For more than 40 years, The Legend of Zelda has introduced players to heroes, villains, rulers, sages, companions, strange merchants and entire generations of familiar faces.
Some characters return again and again in different eras of Hyrule. Link and Princess Zelda have appeared in many forms throughout the series, while Ganondorf and Ganon have repeatedly threatened the kingdom across generations. Others, such as Midna, Navi, Fi, Mipha and Skull Kid, are closely tied to a particular adventure but have become just as recognizable to Zelda fans.
This guide brings those characters together in one place.
Explore Zelda Central’s profiles of the most important characters in The Legend of Zelda series, learn how their different incarnations are connected, and then dive into the complete casts of individual Zelda games.
The Legendary Heroes of Hyrule
These are the characters at the heart of the Zelda series. Their appearances may change from one era to another, but their roles in the history of Hyrule have made them some of Nintendo’s most recognizable characters.
Link
The courageous hero at the center of most Zelda adventures. Different incarnations of Link have sailed the Great Sea, crossed time, transformed into a wolf, explored the skies and repeatedly answered Hyrule’s call for a hero.
Princess Zelda
The princess of Hyrule and bearer of the name that defines the series. Zelda has appeared as a princess, sage, researcher, warrior, adventurer and even the playable hero of her own quest.
Impa
One of the Zelda series’ most enduring supporting characters. Impa has appeared as Zelda’s guardian, a Sheikah warrior, village elder and trusted keeper of Hyrule’s history.
Sheik
The mysterious Sheikah warrior who guides Link through his adult journey in Ocarina of Time. Sheik’s identity and connection to Princess Zelda became one of the game’s most memorable story reveals.
Ganondorf, Ganon and the Forces of Evil
Hyrule has faced countless monsters and would-be conquerors, but a handful of villains have left a permanent mark on the series.
Ganondorf
The Gerudo King who becomes one of Link and Zelda’s greatest recurring enemies. Explore Ganondorf’s different incarnations, his connection to the Triforce of Power and his appearances throughout the Zelda timeline.
Ganon
The monstrous Demon King who has terrorized Hyrule since the original The Legend of Zelda. Ganon appears in several forms across the series and is closely connected to Ganondorf, though the two names are not always interchangeable.
Calamity Ganon
The ancient calamity that devastated Hyrule before the events of Breath of the Wild. Its return sets Link’s journey in motion a century after the kingdom’s fall.
Demise
The ancient Demon King confronted in Skyward Sword. Demise stands near the beginning of Hyrule’s legendary struggle between the forces surrounding Link, Zelda and the Demon Tribe.
Ghirahim
The theatrical Demon Lord who relentlessly pursues Zelda throughout Skyward Sword. His true purpose is closely tied to Demise and the origins of the Master Sword.
Vaati
A powerful sorcerer and recurring villain of the Four Swords era. Vaati plays a central role in The Minish Cap, Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures.
Zant
The self-proclaimed king of the Twili who brings Twilight across Hyrule in Twilight Princess. His rise to power hides a deeper connection to Ganondorf.
Master Kohga
The eccentric leader of the Yiga Clan. Despite his comedic personality, Kohga commands a dangerous organization devoted to defeating Link and serving Ganon.
Dark Link
A shadowy reflection of Hyrule’s hero. Dark Link has appeared in several Zelda games as an enemy, rival or dark counterpart to Link.
Companions and Fan-Favorite Characters
Link rarely travels completely alone. Some of the most beloved Zelda characters are the companions, guides and unexpected friends who join him along the way.
Midna
The mysterious Twilight Princess who accompanies Wolf Link throughout Twilight Princess. Midna begins her journey with motives of her own but develops one of the most memorable relationships in the series.
Navi
Link’s fairy companion in Ocarina of Time. Sent by the Great Deku Tree, Navi guides the Hero of Time throughout his first journey across Hyrule.
Epona
Link’s most famous animal companion. The loyal horse first became his trusted mount in Ocarina of Time and has returned in several later Zelda adventures.
Fi
The spirit who resides within the Goddess Sword in Skyward Sword. Fi guides Link during the earliest known era of the Master Sword’s history.
Skull Kid
A mischievous forest dweller whose most famous appearance comes in Majora’s Mask, where the power of Majora transforms a lonely prankster into a threat capable of destroying Termina.
Tingle
The green-clad, fairy-obsessed mapmaker introduced in Majora’s Mask. Tingle went on to appear throughout the series and even star in games of his own.
Happy Mask Salesman
The mysterious traveling merchant behind the masks of Majora’s Mask. His unsettling personality and unexplained knowledge have made him one of the series’ most memorable supporting characters.
Great Deku Tree
An ancient guardian associated with Hyrule’s forests and their inhabitants. Different versions of the Great Deku Tree have watched over the Kokiri, Koroks and heroes of Hyrule.
Champions, Sages and Protectors of Hyrule
Every incarnation of Hyrule has its own defenders. Sages seal away ancient evils, Champions pilot Divine Beasts, and regional leaders join Link and Zelda when the kingdom is threatened.
Mipha
The Zora Champion who pilots Divine Beast Vah Ruta in Breath of the Wild. A gifted healer and close childhood friend of Link, Mipha remains one of the most beloved Champions.
Urbosa
The Gerudo Champion and pilot of Divine Beast Vah Naboris. Urbosa is a formidable warrior, Gerudo chief and trusted friend of Princess Zelda’s family.
Revali
The proud Rito Champion chosen to pilot Divine Beast Vah Medoh. His rivalry with Link and extraordinary skill with a bow make him one of Breath of the Wild’s most distinctive characters.
Daruk
The Goron Champion who pilots Divine Beast Vah Rudania. Powerful, fearless and fiercely loyal, Daruk treats Link as a trusted friend and fellow warrior.
Rauru
A name associated with major figures in multiple eras of Zelda history. Rauru appears as the Sage of Light in Ocarina of Time and as a central figure in the ancient history revealed in Tears of the Kingdom.
Mineru
Rauru’s sister and the Sage of Spirit in Tears of the Kingdom. Her knowledge of Zonai technology and the spirit world becomes crucial to Link’s battle against Ganondorf.
Sidon
The charismatic Zora prince introduced in Breath of the Wild. Sidon’s courage, optimism and loyalty to Link eventually lead him to an even greater role in Zora’s Domain.
Riju
The young chief of the Gerudo who grows into a capable leader and warrior across Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Yunobo
A descendant of Daruk who overcomes his fears to help protect Goron City. Yunobo returns in Tears of the Kingdom as one of Hyrule’s important regional leaders.
Scientists, Leaders and Other Major Characters
Not every important Zelda character carries a legendary sword or commands an army. Hyrule’s inventors, researchers and unusual residents often play just as important a role in Link’s adventures.
Purah
A brilliant Sheikah researcher whose work with ancient technology assists Link in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Her experiments with aging also give her one of the stranger personal histories in modern Zelda.
Hestu
A large Korok musician famous for his maracas, dancing and ability to expand Link’s inventory. Hestu has become one of the most recognizable Korok characters in the series.
The Many Forms of Link
There is no single Link who experiences every Zelda adventure. Different heroes rise across different periods of Hyrule’s history, and several incarnations have become recognizable characters in their own right.
Young Link
The child incarnation of the Hero of Time seen in Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. Young Link’s adventures take him from Kokiri Forest to Hyrule and eventually into the doomed world of Termina.
Toon Link
The name commonly used for the cel-shaded version of Link associated with games such as The Wind Waker. This visual interpretation of the hero later became a recurring part of Zelda and Nintendo history.
Wolf Link
Link’s wolf transformation in Twilight Princess. After entering areas consumed by Twilight, the hero takes on a new form with heightened senses and abilities that differ dramatically from his normal sword-based combat.
Zelda Characters by Game
Looking for the complete cast of one particular Zelda adventure? Our game-specific character guides cover the heroes, villains, shopkeepers, townspeople and other NPCs who may not need their own franchise-wide profile.
The Legend of Zelda Characters
Meet Link, Princess Zelda, Impa and the characters who established the series in the original NES adventure.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link Characters
Explore the people and enemies surrounding Link’s second adventure, including the sleeping Princess Zelda and Link’s mysterious shadow.
A Link to the Past Characters
Discover the heroes, maidens and villains of the classic battle between Hyrule and the Dark World.
Link’s Awakening Characters
Meet Marin, Tarin, the Wind Fish and the strange inhabitants of Koholint Island.
Ocarina of Time Characters
Explore the Hero of Time’s complete cast, including Navi, Zelda, Sheik, Ganondorf, the Seven Sages and the residents of Hyrule.
Majora’s Mask Characters
Meet Skull Kid, Tatl, Tael, the Happy Mask Salesman and the residents of Termina living through the world’s repeating final three days.
Oracle of Ages Characters
Explore the inhabitants of Labrynna across the past and present, including Nayru, Veran, Ralph and Queen Ambi.
Oracle of Seasons Characters
Meet Din, Onox and the residents of Holodrum and Subrosia in Link’s season-changing adventure.
The Wind Waker Characters
Meet Tetra, the King of Red Lions, Medli, Makar and the colorful inhabitants of the Great Sea.
The Minish Cap Characters
Explore Link’s adventure with Ezlo and meet Vaati, the Minish and the residents of Hyrule Town.
Twilight Princess Characters
Meet Midna, Zant, the Hero’s Spirit and the residents of a Hyrule caught between light and Twilight.
Phantom Hourglass Characters
Follow Link and Tetra into the World of the Ocean King and meet Linebeck, Ciela, Oshus, Jolene and Bellum.
Spirit Tracks Characters
Explore New Hyrule alongside Link and Princess Zelda and meet characters such as Anjean, Byrne, Cole and Malladus.
Skyward Sword Characters
Meet Fi, Groose, Impa, Ghirahim, Demise and the people of Skyloft in one of the earliest chapters of Zelda history.
A Link Between Worlds Characters
Discover the inhabitants of Hyrule and Lorule, including Ravio, Hilda, Yuga and the Seven Sages.
Breath of the Wild Characters
Meet the Champions, their descendants, Sheikah researchers and regional leaders who help Link confront the Great Calamity.
Tears of the Kingdom Characters
Explore the expanded cast of modern Hyrule, including Rauru, Mineru, Purah, Sidon, Riju, Yunobo and the returning Demon King Ganondorf.
Echoes of Wisdom Characters
Follow Princess Zelda’s adventure and meet Tri, Null and the people affected by the mysterious rifts spreading across Hyrule.
Who Are the Main Characters in The Legend of Zelda?
Although each Zelda game introduces its own cast, three characters sit at the center of much of the series: Link, Princess Zelda and Ganon or Ganondorf.
Their appearances, histories and even identities can change between games. Most Zelda adventures are separated by generations, meaning the Link or Zelda seen in one title is not necessarily the same person who appears in another.
That structure has allowed Nintendo to repeatedly reinterpret its central characters while keeping familiar themes intact. One Link may be a child raised among the Kokiri, another a sailor from Outset Island, and another a knight exploring a ruined Hyrule thousands of years later.
The same is true of Zelda. Depending on the game, she may be a royal princess, the leader of the Sages, the pirate captain Tetra, a researcher fascinated by ancient technology or the hero players control themselves.
Explore More of the World of Zelda
The characters of The Legend of Zelda are only one part of Hyrule’s history.
Explore Zelda Central’s growing franchise guides to learn more about the races and peoples of Hyrule, legendary items and artifacts, major enemies, famous locations, and the complicated Zelda timeline connecting the series’ many adventures.