Why Does Link Dress Like a Girl? Unpacking Gender, Disguise, and Player Agency in The Legend of Zelda
Link, the iconic hero of The Legend of Zelda series, has donned various outfits throughout his many incarnations. While his signature green tunic is his most recognizable look, one particular costume choice stands out and raises questions: Why does Link dress like a girl? The answer lies in a combination of narrative necessity, world-building, and a dash of gender ambiguity for player identification. Specifically, Link dresses as a Gerudo woman to infiltrate Gerudo Town in Ocarina of Time. This all-female society, established in the game’s lore, requires Link to convincingly disguise himself to gain entry and progress the story. This single instance has sparked debate and analysis regarding gender roles and representation within the Zelda universe.
The Gerudo Town Disguise: A Necessary Deception
The primary reason for Link’s cross-dressing is purely practical: it’s a plot device required to access Gerudo Town. The Gerudo are a race of fierce female warriors, and their society explicitly forbids the entry of men (with the exception of Ganondorf, who is born into their tribe only once every hundred years). To proceed with his quest to save Hyrule, Link must find a way inside.
His solution is to don Gerudo clothing, effectively disguising himself as a member of their tribe. The Gerudo guard, initially suspicious, is eventually convinced (or perhaps charmed) by Link’s appearance. This allows him to bypass security and enter the town, where he can then further his objectives. This instance showcases not only Link’s resourcefulness but also the game’s willingness to explore themes of deception and challenging gender expectations within the context of its fantasy setting.
Androgyny and Player Identification: A Broader Context
Beyond the specific instance of the Gerudo disguise, the question of why Link sometimes appears to “dress like a girl” touches on a broader theme of androgyny and its role in player identification. Series producer Eiji Aonuma has stated in interviews that he initially envisioned Link to be somewhat gender-neutral, particularly in Ocarina of Time. This was a deliberate choice intended to allow players to more easily project themselves onto the character, regardless of their own gender identity.
By not adhering strictly to traditional masculine stereotypes, Link becomes a more accessible and relatable protagonist. His appearance, particularly in certain art styles, leans toward a more feminine aesthetic, which some players might interpret as “dressing like a girl”. However, this ambiguity serves a narrative purpose: to create a blank canvas for the player’s own imagination and self-insertion. He doesn’t need to be definitively masculine or feminine. He needs to be Link.
The Enduring Appeal of the Zelda Formula
The Zelda series constantly refines its core gameplay loop and characters while maintaining a dedication to its established lore. These elements make it a rich source of study, particularly for those interested in game studies and design. Organizations like the Games Learning Society work to explore the educational and social impact of video games. You can find more information about them at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Link’s gender and appearance in the Zelda series:
1. Was Link designed to look like a girl?
By design, Link is androgynous, which means he has both masculine and feminine traits. This is because he’s a self-insert for the player, so having an ambiguously-gendered appearance makes it easier for players to put themselves in his shoes.
2. Why did Link dress up as a girl in Ocarina of Time?
In previous Zelda games, the Gerudo have been depicted as an all-female race that lives in the desert. To sneak into Gerudo Town, Link needs to dress up as a female Gerudo and convince the guards he belongs inside.
3. Was Link originally a girl?
Link has always been the iconic protagonist of The Legend of Zelda, but there was no official female version of him introduced in the original 1986 game. It took a while for the series to settle on its current art styles.
4. Was Link supposed to be gender-neutral?
While Link is depicted as a male character, Eiji Aonuma has stated that he wanted the character to be gender neutral in some instances. This allows players to feel like they can immerse themselves better into the game.
5. Why can’t Link be a girl?
The Triforce is made up of Princess Zelda, Ganon, and Link. Princess Zelda is obviously female. If Nintendo made Link a female they thought that would mess with the balance of the Triforce. This doesn’t exclude the possibilities of alternative heroes or even female versions of Link existing in other timelines.
6. Can Link marry Zelda?
They are never depicted marrying. Further still no Zelda is ever explicitly mentioned to be related to any Link as their mother or anything else. If they were to get Married Link would at the very least become a prince and thereby all his future descendants would be royalty.
7. Is Link in love with anyone?
Although romance isn’t new for Link and Zelda, it wasn’t until Skyward Sword when the franchise would finally decide to give the two a genuine, undeniable love story. Some argue there is a subtle romance hinted at in Breath of the Wild as well.
8. What if Link was a boy?
Although Link is a male character, Aonuma said that he wanted him to be gender neutral in Ocarina of Time: “I wanted the player to think ‘Maybe Link is a boy or a girl’. If you saw Link as a guy, he’d have more of a feminine touch.”
9. What gender is Kirby?
While the English manual for Kirby’s Dream Land refers to Kirby as a “little boy”, the Japanese Kirby encyclopedia lists Kirby’s gender as “unknown”. This comparison highlights the challenges of translating gender concepts across cultures.
10. Does Link ever get a kiss?
Zelda kisses Link in the end of Oracle of Ages/Seasons in a linked game. At the end of Adventure of Link, when he finally wakes up the sleeping Zelda, he gets a kiss (with the curtains drawn).
11. How old is Link usually?
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.
12. Why does Link look like a girl in some games?
“During the development of Twilight Princess, I went a different route and created a version of Link that was more masculine. But after Twilight Princess I went back to the drawing board and decided Link should be a more gender-neutral character.”
13. Why is Link’s outfit blue in Breath of the Wild?
The new BotW Link design has proved popular with fans. The blue tunic worn by Link in BotW signifies his position as a Champion, one of a small group representing the very best of Hyrule’s various races.
14. Is Link’s real name Link?
Yes! Did you know that Mario’s last name is also Mario? They jokingly give characters silly full names at Nintendo HQ.
15. Is Zelda 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.
Conclusion: Link, Gender, and the Ever-Evolving Hero
Link’s occasional cross-dressing and the overall ambiguity surrounding his gender identity are not simply quirks of game design. They are deliberate choices that contribute to his relatability as a protagonist, his effectiveness as a tool for player self-insertion, and the rich tapestry of the Zelda universe’s lore. His willingness to defy expectations, to embrace disguises, and to be perceived in different ways underscores the enduring appeal of this legendary hero and the games he inhabits. The discussion surrounding Link’s gender only deepens our understanding of the complexities of character design and its impact on player experience.