Set sail on the Great Sea! This page charts the memorable characters inhabiting the vast, flooded world of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. With its distinct cel-shaded art style and expansive ocean setting, Wind Waker introduced a vibrant cast of heroes, villains, quirky islanders, unique tribes like the Rito and Koroks, and guiding spirits.
From the young Hero of Winds, Link, and the formidable pirate captain Tetra, to the menacing Ganondorf and the wise King of Red Lions who guides our hero’s journey, discover the allies, enemies, and unforgettable faces Link encounters on his quest to rescue his sister Aryll and confront the evil threatening the scattered islands. Explore the full roster that brings this beloved Zelda adventure to life!
Main Characters of The Wind Waker
These central figures drive the narrative of Link’s journey across the Great Sea in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
Link
The young protagonist hailing from Outset Island. On the day recognized as his coming-of-age (matching the age of the legendary Hero of Time), he receives the traditional green Hero’s Clothes. His peaceful life is shattered when his younger sister, Aryll, is kidnapped by the monstrous Helmaroc King. Guided by the pirate Tetra and the wise King of Red Lions, Link, dubbed the “Hero of Winds,” bravely sails the treacherous Great Sea. Wielding the magical Wind Waker baton to control winds and awaken sages, he confronts Ganondorf’s evil forces, explores dungeons, gathers the Triforce shards, and seeks to rescue Aryll, ultimately uncovering the secrets of the flooded kingdom of Hyrule beneath the waves and proving himself a worthy successor to the hero legacy.
Aryll
Link’s kind and cheerful younger sister, easily recognized by her seagull-patterned dress reflecting her love for the birds. For Link’s birthday, she loans him her prized possession: her telescope, allowing him to spot the Helmaroc King carrying Tetra. Mistaking Tetra for the girl Ganondorf seeks (due to her pointed ears), the bird drops Tetra and snatches Aryll instead. Her kidnapping and imprisonment in the Forsaken Fortress serve as the catalyst for Link’s epic journey across the Great Sea.
Tetra
The sharp-witted, pragmatic, and seemingly tomboyish captain of a band of pirates who sail the Great Sea. Though initially somewhat dismissive of Link, she possesses a good heart and assists him after he tries to save her from the Forsaken Fortress (where she inadvertently led the Helmaroc King to Aryll). A crucial plot twist reveals her true heritage: she is Princess Zelda, the last living descendant of Hyrule’s royal bloodline, holding the Triforce of Wisdom. This revelation occurs in the submerged Hyrule Castle, guided by the King of Red Lions, transforming her appearance and destiny.
Ganondorf
The powerful Gerudo sorcerer and the primary antagonist, returning once more to claim the Triforce and rule the world. Having broken the seal that imprisoned him after the events involving the Hero of Time, Ganondorf established his base in the Forsaken Fortress. He seeks descendants of the Sage Princess Zelda, ordering the Helmaroc King to capture girls with Hylian-like long ears, inadvertently leading to Aryll’s capture. In The Wind Waker, Ganondorf is portrayed with more depth, expressing a form of tragic motivation rooted in the harsh environment of his birth compared to the lush lands of Hyrule, before ultimately desiring to obtain the complete Triforce to reshape the world under his dominion.
King of Red Lions
Link’s sentient sailboat, characterized by its distinctive red dragon-headed figurehead which allows it to speak. He finds Link adrift after his initial failed assault on the Forsaken Fortress and becomes his guide, mentor, and primary mode of transport across the vast Great Sea. Possessing immense knowledge of the flooded world and its history, he reveals crucial information to Link. He is later revealed to be the spirit of Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, the last King of the submerged Hyrule, who uses his remaining power to aid Link and Tetra in their quest to defeat Ganondorf and ensure a future for the new world above the waves, rather than resurrecting the lost kingdom.
Outset Island Residents
The inhabitants of Link and Aryll’s peaceful home island at the start of the adventure.
Grandma
Link and Aryll’s loving grandmother, who looks after them on Outset Island. She upholds the island’s tradition by gifting Link the green Hero’s Clothes when he comes of age. Devastated by Aryll’s kidnapping, she falls ill with worry. However, Link can later cure her using a fairy, and she will then prepare her special Elixir Soup for him whenever he visits with an empty bottle. This potent soup fully restores Link’s health and magic, and briefly doubles his attack power.
Orca
An elderly, skilled swordsman living on Outset Island and the younger brother of Sturgeon. Recognizing Link’s potential and the need for him to be prepared, Orca provides Link with his first sword, the Hero’s Sword, and offers essential combat training, teaching basic swings and the defensive Parry technique. He continues to offer training throughout the game.
Sturgeon
Orca’s older brother, a resident scholar on Outset Island known for his wisdom and vast knowledge, though perhaps less physically inclined than Orca. He lives above Orca and often complains about the noise from the sword training below. Sturgeon possesses helpful scrolls and provides Link with valuable tutorial information, explaining game mechanics, controls, and offering insights into the world’s lore.
Prince Komali
The young prince of the Rito tribe, son of their chieftain. Initially, Komali is withdrawn and lacks confidence, partly due to mourning his late grandmother and clutching Din’s Pearl, a treasure passed down through his family which is needed by Link. He fears visiting the Sky Spirit Valoo for the coming-of-age ceremony to receive a scale for his wings. Inspired by Link’s bravery in calming Valoo and clearing Dragon Roost Cavern, Komali finds his courage, obtains his wings, and begins to mature into a future leader for his people.
Medli
A young Rito girl who serves as the dedicated attendant to the Sky Spirit, Valoo. She is kind, resourceful, and plays a unique harp passed down through her lineage. Link first encounters her trying to help Prince Komali and seeking aid for the agitated Valoo. Later, Medli awakens to her destiny as the Sage of Earth, a descendant of the Zora sage Laruto. She aids Link in the Earth Temple, using her harp to play the Earth God’s Lyric, reflect light, and her wings to carry Link across gaps, proving crucial in restoring the Master Sword’s power.
Valoo
The colossal, ancient Sky Spirit dragon residing atop Dragon Roost Island, speaking the ancient Hylian language. He is the guardian deity of the Rito tribe, providing scales from his body which allow young Rito like Komali to grow wings upon reaching adulthood. When Link first arrives, Valoo is enraged due to the torment caused by Gohma, a monster sent by Ganondorf dwelling beneath his perch. Once Link defeats Gohma and calms Valoo, the grateful dragon grants Link Din’s Pearl and later aids Link by setting Ganondorf’s ship ablaze during a key encounter.
Forest Haven and Koroks
The secluded home of the forest spirits known as Koroks, protected by the Great Deku Tree.
Great Deku Tree
The ancient and wise guardian spirit of Forest Haven, appearing as a massive, talking tree. He watches over the Koroks, the leaf-masked descendants of the Kokiri who adapted to the flooded world. The Great Deku Tree suffers from a ChuChu infestation upon Link’s arrival but is soon healed. He provides Link with Farore’s Pearl, one of the three artifacts needed to progress, and later gives Link the Deku Leaf. He also presides over the Koroks’ annual ceremony, where they receive seeds to plant new forests across the islands of the Great Sea.
Makar
A small, endearing Korok known for playing a leaf-shaped cello/violin. Initially shy, he gets lost within the Forbidden Woods, prompting Link to rescue him before the Korok ceremony can begin. Later, Makar is revealed to be the Sage of Wind, a descendant of the Kokiri sage Fado. He must accompany Link through the Wind Temple, playing the Wind God’s Aria with his instrument to open pathways. His small size and unique propeller seed allow him to fly, helping Link overcome puzzles designed for the ancient Kokiri.
Wind Gods
Deities who govern the winds of the Great Sea, teaching Link essential melodies.
Zephos
The benevolent God of Winds, appearing as a large, green, cloud-riding frog-like spirit. Residing within a shrine on Dragon Roost Island, Zephos laments his brother Cyclos’s destructive behavior. Recognizing Link as the new Hero of Winds, Zephos teaches him the “Wind’s Requiem,” a melody played on the Wind Waker baton that allows Link to change the direction of the wind at will, essential for navigating the Great Sea efficiently.
Cyclos
Zephos’s brother, also a frog-like wind god, but purple and filled with rage after someone destroyed a monument dedicated to him. As revenge, Cyclos travels the Great Sea generating enormous cyclones that catch unwary sailors, teleporting them randomly. Link must pursue Cyclos, stun him by shooting him with arrows while inside his cyclone, and confront him. Appeased by Link’s skill, Cyclos teaches him the “Ballad of Gales,” allowing Link to summon cyclones for fast travel between specific points on the sea chart.
Other Notable Characters
Various other memorable individuals Link encounters during his seafaring adventure.
Beedle
An iconic, perpetually cheerful traveling merchant instantly recognizable by his large backpack-shop and beetle-like motif. He sails the Great Sea in his distinctive Shop Ship, offering various goods like All-Purpose Bait, Hyoi Pears, Bombs, and Arrows. He has different shop locations, some requiring membership obtained through his customer rewards program. He greets Link enthusiastically with “Oh!” or “Saaaail!” and bids farewell with a drawn-out “Byeeeeee!” or a hearty “Thank You!”.
Tingle
The infamous, rupee-loving manchild obsessed with fairies, making his return appearance. Initially found imprisoned on Windfall Island, Link frees him, and Tingle becomes crucial later in the quest. He is the only one who can decipher the special sea charts needed to locate the Triforce Shards, albeit at an exorbitant price per chart. He provides Link with the Tingle Tuner (GBA connectivity item) and operates Tingle Tower near Windfall, assisted by his brothers Ankle and Knuckle, and the unrelated David Jr. Kooloo-Limpah!
Maggie
One of the girls (along with Aryll and Mila) kidnapped from Windfall Island by the Helmaroc King due to her long ears. Hailing from a poor family, she is rescued by Link from the Forsaken Fortress. Upon returning home, her father reveals she received numerous valuable Skull Necklaces from the Moblin guards who apparently doted on her. This newfound wealth drastically changes her family’s status, making her father arrogant and leading Maggie to live in luxury, writing love letters to a Moblin.
Mila
Another girl kidnapped from Windfall Island. Originally from a very wealthy family, she behaves arrogantly before her capture. However, during Link’s adventure, her father loses all his fortune. Upon Mila’s return after being rescued by Link, she is humbled by her family’s poverty. Link later finds her attempting to steal from Zunari’s shop at night but can help her turn her life around, leading her to work diligently at the shop instead.
Miss Marie
The dedicated and kind schoolteacher on Windfall Island, who cares deeply for her students, known as the “Killer Bees.” She worries about her students’ mischievousness and asks Link for help bringing Joy Pendants, which she believes promote good behavior. Rewarding Link for collecting these pendants, she eventually gifts him the Cabana Deed, granting ownership of a private island oasis.