Relationship of Link and Zelda

From Zelda Wiki.org

Throughout the course of the series, there have been implications of a romantic relationship between Link and Princess Zelda.

Support for this is provided by hints in some of the games, interviews with the game creators, the cartoons, and the comics/manga.

Note: Unlike LinkXZelda, this article is based on actual facts, instead of fan-based information.

Contents 1 Hints 1.1 Games 1.2 Manga 1.3 Interviews with the game creators 2 In the Valiant Comics 3 Trivia 4 References

Hints

Games

One hint of a romance between the two is given at the end of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, when the awakened Zelda apparently kisses Link under the falling curtain.

If the Oracle games are played as sequels to each other, the ultimate ending sequence shows Zelda lightly kissing Link on the cheek, causing him to swoon as hearts float above his head.

In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, some cutscenes featuring Link and Zelda have been interpreted as signs of a budding romance. In the final scene, Link and Zelda are floating in the sky together and seem to be sharing a romantic moment.

In The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, a strong relationship is sensed between them at the end when Zelda and Link are floating the top of the water and reach for each other's hands, also in Wind Waker at the end of the credits, two bubbles with Link and Tetra slowly float next to each other with Zelda's lullaby playing. Ganondorf also often calls Zelda "your precious Zelda" while in front of Link.

In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, despite their limited interaction. there is at least one hint of romance between Link and Zelda. This is when the Spirits of Light give Zelda the Light Arrows. In this scene, Link and Zelda seem to be sharing a romantic moment.Also after Gannon's spirit is removed from Zelda, Link seems to sigh with relief, and the manner in which link while in wolf form seems to watch Zelda's every move in a longing way, could be indication to a romantic atraction.

Manga

In manga, such as those of Ocarina of Time, Link and Zelda are shown to have a much more obvious romantic relationship than what is seen in the video games. An example of this is the scene where, Zelda kisses Link during the childhood chapters causing Link to react with excitement, and the scene before Ganondorf captures Zelda in the adult chapters, there is a quickly interrupted moment of tenderness between the two. Also, on the last page, when Link goes to meet Zelda at the castle courtyard, she cries out with joy when she sees him. Dialogue within the manga and Link's inability to stop thinking about Zelda throughout the manga provides more evidence of a romantic relationship. An example of this romance in other manga is the official The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords manga. At the end of the Four Swords manga, Link and Zelda are shown holding hands together, which may give a hint of a future romantic relationship

Interviews with the game creators

The game creators also seem to imply there is a romance between the characters. Eiji Aonuma comments on it in this interview:^[1]

Interviewer: We have received several emails in which our readers ask: Will Zelda and Link ever be involved [romantically]? [laughs] I'm sorry, but we had to ask.

Aonuma: [laughs] Good question. Well, as you already know, we are now dealing with a teenage Link, and as you know, teenagers are very emotional beings, so there are definitely possibilities of seeing Link showing his feelings towards the princess. But honestly, we don’t know what the future holds.

In another interview Mr. Aonuma answers another question about this relationship in Twilight Princess.

Interviewer: Will we see a charming and affectionate romance [between Link and] the princess?

Aonuma: Well, we're creating an adolescent storyline and we try to present it how it should be; in fact, if you played it – or will play it – you’ll notice that the way Link holds the sword is much cooler than how he used to do it. Link will now do things in a way that will make him look more confident and liberated. And yes, it's true that teenagers have these relationships -- and we would love if it could happen with the princess – but I can't talk about anything yet.

A question from an old interview^[1] with Shigeru Miyamoto, conducted by Famimaga 64:

Interviewer: Does Link have a girlfriend?

Miyamoto: If it was Princess Zelda, it would be great. However, this time Navi [the fairy] is jealous of Zelda. So within the story, Navi feels something for Link.

In the Valiant Comics

In the valiant comics of The Legend of Zelda taking place after The Adventure of Link, Link confronts Dark Link and says: "I let the woman I love face her doom alone just so I could be here to put and end to your tyranny..." In this quote, Link plainly says that he loves her.

Trivia

• The relationship between Link and Zelda has been nicknamed ZeLink by some fans.

References