Ocarina of Time: Characters

Child Link

Role: Protagonist / The Hero of Time

Raised as a Kokiri in Kokiri Forest despite being Hylian, Link is known as “the boy without a fairy” until the Great Deku Tree sends Navi to guide him. Chosen by destiny, Link embarks on a quest assigned by the dying Deku Tree, which quickly escalates into a journey to protect the Sacred Realm and Hyrule from the evil Ganondorf. He wields the Fairy Ocarina and later the Ocarina of Time, using music to solve puzzles and traverse time itself. His journey uniquely spans two distinct time periods. He is nimble, focuses on gathering the Spiritual Stones, uses items like the Slingshot and Boomerang, and fits into small passages. Upon drawing the Master Sword, he is deemed too young to be the Hero and is sealed for seven years, awakening as the taller, stronger.

Adult Link

In this form, he can wield the Master Sword and Hylian Shield, ride Epona, use more advanced weaponry like the Fairy Bow, Hookshot, and Megaton Hammer, and is tasked with awakening the Seven Sages. Though the same courageous and famously silent individual, these two phases offer distinct gameplay experiences and perspectives on Hyrule, representing his growth from innocence to responsibility. He carries the Triforce of Courage.

Navi

Role: Link’s Fairy Companion / Guide

A small, blue fairy sent by the Great Deku Tree to accompany Link on his quest. Navi provides invaluable assistance throughout the journey, offering hints about enemies (“Hey! Listen!”) and puzzles, reminding Link of his current objective, and enabling Z-Targeting for focused combat and interaction. While sometimes infamous for her repetitive cries, Navi is a crucial and loyal guide representing Link’s connection to the forest and his destiny. Her departure at the very end of the game remains a poignant and mysterious moment.

Princess Zelda

Role: Princess of Hyrule / Leader of the Sages

The wise and prophetic Princess of Hyrule, holder of the Triforce of Wisdom. As a child, Zelda foresees Ganondorf’s evil intentions through her dreams and entrusts Link with the Ocarina of Time and the task of gathering the Spiritual Stones to protect the Triforce. When Ganondorf attacks Hyrule Castle, she is forced to flee with her guardian Impa, tossing the Ocarina to Link. During the seven years Link is sealed away, she goes into hiding. Upon revealing her identity after guiding Link as Sheik, she is recognized as the seventh Sage and their leader. However, her reveal makes her vulnerable, leading to her capture by Ganondorf and setting the stage for Link’s final rescue mission within Ganon’s Castle.

Sheik

Role: Mysterious Guide / Zelda’s Alter Ego

To survive Ganondorf’s hunt during the seven years Link was sealed and to guide the Hero of Time without revealing her vulnerable identity, Princess Zelda adopted the guise of Sheik. Appearing as a surviving member of the Sheikah tribe, Sheik is clad in the traditional blue and white garb with face obscured, identifiable only by piercing red eyes (perceptible with the Lens of Truth). Possessing great agility, knowledge of Hyrule’s shadowed history, and musical talent with a lyre, Sheik aids Adult Link by teaching him essential warp songs: the Minuet of Forest, Bolero of Fire, Serenade of Water, Nocturne of Shadow, Requiem of Spirit, and the Prelude of Light, enabling fast travel across the corrupted Hyrule. Sheik speaks in cryptic verses, offering guidance at crucial junctures before vanishing mysteriously. The eventual reveal of Sheik’s true identity inside the Temple of Time is a pivotal narrative moment.

Ganondorf

Role: Main Antagonist / King of the Gerudo / Wielder of Triforce of Power

The ambitious and ruthless leader of the Gerudo tribe, born once every hundred years as their male king. As Ganondorf, he presents himself as a cunning sorcerer who initially feigns allegiance to the King of Hyrule to gain access to the Sacred Realm and the Triforce. When Link opens the Door of Time, Ganondorf follows, shattering the Triforce into three pieces and claiming the Triforce of Power for himself. Using this immense power, he conquers Hyrule during the seven years Link sleeps, twisting the land into a realm of darkness, corrupting sacred places, and ruling as the self-proclaimed Great King of Evil from his imposing tower built over Hyrule Castle’s ruins. He is a master of dark magic, demonstrated in his organ playing and the climactic energy-ball volley battle against Link at the top of his tower.

Ganon

Role: Final Boss / Ganondorf’s Beast Form

After Link defeats Ganondorf’s human form, in a final, desperate act fueled by the Triforce of Power’s dark energy and his own unyielding hatred, Ganondorf transforms into Ganon – his monstrous beast form. This alternate form represents his unrestrained power and primal fury. Ganon is a towering, immensely powerful creature resembling a two-legged boar or pig, wielding two colossal swords capable of shattering stone. He knocks the Master Sword from Link’s hand initially, forcing the hero to rely on other tools like the Megaton Hammer or Biggoron’s Sword. Defeating Ganon requires exploiting his vulnerable tail (often stunned by Light Arrows or other powerful items) and retrieving and dealing the final blow with the Master Sword, allowing the assembled Sages to finally seal him within the Evil Realm.

Saria (Sage of Forest)

Role: Link’s Childhood Friend / Sage

A kind and gentle Kokiri girl, considered Link’s closest friend during his childhood in the forest. She gifts Link the Fairy Ocarina and teaches him “Saria’s Song,” a cheerful tune that allows Link to communicate with her and cheers up others (like Darunia). She often waits for Link at the Sacred Forest Meadow. As an adult, Link discovers she has awakened as the Sage of Forest within the Forest Temple.

Darunia (Sage of Fire)

Role: Patriarch of the Gorons / Sage

The proud and initially stubborn leader of the Goron tribe living on Death Mountain. He refuses Link’s help with Dodongo’s Cavern until Link plays “Saria’s Song,” which lifts his spirits immensely, leading him to declare Link his Sworn Brother and grant him the Goron’s Ruby. As an adult, Link finds Darunia has gone to face Volvagia in the Fire Temple, later awakening as the Sage of Fire.

Princess Ruto (Sage of Water)

Role: Princess of the Zoras / Sage

The headstrong and somewhat spoiled princess of the Zora people. As a child, she loses the Zora’s Sapphire (which she considers an engagement stone) inside Lord Jabu-Jabu and insists Link carry her through the deity’s belly to retrieve it. She “gifts” it to Link afterward. As an adult, Link finds Zora’s Domain frozen and Ruto trapped within the Water Temple, where she awakens as the mature and responsible Sage of Water.

Impa (Sage of Shadow)

Role: Zelda’s Sheikah Guardian / Founder of Kakariko Village / Sage

Princess Zelda’s fiercely loyal bodyguard and attendant, and one of the last members of the mysterious Sheikah tribe. She teaches Link “Zelda’s Lullaby” and guides him early on. She is credited with transforming Hyrule Castle Town’s refuge into Kakariko Village. As an adult, Link learns she ventured into the Shadow Temple to contain the evil within, awakening there as the Sage of Shadow.

Nabooru (Sage of Spirit)

Role: Gerudo Warrior / Sage / (Temporary) Iron Knuckle

A notable Gerudo warrior who serves as Ganondorf’s second-in-command but secretly despises his evil ways and ambitions. As Child Link, Nabooru tasks him with retrieving the Silver Gauntlets from the Spirit Temple, showing her rebellious nature against Ganondorf. However, during the seven years Link sleeps, she is captured by the twin witches Koume and Kotake (Twinrova) and brainwashed. Link is tragically forced to fight her while she unwillingly inhabits the powerful armor of an Iron Knuckle, serving as a mini-boss under Twinrova’s control. After Link manages to break the spell, her true spirit is freed, and she awakens as the Sage of Spirit.

Rauru (Sage of Light)

Role: Ancient Sage / Guardian of the Sacred Realm / Guide

An ancient Hylian Sage who built the Temple of Time and was the first to awaken. When Link draws the Master Sword and is sealed for seven years, Rauru watches over him in the Chamber of Sages within the Sacred Realm (now Temple of Light). He provides Adult Link with crucial exposition about Ganondorf’s takeover, the Sages, and Link’s destiny as the Hero of Time, guiding his first steps into the dark future.

The Great Deku Tree

Role: Guardian Spirit of Kokiri Forest / Initial Guide

The ancient, sentient guardian of Kokiri Forest and father figure to the Kokiri. Suffering from a curse placed by Ganondorf, he summons Link via Navi at the game’s start. He tasks Link with breaking the curse within him (the game’s first dungeon) and, before tragically dying, reveals Link’s Hylian origins and directs him to seek Princess Zelda, setting the entire adventure in motion. His sprout appears after Ganondorf’s defeat, symbolizing hope and renewal.

Kaepora Gaebora

Role: Wise Owl Guide

A large, enigmatic owl who appears frequently throughout Hyrule to offer guidance, hints, and sometimes cryptic advice to Link. He often summarizes recent events or points Link towards his next objective. Known for asking “Did you get all that?” and potentially making Link repeat his lengthy explanations. He can also occasionally provide aerial transport. His wisdom and appearances often lead players to speculate he is connected to, or even a form used by, the Sage Rauru, though this is not explicitly stated within the game.

Malon

The kind-hearted daughter of Talon, living at Lon Lon Ranch. As a child, she introduces Link to the foal Epona and teaches him “Epona’s Song.” As an adult, she cares for the ranch after Ingo takes over, eventually rewarding Link with Epona if he wins a race against Ingo.

Epona

Link’s loyal horse. Met as a foal at Lon Lon Ranch, she can be won and ridden by Adult Link after playing “Epona’s Song,” allowing for fast travel across Hyrule Field.

Talon

The lazy, Mario-esque owner of Lon Lon Ranch and Malon’s father. Fond of sleeping. He is kicked out by Ingo in the future timeline but later returns.

Ingo

A disgruntled ranch hand who, under Ganondorf’s influence, takes over Lon Lon Ranch in the future. He challenges Link to races for Epona.

Mido

The self-proclaimed boss of the Kokiri. Jealous of Link’s relationship with Saria and the Deku Tree, he often acts like a bully towards Link as a child. He shows some maturity as an adult, guarding the entrance to the Lost Woods.

King Zora De Bon XVI

The large, slow-moving ruler of the Zoras and Ruto’s father. As a child, Link must find a way to move him to access Lord Jabu-Jabu. In the future, he is found frozen within Zora’s Domain until Link thaws it with Blue Fire.

Skull Kid

A mysterious, flute-playing child found in the Lost Woods. Initially mischievous, he becomes friendly if Link plays “Saria’s Song.” His appearance here sets the stage for his central role in the sequel, Majora’s Mask.

Dampé the Gravekeeper

The caretaker of the Kakariko Village Graveyard. As a child, Link can play his grave-digging tour minigame. As an adult, Link encounters his ghost, who challenges him to a race for the Hookshot. His alternate identity here is his spectral form after death.

Great Fairies

Powerful magical beings found in hidden fountains across Hyrule. They grant Link magic meter upgrades, enhanced abilities like the Spin Attack, and powerful magic spells: Din’s Fire, Farore’s Wind, and Nayru’s Love.