The Enduring Appeal of SidLink: Why Fans Ship the Zora Prince and the Hylian Hero
The question of why fans “ship” Sidon and Link, the dashing Zora prince and the stoic Hylian hero from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, has many layers. It boils down to a potent mix of compelling character dynamics, symbolic interpretation, and a desire for representation in a world that often defaults to heteronormative relationships. Sidon’s unabashed admiration for Link, his unwavering support, and his almost palpable joy in the hero’s successes have resonated deeply with players. This, coupled with Link’s silent but receptive nature, allows fans to project their own desires and interpretations onto their interactions, creating a rich tapestry of potential romantic connection. While Tears of the Kingdom canonically establishes Sidon’s engagement to Yona, this hasn’t diminished the fervor of “SidLink” shippers, but rather complicated and enriched the discourse.
Why Sidon and Link? Examining the Shipping Phenomenon
The allure of SidLink stems from several key elements:
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Unwavering Support and Adoration: Sidon is arguably the most overtly supportive character Link encounters in Breath of the Wild. His enthusiastic encouragement and genuine belief in Link’s abilities are a breath of fresh air in a world filled with danger and hardship. This creates a powerful sense of emotional intimacy, even if it’s not explicitly romantic. The article provided mentions, “As one of the few characters who actually remembers the Calamity and experienced loss from it so personally, Sidon’s acceptance and belief in Link was read by some players as both a source of forgiveness for perceived failures and an outlet in which to share and process grief.” This is a very key factor.
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Contrast and Complement: Sidon’s outgoing, confident, and charismatic personality perfectly contrasts with Link’s more reserved and stoic demeanor. This contrast creates a dynamic that many find appealing, as each character seems to bring out something unique in the other. They complement each other.
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Symbolic Interpretation: Some fans interpret Sidon’s actions as symbolic of a deeper, unspoken affection. His willingness to risk his life to help Link, his obvious pride in Link’s accomplishments, and his consistently positive attitude are all seen as signs of a romantic connection.
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Absence of Explicit Canon Romance: The Legend of Zelda series, while hinting at romance, rarely explicitly confirms it. This ambiguity allows fans to fill in the blanks with their own interpretations and desires, leading to the creation of pairings like SidLink.
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Desire for LGBTQ+ Representation: The gaming community, particularly LGBTQ+ players, often seek representation in media. The SidLink ship provides an avenue for exploring same-sex relationships within a popular franchise, even if it’s not officially recognized by the game.
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The “Touch” Factor: The simple act of Sidon grabbing Link’s hand to help him swim up the waterfalls is such a potent visual. It symbolizes trust, reliance, and connection. Many fans latch onto such visual cues.
Sidon’s Engagement to Yona: A Complication, Not a Conclusion
The introduction of Yona as Sidon’s fiancée in Tears of the Kingdom naturally complicates the SidLink dynamic. However, it hasn’t necessarily ended the shipping phenomenon. Some fans continue to interpret Sidon and Link’s relationship as having unacknowledged romantic undertones, while others acknowledge Sidon’s commitment to Yona but still appreciate the depth of his friendship with Link. In fact, Sidon asking Link to help him work things out with Yona further cements the close relationship between the two characters.
The existence of Yona provides an opportunity to examine complex themes of love, friendship, and duty, enriching the overall narrative and fan discourse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SidLink
Here are some frequently asked questions to delve deeper into the SidLink phenomenon:
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Is Sidon canonically in love with Link? No. While Sidon displays great admiration and support for Link, there is no explicit confirmation of romantic feelings within the games’ canon. Tears of the Kingdom firmly establishes Sidon’s engagement to Yona.
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Why is Sidon so popular as a character? Sidon’s popularity stems from his charismatic personality, unwavering optimism, and genuine kindness. His support for Link resonates with players, making him a likable and memorable character. The fact that his character design is rather appealing helps, too.
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Who is Sidon’s fiancée in Tears of the Kingdom? Sidon’s fiancée is Yona, a fellow Zora. She is integral to the Zora storyline in the game.
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Did Mipha have romantic feelings for Link? Yes. The game implies that Mipha harbored romantic feelings for Link, and this is supported by dialogue and the Zora Armor, which she crafted specifically for him. The provided article mentions that Mipha and Link both share a love and care for one another and that perhaps, in different circumstances, they could have been romantic partners.
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Is there any romance between Link and Zelda in Tears of the Kingdom? The game heavily implies a romantic connection between Link and Zelda, but it remains open to interpretation. The relationship is complex and nuanced, leaving room for player speculation.
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Does Link ever speak in The Legend of Zelda games? While Link rarely has voiced dialogue, he is not mute. His silence is a stylistic choice, allowing players to project themselves onto the character.
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How tall is Sidon? Sidon is notably tall, standing at approximately 6 feet 9 inches.
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Does Sidon remember Link from 100 years ago? Yes. Upon meeting Link, Sidon eventually recalls hearing about him through his father, King Dorephan, and recognizes him as the Hylian Champion.
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Why do some fans believe that Mipha and Link could have had a child? The idea of Mipha and Link having a child is pure fan speculation. There is no evidence in the games to support this theory. The article includes an excerpt “They had a son named Sidon. The Zora King, being ashamed that Mipha was with a hylian, and that his grandson was a half zora, decided to keep it a secret.” is a fictional, unbacked up idea in the original article.
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What is the significance of the Zora Armor? The Zora Armor is a symbol of Mipha’s affection for Link. It was crafted specifically for him and grants him the ability to swim up waterfalls.
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Is there any DLC planned for Tears of the Kingdom? No. Nintendo has stated that there are no plans for DLC for Tears of the Kingdom, as they felt they achieved everything they wanted within the game.
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How old is Link in Tears of the Kingdom? Link is approximately 122-125 years old in Tears of the Kingdom, taking into account the time skip between games and his 100-year slumber in Breath of the Wild.
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What are some common themes explored in SidLink fanfiction and fanart? Common themes include exploring the emotional intimacy between Sidon and Link, imagining alternative scenarios where they pursue a romantic relationship, and depicting their shared adventures and challenges.
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How do shipping dynamics contribute to the overall Zelda fandom? Shipping dynamics foster community engagement and creative expression, encouraging fans to share their interpretations and create their own narratives within the Zelda universe. This adds another layer of depth and enjoyment to the franchise. You can explore similar ideas in educational games with the Games Learning Society.
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Are there other popular Zelda character pairings besides SidLink? Yes, there are many other popular Zelda pairings, including Link/Zelda, Link/Mipha, and Link/Revali. Each pairing has its own unique appeal and fan base.
Conclusion: The Power of Interpretation
Ultimately, the appeal of the SidLink ship lies in the power of interpretation. The Zelda games offer a rich tapestry of characters and relationships, leaving room for fans to project their own desires and create their own narratives. While Sidon’s engagement to Yona might seem like a definitive answer, it doesn’t negate the emotional connection that many fans see between Sidon and Link. The shipping phenomenon serves as a testament to the enduring power of the Zelda franchise to inspire creativity, imagination, and community among its players. Further studies into game narratives and their impact on player interpretation can be explored at GamesLearningSociety.org.