Breath of the Wild: Zelda's WEIRD "Smile" Explained

For today's theory, we'll be spending the next 8 minutes talking about a fictional video game character's smile!
....No seriously, that's what this video is all about. Enjoy!
Jokes aside, today I will be explaining why Nintendo made this the way they did and how it fits into both the story but Zelda as a character!
Link's "Diary"
goo.gl/u174Ti
Discovery Made By
/ atomaruu
Twitter - / nintendoblackc
Patreon - / nintendoblackcrisis
discord server: / discord
Outro Made By Seb the Animator:
/ seb_animates
Special thanks to my Patreon supporters, including:
Croton, Dawn Rutledge, Jasmin Oania, Jacob Thompson, Cameron Bryant, Rafael Reis, Rob L, Sheila Shoen, Kilillith, Bridget Rojo, Skycloudrain, Don Larson
#Zelda #BreathoftheWild #Smile

[@NintendoBlackCrisis]

Yes, you see this right. I made a whole video centered around a single smile from a fictional character. What is wrong with me.....

[@snickerswo1f519]

WASSUP

[@afish2346]

NintendoBlackCrisis nothing

[@adonailr9667]

*you did nothing wrong*

[@dayalasingh5853]

Nothing's wrong. This is a normal part about growing up.

[@KihanaKat]

Nothing is wrong with you. I've always been interested in learning more about fictional characters, and this video helped me learn more about Zelda as a character in breath of the wild. Good job! 👍🏻

[@kirbyinhalesjotaro4471]

Link: *blinks* NintendoBlackCrisis: Writes theory

[@owlhead6503]

Hi I am secretly nintendo black crisis and I would like to know where link blinks so I can phyco analise the hell out of him.

[@dragoncloud6870]

Let’s review a theory on why link blinks

[@yh0o]

He actually looks weird whenever he blinks

[@enternamehere7942]

"Why links blink ties all everything together"

[@Oddie99000]

bLink

[@SoughtAnarchy]

You mention that the Japanese journal says Link wishes he'd see Zelda smile. Though what I think also makes this theory concrete is the every monk after they give you the spirit orb says "May the goddess smile upon you".

[@victordrummond1490]

and zelda is the incarnation of the godess hylia

[@poopidkwhy5929]

Victor Drummond that SS Zelda

[@hyutsuki]

O shiyt yeah

[@alternimousdimension1664]

Well, it works.

[@PHO3N1X_28]

All I say is that Nintendo have their work cut out to make the sequel better than the original

[@mobu7069]

oh I realized her smile was a little strange but I just didn't think too much on it

[@JonLucy_downunder]

I remember watching the ending cutscene but I don’t remember her doing that smile. When I watched it today I got a bit creeped out

[@Bradley202]

exactly.. some people are just nerdy af.. lol

[@luigi7781]

A smile of murderous intent!

[@julianmedina448]

1000th like

[@mileysa7628]

Same

[@beanoptodon]

I mean shit y'all, she never really smiled, so being herself was being that silly derpy self she could have been if she wasn't forced into her destiny. It's hard to smile with that much stress on her shoulders. I love your quote about how smiles aren't meant to be pretty. That's real.

[@Delta10Media]

T H I S

[@willuptop9138]

Did you say derp in 2020

[@beanoptodon]

@@willuptop9138 I sure did sweetheart, what's the issue?

[@7minutesago4yearsago29]

@@willuptop9138 Slang is getting too complicated and changing too fast. Cap, pog, simp--I can't keep up anymore.

[@Nefariousaa]

When I see this cutscene, I can see her letting go of her burden, and almost sighs out this smile-- like she had been holding her breath the entire time and can finally release a genuine smile.

[@0ddit0rium]

The Breath of the Wild.

[@happy_party_train]

Yes yes yes! I was thinking this too!

[@gooseguyfilms4460]

no, she just had to yawn in a inconvenient time and place

[@bulletsandserenades]

@@0ddit0rium hello, I looked at the comments within this comment looking for this. You did not disappoint. Made me smile ugly like Zelda.

[@robertpowell9982]

People had issues with Zelda's smile? WaT?

[@maubunn]

That's what I'm saying...

[@dragoncloud6870]

I don’t understand or care

[@cruncyart]

@Ran Ng please refrain from existing

[@90swifi99]

She hasn’t Smiled IN 100 YEARS come on let the girl smile in peace LET LINK SEE HER SMILE

[@Bryan-sl9hy]

@Ran Ng hell 2 u

[@ScooseMcGoose]

My "real" smiles are some of the dumbest faces I'll ever make, but when I make them, I'm being myself and open around other people I'm comfortable with. If I don't want people to see my smile, I cover my mouth. Another great detail is from the Champion's Ballad - When she is laughing with Daruk, she immediately covers her mouth with her hand and keeps it there.

[@JosephSmith-lm4ri]

When i smile for real, I look like I'm on crack or that I fell onto my head from a slightly less than fatal fall.

[@stormysalut7836]

Hey! You've stolen my smile! 😂😂😂

[@cordedwaif]

Yeah. I never smile. I look retarded. I don’t have much to smile about anyways though

[@s4shrish]

@@cordedwaif F. Cheer up tho, the more down life gets, the more space it has to soar.

[@leafychild5179]

Why did that make me sad.

[@unicorngoss.x2170]

omg wait what do the sheikah monks say after you complete a shrine? ‘May the Goddess smile upon you’ and since Zelda has the blood of the goddess...

[@t3mpestt]

unicorngoss.x oooooooo

[@meowmeow3778]

That's creepy to be honest...

[@psyffee3755]

tHe fInaL boSs iS sAdNess

[@communismistheonlyway9750]

Hol up

[@Pasho__]

This is epic

[@addalittleviolence]

Zelda: _smiles_ NBC: I MUST FIGURE THIS OUT

[@jenniferbenedict]

I feel as if I'm the 1% that actually thought her smile was cute, I had no idea that people hated it till I saw this video 😂

[@emilyboyle1237]

Ur not alone :)

[@mihika3359]

Same I thought it was adorable

[@nekozu]

HER SMILE IS PRECIOUS!

[@hyutsuki]

Ikrr that smile was like a Smile of an Anime Girl!

[@longdong7667]

I did too, it was adorable.

[@ariv8763]

“A smile doesn’t exist to look pretty” amazing word choice.. I’m a big fan of ur vids

[@Nomad-pk2xz]

Dude he said doesn’t.

[@phillipamorris422]

@@Nomad-pk2xz r/wooosh

[@nikita_goriachev]

@@Nomad-pk2xz at 7:00

[@Nomad-pk2xz]

Fire panda go to 7:00 and turn on auto subtitles, you can see he says doesn’t.

[@Jess.roy13]

Yeah, my smile is really ugly, but that doesn't matter. It's an indication that I'm happy.

[@getrektmemes1883]

my mom watched me fight ganon and she thought Zelda and link were siblings

[@XeroShiroyuki]

*S W E E T H O M E H Y R U L E*

[@freesiarooky97]

My mom watched the final cutscene with me (and part of Ganon's second phase) and when the credits started to roll up, she thought that I was watching a movie

[@JosephSmith-lm4ri]

@@XeroShiroyuki *where the swords are so blue*

[@theprettyguardian8161]

That's cute.

[@comradethegreat3599]

Oh wow, didn't know Zelda and Link were Habsburgs.

[@quagsirefan8946]

Zelda: Touches shoulder "Hey"

[@SMpro16]

Link forgot his thunder helm and instantly disintegrates

[@MeEveree]

Great reference

[@anzack2551]

Link: *Touches shoulder* “HYAH”

[@JC-dm9un]

@@anzack2551 *sexy hyah*

[@beeb1293]

This is such a specific reference 😂 so underrated hahah

[@kaimiz]

It's the same exact smile she has in Ocarina of Time, when you first meet her as a child and agree to help her out

[@digitaldazzle5836]

communism sucks

[@JasNeo13]

I mean, if I hadn't smiled in 100 years my smile prolly wouldn't look that fantastic either

[@ariv8763]

Agreed

[@dragoncloud6870]

JasNeo I know right I would look creepy as hell

[@t3mpestt]

The more derp, the more happiness; I mean, I could see a derpy child making that goofy smile. Imagine little Zelda with that smile

[@maximumdm9612]

That would be freaking adorable

[@lavenderscent2334]

I would already died from hypervenilation if that happened...

[@Agaettis]

I think it looks a lot like her smile as a child in OoT

[@willuptop9138]

Derp really is this 2012

[@medofantasmas5590]

Literally a pog

[@cheezepuff_05]

I never knew i would be watching an 8 minute video about Zelda Smile analysis

[@NintendoBlackCrisis]

You should see the 20 minute video a KZbinr made on Mario's hair. It's pretty great xD

[@RainRecoded]

Somewhere out there is a 2 hour documentary on the Mona Lisa smile

[@lederpu]

@@NintendoBlackCrisis It was hilarious, lol.

[@theveryloosegoose]

Everyone on the last ZeLink comment section: Omg the smile is so weird!! Everyone on this comment section: Um, actually, *Insert long-winded text about why the smile is alright* Me: Excuse me what the *honk* ?

[@NintendoBlackCrisis]

So accurate 🤣🤣🤣

[@ROT695]

The way I see it people don’t smile the same way when they are truly happy. I tend to find when someone really is happy about something the mouth does actually open a little

[@figmoparcheesi8044]

In Japanese culture it's considered forward to show the inside of the mouth to a stranger. It's exceptionally rude to show the inside of the mouth while eating, even compared to western culture. Japanese characters like those in Sailor Moon show the inside of the mouth to indicate that they are very outgoing and uninhibited.

[@hylianro]

Figmo Parcheesi So it’s like doing a “close eye smile” in reality but it looks ugly in reality and cute in anime? Huh

[@urbosasfurry2126]

Zelda's cheeks are flushed, I think she's making "O" face or giving a come hither look. I mean the pipes haven't been cleaned out in a hundred years for either of them.

[@AGrayPhantom]

@@urbosasfurry2126 In my headcanon Link slept around a little during his travels before defeating Calamity Ganon. He had plenty of options.

[@fRom22456]

@@aldenheterodyne2833 Very liberal use of that word since the age of consent in many places is lower than 18 ped=kid I don't think 17 should be in the same category as 11 or 5 but I digress

[@smallbeanmusic2187]

Asura Heterodyne what if they are a teen?(Dino)

[@radioactivelizard6762]

Zelda: Smiles NBC: theory time

[@alpha_sakura]

"How ugly her smile is." Me: Looks awesome to me.

[@rougeakane]

“Save her as quickly as possible” Hmmm, don’t think Links doing that 😂

[@jas9102]

K O R O K S E E D S

[@ChaoticMushy]

key words "as possible"

[@tobyharris4935]

Depends on the KZbinr being watched at any given time.

[@mistywww3199]

zelda: ahhh i can finally live a somewhat normal life now ganondorf: im about to ruin this life even more

[@kathrynbigelow3735]

ganondorf: "hold my beer"

[@netiosys4677]

@@kathrynbigelow3735 "hold my triforce"

[@nikvett]

Ganondorf: I'm going to end this gurl whole career.

[@hylianro]

NETIO SYS Of power*

[@sulliCEO]

gonna hit her with the “DOOORYAAH”

[@ViscerialArc]

That Smile is cute, but i was wondering why it was odd two!

[@NintendoBlackCrisis]

Certainly not the worst one I've seen. Definitely strange though xD

[@spaghetticrust3871]

*too

[@Triforce469]

I Agree

[@UrMumYag]

Too

[@dassysancal8895]

It's both weird and cute

[@WeebCanon]

6:45 I cant ignore Link's eyelashes tho its so PERFECT!!

[@nortons7040]

Well, her smile isn't ugly but goofy. Which is totally in line with her character and makes this particular smile pretty sincere and adorable.

[@cinnybonriddle5959]

“A smile isn’t to look pretty” Me: oh no... “It’s sole purpose is to express emotion” Me: *in tears* ...well put...very well done, i’m moved. Im legit crying ;w;

[@abbycasual3859]

but I thought that smile was kinda cute..

[@itszeldayt801]

Abby Casual Agreed!!!~

[@KanSanyara]

Its a yandere smile

[@Luna-pm7ry]

Same

[@alexofspace8468]

Me too.

[@Jekyllhyde360]

It reminds me of my friend's smile, so I liked it because of that

[@PJCVita92]

There is nothing wrong with Zelda's smile! People clearly have forgotten about a thing called quirkiness. Her smile is simply more genuine and in that of quirky, rather than ugly. There's a fine difference between quirky and ugly. A quirky smile can still be just a pretty as any other normal smile of a pretty girl. Real smiles can be pretty. Just that Zelda's smile at the end of BotW is quirky because it's the first real genuine smile she has expressed in a long time. Her hero had finally saved her and the world she cares so much about. Link succeeded where she failed. So of course her smile would be so big and awkward. She's overjoyed with true genuine happiness. That, in my opinion, is what makes her smile so beautiful to me, in my opinion. It's so pure, natural, true, and genuine! And that's all that really matters.

[@merp-daderp3159]

HermoNinny * tbh I’d smile like that too if Miphas gone

[@luigi7781]

I think it's a weird smile but, it's nothing terrible or anything. Doesnt change my opinion about her and this game.

[@luigi7781]

@HermoNinny * I smile with murderous intent!

[@dragoncloud6870]

Facts

[@tommypigskin2552]

PJCLink fr tho who tf smiles like this

[@SkippyLaughlin]

Forever pissed we didn't see Link's reaction. He's not dead nintendo pls give him a personality

[@itzshiori7403]

People just expect attractive characters and when that attractive character does something they find isnt attractive they lose their shit. It's like you guys only care about her looks and not her character lol

[@mira-leeestella5337]

It would have looked better if we saw more of her teeth. In my opinion it looks like she’s trying really hard to show as little teeth as possible.

[@Timberwolf69]

@@mira-leeestella5337 To me, many of these teethy smiles looked either fake or downright scary. Zelda's smile looks a bit like a smile that is paired with a light laughter of relief.

[@helen8022]

First time? Cause honestly I feel like that happens a lot especially with female video game characters. It's a whole shit show with Tifa Lockhart from FF7 cause people are mad her boobs don't look a certain way.

[@wildmoonchild8210]

im a straight girl and i thought the smile was doofy

[@plate_fox]

i thought it was a reference to young zelda's smile in OOT when you agree to help her and she makes a similar weird smile

[@uncomfortablyclose8481]

Didn’t notice this until I saw a comment above this one, that’s one hell of a reference but I actually think it’s true.

[@jacardalesgmail]

This makes the most sense

[@windompewpew]

Bruh.. n64 ia all weirds

[@stephenfunk690]

www.meme-arsenal.com/en/create/template/30490

[@tigglesbruh]

YOOOOOOO ITS THE SAME FUCKIN SMILE

[@alabalaportocala1290]

I actually likes the smile =))) It seems quirky and cute, it also seems to humanize Zelda more

[@thewannabegamer9]

I thought her smile was perfect. It’s genuine, it shows her quirkiness, and most importantly, I think it shows her relief that Ganon is finally gone and that she finally gets to see and be with Link again. I also completely agree with everything said in the video. ☺️

[@yaavke]

This makes a lot of sense, plus, it's a cute-ugly type of smile, it really does resemble a child's smile :D i really love your videos, keep it up!

[@JonLucy_downunder]

She’s like 117 years old

[@yaavke]

@@JonLucy_downunder still smile like a 5 year old tho

[@JonLucy_downunder]

Fluffy Little Hufflepuff Actually, it kinda reminded me of a toddler/baby (in a good way)

[@yaavke]

@@JonLucy_downunder yeah, true, i also think its the smile of a really young kid. younger than 5, i wasn't focused so i wrote 5 instead of a toddler

[@JonLucy_downunder]

Fluffy Little Hufflepuff The way she slightly closes her eyelids and opens her mouth (lol) just makes her look like a kid

[@JonLucy_downunder]

Next video: Zelda’s THICC eyebrows explained

[@hi.ivy.]

LMAOOO

[@gassygastronomer]

this needs more likes

[@urbosasfurry2126]

After 100 years of securing Calamity Ganon, she deserves a spa day...

[@BowsettesFury]

Threading and brow razors didn’t exist, boom done. 😆

[@soupeverywhere9565]

Before I read "eyebrows" I thought it would say "cake" if you know what I mean.

[@cathacker13]

I love how people say that BotW sacrificed story for freedom of exploration and then there's a guy literally explaining few seconds of animation for 8.5 minutes

[@tsemiu]

I never for a second thought the smile was bad or creepy. Its adorable and I loved it.

[@sonic670shadow2]

AJ yeah same here

[@sonic670shadow2]

,

[@Azeriiall]

It’s so cute!

[@macawweb2211]

yesyesyesyes

[@darthgaunt2418]

But it looks like she doesn't have teeth!

[@nicobones9608]

"A smile doesn't exist to look pretty, its sole purpose is to express emotion." Wow... yeah, that sums it all up right there!

[@timcolasurdo8975]

Yes it does

[@anabelle6312]

That's beautiful I couldn't have put it better myself

[@Bkakar1]

Yeah I agree

[@mileysa7628]

"Yes, the smile is ugly..." Me: WaHt

[@smolpeepee245]

@Mr Incognito no she isn't, she's at least 17 :v

[@jaydenarnett215]

@Mr Incognito she is over 100 lmao

[@rhyrule8127]

@@jaydenarnett215 Zelda is 117 years old actually

[@mileysa7628]

Princess Zelda Of Hyrule you’re smile is beautiful 👸🏼💖

[@jjcooler6961]

300th like

[@treysinclair1900]

When I saw the smile I really did love it just reminded me of the aot scene where armin mikasa and eren smile weird it show the release of frustration and grief showing pure joy.

[@esthelleg7037]

In the closing cutscene, Zelda gives you her habitual, reserved smile before breaking out into her genuine grin. It makes the moment all the more touching, in my opinion.

[@PedroAlvaradoUo]

I love way to much her smile when she is talking to Deku Three, the "say it to him yourself" part

[@brisoatisuto9795]

What?

[@tamuwu]

I don't think the smile is ugly, I think it's adorable. But the way it just popped up kinda surprised me.

[@johngiles4824]

same here

[@misseli1]

Yeah, I think it just looked as if she was done smiling one moment, and then the next moment she was suddenly opening her mouth to give a bigger smile. But both smiles are cute on their own.

[@AnaGamer19]

Link wanted to see her smile with his own eyes, it is confimed in the japanese version. And in the end he sees it. It's just so well done. Kinda weird but man all the pain she went through

[@the_veemonator]

I loved her smile at the end, It looked like she was showing true happyness. It wasnt ugly because it wasnt expected, it was wonderful because it was the true her

[@lukepasca9765]

This man is giving all of these reasons and research ...and I just though that her teeth didn’t render in or something 😂

[@Aka60thChip]

This is why I love KZbin, none of my friends would dig deeper into simple details of a game like this

[@AlvinaYunoa]

Aka60thChip Love NBC then, not KZbin love the creators of the videos

[@pietroalessandrini]

in other dubs she laughs in that moment wich creates a completely different feeling

[@jameso2290]

Yeah that makes sense. The open mouth and face is actually fitting for a laugh. The silence is kinda what makes it uncanny.

[@jasminejia899]

She let out a little giggle when she smiled which may I say IS ADORABLE

[@FriedRice3519]

where can i find those dubs????

[@pietroalessandrini]

@@FriedRice3519 you probably have to download the game from that region store or you can probably find some videos on youtube. My game was in italian for example

[@nayuki-rn]

@@FriedRice3519 Spoken language can be changed from the settings in the main menu.

[@Savyon0]

Zelda is just has a goofy smile. Though I'd like to think it's a smile which is SO goofy, that it quickly circles back around to being endearing if you're around her fairly often. Link (thinking to himself in an adoring tone): God, she is such a *dork*.

[@lonestarr1490]

It's definitely the best Princess Zelda we've ever got throughout the whole series.

[@NintenDak]

she looks like she took a whiff of pot

[@lancerllott5017]

Her smile here reminded me of Child Zelda's in Ocarina of Time after Child Link agrees to help her stop Ganondorf.

[@killme3785]

soooo, is anyone gonna talk about the horses in the back at 4:59 eating together?🥺

[@digitaldazzle5836]

yeah so what? the horses at the stable do the same thing.

[@zinn_io]

And?

[@shadowshade904]

Awww, how cute

[@itszeldayt801]

I Think That Smile Is So Cute, Its Literally My Background ^^

[@seeenkun3826]

It's not that bad

[@itszeldayt801]

Foreseeen Ikr :)

[@arianamarie8442]

When I saw it on the game, I just wanted to laugh. Not because I thought it was horrible, but because of happiness. Man, finishing BoTW was so emotional for me.

[@kendal0605]

It's gorgeous!!!❤❤

[@itszeldayt801]

Ariplayz The Artist I know, I beat it. 2 months ago, at first I was like, YESSSSSSSS!!! I beat the best game ever! *5 Mins Later* OH MY GOSH WHAT WILL I DO ON MY FREE TIME, AAAAAAAAAAHH! It took me 6 months to beat Breath Of The Wild, Zelda is Literally my favorite game and favorite thing everrrrrrrrr. So a week later I got the DLC, I'm almost done with it ^^, have a good day, AriPlayz!

[@_kirb_]

Why does this even have to be a thing with people? Jesus. Can't something just be awkward and silly? And Zelda is already beautiful as hell. I've seen beautiful people in real still have to "train" their expressions if they're overly awkward. Some people have painful dental and bite issues that actually lead to smiles looking super awkward (teeth and facial structure) and even creepy and unsettling--their smiles aren't "ok" to probably half of people that look upon them...and definitely devalued to others, at least most. It seems like nothing, that no one cares, but then it's true that emotions usually only have "cred" and "meaning" to the immediate observer if...it looks *right.* And the disonnance between that and the idealized (a pretty smile) makes it seem like cringe even though...the cringe is actually demeaning, the person isn't doing anything awkward and is actually acting in a unburdened, soulful way...they just look off. It's like they're existentially constipated and that's why simple "glitches" in what they perceive between what they desire trigger them so. And of course this even stands to people that do think her smile is just perfectly cute; maybe...the same people would feel offput if someone ugly did the same, even if the emotions and back story are exactly the same. And sorry. Just feels so bizarre. Especially because Zelda's smile was goofier more than anything to me which is TOTALLY in line with her character.

[@sakuraRyn]

I feel that. I got Horner's Syndrome at the age of 10 (both halves of my face now respond differently and independently to external stimuli) and for some reason it fucked up my smile: The right half of my face smiles normally, with my muscles contracting out and up into the "smile" shape. However, my left side's muscles only contract outward, like an awkward grimace. It's worse when I'm talking and then smile, or laugh with a smile, because while my right half looks joyful and happy, the left side literally looks like a dog's mouth when you lift their lip flap on the side of their mouth. I just can't seem to retrain that muscle to move upwards how it used to... I feel bad, like I'm only giving "half" of myself despite my best efforts to seem happy. Even my family has started picking on me, calling it a "smirky smile" even though I tell them I'm genuinely trying. I was a normal kid who, through trauma, had the brain-eye nerve pathway in my neck interrupted. I almost lost my voice to it, but now I have to live my life with only half a smile... It's almost been 10 years since my trauma and I still can't smile right. I got braces at 16 to try to fix as much of it as I could, but still nothing will fix that muscle-- except for training, I guess.

[@sleepieste]

ditzy dame hey dude, you don't need to fix it. as long as you're expressing that what you're feeling with that smile, it's more than good enough. when your smile is only giving off half of what you're feeling, know that that's your smile muscle's fault, not yours. your smile is already doing it's job.

[@peachtea4551]

@@sakuraRyn we live in the emotional dark ages, where people are so shallow. But you keep being real and hang out others that are also real.

[@smallbeanmusic2187]

BIRB *flirt* (I'm sorry I have chronic friskfromundertale syndrome)

[@Petkel1987]

UR message is long as my dong

[@ricekrispies1917]

"Yes, her smile is ugly. But the point wasn't the expression itself but what it represented" *applause accompanied by gross crying*

[@reptilianinmateusz8533]

Zelda: makes weird smile NintendoBlackCrisis: COINCIDENCE? THINK NOT

[@ansherinateves]

Link saw her smile again and I am crying. Huhuhu my heart...

[@g-soap]

You just made me cry because of a fictional character's smile. Madlad. Absolute madlad

[@casstle178]

You’re theory is pretty spot on, I’d say. To me, it seemed like more of a laugh, then just a smile. If it is a laugh, then let’s be honest, I don’t know many that laugh with their teeth together, and mouth closed, like one would do if just smiling. She also makes a noise like she is about to start laughing, and as she opens her mouth to “smile”, it zooms out. Maybe it was a laughter of relief, letting out all of the stresses she had gone through, as well as opening up to Link. Maybe she continued to laugh, but the camera panned out, and the music begin, so we just didn’t hear it. Just a thought.

[@NintendoBlackCrisis]

I also had done research on how to know whether a smile is genuine or not. If you notice, she smiles so wide that her eyelids slightly close. It's a sign of a legit smile, though I kept this out for the sake of keeping the video short and simple.

[@uncomfortablyclose8481]

It’s also probably a reference to Ocarina of time, she makes the same exact smile if you agree to help her when you first meet her as a child. Eyes slightly down and barely any teeth showing

[@casstle178]

UncomfortablyClose Yeah, you’re right. Just recently played through that part the other day lol.

[@nslater1388]

She was laughing as she smiled. It’s subtle, but that’s the reason. On pause the smile looks weird, but in context I never though it was strange.

[@frannavarro-efejota-5018]

I find it worrying that so many people had a problem with the smile. I mean, the very fact that it conveys such emotion is what makes it pretty. It makes me happy for her whenever I see that scene.

[@oliviajade3871]

Am I the only one who loves her smile?

[@JOHN-kc1pw]

Olivia Jade Ikr, so cute.

[@Skylancer727]

Yes... Nothing more to be said.

[@Yogabba]

Interesting theory but I think it’s because that’s EXACTLY how she smiles in Ocarina of Time...

[@uncomfortablyclose8481]

Holy shit your right, in the scene where link meets Zelda as a child she has almost the exact same expression when you tell her that you got the spiritual stone. Eyes slightly lowered, same mouth shape. I never noticed that but you’re completely right

[@Yogabba]

LOL Thanks! In those close up shots it looks the same!!

[@sak5297]

"Zelda, why is your smile so...weird?" "Oh, I'm not sure, it seems to run in the family."

[@Skylancer727]

@@sak5297 Guess the entire family really likes to smoke the pot. XD

[@nearrow]

Gabriel Delgado got that right

[@JasonRogue]

Nicely said, I too was very conflicted over Zelda's smile the first time I saw it, but as I kept playing over and over again wanting to find new things, new paths. I've come to really like her smile, it may be ugly but its adorable at the same time.

[@uncomfortablyclose8481]

It’s actually the same one she makes in ocarina of time when you agree to help her as a child. Never noticed this until I saw some of the comments

[@AlvinaYunoa]

UncomfortablyClose Oh DAYUM

[@uncomfortablyclose8481]

ikr. It gave me a whole new appreciation for this game when I realized it.

[@Skylancer727]

@@uncomfortablyclose8481 but in that case we can use the excuse of engine limitations and lower poly counts. The 3DS version is just trying to be faithful to the original.

[@uncomfortablyclose8481]

I don’t see how that has to do with anything

[@horseenthusiast1250]

Well now that I know Link has more personality in the Japanese version, I feel a little cheated! That log entry almost made me cry, it's just too wholesome!!!

[@InsomniacDoggo]

Her smile isnt beautiful because of how it looks. Its beautiful for the emotions it expresses. Also I'm glad they made it look dorky, it humanizes her in a way that no other Zelda really has been before.

[@isabelmoreno6022]

I thought the smile was adorable. Thank you for elaborating on this topic though. You had me learn something new today on my favorite series. Thank you so much~❤😄(insert zelda smile)LOL

[@killerracoon8471]

You know my girlfriend has a similar smile AND I LOVE HER

[@strixx_-4483]

Congrats on loving your girlfriend.

[@killerracoon8471]

@@strixx_-4483 ( ͡° ʖ̯ ͡°)

[@ceceliaacaba2739]

Maybe you should call her Princess Zelda 🤣

[@killerracoon8471]

@ CausE I'm FukiN' 19 nOw

[@heino6276]

This is the cutest fucking comment I’ve ever read

[@Zeldakostv]

I though she was like laughing more than smile so her mouth was awkwardly open and it made sense

[@leakygutsyndrome9813]

Zelda: smiles NBC: ...INTERESTING

[@luluchickenhead7375]

I never thought the smile was that bad but I'm happy that I know why she makes that smile in particular now.

[@SearchScripture]

Rhoam reminds me of Mother Gothel from Tangled, never letting his daughter live a normal life.

[@psyffee3755]

Except he didn't kidnap her and lock her in a tower.

[@gaspardsavoureux8680]

@@psyffee3755 Ganon got that covered

[@psyffee3755]

@@gaspardsavoureux8680 lol

[@TimmysohnLP]

Of course it’s easy to blaim on him. But you have the keep in mind that his daughter is the only person who can grow the ability to seal ganon. If the whole worlds safety depends on your daughters ability then it may be better to take her childhood to train instead of let ganon destroy all of hyrule because she wants a normal life. But now that I think about it it kinda feels like this thought experiment with the train and the lever. Take Zeldas life or everyone elses.

[@nexora326]

Remember he regreted to act like this to Zelda. And you have even more Info about him on his journal.

[@colinchildress1251]

Looks like her smile from Ocarina of Time when she gives you the letter.

[@TheSnoClan]

What first sounded like the most clickbaity unnessesary "analysis" one could make got me more information and emotion than a 1 Hour Essay

[@galenburnett9791]

That was great NintendoBlackCrisis. Your reasoning and what Nintendo intended match perfectly in this case. This particular incarnation of the princess is an especially loveable Zelda character and you've helped us to appreciate her even better.

[@Lilimakesslayedits]

It honestly surprised me when I found out that people thought that her smile was ugly!!! I’ve always thought it was so sweet, pretty and adorable!

[@MauricioJePalma]

“Yes, her smile is ugly...” Lost it. Great video though!

[@DHM91]

Her smile looks like the smile child Zelda had in Ocarina of Time.

[@deku233]

Give him a subscribe it's dangerous for him to go alone 🗡️

[@annwithnoe]

TAKE THIS

[@King_Luigi]

He's not alone... He's got Zelda's smile to keep him company.

[@justaboutmcfreakinhadit9571]

is her smile kinda weird lookin'? yeah sure. but does it make her even more adorable? y e s

[@Cookie-fe7mn]

Ok LOW KEY thought it was just me and no one was talking about that dang smile, not really ugly, just kinda strange

[@strappymasksalesman2819]

I kinda thought it was a nod to the smile we get from Zelda in Ocarina of Time

[@daventry761]

7:04 we just gonna ignore what links wearing or what

[@pixelwanderer1962]

The fact that you use "Distant Traces of Beauty" caught me off guard and distract for a solid half minute. I haven't heard that song in awhile.

[@anettemitchellebejaranovaz4579]

I found her smile to be adorable, she also let out a little giggle in there so I don’t think it’s bad

[@pebblemiester9868]

Well I think her smile is extremely cute!

[@itszeldayt801]

PebbleMiester I Agree!

[@pebblemiester9868]

ItsZelda YT “Hazah! A (wo)man of quality!”

[@itszeldayt801]

PebbleMiester Lol!!! Have A Good Day, PebbleMiester!

[@pebblemiester9868]

ItsZelda YT you too, thank you

[@pebblemiester9868]

ItsZelda YT you too, thank you

[@banann_ducc]

Maby she just doesn’t know how to do a full smile bc she never realy did one

[@minamikokoro2.086]

Yeah, like Edgeworth!!

[@_simon.s_]

When I collected all the memories and finished the game, I saw her smile, it's fine!

[@MindJoBizness]

When I saw her smile in botw, it immediately reminded me of her derpy smile in ocarina of time. This foolish grin is zelda's true smile. Not only is it's inclusion symbolic, but at the same time, it manages to pay homage to another zelda masterpiece. I hope nintendo decides to leave her smile as it is. I'd love to see that hilarious child-like grin in the next game.

[@TheRailfanningBirdwatcher]

Kinda sad how people judge on a smile. Smh. Her smile is perfect, it's a genuine smile, not a one for show or whatever.

[@princessthyemis]

Wow, this is fantastic. FANTASTIC! I love how you went into SO much depth about "just a smile"! It makes me realize--or reconsider, really--how such small actions can really have huge impacts on narratives, and how important those are for a subtle and intriguing story!! (I thought the length of this video was perfect, totally perfect. Like a good soup. XD)

[@Kyzoren]

Do not bully my 'Eyebrows Princess'...

[@timgehrke4949]

Hey guys, I know I am a little bit late but I might have a good explanation for Zeldas "awkward" smile at the end, the main reason this smiling from Zelda is looking so weird is because this Smiling is a forced one by herself and not because she finally feels released by her burden or just don't care anymore because if you ask me, her powers fading away, the main goal of her entire life connected with so much work and sacrifices, must have really hit her in a negative way. But I think she just tried to overplay her upcoming sadness and worries, because, as we can see, that in this final scene, Zelda finally has her shiekah slate returned back to her, which Link took with him on his adventure. And that means that all the "diary entries" by Link (Original Japanese Version) must have been on this shiekah slate, even after their mission was completed, so I am guessing that Zelda somehow actually read all the entries Link had made throughout his journey. And as we see in this video, there was this specific entry of link saying "...finally see her smile again". So, what if Zelda noticed this entry, wanting her to fulfill Links last wish and leading her into just trying to overplay her actual, sad and negative feelings, to let Link believe she finally feels free and happy, causing her to show Link her forced, but yet weird looking smile for which he had waited so long. I think this makes a lot of sense, since in this last scene, you can see her kind of getting unhappy, when she first said that she is losing her powers, but then she looks at Link and remembers his last wish and just tried to act like she was finally happy and can freely smile again, although in reality, the opposite was the case. What do you guys think about this? Makes sense doesn't it?(sry if my english is not correctly friends)

[@ugn154]

They criticized Zelda's smile, and as retribution, theu gave us Ganondorf's in TotK

[@agraves5754]

Ahh yes, Nintendo black crisis. Answering questions nobodys every asked since 2018

[@NintendoBlackCrisis]

Pretty accurate tbh

[@kathrynbigelow3735]

except there was a ton of hate for the smile on his other video. it actually annoyed the crap out of me until I saw this one up too. bless you, NBC

[@baeta7371]

I tought u were going to talk about 3D models, animations and stuff like hahaha

[@NativeWarrior081]

I find Skyward Sword Zelda more of a cutie, but of course Zelda from Smash Ultimate blows them all out of the water.

[@Chicklo11]

I have yet to play Skyward Sword, so I googled that version of Zelda.... And a lot of the pictures that come up on the search have her doing an open mouth smile as well, assuming that they are from game and not fan made, it's a nice continuity detail that Nintendo kept

[@Silarias]

It looks like she's on the verge of laughing with true joy and hope. You can almost hear her laughing when the music starts playing.