Is Link Older Than Zelda in Breath of the Wild? Unraveling the Hero’s Age
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the question of whether Link is older than Zelda is a bit of a tricky one, steeped in stasis, ancient prophecies, and a whole lot of unanswered questions. The short answer is no, not physically. While Link experiences a century of suspended animation, Zelda remains trapped holding back Calamity Ganon. Based on in-game evidence, during the events before Link’s stasis and Ganon’s re-emergence, Link and Zelda are roughly the same age, around 17 years old. However, considering the century that Link spends in the Shrine of Resurrection, chronologically, Link is much older than Zelda when he awakens. Zelda’s age is effectively frozen within the confines of Hyrule Castle, preventing her from aging during those hundred years. When Link awakens, she is still physically only around 17, whereas his effective age is closer to 117, even if his body remains that of a young man.
The Age-Old Question: Link and Zelda’s Ages Through the Ages
The relationship between Link and Zelda has always been a cornerstone of the Zelda franchise, but the exact nature of their connection, including their relative ages, varies from game to game. In Breath of the Wild, the game deliberately obscures definitive answers, leaving players to piece together clues from memories and dialogue.
Zelda’s 17th Birthday and the Imprisoning War
A critical memory in Breath of the Wild clearly shows Zelda celebrating her 17th birthday. This establishes her age before the Calamity and the subsequent hundred-year stasis. Link, serving as her appointed knight, is implied to be around the same age. This assumption is based on the series’ tradition of depicting Link and Zelda as contemporaries.
Link’s Century of Slumber
The pivotal element complicating the age comparison is Link’s century-long slumber in the Shrine of Resurrection. While physically, Link emerges with the body of a teenager, chronologically, he has existed for over a hundred years at this point. This time difference is what makes Link, in effect, older than Zelda.
Zelda’s Temporal Stasis
Zelda’s situation is even more complex. By sealing herself and Calamity Ganon within Hyrule Castle, she essentially enters a state of temporal stasis. Time continues to move outside of the castle’s barrier, but within it, she experiences little to no aging. Therefore, when Link awakens, Zelda is still physically seventeen, making the chronological age gap even more pronounced.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Link and Zelda’s Ages
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify the age dynamics between Link and Zelda, particularly within the context of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
1. How old is Link in Breath of the Wild when he wakes up?
Although Link’s true physical age is never revealed, he’s probably 17 or 18 years old before going into stasis. That means the version of Link in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is most likely 117 years old once he wakes up.
2. Is Zelda older than Link in Breath of the Wild before the Calamity?
No, it’s an unwritten rule that Link and Zelda are around the same age in each title. The game’s one flashback cutscene clearly states that Zelda turns 17 right before praying at the Spring of Wisdom.
3. How much older is Link in Tears of the Kingdom?
Since he was approximately 117 in Breath of the Wild, the gap in between games places Link at around 122-125 years old in Tears Of The Kingdom.
4. Why does Zelda not age in Breath of the Wild?
The current theory behind Zelda’s agelessness is that the princess created a magical barrier between Hyrule Castle and BOTW’s Great Plateau so as to prevent Calamity Ganon from hurting the outside world. In doing so, Zelda may have separated Hyrule Castle from the BOTW universe’s fabric of spacetime.
5. Why can’t you play as a girl in Zelda?
“The Triforce is made up of Princess Zelda, Ganon, and Link. Princess Zelda is obviously female. If we made Link a female we thought that would mess with the balance of the Triforce. That’s why we decided not to do it.”
6. Does Link love Zelda?
So basically, Link and Zelda aren’t in a canon-confirmed romantic relationship, but they share a loving, caring relationship.
7. What game has the oldest Link?
TL;DR Ocarina of Tima and Skyward Sword Link are 17 and roughly the same age, and oldest incarnations of Link, not accounting for stasis.
8. What game is Link the oldest (physically pre-stasis)?
In Ocarina of Time, he is initially aged nine and is aged up to 16 after the game’s time shift. In The Wind Waker, Toon Link is 12, whereas in Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword and Breath of the Wild, Link is aged 16 or 17 years old.
9. Is Link canonically mute?
As no canonical game in The Legend of Zelda series to date has contained substantial spoken dialogue for Link, he is mostly a silent protagonist, but not a mute character.
10. How old is Zelda physically in Breath of the Wild?
She has appeared as a child, a teenager and as a young adult; for example, the Princess Zelda in Twilight Princess is around 20 years of age, and the one in Breath of the Wild is depicted as 16 and 17 years old during flashbacks, and 117 at the time of the game, though physically, she appears 17.
11. Why does Link not talk?
It’s actually “With so much at stake, and so many eyes on him, he feels it necessary to stay strong and to silently bear any burden,” so he stays quiet to deal with the immense pressure and duty on him. Keep in mind, Breath of the Wild Link was born into a prominent family of royal guards.
12. Is Link generally under 18 years old?
It’s safe to say that Link is generally on the younger side and under the age of 18, regardless of his incarnation. Hyrule Historia says that Link is 10 years old in the first game, The Legend of Zelda. In Adventure of Link, the hero is age 16. In an interview, Eiji Aonuma said the Link in Twilight Princess is 17.
13. Why is Link so short in some 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. In the Legend of Zelda timeline, Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf are continually reincarnated to participate in a battle between good and evil.
14. Is Zelda always taller than Link?
With the notable exception of Skyward Sword and Breath of the Wild, Princess Zelda is always 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. Which Link is the strongest?
Legend Of Zelda: Strongest Versions Of Link vary depending on criteria. Some argue for the Hero Of The Wild, others for the Hero of Time.
Concluding Thoughts: Age is Relative in Hyrule
Ultimately, the question of who is “older” between Link and Zelda in Breath of the Wild depends on how you define age. Physically, Zelda is undoubtedly younger. Chronologically, and by lived experience, Link is significantly older due to his century in stasis. The interplay of these different timelines and states of being creates a fascinating dynamic that enriches the story and deepens our understanding of these iconic characters. The narrative around Link and Zelda’s relationship, and the complexities of their ages in Breath of the Wild, highlight the enduring appeal of the Zelda franchise, making it a compelling subject of study for those interested in video game narratives and character development, such as members of the Games Learning Society. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information about the study of games and learning.
The Zelda franchise invites players to engage with complex ideas about time, duty, and the nature of heroism, ensuring that the story continues to captivate audiences for generations to come.