Is Link a Kid in Ocarina of Time? Unraveling the Hero’s Age

Yes, Link is both a child and an adult in Ocarina of Time. The game features a unique time-travel mechanic where Link begins as a young boy of around nine or twelve years old, depending on which source you consult. He then ages up to seventeen after drawing the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time, spending seven years sealed away to mature into the Hero of Time capable of wielding its power. This dual portrayal of Link’s age is central to the game’s narrative and gameplay.

Link’s Age Through the Ages: A Deep Dive

The question of Link’s age in Ocarina of Time is deceptively complex. It’s not simply a matter of consulting one source and declaring a definitive answer. Instead, it requires navigating conflicting statements from the game’s creators, considering in-game evidence, and understanding the larger context of the Legend of Zelda timeline.

The Conflicting Accounts

As the information provided indicates, Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of The Legend of Zelda series, has offered varying ages for Young Link. In a 3D Iwata Asks interview, he suggested Link was nine years old at the start of Ocarina of Time. However, during another Ocarina of Time-themed Iwata Asks interview, he stated Link was 12 years old. This discrepancy highlights Miyamoto’s admitted disinterest in the specific details of the Zelda lore. He prioritizes gameplay and overall experience over rigid adherence to established timelines and character details.

Adding to the confusion, the official Hyrule Historia, a comprehensive guide to the Zelda universe, doesn’t explicitly state Young Link’s age in Ocarina of Time. Instead, it mentions that the Link from the first Legend of Zelda game was 10 years old. This information, while relevant to the series, doesn’t directly answer the Ocarina of Time question.

The game itself offers clues but no explicit confirmation. Link’s physical appearance, mannerisms, and the types of items he can use as a child suggest he is pre-teen. When he becomes Adult Link, he’s clearly portrayed as a young man, capable of wielding heavier weapons and tackling more challenging situations. The seven-year jump is the most consistent information, placing Adult Link at approximately seventeen.

The Significance of Two Ages

The dual portrayal of Link’s age isn’t just a narrative gimmick. It’s fundamental to the game’s structure and themes.

• Child Link: Represents innocence, vulnerability, and a connection to the Kokiri Forest. He can access areas and solve puzzles that Adult Link cannot, emphasizing the importance of childlike curiosity and ingenuity.
• Adult Link: Embodies strength, maturity, and the responsibility of a hero. He can wield the Master Sword, confront Ganondorf directly, and access areas that require greater strength and skill.

The player constantly switches between these two forms, utilizing the strengths of each to progress through the game. This mechanic reinforces the theme of growing up, accepting responsibility, and confronting the darkness within oneself. You can even explore strategies on how to beat the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time with Only Young Link.

Beyond Ocarina of Time: Link’s Ever-Evolving Age

Ocarina of Time is not the only game where Link’s age is a point of discussion. Throughout the Legend of Zelda series, Link’s age varies, reflecting the different stories and contexts. In The Wind Waker, Toon Link is generally considered to be around 12 years old. In Twilight Princess, he’s portrayed as a young man, approximately 16 or 17 years old. Breath of the Wild also features a slightly older Link, around 17 years old.

The consistent variation in age emphasizes the cyclical nature of the Zelda universe. Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf are constantly reincarnated, each iteration with its own unique traits and experiences. While the underlying battle between good and evil remains constant, the specific details of each incarnation are different.

Is Link Non-Binary?

There has been much discussion about Link’s gender identity. Longtime Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma stated that he intended Link to be a “gender-neutral character”, but that he is male. Link’s androgynous design has fostered discussion and interpretation.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into Link’s Character

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify Link’s age and other aspects of his character:

1. Why does Link’s age seem inconsistent across different Zelda games?

   Different games depict different incarnations of Link, each with their own unique backstory and experiences. The reincarnation cycle explains the variation in age and personality.

2. Is there a definitive source for Link’s exact age in Ocarina of Time?

   No. Conflicting statements from the creators and a lack of explicit in-game information make it impossible to pinpoint an exact age. The best approach is to consider him around 9-12 as a child and 17 as an adult.

3. Does Link’s appearance change to reflect his age in Ocarina of Time?

   Yes. As Child Link, he’s smaller, shorter, and has a more innocent appearance. As Adult Link, he’s taller, more muscular, and has a more mature demeanor.

4. Why can’t Adult Link use some of the items Child Link can?

   This is a gameplay mechanic designed to encourage players to utilize both forms of Link. Some items are better suited to a child’s smaller stature and agility.

5. Is Link always the same person in every Zelda game?

   No. He is a reincarnation of a hero spirit. He’s not literally the same individual, but rather a new iteration destined to fight evil.

6. Are Link and Zelda always romantically involved?

   No. Their relationship varies from game to game. Sometimes they are close friends, other times they are allies, and occasionally there are hints of romantic interest. But no Zelda is ever explicitly mentioned to be related to any Link as their mother or anything else.

7. Why is the game called The Legend of Zelda if you play as Link?

   Shigeru Miyamoto chose the name “Zelda” after being inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald, finding the name “pleasant and significant.”

8. Is Link mute?

   No. Link is designed to be an avatar for the player.

9. Was Link dating Mipha?

   Mipha was not dating Link. Mipha writes about the moment she fell in love with Link which was some time after he spent that much time in Zora’s domain.

10. Why does Link look so feminine?

    By design, Link is androgynous.

11. Has Link ever been a girl?

    There was an official female version of him at one point.

12. Are Link and Zelda siblings in OOT?

    Many have speculated that Link and Zelda are siblings in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but the unfounded evidence makes the theory implausible.

13. Is Link from Zelda autistic?

    Link is designed to be an Avatar. He himself doesn’t have autism.

14. Is Zelda taller than Link?

    Concept art for the series has typically depicted her as the taller of the two, and she notably stands a head taller than Link as adults in Ocarina of Time and in Twilight Princess.

15. Why does Link seem to have different heights across games?

    The reason behind Link’s various heights is twofold: Different games show Link at different ages, and different games show different versions of Link.

Understanding Link’s age in Ocarina of Time and throughout the Legend of Zelda series requires embracing the ambiguity and appreciating the nuances of character portrayal in video games. While a definitive answer may be elusive, the exploration of these details enriches the experience of playing these iconic games. For more information on game-based learning and the educational applications of video games, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.