All Bosses EXPLAINED in Zelda: Majora's Mask

[@BanditGames]

What's the creepiest thing about Majora's Mask to you? To me, it's got to be the dancing ReDeads in Ikana Castle. Just... jeez.

[@LadyEspia]

It's gotta be the statue for Regular Link when he uses the Elgy of Emptiness. Like WHY is the Heck does it have such a toothie grin????

[@hylianmono]

The spiderhouses. The skulltulas are already creepy on their own, but they had to make two mini dungeons about them. Ik the house also appears in oot, but it's only a small place. Why are there paintings of Skull Kid in the oceanside spiderhouse?

[@Waxer22]

Everything

[@gamergirl5098]

I don’t like the music in the first temple. It just gives me chills. Either that or the statue of link. That thing is sooo freaking creepy!

[@gotrejo]

The introduction of tingle… gives me goosebumps

[@islaamN]

The creepiest thing in Majora, in a world full of ghosts and zombies and monsters, has to be the aliens at Romani Ranch! Just seeing Romani get abducted and come back traumatized is disturbing. Especially since everytime you reset time you realize she has to deal with those things over and over again, alone. :[

[@Arob4343]

“They” are great

[@House_of_Green]

Technically she’s not dealing with it over and over since it only happened once. We just keep repeating it 😂

[@tompadfoot3065]

So fun fact: their design is based on the Flatwoods Monster, a famous alien-esque cryptid from the US. Shigeru Miyamoto is *obsessed* with cryptid stories and lore, and the Flatwoods Monster is his favorite one

[@Levacque]

At least the monsters seem to have niches and purposes and they relate to something in the world, but They are truly alien. It gets under the skin because they are unrelatable to us, except the vaguely humanoid physique, which makes it somehow worse.

[@gregjohnson6613]

The weirdest thing about them is that Termina is supposed to be the work of the imagination from the Skull Kid, so Skull Kid had to meet them, or something look alike. And he has to have some hate for the ranch.

[@winterdragon0]

I believe that Fierce Deity's Mask is the embodiment of all of Termina's people's gratitude. It is the counterpart to Majora's Mask and the final battle is all about the negative feelings of rage, bitterness and abandoment defeated by feelings of happiness, gratitude and a sense of belonging. This game is truly poetic.

[@verdantmistral442]

The Happy Mask Saleman's dialog and the way the ending works if you didn't collect certain masks, seems to suggest that the happiness that Link brings about is preserved after the cycle is broken and is also why the masks do not disappear during resets. That in the end even though Link didn't help everyone in the final cycle, the new day is based on all the good Link did through out all the cycles. That even though some things were logically impossible the new day is best outcome of everything Link did.

[@IronianKnight]

@@verdantmistral442 that sounds a lot like a miracle from a deity composed of gratitude and the will to ferociously vanquish evil.

[@matthewshafer9545]

So...the mask was evil, not the people wearing them ? The mask are powerful, but still just masks . Your projecting moral constraints on the mask like it was wearing the person, not the other way around .

[@DankCannon]

@@verdantmistral442 yo, that's amazing. everytime I learn something new about MM its like I've just taken psychology course and my previous worldview is in question now lmao

[@TrueSolunar]

Similar to Super Sonic vs Perfect Chaos in that sense…

[@themacewens]

22:39 I still can't get over how that one quote reveals that the Fierce Deity is literally the friends we made along the way.

[@thisnameistaken2364]

Lesson: be cool and get cool mask

[@the_flipside_world]

​@@thisnameistaken2364and then murder the bad mask

[@crazyliclay]

I always like to imagine that majora represented the upsidedown triangle in the middle of the triforce. Almost as if that ancient tribe had inadvertently created a power comparable to the triforce itself, but corrupted.

[@Duffyboi]

The upside down triangle is beedle

[@catdownthestreet]

That theory becomes very interesting if you believe Majora is another Golden Goddess. Like a fallen or alternate deity that only exists in another world (like Termina). Also, I think Majora is a corrupted deity, like they were good but then a group of people trapped them in a mask. If we assume that somehow, that corrupted the deity, then the events of Majora's Mask took place solely because of them becoming trapped. So that ancient people basically created their own world's demise...

[@tdl487]

This might sound unusual but the creepiest thing about Majora's Mask to me is the Woodfall and Great Bay temples and their supposed functions. It seems like both weren't necessarily created for worshipping but to purify the poison and murky waters of Termina. You have to literally turn on the filtration systems within both temples in order to clean both water ways. It questions just how polluted and possibly how uninhabitable the land actually is and why.

[@asphaltshingles8594]

Never thought about that. Maybe the land is inherently unlivable, and intelligent life had to modify it.

[@davisbowe8668]

Honestly, when you look at how technologically advanced Great Bay Temple is compared to the rest of Termina, it looks to be a giant water purification plant.

[@tdl487]

@@asphaltshingles8594 That's what I thought at first too. The only problem is that the Ikana Kingdom, Stone Tower Temple, and the mysterious mask cult that Majora's Mask came from has been around for what looks like hundreds of years before. Maybe Termina's freshwater supply is naturally scares so the inhabitants had to find an alternative.

[@tdl487]

@@davisbowe8668 Yeah you're right it does. I wish someone would make a theory on it.

[@thegrim418]

Deslination plant perhaps. Remove salt from the ocean water to make it usable.

[@hiddendesire3076]

5:20 Interestingly in regards to the Pirate Gerudo, we do know in Wind Waker that the Forsaken Fortress used to be ruled by a “rival pirate group”. One which many believe were Gerudo pirates.

[@BioAlpha5]

damn good eye you got there

[@badrinath5306]

W8 wasn't it the shiekah?? Kind of remember shiekah symbols there......

[@hiddendesire3076]

@@badrinath5306 Do you mean the symbols up on the shipwreck that makes-up Ganon’s living quarters at the top?

[@badrinath5306]

@@hiddendesire3076 I think. I also think it might have been in a video more than an actual playthrough.

[@williamdrum9899]

I heard a theory that Wind Waker's Moblins are Gerudo that were transformed. Kinda makes sense because they both serve as security guards

[@andrewm.8841]

Playing Majora's Mask as a kid who was afraid of EVERYTHING, it helped me grow less afraid of what I couldn't control. It also helped facilitate creativity against problems. Only when I turned 14, and played it again, did I truly fall in love with the game. It helped walk me through depression and see that everyone in the world has pain and regret. That part of it really inspired me to be more caring and sacrificial to others in my life. We don't know exactly how someone may hurt, but Empathy and Patience can help heal trauma. That is what Majora's Mask taught me, and why it will always be my favorite game.

[@furniture5223]

God bless you.

[@ErectedGasCan]

I was also a easily spooked kid and Majora's Mask hardened me in that sense. Like when the moon fell the first time, i was terrified but also really determined not the let that happen again. 😄

[@Ren_Ysidro]

I used to have been terrified of the redeads (from ocarina of time particularly, not other games) And I would quit playing for like a month, until I started playing majora's mask, and then I litterally stopped fearing death so~

[@ErectedGasCan]

@@Ren_Ysidro Me and my brother would try to shove the controller to the other one as soon as a ReDead appeared in Oot & MM. 😂😂

[@coltencraft691]

The Japanese text of the happy mask salesman’s recount of the tribe that made majoras mask lines up almost perfect with the interlopers of twilight princess. The fact that the fused shadows put together resembles the mask makes more sense with the Japanese text

[@magnatcleo2043]

Adding to that, The fused shadows also have an eye that looks pretty similar to the eyes on Majora's Mask.

[@MrThaiTuber]

@@magnatcleo2043 That's literally what he just said. "the fused shadows put together resembles the mask"

[@davisbowe8668]

Yep, I've always subscribed to the theory that the Twili were the creators of Majora's Mask, and the mask was a precursor to the Fused Shadow. The backstories of Majora and the Interlopers line up way too well to just be a coincidence.

[@HaveButOneLife]

@@davisbowe8668 Termina and Twilight are two different worlds. I've never bought into it, it makes no sense. I see it more as inspiration or a callback as opposed to something canonical.

[@WearDatKingRat]

I dont get what you're saying. The interlopers were banished into the twilight after they attempted to use the fused shadow to take the triforce and the tribe spoken of was never mentioned to be from termina. "The tribe from the legend has vanished" which ties into the interlopers getting banished into the twilight realm. Given how the the fused shadow has similar features as to majoras mask, and how both are masks created to obtain great power, it makes sense that people would consider the fused shadow to be majoras successor. Of course it's just a theory and by no means canonical, but it has some pretty solid connections which is why it's one of the more popular ones.

[@Eleehas]

Could've sworn I've read one of the game disc booklets that said that Link thought everyone in Termina were people from Hyrule, but when he took a closer look, they were completely different people.

[@LittleAl016]

Plus it's canon that it's literally a parallel world.

[@woodyhorton8537]

@@LittleAl016 then that should mean there would be a Triforce right? Or something like it or even opposite of it

[@LittleAl016]

@@woodyhorton8537 Not necessarily. Given that Hytopia exists without a Triforce.

[@DiscoFinalBoss]

The hand sticking out of the toilet and the cow stealing aliens are pretty up there. To this day, it’s my favorite Zelda.

[@AlexandraStubbs]

P-paper…! 🫱

[@Nosretep]

A Japanese Yokai and a American Cryptid

[@thegrim418]

You don't keep a man in your outhouse to wipe for you? Weird.

[@DiscoFinalBoss]

@@thegrim418 I’m missing out. I know.

[@catawasers]

The way i jumped when it "zips" out. Horrifying shiy

[@Kelaiah01]

It's nice to finally see a theory video that acknowledges the fact that both Scull Kid and Majora were influenced by one another. It helps explains a lot.

[@xombiekilla]

From what I gathered, Nintendo was asked if Link was dead during Majora's Mask they said no; they also asked if it was a dream, and they also said no. Termina means to travel, as Clock Town was a point for tourists to travel. All it is an alternate dimension

[@LittleAl016]

And it existed well before Skull Kid even put on Majora's Mask.

[@xombiekilla]

@@LittleAl016 They were also asked about why the mask transformations are painful for Link. Each mask, barring the last one you get in the moon, was all people with thoughts, feelings, and desires. They left this world hurt and unsatisfied, so he fostered their pain and burdens into a forced transformation; now imagine this every time he puts on one of their masks within a set playthrough... ouch.

[@WarriorOfPuns]

There’s actually a theory that Termina is a neighboring country of Lorule, the dark world version of Hyrule, shown in A Link Between Worlds

[@WarriorOfPuns]

That’s why it’s darker than other Legend of Zelda games

[@adi4748]

I always saw the giants as representation of friends the skull kid had in hyrule who abandoned him or lost him in the lost woods. In Ocarina of time it's said that someone becomes a skull kid when lost for long in the lost woods (as far as I remember) and each area in it has four directions you can go. I always thought that they split up maybe to try and find an exit and skull kid remained in place too scared to follow and became a skull kid

[@doggossphere4159]

I remember when I was very little I use to be scared of the cutscene in which Link puts on the mask and trasforms

[@offscreenpaws4207]

Me to lol I'd just close my eyes 👀

[@markgill346]

So did I used to hide behind a couch.

[@petersimpson4648]

That scares me a little to this day.

[@Margar02]

I would close my eyes too, and skip the scenes. It is quite disturbing! It looks painful!

[@peluchinlol1454]

Same

[@mxriaguer]

the creepiest thing about majora's mask for me is the game itself, such a lonely and dark journey for such a young link. Imagine being him, trying to save Termina all by yourself, fighting such scary bosses and walking through those dark places while being a child right after saving Hyrule from Ocarina of Time... He's an amazing young hero...💔

[@thegrim418]

To be faid though, if I was sent back in time with the knowledge I have now I'd be a much more capable child. Link was a hero in mind when he entered Termina. Imagine being the adults in Termina watching a 10 year old face down the darkness.

[@DeeYee99]

Well He does have the Triforce of Courage. Makes Me wonder if the Triforce of Courage is stronger/better to world than the other 2? Hmmm or is it the one whom wears it? 🤔

[@stevenhall5853]

I hope I'm not the only one who sees Granny's stories as being not about the Skull Kid, but about Majora itself, using the Skull Kid as a stand-in of sorts. Idk, the beef that the Mask has with the Giants seems a hell of a lot more personal (a la the mask children) than just being a chaotic figure.

[@thehunter8417]

I think it was a story about Majora initially, then when Skull Kid appeared it permanently altered reality in a way that makes Skull Kid and Majora one in the same. This explains the moon's interior as being the direct memories of Majora without Skull Kid, who Majora sheds before entering the moon and thus "drops the mask" of Skull Kid and his memories.

[@ItsYaBoiV]

With the Wizrobes, I've just kinda always seen them as more a class of evil sorcerer rather than a monster. It would explain why they all look different. Same with the Darknuts, they're corrupt knights rather than a unified species of knight-like creatures.

[@danieltiffany1793]

I love the meta theory at the end. Very well thought out! It changes how I saw the game as a whole. The creepiest thing in the game for me is the feelings you get while playing. The mix of music and the environment, the behavior of the residents, and the pain and loss that seems everywhere... The whole game feels like the worst day ever, and I can never play it without feeling sad.

[@bhull242]

The creepiest-or, rather, most unsettling-part of Majora’s Mask for me is the Groundhog Day-like aspect of the game. Think about it: Link is forever trapped reliving the same three days over and over again until he finally defeats Majora. Not only does he have to live through all the trauma he faced as a child in OoT but now he has to go relive new trauma repeatedly. He also saves people over and over again, but then it all resets (with a few exceptions). Now, at first, that just seems dark rather than disturbing, but remember that Link is a child here. What kind of psychological trauma is he facing inside his head? What is going through his mind as he sees Romani post-abduction for the umpteenth time, and knowing that even if he saves her in _this_ time loop, she will likely still go through it again unless Link goes out of his way to save her in every single subsequent time loop, which is a huge task. And these things are likely constantly in the back of his mind with every choice he makes in a given loop. That sort of thing is likely taking a toll on Link’s mind. And even if you-as Link-decide to spend the final loop completing all the “good” side-quests before going after Majora to ensure as many happy endings as possible for everyone, there are some who simply _cannot_ be saved. The three who died to give you the Deku, Goron, and Zora masks cannot be saved in any loop, and one of them even dies in Link’s arms. Unless I’m severely mistaken, this is the first time Link witnesses a living good guy (other than the Great Deku Tree) die; others were already dead by the time he got there. In fact, of the ones who die or are dead, these three are the only ones who die (directly or indirectly) because of the Big Bad (whether it’s Ganondorf or Skull Kid/Majora) who are neither reborn (like the Great Deku Tree) nor can be saved via time travel (like many in Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask). (Note: Yes, canonically, the events of the Adult timeline still happen even though Link goes back in time to stop Ganondorf before they happen in the Child timeline, but Link is almost certainly unaware of this, so as far as he’s concerned, anyone who’s dead in the Adult timeline who wasn’t dead in the Child timeline were saved.) There is simply no way to save these three from being killed by the Big Bad or someone associated with or manipulated by him, which appears to be a distinction only those three share. Yes, this story can be seen as Link growing up and not being a kid anymore, but it’s not because he _wants_ to; the world is _forcing_ him to grow up. And this is particularly sad when you remember why Adult Zelda sent Link back to the past after Gabon’s defeat in the first place: so Link can have the childhood that was stolen from him by the Master Sword. But he doesn’t get it. It’s stolen away, along with Epona, the Ocarina of Time, and his humanity (Hylian-ity?), by Skull Kid wearing Majora’s Mask. While he retrieves his horse, ocarina, and original form along the way (assuming that you _do_ save Epona at some point, which I think is technically optional), he will never get back the childhood he lost. He may be a child in body, but he can never get back his childhood mind. He was forced to grow up at a very early age. I’m probably overthinking this, but Majora’s Mask basically makes you overthink things. It’s really the nature of the game. It even makes you overthink the events of Ocarina of Time. Also, here’s a thought I just had. According to Hyrule Historia, even though Zelda used to Ocarina of Time to send Link to the Child timeline (so, as far as he’s concerned, he can prevent everything that happened since he first met Zelda from happening at all), the events of the original timeline _still happen._ This is actually what leads to the events of The Wind Waker. (There’s also the Ganon Wins timeline, but that’s a whole other can of worms; I’m more interested in the time-travel aspect.) Essentially, when the Ocarina of Time sends someone back in time, it creates a new timeline to send the target (typically the user) to, while the existing timeline continues without them. Now, apply this same principle to Majora’s Mask. While, in OoT, the Ocarina of Time only sends Link back in time once (the other times Link goes back in time are via the Master Sword’s pedestal in the Temple of Time, which appears to operate by principles similar to the Time Gates in Skyward Sword, which do _not_ appear to create new timelines but either are part of a stable time loop (where the events from time travel were already part of the timeline) or modify the existing timeline), Link does so numerous times in Majora’s Mask. That’s dozens of new timelines created. And, let’s face it, in the vast majority of them, the Moon ends up destroying Termina and everyone dies; plus, in most of them, you don’t even give almost anyone a final happy memory before their death. That’s pretty disturbing to think about.

[@sweetoil2952]

What in the world, this has got to be one of the best comments. This is some AWESOME speculation! 😨😥👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@neor2354]

I don't want to damage your point, because I think it's absolutely fantastic and well thought, but I would like to give you my take. I believe that this Link is very far from the Link in OoT, this the game is about maturing but this Link is probably mentally an adult (forced to become one thanks to his adventures in Hyrule's future) and in Majora's Mask he experiences the other parts that are usually part to one's maturity. As the epitome of courage, I don't think that Link actually realizes in the dark situation he finds himself, instead he will push fowards into cleansing Termina's multiple hexes. He already is an adult in many ways, and experiencing new things that are part to becoming one. The game is all about helping people with their struggles instead of just finishing side missions because you can get an empty bottle, no... these characters are real, filled with their work shifts, goals and regrets. It doesn't matter how many times you reset the time. It doesn't matter how many times you do not manage to help or save every one of them. The masks you collect are the representation of that time you made each of the people in Termina happy, and in turn, made you happy for sticking through with your selfless acts. With courage and the will of all the people of Termina, Link is more than ready to take on all the troubles of the land, because of selflesness, not because of personal reasons like revenge or trauma. There's always light in the dark, and just as you have defined all the troubles and dark sides of the game, I wanted to show you that there's also a lot of good in the lands of Termina. It is not because of you being one way or the other, it is so because despite of us all... Majora's Mask embraced both light and dark, childhood and adulthood, none of the two truly good or evil but parts of our nature and the world's nature. It is a personal adventure for both Link, and us. We made good memories as well as bad ones, didn't we?

[@AndrevusWhitetail]

" (assuming that you do save Epona at some point, which I think is technically optional)," It's actually not. Canonically you need Epona to jump over the fence to Great Bay, else you cannot get to the beach in the first place.

[@ejy-u1x]

You are over analyzing the game

[@bhull242]

@@ejy-u1x Pretty sure I said that.

[@Kspice9000]

I've always considered it to be an Alice in Wonderland kind of adventure for Link. One to get him geared and help him grow after losing Navi.

[@herostempus5794]

While I was watching this a thought occurred to me that I had never considered before. What if Majora was a friend of the Giants? Maybe the imp in the story was actually Majora and it was Majora's revenge plot from the start. This would mean that core memory of abandonment represented in the moon would have originated from Majora and not Skull Kid. There are a couple issues with this theory. First, Majora would have had to have been an imp before being a mask, but I don't it too strange that maybe the tribe that made the mask had captured an imp and sealed it in the mask to empower it. Second, Skull Kid addresses the Giants at the end and shows remorse for having acted so rashly to being abandoned by them. Maybe they were both were friends of the Giants and had both been abandoned, or maybe Skull Kid didn't know the Giants at all and it was Majora's manipulation and gaslighting that made him think he was their friend.

[@desertyoshi_plays]

Finally. I've long awaited this video. There's actually so much lore and symbolism in this game. It's also not afraid to get dark. That's why it's my favorite title in the series.

[@Krait-sd7sh]

I feel like odolwa always gets shoved aside for not being as interesting as the other bosses .But I feel he needs more credit he is just a fun enemy that you don’t have to kill any particular way unless you play the 3ds version . The boss that I really disliked was Gyorg I can’t express enough how much that fish made me want to snap my controller in half.

[@ianlarsen3920]

Odolwa was always my favorite boss in the game for his appearance and sheer presence alone. I actually found him the most interesting of the four regional bosses, with Goht as a close second.

[@bewearstar9462]

he also speak malay from Malaysia

[@codinginflow]

In the Zelda universe, sealing something away "forever" means for a few years before it comes back with a vengeance

[@tomdekler9280]

Side note to Wart, he shares his name in Japanese with Arrghus from Link to the Past, seemingly being the same creature.

[@watcher805]

I was about to.bring that up

[@thestellarvoid7077]

Arrghus itself is actually based on a being of Greek mythology named Argus Panoptes or Argos Panoptes. They were a many-eyed Giant tasked by Hera of the Olympians to guard Io from Zeus. Interestingly, Arrghus originates in Link to the Past, which also features the Tower of Hera which is where you fight the giant Moldorm.

[@tomdekler9280]

@@thestellarvoid7077 very cool! Doesn't that game also feature Medusa Head or was that the Oracle games?

[@bluelightning7149]

Link did not do the Forest Temple in child timeline but he stills remember doing them from the future, Zelda sent him back in time with his future memory still there

[@henryhobbitbox]

The way you did these just blow me away. As someone with much experience and knowledge in Zelda there are still some details and things that I didn't know about in this one. Fantastic work and dedication Bandit! ^_^

[@thebardofshale304]

I personally believe Majora created the bosses in a different fashion. Odolwa: Originally a warrior spirit of the Swamp who felt as if his power wasn't enough, and Majora gave him the power of the Giant to rule over the Swamplands with an iron fist. Goht: A machine created either by Gorons or for them to help mine rocks, but was abandoned in Snowhead Temple. Majora sealed the giant in the machine as it looked like nothing could topple it. Gyorg: Originally a small fish that Majora found swimming in the bottom of the Great Bay Temple, and was transformed into a monster. Twinmold: Realizing the importance of sealing the giants, Majora hid the last mask in another dimension and split the power between two sand worms in the desert. Any thoughts?

[@LittleAl016]

Makes more sense than Termina being a creation of the Skull Kid.

[@Sarah_H]

First thought after reading the bit about Twinmold: Majora flung the corrupted Giant FAR forward in time, say...a few thousand years or so. And the giant fossils we can see in the desert in Breath of the Wild are the remnants of an ancient fight between three giants

[@wearywanderer1912]

Much better portrayal of the bosses. They should be entities connected to the zones lore instead or mere Majora creations.

[@LittleAl016]

@@wearywanderer1912 I mean, have you looked on the huge eyeballs they have during "critical strike" moments in the remake? That pretty much identifies them as creations of Majora, sent to terrorize the regions they're found in.

[@wearywanderer1912]

@@LittleAl016 I know, canonically they are just Majora instant creations. But like the person that started the thread proposed, I'd prefer if they were unique creatures that existed before Skull Kid came to Termina and were corrupted/controlled by Majora during the game events.

[@Meme.Supreme]

Best boss breakdown for my favorite game in the series! This was awesome to listen to, and I'm so happy to be a member for you Bandit! Keep up the great work and can't wait for the Metroid content!!!

[@alhassirakhdugani5813]

MM is my all time favorite video game. I remember when the game came out and my mum brought the box home to me and I pulled out that golden/bronze cartridge. I was a huge Zelda fan due to OoT and then MM happened…obsession doesn’t adequately describe what I held for this game. It’s storytelling was so in depth, beautifully written, and utterly powerful. The story still rings deep within me to this day.

[@keo528528]

I don't think the 3 day cycle is the only time warping going on in Majoras Mask. If we are to believe that at least some of Termina is real, than it seems that Skull Kid must have entered the tree portal more than once. Skull kids are transformed lost children that we tend to veiw as having long life spans, but to the best of my knowledge we have no evidence of their lives being extended by becoming Skull Kids. Based on each corner having their own long histories with occupants of many generations I think it's safe to say the Giants went to their respective corners a very long time ago....centuries perhaps. It could be that time moves faster for Termina when you are not in it. The first time Skull kid goes in the portal he encounters 4 Giant deities making their world and they all play together. The second time he enters they have gone their seprate ways. Skull kid takes this as an offense to him, but he is actually the one who has been gone forever. He reacts poorly and they throw him out. The third time he comes back under the influence of Majora's Mask and we all know the rest.

[@grimus8266]

Also, I think termina is real because majora is my first Zelda and I like the idea that in the middle of the most forest is a portal to a different reality

[@90CJk]

Termina was real in the way Majora’s Mask created from Skull Kids memories. This is evidence wasn’t a demon but a god. As only gods in Zelda have shown the power to make worlds. The Golden Goddesses and Wind Fish for example.

[@BraveShowBoys]

@@90CJk id agree… but skullkid met tatl and tael in termina not the lost woods. Tatl and tael were present for when he stole the mask. And by the time link meets with skullkid he was not yet under any control of the mask yet. Reinforcing the point that termina existed before majora did anything.

[@wumboqwark]

My *personal* head cannon is that Termina is another continent. If the the lost woods has portals that takes link to different places in Hyrule from the lost woods, why not have a portal that takes him even further away like to another country or continent?

[@wumboqwark]

Now with the idea that Termina is another country or reality what if in Tears of the kingdom there was a dlc that took us back to Termina 😳

[@hotweeaboo3475]

Yeah it’s not that crazy to me, I mean there’s even a portal in a forest in twilight princess that takes you to the temple of time!

[@Mariodash23]

Damn dude, you threw quite a sucker punch with that final point about Majora's message being about moving on from the trauma of our childhood and becoming better people in our adulthood. In a way, it heavily reflects Time Link's entire journey from OoT to MM. He witnessed countless horrors, terrible suffering, and heartless tyrants, yet stood defiantly against it all despite being only a child in the body of a young adult. That kind of horrifying experience would traumatize anyone, especially a 10 year old kid! Which makes the theory that Shade in TP is Time Link even sadder, but also kinda bittersweet. He died, lost in the Lost Woods, becoming a Stalfos, never to be truly remembered by anyone in Hyrule because of the passage of time.

[@garrett8707]

I do prefer the idea of that termina was already a parallel world that skull kid would go back and forth from there and the lost woods.

[@LittleAl016]

I mean, it always has been.

[@beatproducerman7157]

@@LittleAl016so it was always there but the mask altered it and made it evil? I’m kinda confused too bc in the video he says termina was made by the mask and skull kids mind combined.

[@LittleAl016]

@@beatproducerman7157 It wasn't. That's just nonsense made up by Hyrule Encyclopedia, which outright states that nobody should take what it's saying as canon.

[@Arata987]

Majora is definitely the most bizarre creation of the Zelda franchise, but is also the most interesting of them all too.

[@troykv96]

I imagine Termina was actually real, but Skull Kid bringing Majora and his tartrum ended up messing up Termina, and so, that is how we ended up with a Iron Knuckle in Ikana, as well as several familiar looking enemies (specially the sisters).

[@LittleAl016]

Termina is real.

[@BruceBoyde]

Huh, this was really interesting. I like the notion that maybe the power of the mask is that it will kind of "grant wishes" in a twisted way. Perhaps the power only got so out of hand because of the depth of the Skull Kids' sorrow and anger. It only manifests enough power to do what they wanted, in a sense. So the tribe could have been using it but with more measured aims before realizing how out of hand it could get if the individual was twisted enough.

[@LittleAl016]

However, Skull Kid came into possession of Majora's Mask after he was banished from Termina by its creators.

[@NorthernWind0]

It's worth mentioning that due to the theming and story of Ocarina of Time, if you take the Fierce Deity's Mask to represent an Adult approach to violence, anger, loss and retribution then you're pointing to Link's experiences in all of Termina leading him back where he was when the story began. Lost, without a childhood to go back to, unable to stop the violent, adult cycle he found himself in, even as a kid. The Fierce Deity's mask, wielding an hourglass blade, represents the experiences Link has had in Termina *tapping into* the Hero he always was. With a piece of the triforce over his heart, and the moon in crescent on his other half, Link embodies the sheer weight of his own power and potential. The Fierce Deity's Mask turns him into nothing less than the embodiment of his own Trauma, which is what Termina was, ultimately. A mirror reflecting his own grief, reminding him that as much as he believes that in helping others he helps himself... He's still traumatized and riddled with loss, of a variety no magic alone could heal. It could rend the curse from him. It could rend his soulless, empty husk from him, but Link is in pain, the entire game. He's lost his friend, he's wading through misery and grief, he's got the weight of OoT on his shoulders, and literally, at his side, at all times. The Song of Healing removes the Deku Butler's Son's misery from him, but it doesn't help him. Link's pain is beyond the scope of the Song of Healing to correct. Unless. Unless he goes through the organic healing process. Accepts his grief through understanding, touching on and letting go of the grief of others. Then, he's rewarded with a physical representation of that sorrow he carries with him. A representation that turns him into the very thing he was forced to be that destroyed his life in the first place. The violent champion of the Goddess of Time, the adult he was forced to be, the courage literally emblazoned over his heart. His own understanding, made up of the 'soul' of Termina, of that miserable trauma of his. Which he willingly dons, relives and embraces to cut down a demon, for the sake of the world, again.

[@owenbicker799]

A lot of people see this game as an allegory for death, but with all the different themes in it and the mantle of responsibility Link takes I feel, like you said, it's an allegory for growing up. Video gave me goosebumps.

[@mrmetang3642]

I disagree that themes of death and growing up are exclusionary to one another. In fact, they're often closely linked. Loss of innocence is often described as feeling like a part of you has died, and I'm not just refering to traumatic experiences here. All on it's own it's horrific to realize that the person who you spent most of your life as so far, for whom the world always looked the most magical as, is gone from this world permanently. Mourning who you once were can feel like, well, mourning. And this theme is never more literal than with Navi. OOT went through a lot. Driven from his home, forced through grueling trials, watching friends like Saria and Zelda become husks of their former selves, witnessing the horrors of war and torture, literally being forced to become an adult! However, he still had Navi. Despite players' feelings, she's one of Link's closest friends, sticking with him throughout the journey and being a beacon of reliability. And then she left. While it's never stated outright, it's implied she's passed as fairies often do after their job is complete. And with her goes the last trace of his youth. Just as Skull Kid/Majora experience fury over the giants departure, Link must be struggling with the loss of his friend. Link's journey to cope with the loss of Navi just as well represents him coming to terms with the loss of his innocence, that even though everything's been returned to normal is not the same person. And he never will be.

[@marcusbullock2753]

As someone who only played two Zelda games my whole life for some reason I feel nostalgic even if I have never played the other games before. It’s just nice to learn the lore of this game. In smash I always chose link no matter what.

[@MichaeltheGeisha]

I really enjoyed your ending thoughts on the traumas of child hood becoming a part of adulthood and how sometimes we aren't mature enough or don't how to handle a situation with more maturity. So true on many levels. We all grow at a different pace based on the people we have around us at the time.

[@kuraux56s59]

This is gonna be a very random comment but... The moment I heard "Righteous Fury" and "Kishin" when talking about the Fierce Deity Mask. I instantly thought of Kishin Houkou Demonbane!

[@self-absorbed5269]

While I can ignore the aliens being left out because they were not created. The fact that they exist outside of Majora proves that Termina exists independently. But what gets me is that you didn't factor that a hexing mask gains power from victims. And when Skull Kid stole from you while wearing it , it got charged.

[@LittleAl016]

We never see Majora's Mask get anything from Skull Kid.

[@fl0_hrl]

Did you know ? Ikana sounds like the phrase いいかな(ii ka na) in Japanese, which means "It's fine, right ?". May be an in-game proof to the steps of grief theory, as Ikana is theorized to be the acceptance of death

[@saywotnow7597]

My own head canon is that Majora's Mask was the dream Link has while he was asleep for 7 years in OOT. He dreams the same 3 days for 7 years and it acts as his training till he's ready to face Ganondorf as an adult.

[@RyanHaney55]

I like these boss lore videos. To me, Termina exists the same way the Dark World of ALTTP or Lorule of ALBW do. I'll keep a look out for your Metroid videos.

[@latoyathunderstar9585]

15:07 comments about the ‘Impressioned squishing toes’ really made me laugh 😂. Although I am a little tired 🥱 today.

[@bradcarver8127]

The Oceanside spider house is pretty creepy. Especially the stalchildren just sitting at the table.

[@basil4president]

It's also strange that the child wearing Majora's Mask in the moon is the one that gives you the Fierce Deity's Mask. Like, Majora is giving you the key item to defeat it.

[@LittleAl016]

0:42, so you're gonna go with the non-canon explanation instead of the more logical explanation of it having existed long before Skull Kid even put on the mask? We literally see Tatl and Tael MEET the Skull Kid in Termina, for crying out loud! And Termina's still around after Majora is defeated, too. More importantly, the Giants literally recognize the Skull Kid as their friend, and are the first clue that Skull Kid was being controlled by Majora's Mask during the course of the game.

[@ibraheemafzal2436]

Wonderful Majora’s mask video. Made me feel like a kid watching Zelda theories again

[@nillynush4899]

I believe Termina is another world no different than the worlds in the Oracle games. Twilight Princess' Hero's Bow seems to be the same as MM Link's bow. It's even explained it was brought and given to the Gorons by the Hero himself. In the child timeline, Majora comes before Twilight Princess. I suppose some things created in a dream world could remain physical objects due to magic.

[@xanderblack3871]

Hey Bandit, if you haven't seen/read this already but there is an after story in the majors mask Manga that shows the creation of the Major's Mask and the hero who resembles the Fierce Diety. As a summary, the hero faced a massive and powerful creature and after defeating it he could still feel the evil coming from it so he carved its corpse into what is now known as Majors Mask. It was a very interesting read

[@ClumsyReaper]

The “giants are the bosses” makes sense, especially when you consider the game already has masks that can transform one. Majora made this maskes and imbued them with fragments of its own dark power, such that when the Giants were forced to don them, they became the forms the masks represent. Also I think calling the Skull Kid Human is… innacurate. But the creepiest thing is.. probably the mask salesman. He is partially aware of the time loop, he knows the magic song that can soothe souls, he teleports around and summons an organ, and whatever strange portal led Link to Termina brought him directly to the Mask Salseman.

[@TheLyingFigure]

Mask salesman being aware of the cycle resetting is something that always got me thinking as a kid. The conclusion I've come to is that he knows of the ocarina of time somehow (due to him knowing you can use it with the song of healing to fix yourself) and knows of link otherwise it wouldn't make sense for him to entrust getting the mask back. I think he knows what is needed to beat majora and knows link will have to continue resetting time until he succeeds before the cycle even begins. So basically he doesn't remember the events of each reset but when you show up with a giant mask or something he knows where you would have gotten it from and just reacts under the impression that link is making progress and resetting the time loop.

[@dshaynietheawesome]

Personally i like the explanation that termina doesn’t need an explanation it’s simply a mysterious place where things are different yet familiar sometimes keeping things simple and vague works wonders

[@heyheyhey121121]

very interesting video, some additional food for thought re: Stone Tower is that it is possibly a bridge between the two dimensions (termina and where you fight twinmold) and the Garo actually come from that dimension, but appear to come from the Stone Tower itself. Theres an interesting video Ikana: a war between dimensions on that idea. all of the temples seem to be more advanced and more ancient than their surroundings. Odolwa is not really cursing the swamp to be poisonous, he has interrupted the water filtration system in the temple. the deku/monkeys have a partial understanding of the temples relation to their ecosystem, but not complete. similarly, goht is an actual mechanical beast, which seems far beyond Goron capability. The ocean temple also seems to play an important role in the health of the surrounding ocean, although even the Zora don't seem to fully understand it. Then of course, Stone Tower which seems to be more ancient and esoteric than just about any other place in the whole of Termina and seems to be a complete mystery to even its closest and most ancient inhabitants the Ikana. where did these temples come from? are they possibly the creations of their neighbors, but long ago with knowledge that has since failed to pass on and been forgotten? or was there an ancient Terminan civilization a la Atlantis, which created the modern day landscape but has since been lost to the sands of time. a recurring theme in Japanese art is Yugen which is literally translated as dark or mysterious, I feel Majora encompasses that theme wonderfully. there is so much depth to this world that you can feel yourself at the very top of an ocean unable to truly peer into it and ascertain its true being, instead it ends up being a tool for play/exploration/examination which is constantly showing you something new depending on what it is you as the seeker are looking for. perhaps not entirely unlike the mask Majora itself. a beautiful game, and I enjoyed you taking the time to do some diving into it.

[@obviouslykaleb7998]

you know what? of all the theorys i've heard on Majora's mask and the timeline, location and characters, yours seems the most complete. I hate "Dream/death" theories as a rule because they're unfalsifiable and lazy; literally every game has room for a "he's actually dying and the entire game is just cope" theory, and it's as annoying as it is trite. yours though; that "it is a real place in canon, but it's corrupted by things that are themselves allegorical in lore" is perfect, and I think i'm convinced now. Well done.

[@AlexandraStubbs]

Yet another great video on the Zelda mini bosses and main bosses! Majora’s Mask was one I haven’t played, so getting to know what happened to Termina ect. It’s great, really enjoyed learning about the history and your theories. I hope one day we will see The Happy Mask Sales Men again in a new Zelda game. He has always been such a fascinating and mysterious character.

[@tumultuousv]

You should Definitely play Majoras Mask!

[@AlexandraStubbs]

@@tumultuousv You’re so right, I will make time to play it soon.

[@samuelabbottchannel]

@@tumultuousv You say that like playing MM is easily done.

[@ShabyUwU]

The way I never thought the main bosses were altered versions of the giants. I love informative videos like this because I learn so many new things, I focus way more on gameplay than story. Tyyy!

[@KieranK812]

Your videos are always entertaining, keep up the great work!

[@elleenoel512]

Naturally, I have my own theories about how Termina works, who Majora is, ect. But this was really good. I love the allegory bit at the end. Also interesting because I've heard that Ocarina is supposed to be symbolic of growing up.

[@devonm042690]

I always thought that the Garo Master knowing the secret to the Stone Tower was just something we were to accept it found out through its work, as the leader of a group of spies who were good enough at their job that they held an endless impasse with one of the most prosperous kingdoms in the land. Honestly, if Termina really is a twisted reflection of Hyrule from the Skull Kid's perspective, then maybe the Stone Tower is meant to be the equivalent of the Temple of Time, and the inverted world centered around the 'bloodstained, red emblem' the Sacred Realm/Dark World. The popular theory that purposes the Stone Tower as an analogue to the Tower of Babel suggests that the inverted Stone Tower is meant to be the Gods of the Triforce punishing Ikana for their hubris, which is why I included the possibility that it's the Dark World rather than the Sacred Realm. But anyway, with the perverted Triforce imagery and the whole Light Arrow thing, that's one thought that comes to me. Speaking of the 'bloodstained, red emblem' and the Light Arrow and the flipping thing, what's up with the appearances of the emblem inside the temple? In a room where the floor is lava, in a block puzzle room, and as decoration on the Death Armos. Actually, the latter I can understand, at least visually. The Death Armos are described as Temple Guards by Tatl. But why is their emblem affected by the Light Arrow? I know why gameplay-wise, of course, but narratively it all seems random.

[@Da_mutha_peckin_H.A._double_T.]

The Stone Temple Tower being essentially the Tower of Babel, and created to spite the goddesses is my favorite Majora's Mask theory.

[@dickgrayson1701]

the Theories showing along these videos have gotten BETTER AND BETTER, I'm amazed

[@Deram1Axres]

Don't think it is cannon, but I still like the telling of Majora and the Fierce Deity's story and their past history.

[@Hero-For-Hire]

Great game. I just dusted off my old 64 and beat it. Like literally took down Majora today. Cool video. I really love this game and the lore behind it

[@MrCactusfish]

I think of it like in bloodborne. In bloodborne while dreams are created by thought they are tangible places that you can go to with flesh and blood creatures, I think Termina is like that. The creepiest thing in the game is the alien abduction in my opinion. That or the music for Majora's Incarnation which is so frantic and unsettling

[@iamjoehill]

I've always used Skull Kid/Majora's Mask as symbolism of my childhood, and listening to you articulate these theories...and then aligning with my personal experience/the story that Nintendo is telling...wow. Great job my man. This is a work of art, please never stop doing what you do! 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@ZoteDerMaechtige]

How does Termina being made up of twisted memories explain characters in Majora's Mask having no connections to the lore of the originals? Wouldn't you expect connections in that case?

[@HDGamerofficial]

Absolutely love this video Bandit! Anytime anyone talks about Majora’s Mask I’m all here for it! And whenever ya start making Metroid videos, you know damn well I’ll be here too!!! So hype for those!

[@trebmaster]

I love that Majora's Mask is getting attention since it's super underrated and deep, and stoked to hear Metroid theories!

[@NuiYabuko]

Underrated? lol

[@simongoj]

This has to be my favorite Zelda game because it's atmosphere is so different

[@gamergirl5098]

Hey bandit!!!! Always good to see when you post a vid! Love it hhahahah can’t wait for the next stream! ;)

[@williamhorsley927]

Never have I made the connection about the kids on the moon as the skull kid and the giants. The kid wearing Majora's mask representing the Skull kid feeling alone and abandoned by the other four running around. So on point. Scariest part? Just the moon itself as it gets closer on Day 3, especially if you're at the swamp and it's staring menacingly at you.

[@dragonstar213]

The well, both in Ocarina and Majoras mask the wells are iconic for their horrific ambience. Please let there be one in Tears of the Kingdom

[@VenusFeuerFalle]

I can see it, people discover a "well"-biome and be like "oh shit please no, NOT AGAIN" (Trauma itensifies)

[@dragonstar213]

@@VenusFeuerFalle so damn true lmao

[@Theotherpersona358]

To add to your theory: I feel like Termina add to exist before too, Majora had to corrupt an existing world, else it wouldn't make sense for Majora to create a corrupt world and then to use more of it's power to further complicate things by cursing the giants, if Majora had somehow created Termina, it wouldn't create the giants who are the only ones who can sort of stand up against it. Plus, now that I got to that point of the video (haha) Majora is from outside of Termina.

[@danielt7708]

the fierce deity mask is probably a lot more powerful than we realize, because an often overlooked fact about the mask is it has the powers of all the masks in termina or something like that. so technically the fierce deity could swim like a zora or turn giant.

[@Hexstasy100]

3:54 The accent transition was gold XD

[@chrll]

0:23 I just want to mention that the "debatable" aspect if Termina exists is the fault of that darn Zelda Encyclopedia. Before that, it was established that Termina was in an alternate/parallel world to the one of Hyrule. And since that encyclopedia contradicts other aspects of the lore of the games, I really think it should be ignored. Whatd you think Bandit?

[@LittleAl016]

It really should be ignored. Especially since the people who put Hyrule Encyclopedia together, IIRC, have basically admitted that they had no supervision from Nintendo, and just put in what they thought made a good story. I doubt that they even played the games.

[@nickf2315]

Wonderful video as always, watching the part about the mask specifically an ad played right after you said "in my opinion..." was just hilarious timing like having a commercial right before the climax of a show 🤣

[@drewbino8712]

Can tremina be a terminal between hyrule and lorule?

[@pablolara6477]

This was one of the best video's ive watched, the analysis at the end about letting go of child immaturity to fight the darkest unmature thoughts of a child's emotions struck with me. Recently went through the roughest year of my life, so many lies and truths about my family and relationships had been revealed to me and I feel like im given grim maturity. Maybe grim maturity isn't so bad if you can fight the darkest emotions in your life that would otherwise ruin you and those around you.

[@cameronsnyder1246]

Damn that ending bit about trauma caught me off guard. It was very well thought out and very eloquently said. Being the posterboy for childhood trauma and teenage angst it made me feel a kinship with the skull kid I never had before. For all those out there struggling it does get better. Im 30 and I'm happier than I ever thought possible. Find your passion and work on yourself.

[@ggpt9641]

I enjoyed the deep dive into Majora (the mask itself, as its own character) and to be an overcomer of what you lost in your past.

[@shuckeegaming]

YES MAJORA'S MASK BOSSES ❤️❤️

[@squibkib]

YES EXPLAIN THE ZELDA GAME I GREW UP WITH! *I love majoras mask.*

[@squibkib]

Well more specifically the bosses.

[@pigdude6323]

I think your theory about Major at the end has some merit. The whole game is kinda about accepting fate and moving on, what Link has to do at the end. He needs to let go of Navi and realize that some things just do not last

[@nekofrisk1005]

So about the ending with the mentions of maturity and such it makes doubly sense that this iteration of link is given the mask, they had their childhood innocence ripped from them and after they do their thing as the hero of time get told by Zelda to go live they’re life as a child again, with the horrors he faced he’s been forced to grow up rapidly over the course of that and this whole ending could be acceptance of that, he won’t be able to see things the way kids his age do

[@arrilocknewmoon9620]

I think that Majora did create the dimension when he put it on, but the giants were probably some adults who "went to sleep" compared to the Skull Kid, who lived a life eternal. And, being a monster, after his 4 friends went to sleep he was most likely banned from "Termina" where they stayed.

[@LittleAl016]

How does that explain the story the Happy Mask salesman tells Link?

[@arrilocknewmoon9620]

@@LittleAl016 Which one? If your talking about the origin of the mask, its all the exact same. Im talking about the background of the actual skull kid himself.

[@LittleAl016]

@@arrilocknewmoon9620 ??? Majora's Mask was created by an ancient tribe for use in rituals. Despite the name, based on what we know, Majora's not the creator of the mask. It's the entity inside the mask.

[@arrilocknewmoon9620]

@@LittleAl016 what does that have to do with what I said at all?

[@LittleAl016]

@@arrilocknewmoon9620 You literally said that "Majora created the mask", despite in-game text contradicting that notion.

[@ArniesTech]

Odolwa was Always the most impressive to me because of his colours, movement patterns and noises he made 🙏

[@AdrianBrown-Rev]

When Skyward Sword? 👀

[@Pathseacher]

My Theory is that the Stone Temple was in fact the ritual ground for the Garo's since they were Shadow Assassins. And that the Skull Kid was not the Imp of legends, but was actually Majora, and the giants threat actually came true in which they ripped Majora apart and he became Majora's mask. Which is why not only does the leader of the Garo know so much about the temple, but it explains why the temple has aesthetics of Majora mask. The Garo found the mask and conducted Dark Rituals with it to the point it destroyed them entirely. So when the Hyrulians sealed the mask and the Happy Mask Salesman found it. A lonely Skull Kid with his memories of the Forest came to Majora and dawned it. And all of Majora's hate went into the Skull Kid. And why the stone tower has reflections of the Peo and Iron Knuckles.

[@yatanogarasu]

Maybe the Skull Kid visited the real Termina in the past, but Majora created a new Termina upon being worn by the Kid, based on the host's memories. Also, the Zonai could be Majora's creators.

[@AlexG32777]

Or it just warped the already existing Termina, also probably not the Zonai because the Japanese version says the race was destroyed, and that would have happened thousands of years before the events of the game, which itself might takes place hundreds of thousands or even millions of years before botw

[@LittleAl016]

There is no "new Termina" that was created by the Skull Kid.

[@newshit7199]

if you think about it, its even more symbolic that link only gets the fierce deity mask, or rather, adulthood, if he is mature enough to help all the people of termina and collect all of their masks

[@markgill346]

My theory of Termina is that it just started out as a paraelle to Hyrule and they celebrated the Carnival of Time. The Skull Kid found Termina while in the Lost Woods and befriended the Giants who protected the land, when they decided to leave for the four different lands the Skull Kid mistakenly thought they were abandoning him so he took his frustration out on the residents. The Giants threatened the Skull Kid upsetting both Skull Kid and the Giants. Tatl and Tale found the Skull Kid and the three became friends. Majora's Mask took advantage of the Skull Kid's sorry and manipulated him into stealing him from the Happy Mask Salesman. The power of the mask then altered the world of Termina to resemble Hyrule more based on the Skull Kid's memories. As for the Giants. My theory is that Majora created the monsters to terrorize the lands and imprison the Giant's soles inside them. Odwala poisoned the Southern Swamp and abducted the Deku Princess. Goht created a massive blizzard to freeze the mountains. Gyorg polluted the Great Bay. and Twinmold were created to protect Stone Tower and spread the curse through out the land that the Skull Kid unleashed.

[@LittleAl016]

Termina always resembled Hyrule before Skull Kid put on Majora's Mask.

[@markgill346]

@@LittleAl016 this is what I'm saying. the only difference being that is is a fact as you said to the copy of this comment.

[@Vcxzs142]

i really liked this video, majoras mask is one of my favorite games but the lore always felt muddy in my memory and your video really cleared it up and i have a better understanding i feel like now, thank you

[@insidiousindigoARCHIVE]

Yoooooooooo.... 1 minute/no views gang... (first time this has happened to me)

[@astalehamsandwich2178]

this is exactly why i love the zelda series. the underlying messages always shiw the story of the game in such a different way

[@ZelinkGamer_]

First!

[@generalxod5727]

GG

[@sethaquauis]

😐😐😐

[@jediron169]

This Video makes me realize how much I've Forgotten about Majora's Mask. I should replay it, its been like 20 years.