Why do they call him "Oni Link?"

It is very odd to us all,but,why is Firce Deity Link is shorten for "Oni Link?"

It is very odd.

"Oni" is the Japanese word for a mythical creature, something like an Ogre or Troll.

But "Oni" sounds rather less silly than "Ogre Link", especially since the Fierce Deity mask doesn't make you look all that Ogre-like.

Not only that, it's also translated into demon/devil. Which actually makes some sense.

It's also generaly affiliated with evil. Demons, evil spirits, that kind of thing. And FD represents kind of an evil Link. Thus, Oni Link.


EDIT: Ninja'd

well oni is like a evil spirit or warrior i think

Indeed, though, again, more Diablo-esque bulky demons with clubs and swords than cool and classy masters of evil.

Yep. Oni Link is a nickname given by fans though. It isn't actually within the game.

The Manga (which I'm not sure is cannon) calls him Ogre Diety, idk if it's a direct translation or not, but I call him Oni Link. I think it's called the oni mask in the japanese game, but they never really specify the name of the form in game, so oni mask = oni link. I think...

Originally Posted by Xeno

Yep. Oni Link is a nickname given by fans though. It isn't actually within the game.

That I did not know, though it makes sense.


It's also possible that "Fierce Deity" is a translation of "Oni", I don't know if that works or not, though. Certainly an Oni would count as a fierce deity.

It is indeed a fan-made name. I'm not exactly sure of the direct translation of fierce deity, but I believe they refer to it as a type of god.

Well, some already said it but "Oni" can be translated to "demon" from Japanese to English.
Seeing how the Fierce Deity Link's skills and powers can be rather demonic, it make sense.

I believe the original Japanese name for him is 鬼神, which is pronounced kijin. The first kanji, the symbol representing a sound or part of a concept or word in Japanese (itself borrowed from Chinese) means "oni" when left alone. In a lot of combinations, though it takes on the form ki (like how English can use latin words for complex things (eg amiable) and german ones for simple things (eg friendly), Japanese does similar things with Chinese). With the second part, which means "god" (about), it becomes oni+kami=ki+shin=kijin, a word meaning fierce or wrathful god.

Apparently when news hit about MM and FD Link, a fan reporting mistook 鬼神 for 鬼, the former meaning something along the lines of fierce deity, and the latter as just demon or ogre. The fandom ran with it, and now everyone knows him as that. Properly, I guess it would be something like Kijin no Rinku.

Sorry if the explanation is too cluttered. I tend to due that.

Originally Posted by Majora's Mask (Jacensolo06 Translation)

You got the Kishin Mask. Is it an oni mask that an oni wears? Try it on with [C].

Originally Posted by Jacensolo06's MM Translation Commentary

-The kanji for Kishin literally mean "Oni God". It translates to "Fierce God".

Link is called Oni Link when wearing that mask because it is called the Oni God Mask.

I have always believed that Oni meant fierce or evil, and just to back it up, remember Oni Island from Okami? Yeah. That's meant to be the like "island of evil" in the game.

Americans are sissy about being demons. Demon Link would kick ass. But instead we get 'fierce deity'

let the my asian mate explain. its already been said, but I'm saying it too. it means demon

Originally Posted by デクの皇太子

I believe the original Japanese name for him is 鬼神, which is pronounced kijin. The first kanji, the symbol representing a sound or part of a concept or word in Japanese (itself borrowed from Chinese) means "oni" when left alone. In a lot of combinations, though it takes on the form ki (like how English can use latin words for complex things (eg amiable) and german ones for simple things (eg friendly), Japanese does similar things with Chinese). With the second part, which means "god" (about), it becomes oni+kami=ki+shin=kijin, a word meaning fierce or wrathful god.

Apparently when news hit about MM and FD Link, a fan reporting mistook 鬼神 for 鬼, the former meaning something along the lines of fierce deity, and the latter as just demon or ogre. The fandom ran with it, and now everyone knows him as that. Properly, I guess it would be something like Kijin no Rinku.

Sorry if the explanation is too cluttered. I tend to due that.

Originally Posted by Average Gamer

Link is called Oni Link when wearing that mask because it is called the Oni God Mask.

Refer to the above quote.

Originally Posted by kymeric

Americans are sissy about being demons. Demon Link would kick ass. But instead we get 'fierce deity'

So wait. Demon > PISSED OFF GOD? i c lol

I like "Fierce Deity" better than any demon-specific translations. For some reason I associate with pirates in the back of my mind, and pirates are always cool.


Seriously, if anybody can figure out why that is I would be delighted to know, since this has been bugging me literally for 8 years now.

Well I also think its because of the marks of the mask...

Demon Link seems to fit but that's only my opinion
It would have been nice if they included a bit more story to Oni Links mask