done in Zelda.

Oh! You know...I have been thinking about that. It would be awesome and original if Link was the father figure to another character. Though in TP Colin was rather fond of Link. >_>

Nintendo has a new tendency to take a small concept from an old game and turn it big. Like masks in OoT because the center of everything in MM. And the Phantoms in PH are now going to play a big part in Link's new fighting strategy.



Anyways when I looked at the new art...so many ideas came flooding into my head. Some ridiculous speculation...now into basically an elaborate fan fic. xD New idea is, this is Link from Majora's Mask after many world-round adventures returning back to Hyrule. He reunites with Zelda and his ole' friends. However Zelda is now Queen and has a nice King and daughter. So the King is all like, Link you have to help us do something, so Link does it. But it turns out that the King is an evil SOB who is corrupt and wants to mess everyone up (and get the Triforce). xD So Zelda flees with her daughter and Link goes around looking for them. Finds 'em. Zelda is murdered by the King and so Zelda passes the ToW to her daughter...(who is also Zelda...) xD and then the King frames Link for the Queens death. Link spends the remainder of the game with Zelda daughter protecting her and trying to stop the King. The young Zelda and the older Link form a nice father daughter relationship and...ROFL...I got this all from the picture, which kinda looks like an older OoT Link. Geez. I don't even know where the Master Sword girl fits in.

Originally Posted by Zeldablue777

Oh! You know...I have been thinking about that. It would be awesome and original if Link was the father figure to another character. Though in TP Colin was rather fond of Link. >_>

Nintendo has a new tendency to take a small concept from an old game and turn it big. Like masks in OoT because the center of everything in MM. And the Phantoms in PH are now going to play a big part in Link's new fighting strategy.



Anyways when I looked at the new art...so many ideas came flooding into my head. Some ridiculous speculation...now into basically an elaborate fan fic. xD New idea is, this is Link from Majora's Mask after many world-round adventures returning back to Hyrule. He reunites with Zelda and his ole' friends. However Zelda is now Queen and has a nice King and daughter. So the King is all like, Link you have to help us do something, so Link does it. But it turns out that the King is an evil SOB who is corrupt and wants to mess everyone up (and get the Triforce). xD So Zelda flees with her daughter and Link goes around looking for them. Finds 'em. Zelda is murdered by the King and so Zelda passes the ToW to her daughter...(who is also Zelda...) xD and then the King frames Link for the Queens death. Link spends the remainder of the game with Zelda daughter protecting her and trying to stop the King. The young Zelda and the older Link form a nice father daughter relationship and...ROFL...I got this all from the picture, which kinda looks like an older OoT Link. Geez. I don't even know where the Master Sword girl fits in.

Haha, that does sound rather like a fanfic!

But you know, seriously, I would really like for Link to have a daughter figure. Again, him having a son is SOOOOOOOO overdone. "The hero has a son and passes on his skills, blah blah blee blah blah"

A daughter figure would provide a balance and a relief from the cliché , in my opinion. I really hope this sword chick is more of that to him, rather than a romantic interest. Save the romantic interest for someone less...there. If that makes any sense.

(But I do that fanfic like out there speculation, too)

Link could be considered somewhat of a father figure to his sister in Wind Waker, since they live with just there grandma. Hence, no male in the family but Link. Though he was younger in Wind Waker than in the other games he is older than he looks. He is probably 12-14(even tho he looks like he is 9), and his sister is pretty young.

Originally Posted by Zeldablue777

Oh! You know...I have been thinking about that. It would be awesome and original if Link was the father figure to another character. Though in TP Colin was rather fond of Link. >_>

Link made a big influence on the baby in the Oracle series. Helping with the name, donating, suggesting what to do, and in the end of it an appearance of the baby grown into a kid with an appearance based on what was done and decided. If the kid doesn't turn out to be shy, he declared writing a song about Link's deeds or trying to become a hero himself after hearing about Link's deeds that I thought is cute.

In TWW, the younger kids on Outset Island seems to admire Link. After dealing with Dragon Roost Island, Prince Komali grew fond of Link as well when he earned his wings.

In OoT Darunia's son is named after Link, he admired his bravery based on what he heard about him and even asked for his autograph when they met.

Maybe there are some others I am missing.

Originally Posted by Erikson

Link made a big influence on the baby in the Oracle series. Helping with the name, donating, suggesting what to do, and in the end of it an appearance of the baby grown into a kid with an appearance based on what was done and decided. If the kid doesn't turn out to be shy, he declared writing a song about Link's deeds or trying to become a hero himself after hearing about Link's deeds that I thought is cute.

In TWW, the younger kids on Outset Island seems to admire Link. After dealing with Dragon Roost Island, Prince Komali grew fond of Link as well when he earned his wings.

In OoT Darunia's son is named after Link, he admired his bravery based on what he heard about him and even asked for his autograph when they met.

Maybe there are some others I am missing.

Yeah, plus his role on Collin in TP, though I think someone already mentioned that.

Now, I'm pretty convinced he will have that kind of role to the girl in the new Wii game, especially since he's supposed to be a full-fledged adult (not teenager or child), and the girl appears to be a little girl of no more than like, 12.

Don't forget the children in Ordon admired Link too in TP. Especially Talo and Colin.

The TP guide even says Link is like the unofficial leader of the pack. Ilia is included in that "pack" too btw.

Originally Posted by Cafe Mocha

Yeah, plus his role on Collin in TP, though I think someone already mentioned that.

Now, I'm pretty convinced he will have that kind of role to the girl in the new Wii game, especially since he's supposed to be a full-fledged adult (not teenager or child), and the girl appears to be a little girl of no more than like, 12.

I think that a "fatherly" thing would be awesome, but I believe there's a good chance that she's a mere spirit. But...who knows?

TLoZ: Old Man
ALttP: Uncle
OoT: Great Deku Tree
MM: Happy Mask Salesman
OoA/OoS: Maku Trees
WW: KoRL
MC: Ezlo(in a sense)
TP: Rusl/Hero's Shade
PH: Oshus/Linebeck(in a really messed up, iffy, and disturbing way)


eah, father figures are a recurring theme in the games.

Umm... Dont you mean MC: Ezlo not MM: Ezlo?

MM: Happy Mask Salesman

O.o I don't know about that one. HMS was a bit too creepy. Just because you're an older guy who talks to little kids...doesn't make you a father figure. I'm talking about characters that inspire Link and are respected by Link. They teach Link some wisdom and then disappear. But yeah, some of the characters you mentioned work.

Originally Posted by Darkus Triforce

OoA/OoS: Maku Trees

OoA's Maku Tree is female, a flirting one at that.

I don't think Majora's Mask really had one because Link was on his own for like 3 days... not long enough to establish a father-son relationship.

Originally Posted by astinktothepast

I don't think Majora's Mask really had one because Link was on his own for like 3 days... not long enough to establish a father-son relationship.

It's 3 days at least one more time over, so it's 6+ days really. It had all been only with his fairy partner Tatl who time traveled with him, so yeah there is really no father figure in MM who he strongly developed with.

I think seeing Link in a paternal relationship (not just big brotherly) would really mature and deepen his character quite a bit.

Plus it would be sweet! (Like, as in awww, not the lame 90's/early 2000's slang for "cool")