The Hero of Time is the title given to the Link who appears in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask and later in Twilight Princess as the Hero's Spirit.[1] Link is bestowed this title upon awakening from his seven-year slumber after retrieving the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time.[1] By traveling through time to awaken the Six Sages and stop the King of Evil Ganondorf from conquering Hyrule, the Hero of Time's tale becomes a legend that is passed down through many generations, proving to be of great relevance to both the Mythology in The Legend of Zelda series as well as the timeline in which the games take place.[2] The Links from Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker, known as the Hero of Twilight and the Hero of Winds, respectively, are his descendants.
Biography[]
Childhood[]
As a child, the Hero of Time grew up in the Kokiri Forest believing that he was a Kokiri, but in reality he was an orphaned Hylian, due to his dying mother left him under the guardianship of the Great Deku Tree as a baby during the Hyrulean Civil War. Because the Hero of Time was not a Kokiri despite being raised as such, Link did not possess a Fairy companion, which led to him being ostracized by the majority of the Kokiri tribe, with the exception of Saria and the Deku Tree. He himself had been plagued with nightmares about a princess on horseback fleeing from a wicked man dressed in black (which would soon become a reality). Eventually, the Hero of Time was bestowed with a Fairy named Navi by the Great Deku Tree to help guide him on his great quest to save Hyrule. At the beginning his adventure, Link managed to save the Great Deku Tree from a dangerous parasite inside and earning the Kokiri's Emerald, the first of three Spiritual Stones, but the Kokiri Forest guardian dies as a result after the Deku Tree tells his destiny to meet Princess Zelda and save the land, causing him to leave the forest.
The Legend of the Hero of Time[]
Ganondorf (as Ganon) enters the Sacred Realm and claims the Triforce of Power to himself, in the intro of The Wind Waker.
In the land of Hyrule, upon meeting Zelda inside Hyrule Castle (who also shares dreams of the man in black) for the first time, she tells him the legends that speak of the Triforce, the mythical Golden Power said to reside in the Sacred Realm which has the power to grant the wishes of its holder.[3][4] Ganondorf, the King of the Gerudo tribe, schemes to enter the Sacred Realm to claim the Triforce, and thus rule the world.[5][6] With the unwitting assistance of a young courageous boy named Link and Hyrule's Princess Zelda, after the former collects the remaining Spiritual Stones, Ganondorf is able to enter the Sacred Realm shortly after Link retrieves the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time (who was too young to bear the title and was sealed without warning).[7] However, because Ganondorf's heart was not in balance due to his wickedness, the Triforce separated into three parts upon being touched by the Gerudo leader, leaving him with only the Triforce of Power and transforming the Sacred Realm into a corrupt world of evil.[8][9] The Triforce of Wisdom was then bestowed upon Princess Zelda and the Triforce of Courage upon Link, respectively.[10] Link was then put into suspended animation within the Chamber of Sages for seven years until he matured enough to properly handle the Blade of Evil's Bane.[1] Meanwhile, throughout this gap in time, Ganondorf used the Triforce of Power to take over Hyrule to become the Evil King, transforming the kingdom into a dark age and forcing Zelda into hiding as a member of a the Sheikah named Sheik, patiently waiting for the hero's late return.[11][12]
The Hero of Time defeating Ganon, restoring peace to the land of Hyrule with the power of the Master Sword and the Triforce of Courage
Now a young adult, Link eventually awakens as the Hero of Time, and, using the Master Sword and the Ocarina of Time, travels through time to seek the Six Sages (most of which were his childhood friends), who were said to have the power to bind Ganondorf and return peace to Hyrule.[2][13] With the assistance of the Sages and Princess Zelda (who is revealed to be the seventh and their leader), the Hero of Time, wielding the Master Sword, challenges his archenemy at his castle where Hyrule's once stood for a final showdown. After a brutal battle to the death in his human form and soon after as Ganon - his true form, the villain was ultimately wounded from a finishing blow by the sacred blade. This gave the Sages the chance they desperately needed to bind the monster and throw him back into the void of the Evil Realm.[14][15] Defeated by Link's hand, the King of Evil, with the Triforce of Power still in his hand and in a fit of rage and shock, threatens to return one day to exterminate the descendants of the Hero of Time and the Sages to make them all pay for his imprisonment once the seal is broken.[16]
With Hyrule now finally at peace, while saying their goodbyes, Princess Zelda uses her power as a Sage to send the Hero of Time back to his original age in order to regain his lost childhood, as compensation for his role of taking down Ganondorf, and with guilt, claiming the tragedy that had befallen Hyrule was her own mistakes as a child and dragged Link into the ordeal.[17] The Master Sword is also left in the Hero's wake, being returned to its pedestal in turn, sealing the Sacred Realm and therefore the road between times. His fairy companion, Navi, with her mission completed, suddenly flies away and leaves Link without a word to spare. With this act by the princess, the Hero of Time vanishes completely from this branch of Hyrule's history, leaving only his legend behind. Upon Link's soon departure from the kingdom, the Triforce of Courage in his hand splits apart into eight shards (therefore loses his powers bestowed upon him) and are scattered across the land to be found again one day by another Hero that would have need of its power at his own adventure.[18]
The Hero's Fate[]
Link riding on Epona searching for his fairy friend Navi after his departure from Hyrule, a scene which would repeat again after saving Termina, as seen in Majora's Mask
Before leaving the land of Hyrule, with the memory of his adventure still intact and remains the bearer of the Triforce of Courage, the Hero of Time returns to the Hyrule Castle courtyard, and warns Princess Zelda about Ganondorf's conspiracy and what the future would unfold if the Gerudo King was not immediately stopped, in order to prevent such an event from ever occurring again.[19] He gains the Royal Family's trust and stayed in the castle for a short time. The princess entrusts Link with the Ocarina of Time and instructs him to head far away, to permanently thwart Ganondorf from entering the Sacred Realm and have himself ultimately imprisoned (and eventually executed and cast away in the Twilight Realm) by the King of Hyrule. After saying goodbye (again), the young hero then departs from Hyrule, riding on his horse Epona with the magical Ocarina in hand to seek his missing fairy companion, Navi, resulting in his piece of the Triforce being lost due to himself being separated from the "elements that made him a hero". Months later in the process, however, in a distant forest, the Hero of Time was ambushed and stumbles into a parallel universe known as Termina, which was being threatened to be destroyed by its sinister Moon in three days, by the Skull Kid, under possession of a powerful evil entity called Majora's Mask. With the aid of the Ocarina of Time, transforming Masks including the notorious Fierce Deity Mask - a special mask said to be as dangerous as Majora's Mask itself, and a new fairy partner named Tatl, Link eventually defeats Majora in a harsh battle, destroying it and the Moon, and saves Termina from its imminent destruction, and soon after, leaves the land to resume his original quest of searching for Navi. However, as soon as Link left Termina and seemingly returns back to Hyrule, the universe itself ceases to exist due to Majora's Mask's ultimate defeat, causing the young hero's history of rescuing it to erase entirely just like in the end of his previous adventure in Hyrule after defeating Ganondorf. Consequently, the Hero of Time is once again back to square one, with no lasting evidence of himself saving either world. At this point, Link's future whereabouts are unknown.
Despite he indeed rescued his homeland as well as Termina from certain doom and his legend forever lives on, unfortunately, the Hero of Time continued to lament the fact that he was not remembered as a hero at all after he was returned to his original time by Princess Zelda upon defeating Ganon in the events of Ocarina of Time in spite of her good intentions, and his great heroic achievements were tragically unrecognized to the world even after warning the princess and stopping Ganondorf entirely. In addition, he never found Navi after the events of Majora's Mask, a beloved friend who left him without saying goodbye. Therefore, with his two traumatic journeys apparently all for naught, Link, sadly, was never in relative peace, and is filled with complete regret of his actions for the rest of his life and remained isolated from the many hardships, ironically like how Zelda in the seven-year future felt about Hyrule falling under Ganondorf's rule due to her own actions.[20] Even after his death, the Hero of Time was unable to go to the afterlife because of the non-stop regrets that kept him tied to the world of the living, feeling that he was unable to pass on the lessons of his life to the younger generations. In order to finally ease his regrets and at last pass on his knowledge, the Hero of Time teaches the seven Hidden Skills to his descendant, the Link of Twilight Princess, known as the Hero of Twilight, in the form of a ghostly Stalfos-like swordsman and pale golden wolf known as the Hero's Spirit, taking place over a century after his time as the chosen hero by the gods.[20][21]
Legacy[]
The legend of the Hero of Time becomes of great significance in the development of the Zelda Timeline and the mythology in The Legend of Zelda series. His climactic battle against Ganondorf marked the point in which the timeline split into three branches: the Downfall, Child, and Adult Timeline. Princess Zelda's plan with Link to save Hyrule by retrieving the Triforce before the villain resulted in the King of Evil ultimately obtaining the Triforce of Power,[22] leading eventually, in one continuity, to Link's tragic defeat by Ganon's hand and the formation of the Downfall Timeline.[23] In the alternate continuity where Link succeeds in defeating Ganondorf, the princess sends the Hero of Time back to his original time, creating two timelines; the Child Timeline and the Adult Timeline. In the latter of the two, the Triforce of Courage is shattered and the Link in the Adult Timeline vanishes from existence due to the time paradox, resulting in Hyrule eventually being flooded since there was no hero to defeat Ganon once the Sages' seal broke.[24] In the former, the Hero of Time becomes filled with regret by not being remembered as the legendary hero that saved Hyrule from Ganondorf or Termina from Majora's Mask, eventually leading him to linger on as the Hero's Spirit in the Era of Twilight.[20]
Although Hyrule was flooded in the Adult Timeline and the memory of the kingdom vanished, the legend of the Hero of Time transcended through time. In Outset Island, it became a custom to clothe boys in green once they came of age.[25][26] A statue depicting the Hero of Time is also prominently displayed in the sunken Hyrule Castle, demonstrating how meaningful the legend of the brave boy clothed in green was to the citizens of Hyrule. When the Hero of Winds, the Link from The Wind Waker, defeats Puppet Ganon, Ganondorf compared this particular hero with the Hero of Time, his predecessor, who had defeated him hundreds of years ago, claiming he is that Link reborn.[27]
Relationships[]
A young Hero of Time sitting peacefully with Young Princess Zelda and Navi, in an artwork of Ocarina of Time
In his childhood, the Hero of Time establishes the relationships of certain individuals that will come to his benefit in his adult years, after pulling the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time. Link is the one to establish his beneficial and plot-necessary relationship with Saria, and Mido's dislike for him can be attributed to this in addition to the Great Deku Tree's favor for him over anyone else, namely Mido himself.[28] The young hero also strikes up a friendship with Princess Zelda, and indirectly with Impa as well, while conversing with her about Ganondorf and the fate of her kingdom in the Hyrule Castle courtyard, after vanquishing the parasite from the Great Deku Tree. In helping Darunia reopen the Dodongo's Cavern (who calls him his Sworn Brother), and saving Princess Ruto from the depths of the stomach of Lord Jabu-Jabu (who claims she is engaged with him after giving the Zora's Sapphire), Link had, unbeknownst to him, met and aided almost all of the future Sages who would, in turn, ultimately help him in his quest to save Hyrule from the Evil King Ganondorf in the young hero's adult years.[29][30] Even after returning to his childhood for the second time, he continues this by befriending Nabooru by agreeing to aid her in overthrowing Ganondorf. He is also the one that forms the initial bond with Epona and Malon. In addition, he also met and befriended the scarecrows Bonooru and Pierre, which the latter would aid him controlling the flow of time in Termina.
Personality[]
The Hero of Time accompanying a lonely Cremia delivering her milk as seen in Majora's Mask 3D
Like with most other Links in the series, the Hero of Time is not seen speaking or emoting to a large degree in the games where he is playable, although the optional texts the player can choose when talking to certain characters implies he is not necessarily mute. He is a benevolent, intelligent, highly brave, courageous, and selfless individual with a pure heart, even though Link often appears serious or stoic (especially as adult) in the original N64 versions of Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, a few spin-off games, and some offical artwork. Twilight Princess and Hyrule Historia serve as the only real look into his thoughts and feelings. Even at a young age, the Hero of Time displayed an immense amount of bravery and skill that only grew further when he became an adult, proving himself a great warrior. Link is also shown to be very helpful and caring to others throughout his journeys in both Hyrule and Termina, even if it wasn't related to his main quest, willing to sacrifice his own personal deeds no matter the outcome. As the Hero's Shade, he is shown to be much sterner and blunt, telling his descendant, the Link from Twilight Princess, that the latter's current skill level dishonors their bloodline upon first meeting him. He also reflected on his former time as a hero, saying that the path to becoming a true hero is a long one, and that while he accepted the tough life as a hero, he regretted that he couldn't pass on the lessons he had learned. As he trained the Hero of Twilight in the long-lost arts of the sword, the former Hero of Time reminded the latter that he must continue to improve his skill and courage himself so that he could become the savior Hyrule needed to defeat Ganondorf, as he saw his former self fully reflected in his descendant. Once the Hero of Twilight mastered all of the Hidden Skills, the shade told his successor that he now knew all of what it took to be a true hero, and could now march forth with his vision unclouded at last. Even as a ghost, the Hero of Time continued to aid the land of Hyrule and its people with the best of his ability just like when he was alive.
Other Appearances[]
Super Smash Bros. Melee[]
- See SmashWiki's article on Young Link for more information.
The Hero of Time appears in both his child and adult forms in Super Smash Bros. Melee. His adult form is a default character while his child form has to be unlocked. There are two ways to unlock his child form, including by playing 500 Vs. matches, or Completing Classic Mode with 10 different characters, including Adult Link and Zelda. The player will then be challenged by Young Link, and upon defeating him, Young Link will become a playable character. His appearance is based on his younger and older counterparts as seen in Ocarina of Time, since he wields the Kokiri Sword and the Deku Shield during combat as a child, and the Master Sword and the Hylian Shield as an adult. Young Link is more agile, but weaker while Adult Link is slower, but stronger. Young Link has some of the same weaponry and moves as his adult counterpart, but they are usually accompanied with a few changes, like his Hookshot and Boomerang having a shorter reach. Great Bay serves as the home stage of Young Link, and Hyrule: Temple is the home stage of Adult Link.
Both Adult Link and Young Link can choose different color tunics, including the Goron and Zora tunics, and a black tunic. When the Young Link taunts his foes, he drinks a Bottle of Lon Lon Milk, then wipes his mouth.
Young Link's special moves are the same as the adult version. He wields the Fairy Bow from Ocarina of Time as his neutral special move; however, instead of it shooting normal Arrows like Adult Link's, Young Link shoots Fire Arrows, although they do not travel as far as Adult Link's and inflict less damage. Young Link's side special move is the Boomerang. Bombs function as both Link's down special move, while the Spin Attack is their up special move as well as his Template:Ssb:recovery. Young Link's Spin Attack is weaker than Adult Link's, but it can trap nearby foes in a cyclone of slashes upon performing this move.
The Hero of Time is replaced by Toon Link and a Link resembling the incarnation in Twilight Princess in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, for his child and adult forms. Both appear as Trophies in Super Smash Bros. Melee.
| # | Trophy | First Game / Move | Description | How to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 |  Link |
The Legend of Zelda 07/87 |
Even in his youth, Link was already becoming the warrior who would carry the destiny of Hyrule (and many other lands) on his shoulders. His epic struggles against the forces of darkness are written in legend, and he is bound to the Princess Zelda and the archfiend Ganondorf by the awesome power of the Triforce. | Complete Classic Mode as Link |
| 8 |  Link [Smash] |
B: Bow Smash B: Boomerang |
Burdened with a shield, a heavy sword, and plenty of equipment, Link is not a very mobile character. Nevertheless, he's skilled with the blade, and his varied supply of missile weapons makes him a powerful fighter. To master Link, you must control the pace by balancing your long-range attacks with head-to-head swordplay. | Complete Adventure Mode as Link |
| 9 |  Link [Smash] |
Up & B: Spin Attack Down & B: Bomb |
Link's Bow, Boomerang, and Bombs all take time to wield, so you may want to try drawing them in midair to prevent your foes from attacking you while you're vulnerable. The Spin Attack can score consecutive midair hits, and the final slash is very powerful. Link's Bombs are his trump card, but he can't pull one out if he's carrying another item. | Complete All-Star Mode as Link
|
| 70 |  Young Link |
The Legend of Zelda 07/87 |
Link's younger incarnation is often considered to be the true Link: he was a young boy in the very first Legend of Zelda game, and he has appeared as a youth in most of the subsequent games. Since his debut on the original NES in 1987, Link's appearance has changed over and over again, each time adding to the mystique of his incomparable story. | Complete Classic Mode as Young Link |
| 71 |  Young Link [Smash] |
B: Fire Bow Smash B: Boomerang |
Young Link is lighter and faster than his older self, and his Kokiri sword packs less punch. Even though his Boomerang has a shorter range, he has greater control over it. He's a smaller target, and while his Hookshot has less reach than older Link's, you can still use it in midair as a last ditch attempt to grab a ledge. | Complete Adventure Mode as Young Link |
| 72 |  Young Link [Smash] |
Up & B: Spin Attack Down & B: Bomb |
With a youthful spring in his step, Young Link can perform amazing wall-jumps. Once he hits a wall, tap the Control stick in the opposite direction to send him leaping upward; you can practice to your heart's content in Target Test. His Spin Attack can strike multiple times even on the ground, and although it's hard to discern, so do his Bombs. | Complete All-Star Mode as Young Link |
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]
Although his adult form remains absent from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (being replaced by the Breath of the Wild incarnation of Link) the Hero of Time reappears as Young Link. His moveset is almost identical to how it was in Super Smash Bros. Melee, with slight changes.
Trivia[]
Artwork of Ocarina of Time, featuring the Hero of Time in both his child and adult ages alongside several other main characters
- In spite of his highly unfortunate story as a tragic hero, the Hero of Time is widely the most popular and iconic Link in the The Legend of Zelda series community, not only due to the revolutionary success of Ocarina of Time and its sequel or his major importance in the mythology and timelines according to Hyrule Historia, but also having a unique, very powerful transformation and setting the standard for most other Links since.
- The opening cutscene of The Wind Waker shows the Hero of Time defeating Ganon as a child, when he was in fact an adult in Ocarina of Time during the final battle. In the same scene, Link also fought him without a shield while Ganondorf battled only in his beast form, unarmed.
- Although the Hero of Time is technically his adult self, as explicitly explained in Ocarina of Time, a few games, specifically The Wind Waker, claimed Link's title as a child.
- As it is never explained by Nintendo what happened to the Hero of Time after the events of Majora's Mask and before becoming the Hero's Spirit in Twilight Princess, fans have created many unconfirmed theories about the character, such as Link dying in an intense war as a knight at Hyrule in his adulthood or inside the Lost Woods while searching for Navi due to the decayed skeletal appearance wearing swordsman armor.
- When compared to the corrected measuring graph in the pool in the Lakeside Laboratory via the Iron Boots in Ocarina of Time 3D, the Hero of Time stands 1.7m (5'7") tall in height as an adult, which is around the average for a man. Interestingly, Princess Zelda (and Sheik) is slightly shorter than him, but Impa stands taller in Ocarina of Time.
- His Fierce Deity Link form in Majora's Mask is exceptionally tall, likely the same as Ganondorf, who himself measures 230cm (7'6½") in Ocarina of Time according to Hyrule Historia.
- Unlike all other incarnations of Link in The Legend of Zelda series, the Hero of Time in Ocarina of Time, despite destiny ultimately separating them, shares a somewhat romantic relationship with four different female characters, three of which whom are also Sages: Princess Zelda, Saria, Princess Ruto, and Malon. Because of this, many fans considered this Link to be a ladies' man or in a love triangle. However, he is technically engaged with Ruto, as the Zora princess vows the Hero of Time her husband when obtaining the Zora's Sapphire, even though Link wasn't aware of it.
- In addition to Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask and their remakes, as he is featured in Twilight Princess (as Hero's Spirit), three of the Super Smash Bros. series (original, Melee, and Ultimate), Hyrule Warriors (Young Link), the critically acclaimed 2002 Namco fighting game Soul Calibur II (as a guest star), and likely the 2000 SpaceWorld tech demo, the Hero of Time made more appearances than any other incarnations of Link.
- The Hero of Time is the only incarnation of Link to be hugged by another character, based on the events of Majora's Mask. If Link were to help Cremia, the Terminan adult counterpart of Malon, deliver her Chateau Romani milk to the Milk Bar after protecting her from the Gorman Brothers' ambush during the night of the Second Day, and the Romani's Mask was already obtained, there is a 50/50 probability for himself to receive a Huge Rupee (even if the counter is full) or an affectionate hug from her.
- According to Hyrule Historia, the Hero of Time's age is 10 as a child and 17 as an adult, though it is debated in other sources.
- In the post-credits cutscene of Link meeting Princess Zelda in the Hyrule Castle Courtyard for the second time in Ocarina of Time and Ocarina of Time 3D, the Triforce of Courage can be seen resonating on his left hand.
- Although sometimes falsely assumed as such by fans, the Hero of Time is not the first instance in the franchise to feature an older Link, as this debuted in The Adventure of Link. However, his appearance in Ocarina of Time has become a trademark image for the character to many, despite the majority of the games in the series depicted Link as a child.
- Although the Hero of Time has no direct counterpart in Termina, Kafei in Majora's Mask is remarkably similar to Link in that he shares the same personality and animations as himself, and during a part of the Reuniting Kafei and Anju sidequest where they must acquire the Sun's Mask, he can even be controlled by the player (a first for the series) and can also punch.
- The Hero of Time's encounter with his descendant in Twilight Princess as the Hero's Spirit marks the first time in the franchise where a Link directly speaks with another incarnation of himself.
- Link's model in Majora's Mask is slightly taller than how he appears in its prequel. This implies the Hero of Time had gained a small growth between the games' events.
- Interestingly, in his crossover appearance in Soul Calibur II exclusively for the GameCube version, although not canon to The Legend of Zelda or Soul Calibur series whatsoever, the Hero of Time's in-game story not only references his two adventures in Hyrule and Termina, but also A Link to the Past as well. In this game, Link pulled the Master Sword in the Lost Woods as opposed to the Temple of Time, and he had already rescued Hyrule from an evil magician (possibly Agahnim) before entering the Soul universe as he learns the controlling force behind the wizard was by a deadly evil entity sword called Soul Edge, where he must destroy it. When he eventually succeeds in his quest, therefore saving the world, he quietly leaves to return back to Hyrule, like in the ending of Majora's Mask. Although most of his available arsenal in Soul Calibur II are from the N64 games where he is playable such as the Biggoron's Sword or Great Fairy's Sword, a few of such are also items predating Ocarina of Time, specifically the Magical Sword/Shield (named "Magic Sword" in-game), Cane of Byrna, and even the Bug Catching Net. He can even wield Soul Edge itself in the shape of his trademark Master Sword and Hylian Shield weapons. In addition, like in the Super Smash Bros. series, the Blue Ring tunic from the original The Legend of Zelda is also available as an alternate costume.
The Hero of Time's homage in The Powerpuff Girls
- The Hero of Time, alongside Navi, has a pop culture appearance in the popular 1998 Cartoon Network superhero TV series The Powerpuff Girls, in the season three episode "Child Fearing", where the character Mayor plays a Zelda game on his Nintendo 64. Based on the then-new Ocarina of Time, Link, without a shield, repeatedly runs directly into walls with Navi saying her infamous line "Hey!", before suddenly being crushed by a block and even kills the fairy with a single horizontal slash with his sword (presumably the Kokiri Sword), which both incidents has him taking three Hearts in damage, despite the latter not actually taking hits. Consequently, he gets a Game Over, in spite of having one Heart Container remaining.
Nomenclature[]
 Names in Other Regions 
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 |
Japanese | 時の勇者 (Toki no Yūsha) | Hero of Time |
 |
ChineseSI | 时光之勇者 (Shíguāng zhī Yǒngzhé) | Hero of Time |
 |
ChineseTR | 時之勇者 (Shí zhī Yǒngzhé) | Hero of Time |
 |
FrenchCA | Héros du temps (OoT3D) | |
 |
German | Herr der Zeiten (OoT), Held der Zeit (OoT3D) | Lord of Times, Hero of Time |
 |
SpanishLA | Héroe del Tiempo (OoT3D) | |
Gallery[]
As a child
Playing the Ocarina of Time
With Navi
Drawing the Fairy Slingshot
Battle stance
Ocarina of Time 3D child artwork
As an adult
Walking
Running
Jumping
Forward roll
Crouch blocking with Hylian Shield
Battle stance
Battle stance
Horizontal slash
Vertical slash
Sword thrust
Performing a Spin Attack
Jump Attack
Carrying a Bomb
Throwing a Bomb
Drawing the Fairy Bow
Climbing a block
Pushing a block
Climbing a ladder
Hanging on a ledge
Opening a Treasure Chest
Swimming underwater
On Epona ready for battle
With Epona
Playing the Ocarina of Time
Playing the Ocarina of Time
Holding the Razor Sword
With Tatl
Riding Epona
Jump Attack
Charging for an attack
As Deku Link
As Goron Link
As Zora Link
Majora's Mask 3D artwork of Link and Tatl with the Razor Sword and Mirror Shield
Majora's Mask 3D artwork of Deku Link playing the Deku Pipes
Majora's Mask 3D artwork Goron Link playing the Goron Drums
Majora's Mask 3D artwork of Zora Link playing the Zora Guitar
Link entering the Great Deku Tree
Vs. Queen Gohma, the Boss monster of the Great Deku Tree
Link meets his archenemy Ganondorf for the first time
Link pulling the Master Sword out of its pedestal to become the Hero of Time
Vs. Volvagia, the Boss of the Fire Temple
Vs. Morpha, the Boss of the Water Temple
Link destroying two Deku Babas with a Spin Attack
The Hero of Time, with Sheik fighting against a multitude of Ganondorf's minions
The Hero of Time and the King of Evil in a one-on-one fight to the death
Artwork of Majora's Mask, featuring the Hero of Time on Epona, in various forms alongside the Skull Kid
Artwork of Majora's Mask, with Link on Epona, Tatl, and several characters in the background
The Hero of Time, with Tatl, in Clock Town looking up to the Moon above, from Majora's Mask
Majora's Mask 3D artwork of Fierce Deity Link, with the four Moon Children and Majora's Incarnation in the background
Early illustration of Ocarina of Time's main cast alongside the Hero of Time
Artwork of Ocarina of Time 3D, with Link riding Epona across Hyrule Field
Ocarina of Time 3D artwork of Link and Sheik playing music together
OoT3D cover of Link and Ganondorf fighting
MM3D artwork featuring the Hero of Time (holding the Mask of Truth) with many other characters including his various transformations
Child Link concept art
Adult Link concept art
Adult Link concept art
Adult Link concept art
Adult Link concept art, with an early design of Ganon
Concept art of the Hero of Time in both age stages
Adult Link face concept art
Adult Link facial expressions concept art
Adult Link concept art
Early sketch
Concept art of Link with Navi
Child Link, Majora's Mask sketch
Adult Link concept art, for Majora's Mask
Adult Link's concept sketch, for Majora's Mask
Adult Link OoT concept model render
Sketch of Link entering the Great Deku Tree
Early artwork of Link fighting a group of monsters with Sheik
Sketch of Link vs. Ganondorf
Early sketch of the Hero of Time and the main cast of Ocarina of Time
Concept artwork of Link, his transformations, and Skull Kid of Majora's Mask
Ocarina of Time Child Link model with Kokiri Sword and Deku Shield
Adult Link checking his Hylian Shield
Wearing the Goron Tunic
Wearing the Zora Tunic
Adult Link Ocarina of Time 3D model, standing
OoT3D Adult Link defending with the Hylian Shield
Link transforming into Deku Link from Majora's Mask
Deku Link Majora's Mask in-game model
Link transforming into Goron Link from Majora's Mask
Goron Link Majora's Mask in-game model
Link transforming into Zora Link from Majora's Mask
Zora Link Majora's Mask in-game model
Child Link defending with the Deku Shield from Ocarina of Time
Child Link performing a Spin Attack from Majora's Mask
Playing the Ocarina of Time from Majora's Mask
Link blowing a whistle from the beta version of Ocarina of Time
Link performing the Beam Attack from an early build of Ocarina of TIme
Adult Link, with Navi, as he appears from an earlier build of OoT
Early Adult Link design for Ocarina of Time
Link finding the complete Triforce from the beta version of Ocarina of Time
The Hero of Time fishing
Link catching a fish from Ocarina of Time
Link riding Epona from an earlier build of Ocarina of Time
Link horse racing against Ingo from Ocarina of Time 3D
Child Link riding Epona from Majora's Mask
Link listening to the Great Deku Tree about his destiny to meet Princess Zelda, from Ocarina of Time
Link encounters Ganondorf from Ocarina of Time 3D
Link placing the three Spiritual Stones in order to open the Door of Time, from Ocarina of Time
Child Link attempting to pull the Master Sword out of its pedestal from Ocarina of Time 3D
The young hero has grown-up and awakens as the Hero of Time, after being sealed for 7 years, from Ocarina of Time
Link returns the Master Sword back to its pedestal, reversing time back seven years to the past, from Ocarina of Time
Link fighting Phantom Ganon, the Boss of the Forest Temple, from Ocarina of Time
Link arriving at Ganon's Castle from Ocarina of Time 3D
Link playing the Prelude of Light with Shelk from Ocarina of Time
The Triforce of Courage resonates on the Hero of Time's left hand, from Ocarina of Time
Link's in-game final battle with Ganondorf from Ocarina of Time
The Hero of Time's final showdown in Hyrule, where he must fight Ganon in a climactic duel, from Ocarina of Time
Ganon's brutal and ultimate defeat by the Hero of Time's hand from Ocarina of Time
Link retains the Triforce of Courage as he returns to Princess Zelda, from Ocarina of Time 3D
The Skull Kid steals Epona from Link, from Majora's Mask
Link caught off-guard by the Skull Kid, Tatl, and Tael's presence, from Majora's Mask
The young Hero of Time cursed by the Skull Kid to transform into a Deku Shrub, from Majora's Mask
Link and Tatl sees a drawing of the Skull Kid in Majora's Mask 3D
Link meets his semi-counterpart Kafei
Link falling into an abyss of time as he returns back to the First Day using the Song of Time, from Majora's Mask
The Hero of Time's final showdown in Termina, where he must destroy the evil entity behind Majora's Mask, from Majora's Mask
As Dark Link
Dark Link's model in Ocarina of Time 3D
Dark Link attacking in Ocarina of Time 3D
The Hero of Time facing his evil mirror image in a brutal duel inside the Water Temple, from Ocarina of Time
Link vs. Dark Link in Ocarina of Time 3D
Link transforming into Fierce Deity Link, a powerful form, from Majora's Mask
Fierce Deity Link in-game model in Majora's Mask
Fierce Deity Link Majora's Mask 3D model
Fierce Deity Link in Clock Town, from Majora's Mask
Fierce Deity Link firing a Sword Beam in Majora's Mask
Fierce Deity Link performing a Spin Attack, from Majora's Mask
The Hero of Time defeated, from Ocarina of Time
The Hero of Time fails to stop the Moon from crashing Termina, from Majora's Mask 3D
With Saria, from Ocarina of Time
Link and Saria from Ocarina of Time 3D
The Hero of Time listening to young Princess Zelda about Ganondorf's plan, from Ocarina of Time
A proud Princess Zelda takes the Ocarina from Link, who now saved Hyrule, from Ocarina of Time
Link's flashback of Princess Zelda from Majora's Mask, moments before departing Hyrule
The Hero of Time and Princess Zelda's model renders from Majora's Mask
A young smitten Princess Ruto almost kisses the young Hero of TIme after rescuing her, from Ocarina of Time
The Zora princess swims toward Link to reward him with her "engagement ring" (Zora's Sapphire), from Ocarina of Time
Adult Link meets an equally grown Princess Ruto in the Chamber of Sages, from Ocarina of Time
Link talks to adult Malon from an earlier build of Ocarina of Time
Cremia giving the young Hero of Time a much deserved hug after helping her deliver her Chateau Romani, from Majora's Mask
As the Hero's Spirit
Performing a battle stance as the Hero's Shade from Twilight Princess
The former Hero of Time (right) teaches his descendant, the Link of Twilight Princess, the Hidden Skills
Hero's Spirit's white wolf form, from Twilight Princess
Hero's Spirit white wolf in-game model from Twilight Princess
The Hero of Time as the White Wolf howling from Twilight Princess HD
The Hero of Time's legend art from The Wind Waker's intro
The Hero of Time's attacking pose from the opening cutscene of The Wind Waker
The Hero of Time, on Epona, departs Hyrule, before Ganon breaks from his seal hundreds of years later from The Wind Waker
Link from the 2000 SpaceWorld tech demo
Link fighting Ganondorf from the 2000 SpaceWorld tech demo
Artwork of Link from Super Smash Bros.
Standard model render from Super Smash Bros.
Fighting Polygon model render from Super Smash Bros.
The Hero of Time performing his taunt from Super Smash Bros.
Link's character icon from Super Smash Bros.
Stock icon from Super Smash Bros.
Link's ending screen from Super Smash Bros.
Young Link preparing to shoot a Fire Arrow in Super Smash Bros. Melee
Adult Link drawing his Bow from Super Smash Bros. Melee
Young Link performing an upward thrust in Super Smash Bros. Melee
Adult Link attacks with a Down Thrust in Super Smash Bros. Melee
Young Link throwing the Boomerang from Super Smash Bros. Melee
Adult Link firing the Hookshot from Super Smash Bros. Melee
Adult Link performing the Spin Attack from Super Smash Bros. Melee
Adult Link throws a Bomb at Captain Falcon from Super Smash Bros. Melee
Link faces Dark Link from Super Smash Bros. Melee
Adult Link fighting his shadow self from Super Smash Bros. Melee
Young Link black tunic SSBM render
Adult Link black tunic SSBM render
Young Link stock icon from Super Smash Bros, Melee
Adult Link stock icon from Super Smash Bros. Melee
Ocarina of Time manga (Himekawa)
Ocarina of Time manga
Majora's Mask manga (Himekawa)
OoT manga
MM/ALttP manga
Link fighting Deku Babas from OoT manga
Link shy from Princess Zelda from OoT manga
Link and Saria from the OoT manga
The Hero of Time awakens from the OoT manga
Link with Malon and Ingo from the OoT manga
Link encounters Koume and Kotake in Fortune Teller disguises from the OoT manga
Link encounters Dark Link from the OoT manga
Princess Zelda thanking the Hero of Time from the OoT manga
Skull Kid transforming Link into Deku Link from the Majora's Mask manga
Link learns how Kafei turned into his age by the Skull Kid from the MM manga
A flashback memory of the Hero of Time fighting Ganon from the Majora's Mask manga
Link transformed into his Fierce Deity form from the Majora's Mask manga
Link as Fierce Deity Link from the Majora's Mask manga
Fierce Deity Link slashing Majora from the MM manga
Soul Calibur II render
Link (top) on the Gamecube art box of Soul Calibur II
Artwork of Link's silhouette from Soul Cailbur II
Artwork of Link's fighting pose from Soul Calibur II
Artwork of Link attacking from Soul Calibur II
Artwork of Link in an alternate fighting pose from Soul Calibur II
Using the Bow from Soul Calibur II
Using the Boomerang from Soul Calibur II
Using the Bomb from Soul Calibur II
Executing the Dash Attack from Soul Calibur II
Executing a Spin Attack from Soul Calibur II
Down thrust from Soul Calibur II
Link in the Blue Ring tunic from Soul Calibur II
The ending of the Hero of Time's adventure from Soul Calibur II
Young Link from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Young Link preparing to shoot a Fire Arrow from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Young Link throwing the Boomerang from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Young Link with a Fairy from SSBU
Young Link drinking Lon Lon Milk from Super Smash Bros, Ultimate
Young Link executing his Final Smash, Triforce Slash on Mario from SSBU
Young Link in the Dark Link costume performing a Down Thrust from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Young Link standard render from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Young Link's Dark Link alternate costume from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Stock icon from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Dark Young Link stock icon from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Young Link's standard outfit from Hyrule Warriors
Young Link with the Kokiri Sword from Hyrule Warriors
Young Link attack render from Hyrule Warriors
Young Link portrait from Hyrule Warriors
Young Link portrait from Hyrule Warriors, with Navi
Young Link portrait from Hyrule Warriors, with Navi
Young Link protrait from Hyrule Warriors, with Navi
Dark Young Link portrait from Hyrule Warriors
Young Link as Fierce Deity Link from Hyrule Warriors
Young Link playing the Ocarina of Time next to Ganondorf from Hyrule Warriors
Young Link transforming into Fierce Deity Link from Hyrule Warriors
Fierce Deity Link performing his Focus Attack from Hyrule Warriors
Link meeting Navi and the Great Deku Tree in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
Link defeating Queen Gohma in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
Link learns about the Triforce and Ganondorf from the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
Link meeting Princess Zelda before encountering Ganondorf from the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
Link pulling the Master Sword from the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
Link awakens as the Hero of Time from the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
Link's, Princess Zelda's, and Ganondorf's respective Triforce pieces resonating from the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
Link battles Ganondorf, from the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
Link and Ganondorf fighting, simultaneously delivering hits, from the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
Ganondorf and Link injured from their sword blows from the Ocarina of Time comic
Link wounded in his mortal duel against Ganondorf, from the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
Link rejoicing with Princess Zelda after Ganondorf's defeat in the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
Link, filled with dark regrets, transforming into the Hero's Spirit from the Ocarina of Time 3D comic
Link riding Epona across Hyrule Field from the Ocarina of Time 3D opening screen
The planned but cut Link Mask from Majora's Mask
Link's house from Ocarina of Time
A drawing of Link fighting a monster on his house from Ocarina of Time
Link fighting against an Arwing from the Star Fox series, from Ocarina of Time
Nintendo Power comic
Link as a baby orphaned to the Great Deku Tree by his mother from the Nintendo Power comic
Link talking to Princess Zelda from the Nintendo Power comic
Child Link lands a high-five with his adult self, with Saria, from the Nintendo Power comic
Akira Himekawa artwork
Akira Himekawa artwork
2016 Akira Himekawa artwork
Akira Himekawa artwork
Akira Himekawa artwork, with the Hero of Time meeting his Adult Timeline descendant, the Hero of Winds
Akira Himekawa artwork
Christmas Akira Himekawa artwork
Shigeru Miyamoto's signature and drawing of the Hero of Time from the 1998 Nintendo Power
The Hero of Time drawing his Bow from the OoT Prima offical strategy guide
The Hero of Time from the Collector's Edition Majora's Mask N64 cartridge
Official merchandise
Official merchandise
Official merchandise
Official merchandise, as Dark Link
Majora's Mask amiibo
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate amiibo
Official merchandise, with Tatl and drinking a Red Potion
Official merchandise, holding the Mask of Truth
Official merchandise
Official merchandise
Ocarina of Time 17th anniversary (2015) artwork
Series 25th anniversary (2011) artwork
Series 25th anniversary artwork
Deku Link series 25th anniversary artwork
Fierce Deity Link series 25th anniversary artwork
The ending of the Hero of Time's adventure in Hyrule from Ocarina of Time
The ending of the Hero of Time's adventure in Termina from Majora's Mask
See Also[]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "The Master Sword is a sacred blade which evil ones may never touch.... Only one worthy of the title of "Hero of Time" can pull it from the Pedestal of Time.... However, you were too young to be the Hero of Time.... Therefore, your spirit was sealed here for seven years. And now that you are old enough, the time has come for you to awaken as the Hero of Time!" — Rauru (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "This boy, who traveled through time to save the land, was known as the Hero of Time. The boy's tale was passed down through generations until it became legend..." — N/A (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "For it is in that Sacred Realm that one will find the divine relic, the Triforce, which contains the essence of the gods..." — Great Deku Tree (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "The three goddesses hid the Triforce containing the power of the gods somewhere in Hyrule. The power to grant the wish of the one who holds the Triforce in his hands. If someone with a righteous heart makes a wish, it will lead Hyrule to a golden age of prosperity... If someone with an evil mind has his wish granted, the world will be consumed by evil...That is what has been told..." — Princess Zelda (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "This evil man ceaselessly uses his vile, sorcerous powers in his search for the Sacred Realm that is connected to Hyrule..." — Great Deku Tree (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "What Ganondorf is after must be nothing less than the Triforce of the Sacred Realm. He must have come to Hyrule to obtain it! And, he wants to conquer Hyrule...no, the entire world!" — Princess Zelda (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "Though you opened the Door of Time in the name of peace... Ganondorf, the Gerudo King of Thieves, used it to enter this forbidden Sacred Realm! He obtained the Triforce from the Temple of Light, and with its power, he became the King of Evil..." — Rauru (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "If the heart of the one who holds the sacred triangle has all three forces in balance, that one will gain the True Force to govern all. But, if that one's heart is not in balance, the Triforce will separate into three parts: Power, Wisdom and Courage. Only one part will remain for the one who touched the Triforce...the part representing the force that one most believes in." — Sheik (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "He went on to invade the Sacred Realm... Ganondorf had become the Evil King, and the Sacred Realm became a world of evil." — Princess Zelda (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "The one who holds the Triforce of Courage is... You, Link! And the other, who holds the Triforce of Wisdom... is the seventh Sage, who is destined to be the leader of them all... It is I, the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda." — Princess Zelda (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "His evil power radiated from the temples of Hyrule, and in seven short years, it transformed Hyrule into a world of darkness and monsters." — Rauru (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "But one day a man of great evil found the golden power and took it for himself... With its strength at his command, he spread darkness across the kingdom." — N/A (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "The power of the Sages remains. When the power of all the Sages is awakened... The Sages' Seals will contain all the evil power in the void of the Realm... I, Rauru, am one of the Sages... And... Your power to fight together with the Sages makes you the Hero of Time! The Hero of Time, chosen by the Master Sword! Keep my spirit with you... And, find the power of the other Sages and add their might to your own!" — Rauru (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "I'm using my power to hold the Evil King! You use your sword and deliver the final blow!" — Princess Zelda (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "Ancient Creators of Hyrule! Now, open the sealed door and send the Evil Incarnation of Darkness into the void of the Evil Realm!!" — Rauru (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "YOU... CURSE YOU...ZELDA! CURSE YOU...SAGES!! CURSE YOU...LINK! Someday... When this seal is broken.... That is when I will exterminate your descendants!! As long as the Triforce of Power is in my hand...." — Ganondorf (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "Link, give the Ocarina to me... As a Sage, I can return you to your original time with it." — Princess Zelda (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "When the Hero of Time was called to embark on another journey and left the land of Hyrule, he was separated from the elements that made him a hero. It is said that at that time, the Triforce of Courage was split into eight shards and hidden throughout the land." — King of Red Lions (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "Link warned Princess Zelda of what the future would bring. Hearing his words, the princess entrusted the Ocarina of Time to Link and instructed him to travel far away in order to prevent Ganondorf from entering the Sacred Realm." (Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 110)
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "Link, the descendant of the Hero of Time: [...] The spirit of Link's ancestor, the Hero of Time, teaches him his secrets. Ever since returning to the Child Era, the swordsman has lamented the fact that he was not remembered as a hero. This is the reason he passes down the proof of his courage and his secret techniques to the Link of this era, addressing him as "son"." (Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 118)
- ↑ "Although I accepted life as the hero, I could not convey the lessons of that life to those that came after. At last, I have eased my regrets." — Hero's Spirit (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "We must not let Ganondorf get the Triforce! I will protect the Ocarina of Time with all my power! He shall not have it! You go find the other two Spiritual Stones! Let's get the Triforce before Ganondorf does, and then defeat him!" — Princess Zelda (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "Ganondorf the thief obtained the Triforce of Power and managed to get his hands on Princess Zelda. The Hero of Time, Link, challenged him in a battle that would determine Hyrule's very existence, and lost." (Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 92)
- ↑ "The people believed that the Hero of Time would again come to save them. ...But the hero did not appear." — N/A (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "What became of that kingdom...? None remain who know. The memory of the kingdom vanished, but its legend survived on the wind's breath. On a certain island, it became customary to garb boys in green when they came of age. Clothed in the green of fields, they aspired to find heroic blades and cast down evil. The elders wished only for the youths to know courage like the hero of legend..." — N/A (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "Today is a day to celebrate! It is the day that you become the same age as the young hero spoken of in all the legends." — Grandma (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "Yes, surely you are the Hero of Time reborn..." — Ganondorf (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "I, the great Mido, will never accept you as one of us! Shoot! How did you get to be the favorite of Saria and the Great Deku Tree? Huh?! Grumble...grumble..." — Mido (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "Thank you, Brother! I really appreciate what you did. I thank you on behalf of the entire Goron race! You turned out to be a real man, just as I thought you would!" — Darunia (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "Link... I would have expected no less from the man I chose to be my husband. Zora's Domain and its people will eventually return to their original state." — Princess Ruto (Ocarina of Time)