Link and Zelda: More Than Just Hyrule’s Saviors? A Deep Dive into a Royal Romance (Maybe?)
Link and Zelda. Hyrule’s power couple? Soulmates defeating evil? Or just good friends saving the world repeatedly? The Legend of Zelda series has kept us guessing about their romantic vibes. Fans love the tension beneath epic adventures. This ambiguity excites.
Zelda is more than a princess. She’s the love interest. The games leave Link’s heart open. Yet, Zelda emerges as the strongest contender for his top spot. They face threats together. Their fates intertwine. It’s a rom-com setup, minus the meet-cute, plus sword fighting.
Let’s discuss recent games,
The Kissing Question: A Smooch Here, a Peck There
Let’s talk about kissing. In a series known for subtle storytelling, actual kisses are rare. Only three games feature Link and Zelda kissing or close enough:
But there’s more! The manga universe adds steam. In the official manga of
Link’s Little Black Book (of Potential Romances)
Now, let’s look beyond Zelda. Link? He’s quite the catch in Hyrule. The Zelda universe has potential love interests for our silent hero. Let’s review a few contenders:
- Mipha: Mipha, the Zora princess. The “Zelink” vs. “MiphaLink” debate is legendary. Many believe Link loved both Zelda and Mipha, creating a poignant love triangle. Some fans are firmly in the Mipha camp.
- Ilia: From
Twilight Princess , Ilia is Link’s childhood friend. If Link hadn’t gone to the Twilight Realm, he and Ilia might have ended up together. - Midna: Her relationship with Link evolves in
Twilight Princess , from allies to something deeper. Those glances and that manga kiss? Sparks fly. - Ruto and Malon: In
Ocarina of Time , Link gets betrothed to Ruto and Malon. He’s playing the field! - Nabooru: The Gerudo warrior. Nabooru regrets not taking a chance with Link when she could. Strong and independent—maybe she’s flirty.
- Saria: A childhood friend from Kokiri Forest.
Ocarina of Time hints at a rivalry for Saria’s attention. - Beth: From
Twilight Princess , Beth clearly has a crush on Link. She admires his heroic deeds. She’s basically all of us. - Paya: The shy Sheikah girl from
Breath of the Wild . Reading Paya’s diary reveals her crush on Link. Who can blame her?
Decoding the Silent Hero: Link’s Character and Relationships
The romantic ambiguity comes from Link himself. He’s the silent protagonist. His silence is a canvas for players’ interpretations of connections. This silence allows a deeply personal experience. It’s about what you bring to the game.
On Link’s silence—there’s a fan theory that he might be autistic. This adds understanding to his communication style. While this isn’t explicit canon, it’s an interesting lens. Also, Link is male. Yet, Eiji Aonuma initially wanted Link to be “gender neutral” in
Let’s not forget Link’s age. He often appears young, but in
Princess Zelda: More Than Just a Damsel (and Definitely Not Just a Friend)
Zelda is no passive princess waiting to be rescued. She evolves from damsel to proactive hero. Her age varies across games, usually from child to young adult around 16 or 17. Her feelings for Link? Other characters sense it’s deeper than friendship.
Zelda masters disguise. She takes on roles like Sheik in
Destiny and… Dating? The Dynamics of Link and Zelda’s Bond
Ultimately, Link and Zelda’s bond transcends romantic relationships. It’s tied to fate and destiny. Their connection is portrayed as stronger than mere love, a link forged through reincarnation and shared purpose.
They face Calamity, Ganon, and evil together. Whether that bond blossoms into love is left to our imaginations. Perhaps that’s the most beautiful part of their story.
If you expected a dive into Atticus “Link” Lincoln from
