Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma has remarked on the “female Link” rumour currently making its rounds across the web, saying it was all said in jest. Speculation occurred after the producer humorously teased that it may not have been Link we saw in the Zelda Wii U trailer after all. But he’s laid the rumour to rest in a recent interview at E3 with MMGN, saying that it was merely taken out of context and, rather, that he wishes fans would not focus on Link’s appearance as his character is representative of the player.
“Actually that comment I made jokingly. It’s not that I said that it wasn’t Link. It’s that I never said that it was Link. It’s not really the same thing, but I can understand how it could be taken that way.
“It seems like it has kind of taken off where people are saying ‘oh it’s a female character’ and it just kind of grew. But my intent in saying that was humour. You know, you have to show Link when you create a trailer for a Zelda announcement.
“I don’t want people to get hung up on the way Link looks because ultimately Link represents the player in the game. I don’t want to define him so much that it becomes limiting to the players. I want players to focus on other parts of the trailer and not specifically on the character because the character Link represents, again, the player.”
However, it seems as though Aonuma loves to spice things up amongst Zelda fans as he recently spoke to Game Informer, bringing up Link’s androgynous appearance. In response to those thinking it could have initially been Zelda on the back of a horse in the distance, the producer said:
“That might be something that consciously we kind of did, but not to say anything specific – I am not saying anything specific – but, I am hoping people continue to comment, and I will continue to follow the fan comments and reactions to the trailer. I am certainly curious, and I am sure there are things we as developers can glean.”
Sir, you trolled many…
No, Link is a trap!!!!!!!!
like you :D
Aha! Turns out Link is still a bro after all.
Good, so its the son from link and zelda from skyward sword? :p
I think they made it clear in Skyward Sword that every Link is a reincarnation.
They didn’t make it clear to me. It could just as easily be a reborn thing.
I take that back since there are different kinds of reincarnation depending on the religion. One religious group believes in reincarnation through familial bloodlines. With that said, I believe Link is reincarnated through his bloodline IF his bloodline continued from a previous game. So far, the only Link we can be 100% sure of not being reincarnated through a familial bloodline is Wind Waker’s Link… for now, anyway. If this new Zelda reveals this new Link is the son of Link & Zelda from Skyward Sword as it’s a direct sequel, it will mean that the Link from Wind Waker was in fact reincarnated through a familial bloodline. Either way, let the Legend of Zelda theories continue.
I think is not bloodline at all, the Link from WW was chosen by the gods to be the chosen hero..is what I remember..
That’s what the King of Red Lions believed. I doubt even he knew for certain. If Link & Zelda do share a bloodline, it was most likely from Skyward Sword, The Minish Cap, or some other past Link & Zelda before the events of Ocarina of Time that actually had them as good friends.
I do like the idea of familial bloodline, making each incarnation of Link and Zelda distant relatives. It makes sense, as throughout the series, Link and Zelda are always drawn to each other in some way, even if they’ve never met before.
But they can be related. OoT Link is the ancestor of TP Link. Every Zelda is related, but Link don’t HAVE to be related.
Consideringevery Zelda game chronologically came from OoT, I would say that every Link in those games are related to the Hero of Time…
There’s a complicated timeline, the only ones confirmed to be related (by Hyrule Historia) is TP and OoT Link. The two Links in Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks are not related to each other, or any other Link, as these games happen after Ocarina of Time, where Link was sent back to his childhood (and therefore wasn’t in the timeline anymore).
In the timeline where Link is killed in OoT, the other Links clearly do not descend from him then, as he did not have any children before he died. I do not know about the Links in the games before OoT, and after a Link to the Past (which is after OoT)!
That’s the thing, though. Hyrule Historia never outright said he died. It simply said he was defeated by Ganondorf. Too many people are assuming Link was killed in the fight. For all we know, he was knocked unconscious. With the full Triforce, Ganondorf wouldn’t have bothered to kill Link & Zelda because he thinks his victory & rule would be supreme now that he has it. Remember how Ganondorf gloated in Wind Waker after getting all three pieces of the Triforce, allowing the King of Hyrule to use the Triforce himself. Why would Ganondorf act any differently? The fool has shown countless times that his pride is stronger than his common sense like letting Link roam freely in Ocarina of Time. Sure he did it to wait for Zelda to eventually reveal herself but also because he didn’t think a little boy could stop him.
Actually, Skyward Sword is the first game in the time line (as confirmed in Hyrule historia) Ocarina of time is the 4 game in the main timeline and the game that caused the 3 timeline split.
(They never actually say that the Hero of Time is in any way related to TP Link, just that he becomes the Hero’s Shade. It is, however, an interesting thought to entertain.)
I don’t have the Hyrule Historia besides me right now, but I’m pretty sure the reason the Hero of Time comes back is to teach his descent his skills, because the HoT himself wasn’t recognised as a Hero, even though he saved Hyrule and Termina! Could be wrong, though, have to check it out tomorrow.
Since windwaker.. and probably before that…
Seriously, I think there is at least a possibility that’s true! :D
I would absolutely love it if it was a female character. I feel like I got my hopes up and they suddenly came crashing down. I’ve lost a tiny bit of interest.
You and me both
Hey Link is cool without him we wouldn’t be able to be in so many of his adventures. Also if you want to play as girl from Zelda play super smash bros or Hyrule warriors.
It is impossible for Link and zelda to ever have anything because each descendant of theirs is never related. Link is a separate bloodline from Zelda.
We don’t know that for sure. It’s never been stated in the series that Link & Zelda are reincarnated, without a familial bloodline, yet. It’s just a theory right now.
Wind Waker Link is the only one we know of that is not reincarnated through a familial bloodline… so far.
I suppose an androgynous link is good if he is meant to represent the player. I think he is my favorite link design so far and I am curious about how his outfit takes so much from previous games. Wind waker shirt ganondorf arm bands and so on.
Wow i thought i was the only one who noticed the Ganon arm bands on link
http://strawpoll.me/1891587/
It’s kind of silly to put “no” on there twice. Right now it looks like “Yes” is winning, but the combined “No” answers are larger.
Also, why make the “no” people out to be bad guys?
Not really. Some might not want Link to be a girl out of fear it would ruin the Legend of Zelda series while some might not want Link to be a girl because they just don’t care for the feminist agenda. Personally, I think he, or she, should have included a 3rd no to set those apart that don’t want a feminist agenda in the game because they are sexist & those that just don’t think a feminist agenda is needed for every little thing.
“I don’t want people to get hung up on the way Link looks because ultimately Link represents the player in the game”
Character customization confirmed.
That literally doesn’t say anything about character customization…
It should. Since Link is us, I demand more control over his appearance like eye color, hair, facial features (like facial hair, freckles, button nose, etc,) & even what kind of accessories he wears.
I want him to wear slippers and sunglasses…
>.< Why not. Sunglasses are modern but I wouldn't mind a little steampunk in Zelda.
:P I just hope Navi will make his appearance.
her* I won’t mind a return of Navi if this game takes place after Ocarina of Time in the child timeline.
navi…… she left link and link went looking for her because he really cared for her and she was basicly his best friend and link most likly ended up dying looking but what can i say link dying is just a theory :P
A Game Theory! xD
Thanks for watching!
…So why are you using art of Ciela as your avatar anyway?
Because I made a cute mistake :3
Looking back at this post, I did go overboard with the customization. Eye color: yes. Hair: color only. Facial features: no. Accessories: alternate earrings, necklaces that have some kind of purpose in game besides just for cosmetic purposes, scarfs like the one in Hyrule Warriors, & armor pieces, not full armor. One of the first items you can get in the game could be a necklace that you can change the appearance of at a shop. Maybe it can even be a crucial story item like the Ocarina of Time or the Wind Waker was.
Yeah
lol i told you. he was just playing hype game. a lot of people do that. its just gonna be Link and he will be busy on journey to rescue Zelda like always. the only difference will be open world because Nintendo finally has hardware that is able to have open world. and all that “running away from Zelda standarts” is just pure bullshit, exaggerating open world.
It does not surprise me and that’s always been the philosophy of Zelda. why do you think the heroes is called link in the first place??? I am sorry I don’t want to sound sexist but a female character as link in a Zelda game is a no no for me. It like ghost in the sheel where you will replace the major as main character (it’s does not work). There are plenty games with female character and even in Zelda there are female characters. I don’t think link need to be a female.
sorry I meant it’s like ghost in the shell where you would replace the major by a bloke and the bloke being the main character (it’s does not work)
so… you’re basically sayin’ women are ghosts?
He’s referring to the anime Ghost in the Shell. The main character is a woman named Major. The anime I watched hinted that she might have once been a man.
once been a man, though.*
OKay!!!! you don’t know ghost in the shell: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_in_the_Shell
I don’t know if you are serious or not but just in case and in short I am saying if the main character is a male don’t change it. The same apply for female character, I mentioned ghost in the shell cause that was the first female character I thought about.
I misunderstood you, excuse me :P
Aonuma…. you crafty troll XD
crafty kong
From what I understand, the source of this interview is from some random australian website, whereas game informer has posted something that conflicts with this…. im hoping the aussies have it.
Just checked that out. I’ll edit the Game Informer quote into the post, cheers! :)
All this talk about how Link is us yet here we are, 20 something games in & still no customization to make Link be even more of a link to us, the player. I want control over the little things like eye & hair color, what kind of earring he wears in that one ear, different kinds of necklaces, the color of the undergarments, a scarf like the one he’s wearing in Hyrule Warriors, armor pieces, the color of his boots & gloves, etc. Things like that. But I digress. I’m perfectly fine with how Link is now but it’d be nice to have some kind of customization at some point to make me feel more like I am Link.
The legend of Zelda X Animal Crossing confirmed
Blasphemy!! Haha now seriously… I personally don’t want player customization in a Zelda game beyond the option to choose between some selected outfits, maybe their colours, little details here and there.like some you mentioned but nothing major.
I am sure some games need to go that way to engage gamers as they lack interesting enough characters to make the story epic. But Link it is awesome already the way it is (From TP to SS passing from WW) so no need for that.
If we were given total freedom to customize Link appearance completely it would ruin that authentic Legend Of Zelda feeling for me.
That’s why I mostly mentioned color changes. I don’t want full customization over his face like what Monster Hunter has. I wouldn’t be happy with that at all. I want Link to look like Link. Color changes to his eyes & hair wouldn’t really effect his facial features. But in the end, I’m fine without having that stuff since I’m perfectly happy with how they make Link look.
Omg this guy is a lil bitch. The first thing we think of when we hear Link is a knight in Green, and if he’s gonna try and change that, it will have to be more than just a lil video. Pshh. IM not saying he’s stupid for trying, but he’s stupid for trying.
Hey SilverShadowFly, I was actually lucky enough to obtain the audio for the Roundtable of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3ds and Wii U, and I matched it with the audio of the Pac-Man trailer, so the reaction of Pac-Man is actually exactly as it was at the round-table. Just letting you know encase you’d enjoy, or on the level of if you think it’s noteworthy. Either way, these are the closest we’re going to get to a reaction to a Smash Bros. trailer, so it’s interesting to check out, none the less.
That’s great, well done on fitting the audio exactly. I’ve had my fair share of audio training and it can be a pain to get that just right. :-)
I knew he was trolling us!
they make link look like a chick to appeal to females.
Bit hard not to concentrate on Link when his fight is basically the only proactive thing going on in it, Eiji.
Zelda is one of my favorite games. I’ll gladly put down my PS4 controller to play hyrule warriors.
Another kiddy cartoony game like windward
Nintendo if I wanted kiddie entertainment I’d watch the Disney channel
This game got killed by the extreme HYPE that Uncharted 4 had
Uncharted 4 had barely any hype…
I’ve owned every uncharted and even i thought the uncharted 4 trailer at e3 was boring and crappy. It got no one i know excited… Plus you can’t compare an uncharted experience to a zelda experience, Zelda will always win… Sorry.
I’m glad the real Sony isn’t out to destroy Nintendo. Unlike idiots like you, Sony views Nintendo as a friendly rival, not as an enemy that needs to be wiped out. Are you forgetting a certain Sony employee owns a Wii U?
But I really hope you are just doing the same as Quadraxis & simply role playing your namesake.
General Sony, you not one of us, you a spy for Nintendo
Coming from the guy who copied me… and have himself a false ranking. Only an xbot would claim to be an emperor. A tyrannical stuck up fanboy.
Tell me that when the 1st week sales of Uncharted 4 Obliterate the lifetime sales of Zelda U
Our people do not care about sales, we care about games…
I honestly hope both games do well. What’s gaming without a little competition .
My Conglomerate cares about both games and sales, reason why we keep Winning, your fickle dominance with Win was all luck, even now our ps3 will finally overtake lifetime sales of Wii, we already obliterated the Xbots
You not on our level
We are on a higher level of existence considering we created you…
You are the misguided children of the holy N…
As we were your beginning, so shall we be your end…
^ I like it!!
Haha this is so stupid :) but i mean that in a good way :D you maid me laugh.
Made* :)
Well said Commander… ;)
… I’m sorry, but Sony and PlayStation are not going anywhere. The big N may have have us life, but we sure as hell can take it out.
never created us,all you did was back stab us,that was the greatest mistake you ever made, we used to supply you with the greatest and latest technology, we provided you with the sound chip on your wonderful Snes, and we wanted to provide you with the Cd rom peripheral for the Snes, but your evil empire got greedy and wanted to own the license of the product we created.
After this betrayal you went and partnered with this abomination called Phillips, it’s sad that you back stabbed your own fellow Japanese brother and partnered with a European imperialist company like Phillips who later sued you this year.
Everything you say reeks of fanboyism Nintendo Commander, nothing you say is based on facts
By end of 2015 ps4 will have sold 20 million consoles
And Wii U will be on 11 million if they lucky
Fanboyism is pointless, idiot. Your comments are nothing unless someone from each company reads them and starts war. (MINDBLOWN)
Your predictions are just as misguided as your tastes…
That’s funny considering I’ve heard nothing but fanboyism from your comments, too, in this article.
Agreed.
He is taking his fanboy to the next level. PlayStation owes Nintendo a lot. I have always respected Nintendo and will play their games because I enjoy them. Is there anything wrong with that?
Console wars aren’t real.
what if it’s just a character customization?
If Link is a representation of the player does that mean well have the option to play the new Zelda…… with our Mii?! Haha….
I knew it was Link all along because he was wearing that blue earring.
I knew it, I told you all, Aonuma was playing The Riddler with us, he was careful what he said
He not once in the video said Link’s name, but he knew it was Link and was screwing with us
Logic yall
Thank you, I’m glad he denied that stupid notion. It was obvious he was still a male..
Yeah me too
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Not sure why anyone was stupid enough to actually think that wasn’t Link. Humans have gone to new levels of stupid.
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*sigh* It would have been incredibly refreshing if after almost three decades, Zelda were finally the main character in Her own legend, or at least playable. I guess I’m just one of the many who are tired of the same setup for every main Zelda game, but have yet to give up hope that Zelda, Herself will some day receive the long-awaited spotlight.
Compare Legend of Zelda to Avatar, every Link is just a new “chosen hero by the gods” kinda like a new Avatar is chosen. They don’t have to be related with past Links/Avatars.
Yeah. They don’t have to but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for them not to be related.
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