The Legend of Zelda has a huge catalog of characters that are very likable. Some fans latch on to a particular character throughout the story and it's easy to pick a favorite that interacts with Link in a serious, funny, or dramatic way. NOTE: Link will not be in this this, because... We all know he's pretty awesome. Whether it's for the their great personality or their development throughout the game, these, in my opinion are the best characters in the series.
Number 5...
Kafei- Majora's Mask
He and his lover/fiancee, Anju, are the focal point of the Anju& Kafei Quest, which involves reuniting the two and is, quite honestly, the best sidequest in the entire game. Why I like Kafei as a person so much is really because of his devotion towards Anju. When you first met him, Kafei tells Link that he was cursed by the SkullKid to have the appearance of a child as a prank, and to make it worse, he then had his ceremonial wedding mask stolen from him by a thief. Out of complete shame and no one else to turn to, he asks Link for his help. On the last day, Link and Kafei team up and retrieve the mask from the thief's hideout, but by the time they are able to get the mask back, it's become nightfall. The end of the world is near, and during all of this, Anju is waiting for Kafei at home beside her wedding dress. What follows is a particurally powerful moment where you literally wait with Anju for Kafei to arrive as the world itself is about to come to an end. When Kafei finally arrives, they fuses their masks together and become a couple, embracing as they decide to die together along with the rest of the world. THAT IS WHAT YOU CALL LOVE. Even though all throughout the sidequest Kafei has been hit with setback after setback, his sheer devotion makes it so he and Anju get to become a couple, even if it's literally minutes before the world ends.
Number 4...
Tetra- Wind Waker
A charming sailor of the seas and pirate captain (despite her young age), Tetra is truly the show- stealer in Wind Waker. After being dropped on Outset Island by the Helmrock King and directing causing Link's sister to be taken in replace, she decides to assists Link in his initial quest to recover her. As Link and Tetra's paths continue to cross, they start to care for each other and gradually reveals that Tetra is indeed Princess Zelda. Headstrong and confident, she commands her crew with iron fists, though she does have a soft spot for Link and Arryl. She isn't afraid to spit in the face of danger, while also retaining her capacity to make smart decisions. Tetra shows that under her aggressive and bossy exterior can lie a caring a graceful character.
Number 3...
Zelda- Skyward Sword
The characters of Skyward Sword in general were very well done. Zelda was one such character. In the previous games, there was no sort of connection between Link and Zelda whatsoever. Zelda was a Princess... Then she's gone... Then Link's on his adventure... (Looking at you, Twilight Princess) But then in Skyward Sword, Link and Zelda have a relationship as like childhood friends, and you them grow throughout the game... Especially Zelda. At the beginning of the game, she's this fun, sweet girl that everyone love, but come the end of the game she's the more stoic, more serious Zelda everyone knows. But that just goes to show how big the gravity of the situation is. That even though they wanted to have fun up in the world of Skyloft, their destiny is huge, and is bigger than the relationship they might have had. Because through this serious side of Zelda, she also had this sad side, like she didn't want to fulfill her destiny and just be with all her friends at Skyloft again. This comes through when she's about to be sealed away. As Link frantically tries to stop her, she says one of the most heart warming things ever to be said in the Zelda franchise:
"Before all this, I was happy just spending my days hanging around with you in Skyloft. I wanted that feeling to last forever. While it's true that I am Hylia reborn, I'm still my father's daughter and your friend... I'm still your Zelda. So, I'm going to ask you a favor, sleepyhead. Ever since we were kids, I'd always be the one to wake you up when you slept in. But this time, when all of this is over, will you come to wake me up?"
"... I promise."
Number 2...
Linebeck- Phantom Hourglass
Linkbeck is one of those characters you can't like right away. He is downright selfish, smug, cowardly and relentlessly greedy - and as a result, he's a perfect comedy relief for Link's heroics. A self-styled "real man of the sea", Linebeck's the captain of a steamboat, which he's vain enough to name after himself. He's primarily motivated by finding treasure, which is why he unwittingly aids Link on his ocean-spanning adventures. Always being scolded by Ciela for his greediness, Linebeck always finds ways to put Link headfirst into danger then reaping the benefits afterwards. But slowly and progressively throughout the game, Linkbeck experiences a redemption of sorts. In later parts of the game, he decides to finally get out of his boat and explore the dangers with you. But his real compassion comes out at the end where he decides to risk his life just to keep Link from getting strangled to death by the evil sea creature, Bellum. This lead to Bellum possessing Linebeck and making him attack Link. His caring personality, though, is shown better in the manga. While fighting, the possessed Linebeck manages to get Link off his feet and is about to deal the final blow to him. At the very last second, though, Linebeck assumes control of himself and stops himself from striking Link down. He knows he doesn't have much time before Bellum takes control of him again, so he decides to to take his own life ( Thankfully, Link stops him in the nick of time). At the end of the game, the Ocean Kind grants Linebeck one wish ( as he promised he'd do earlier in the game). To my surprise, instead of asking for untold riches, he asks for his sunken boat to be restored to its former glory... Now that's a change of heart.
Number 1...
Midna- Twilight Princess
Inarguably the most memorable character in Twilight Princess, Midna is an imp- like character that decides to free Link from his prison in the Twilight- inveloped Hyrule Castle. A magical being descended from a magical race called the Twili, she's not a particularly sympathetic character when you first meet her - rude and sarcastic, Midna spends early portions of the game riding Link (who's been transformed into a wolf) around like a horse. With absolutely no remorse, she practically forces Link into becoming her personal servant, collecting these mysterious items called fused shadows. She then plans to use Link to take down Zant, the villainous Userper King that took the throne from her, transformed her into an imp- like creature, and inflicted the people of Twilight as well as the citizens of Hyrule. But after traveling with Link and witnessing his struggles to recover Llia, as well as Zelda's noble sacrfice, she eventually becomes much more friendly toward the citizens of the light world, especially Link. Though intially shown to be a self- absorbed trickster who only seeks personal gain, it becomes more apparent that her mind can be warped by revenge and rage, making little room for sympathy. In the second half of the game, it shows that she also houses bitterness towards herself for putting Link through all of this, which only adds to her character. Her growing friendship with Link serves as one of Twilight Princess's strongest elements. At the finale of the game, she makes a full change of heart, as she tries to stop Gannondorf from taking control of Zelda and eventually risking her own life to take down Spirit Gannon, a very powerful moment of Twilight Princess. Midna is a well developed character, through and through. Her matured personality as well as her charming antics makes her, in my opinion, the best character in the entire Zelda franchise.
And the creepiest smiles award goes to... MIDNA!
Good job, Midna.
What's you favorite Zelda character? Comment below and thanks for reading!