Summary
The storiedLegend of Zeldaseries has featured some iconic characters throughout its nearly 40-year history.Whether they be recurringcharacters like the villain, Ganon, or entirely new ones, fans ofThe Legend of Zeldaseries have continued to invest in their stories within the Kingdom of Hyrule and beyond.
No matter the depth of their significance in the overarching narrative of their respective entries, or the series lore as a whole, certain characters remain embedded in the memories ofZeldaplayers. Among these characters are some of the unluckiest in the series. Defined by dark history, general misfortune, and ultimate sacrifice, these are a few of the unluckiest.
7Groose
When players first meet Groose inSkyward Sword, he’s nothing more than astereotypical school bully. Jealous of Link’s close relationship with his love interest, Zelda, Groose targets Link in an attempt to win over Zelda, to no avail. During the Wing Ceremony at the start of the game, Groose even attempts to steal victory by throwing eggs at Link, at which he fails again.
After failing to snatch victory and partake in a ritual atop the statue of the Goddess, these events lead to Zelda’s disappearance. After this, Groose can be found in his room crying. He eventually does find purpose in his assisting Link in driving back the Imprisoned, though his efforts until this point are ruthlessly unlucky.
6Skull Kid
The story of Skull Kid is a dark tragedy. A playful trickster by nature, the Skull Kid was shunned by his friends, the four guardians of Termina. Left feeling abandoned by his friends, the Skull Kid ran away to the south of Termina Field. It was there that he met the fairy duo, Tatl and Tael. Together, the trio became quick friends and the Skull Kid appeared to have returned to his old ways.
However, disaster struck when roaming the Lost Woods one day. Upon falling victim to the dark influence of Majora’s Mask, the Skull Kid mercilessly attacks the Happy Mask Salesman, stealing the mask for himself. The mask corrupts the Skull Kid entirely, using him as a puppet for its evildoings. Entirely out of his own mind, the Skull Kid pulls the moon out of orbit and onto a collision course with Termina.
5Deku Butler
The Deku Butler fromMajora’s Maskis a victim of the possessed Skull Kid. Upon meeting him at the palace in Deku form andcompleting a raceagainst him, he relays to Link that when racing against him, he is reminded of his son who left home long ago. He even goes on to wonder about his sons' whereabouts and wishes that he would write a letter home.
These ambiguities are somewhat answered in the ending credits of the game, in which the Deku Butler can be seen mourning in front of the twisted tree that the player can examine in the opening of the game. It is widely believed that this tree is the Deku Butler’s missing son, whose soul was removed by the Skull Kid and used to transform Link into a Deku Scrub, thus killing the Deku Butler’s son.
4Princess of the Wild, Zelda
Zelda, Princess of the Wild, is perhaps one of the most complex and realistic depictions of the eponymous character to date. Responsible for the downfall of her entire Kingdom, she bears a heavy weight of guilt and shame on her shoulders. Through Link’s memories,Breath of the Wildplayers learns of Zelda’s personal struggles, most notably her inability to awaken her divine sealing power. Despite praying at the Goddess springs across Hyrule, her efforts are fruitless.
Not only must Zelda bear this burden, but she must also fulfill her role as Princess to the King of Hyrule, who chastises her for her enthusiasm in studying the ancient Sheikah’s technology. Stretched between her passion for knowledge, and her Royal duty, Zelda is hopeless and resentful.Especially towards Link, as his success in pulling the legendary Master Sword serves as a constant reminder of her failure in fulfilling her own destiny in protecting her Kingdom from the threat posed by Ganon.
3Midna
The titular character ofTwilight Princess, Midna, is universallyhailed as the best companionin the series. Despite this, her history is filled with darkness and betrayal. Cursed and banished from the Twilight Realm by the Usurper King, Zant, Midna was forced into hiding. Upon witnessing Link’s transformation into a wolf in Faron Woods, she realized that he was the Hero of Twilight spoken of by the Twili.
Having escaped Zant with her life, Midna’s second encounter with him left her on the brink of death. Zelda sacrifices herself for Midna by gifting her with light essence so that she may survive in the light. At the end of the game, Midna repays this favor by sacrificing herself in a last-ditch effort to kill Ganondorf using the fused shadow.
2Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule
Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule was the last King of Hyrule in the adult timeline. As a result of Zelda sending Link back in time at the end ofOcarina of Time, she essentially removed him from that timeline. As such, when Ganondorf finally broke free from his seal within the Sacred Realm, there was no Hero to oppose him. The Goddesses intervened, unleashing a Great Flood on the land in an attempt to destroy Hyrule along with Ganondorf. Unwilling to leave his Kingdom behind, Daphnes chose to remain in Hyrule Castle, where he divided the Triforce of Wisdom into two, keeping one piece with himself and entrusting Zelda with the other.
Hundreds of years later, the King returned in the form of The King of Red Lions to assist the newly awakened Hero, Link,on his quest to defeat Ganondorf. In the final moments of the game, King Daphnes assembles the Triforce and wishes for the entire destruction of Hyrule, so that Link and Zelda may go on to found a new Kingdom. Upon sealing Ganondorf beneath the waves, the King chooses to remain once more, dying beside the sealed Demon King.
1Anju and Kafei
Anju and Kafei are introduced in a lengthy side quest inMajora’s Mask. Engaged to be married, the pair have the world against them. Upon being possessed by Majora, the Skull Kid cursed Kafei, reverting his appearance to that of a child. Ashamed at this, and the fact that his wedding mask was stolen, Kafei hides away above the Curiosity Shop. The player must complete many tasks within the restricted three-day time limit and, if successful, Anju and Kafei will be reunited minutes before the moon is set to fall.
The heartbreaking realityof their situation is that, though they are reunited, they will both die in mere moments. What makes this pair even more unlucky is Link’s ability to reset time, essentially undoing all of the work to reunite Anju and Kafei, leaving them lost and separated once again.
