Why is Zelda not old in Breath of the Wild?
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The reason Zelda does not appear old in Breath of the Wild is due to her creation of a magical barrier between Hyrule Castle and the Great Plateau, which prevented Calamity Ganon from harming the outside world and simultaneously separated the castle from the fabric of spacetime, effectively freezing her age at 17. This agelessness is a result of her sealing powers, which also applied to Link, allowing both characters to remain youthful despite the passage of over 100 years.
Understanding Zelda’s Agelessness
Theories Behind Zelda’s Youthful Appearance
The Legends of Zelda series has always been rich in lore and mysteries, with Zelda’s age being one of the most intriguing aspects. To delve deeper into this phenomenon, let’s explore some frequently asked questions related to Zelda, Link, and the Zelda universe.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Zelda age in Breath of the Wild? Zelda does not age in Breath of the Wild because she was frozen in time after creating the magical barrier, which stopped her aging process at 17.
- Why does Zelda look younger? Zelda looks younger due to being sealed away in Hyrule Castle, a situation that has extended her life and halted her aging process, similar to her experience in Skyward Sword.
- Does Link never age? Link, as the Hero of Time, is somewhat ageless and archetype-like, with his age not being explicitly stated in the games, making him a timeless character.
- Was Zelda fighting Ganon for 100 years? Yes, according to the game’s storyline, Zelda was holding back Calamity Ganon for 100 years, during which her power was waning, and Ganon was on the verge of returning.
- How did Link and Zelda not age? The duo’s agelessness is attributed to Zelda’s sealing powers, which sealed them in time, preventing them from aging during the 100-year period between the Calamity and the events of Breath of the Wild.
- Can Ganon be killed permanently? No, Ganon cannot be permanently defeated, as the game does not feature a post-game scenario, and defeating him simply resets the game to the entrance of the Sanctum.
- Why can’t Link be a girl? According to Aonuma, making Link a female would disrupt the balance of the Triforce, which consists of Princess Zelda, Ganon, and Link.
- Why can’t Link talk? Link’s silence in Breath of the Wild is a result of his need to stay strong and bear the burden silently, as stated in Zelda’s diary.
- Is Link actually a girl? Link is confirmed to be male in Breath of the Wild, although his character design aims to be gender-neutral, allowing players to relate to him.
- What is Zelda’s curse? The Zelda curse refers to Demise’s wish for misfortune, doom, and evil to befall Zelda and Link’s descendants, which is a recurring theme in the series.
- Does Zelda have a crush on Link? In Ocarina of Time, it is implied that Princess Zelda has feelings for Link, particularly in the future timeline, where she sees him as a hero who can save Hyrule.
- How does Zelda live so long? Zelda’s longevity is due to her creation of the magical barrier, which separated Hyrule Castle from the fabric of spacetime, effectively extending her life and halting her aging process.
- Who is the oldest in Breath of the Wild? The Black Hinox, found in the Rabella Wetlands, is considered the oldest kin, and its age is a subject of interest in the game.
- What is Link’s full name? Link’s full name is not officially stated, but it is a topic of humor and speculation among fans and developers, with Mario also having a similarly treated full name.
- Is Link LGBTQ? While Nintendo confirms Link as straight and cisgender, fans have explored LGBTQIA+ characters and interpretations within the Zelda universe, adding diversity to the series.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Zelda’s agelessness in Breath of the Wild is a result of her magical barrier and sealing powers, which have halted her aging process and allowed her to remain 17 despite the passage of over 100 years. The Zelda series is rich in lore and characters, with Link, Ganon, and Zelda being central to the story, and understanding their relationships and backstories can deepen the appreciation for the games.