What Age is Link?
In the Legend of Zelda series, the age of the titular hero, Link, is a topic of much discussion among fans. With different iterations and interpretations, Link’s age has been depicted differently throughout the series. In this article, we’ll explore the various ages of Link and provide a comprehensive overview of his age-related chronology.
The Various Ages of Link
In the Legend of Zelda series, Link’s age has been depicted in several different ways. Here’s a breakdown of his age in each game:
• The Legend of Zelda (1986): According to the game’s instruction manual, Link is 12 years old at the start of the game.
• Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987): The game’s instruction manual states that Link is 16 years old during this game.
• A Link to the Past (1991): According to the game’s official manual, Link’s age is not explicitly mentioned. However, it can be inferred that he is still in his teenage years.
• Ocarina of Time (1998): In the game, Link is stated to be 7 years old when he is first transported back in time.
• Majora’s Mask (2000): As the game is set immediately after Ocarina of Time, Link is still 7 years old at the start of Majora’s Mask.
• The Wind Waker (2002): According to the game’s director, Eiji Aonuma, Link is approximately 12 years old in The Wind Waker.
• Twilight Princess (2006): Link is stated to be 17 years old at the start of the game.
• Breath of the Wild (2017): As stated by Aonuma in an interview, Link is 117 years old when he wakes up from a century-long slumber in the game.
Concluding the Chronology
As we can see from the above list, Link’s age has been depicted in different ways throughout the series. However, considering the chronological order of the games, we can draw the following conclusions:
• Link is 12 years old during the events of the original Zelda game.
• After completing the original game, Link is transported back in time and becomes 7 years old again.
• Majora’s Mask is set immediately after Ocarina of Time, meaning Link is still 7 years old.
• As time passes, Link becomes approximately 12 years old again, as seen in The Wind Waker.
• As the series continues, Link’s age becomes less of a focus, but he is stated to be 17 years old during the events of Twilight Princess.
• Finally, after a century-long slumber, Link wakes up and is 117 years old during the events of Breath of the Wild.
Significance of Link’s Age
Link’s age may seem like a trivial aspect of the Zelda series, but it can be argued that it has significance in the context of his character development and growth. Throughout the series, Link faces numerous challenges and hardships, and his age could potentially impact his physical and mental abilities.
However, the series’ emphasis on time travel and temporal paradoxes means that Link’s age is not as rigidly defined as in other series. This freedom to experiment with time allows for a more flexible narrative approach, allowing the story to unfold in unique and intriguing ways.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, Link’s age is a fascinating topic that has been explored throughout the Legend of Zelda series. From his youth as a 12-year-old hero to his aged appearance in Breath of the Wild, Link’s age has been depicted in a variety of ways. Understanding his age chronology helps fans better appreciate the nuances of the series and provides insight into the character of Link.