What is Link? The Legend of Zelda's Eternal Hero

In this video, we dive into the Japanese versions of the Legend of Zelda franchise and examine the profound influence of Japanese culture on the series' narrative and Link's character.
We examine the contrast between the Western and Japanese interpretations of the concept of a "hero" and uncover the true definition of the "spirit of the hero", as described by Demise in Skyward Sword. We also explore the Silent Realms' objective and character, how they help Link in his journey towards becoming a hero, and much more.
All translations in the video have been completed by me.
I'd like to give a special shoutout to Monster Maze for discussing various concepts with me. If you're intrigued by what I cover in this video, I highly recommend checking out his content, especially his video about the Triforce.
/ @monstermaze

[@7F0X7]

"The Hero need not speak, for when he is gone, the world will speak for him."

[@lukestarkiller1470]

Man this just makes the Hero’s Shade even cooler. The spirit of the hero was trapped and couldn’t move on so it created an offshoot of itself in order to reincarnate so that the Hero’s Shade could fulfill his unfinished business by passing on his knowledge to another hero

[@Joe_334]

It's very sad that he ends up that way.

[@lukestarkiller1470]

@@Joe_334 it is sad, he just kept adventuring his whole life and never settled down to live out his life. He never wanted to pass on the mantle to anyone else and so he never stopped trying to be the hero, so he wasn’t able to move on even after death

[@Joe_334]

@@lukestarkiller1470 Zelda sends him back to his original time, just for him not to settle back where he was before all of that happened. Majora's Mask confirmed it for me when it came out back in 2000. I figured he wouldn't go back after all that was revealed to him.

[@lukestarkiller1470]

@@Joe_334 yeah after everything he had been through he couldn’t just go back to living his normal life as a kid, so he just decided to leave it all behind and continue his “new life” of adventuring

[@walkerx1813]

I wonder if after the Hero's Shade fulfills his purpose the offshoot remerges with the main tamashi in the Hero of Twilight or if it reincarnates as a normal person independent of the Tamashi-no-Yusha

[@tsemiu]

Finally, a Zelda youtuber that recognizes link as a reincarnated soul rather than a different person with " the qualities of a hero."

[@ryanbrayton8441]

At the very least, that is the case in the wind waker

[@namaenomore7831]

wait people really think that? I mean it’s true that every link is a different person with the qualities of a hero, and I don’t think that if link would gain memories of his predecessors he would get ”his memory back” but I mean, its obvious that all the links own the same soul, that’s why there can be only one link at a ti… *introducing time travel and four sword*

[@tsemiu]

@Obscure Gun thats not true though. Wind waker Link is still Link reborn. Even Ganondorf recognized him as Link. It's not a coincidence they look alike.

[@tsemiu]

@Obscure Gun no it isn't lol the boat doesn't think he's the hero of time, which he isn't, but what does he know? He's a boat. This kid is literally Link. He's not a new character.

[@Paradox1012]

​@ObscureGun each hero has a diffrent suffix , same soul.

[@incomments2864]

You’ve literally described this and Zelda’s goddess bloodline the same way I’ve been trying to describe it to all these Zelda KZbinrs that explain this details wrong. I am thankful that you’ve made these videos.

[@ArinJager1]

you and me both (Link is basically the avatar)

[@Just-Jost-in]

​@@ArinJager1 Best comparison I've seen. We'll done

[@swordkirby7512]

You know, stuff like this is one of the reasons why I'm learning Japanese now.

[@silentplaythrough]

same! 95+ days on duolingo! :)

[@KorriTimigan]

This is genuinely fascinating stuff, and it makes me appreciate the gargantuan task that localisers have. Their translations may not be perfect parallels to the original Japanese text but I can see why. They're called localisers for a reason, not just translators. A lot of this stuff might be too obscure for people in other countries who don't have the cultural understanding of Japanese spirituality, so they need to recontextualise it for a different audience. That's where videos like this come in handy, though. Some of us yearn for that extra, original context, and KZbinrs like you make it available for us. So thank you! I really hope this video, and channel, take off.

[@QuestWithAaron]

Absolutely! There's just so much stuff that's impossible to convey through ingame text alone when a direct equivalent doesn't exist in the other language. As you said, culture plays such a massive part in it too! Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@UltimateTobi]

I'd still much rather prefer a translation, rather than a localisation, and instead try to understand elements that are outside my culture. For example, I heard someone argue that people would not understand what a "demon tribe" (something Demise talks about in SS in Japanese, but not English) is. While that may technically be true, we see Demise and Ghirahim being called demon several times, and tribe is a universal word for a band, gang, family, etc. Even if I don't know what a demon is, technically, I start to associate the word with Ghirahim and Demise. They are demons. Whatever demons are, they are it. And if they say "demon tribe", I can put 1 and 1 together and think "ah, more of them. Underlings or equals."

[@KorriTimigan]

@@UltimateTobi I agree that too much gets lost, I wish the monsters were referred to as demons in the English games. Calling them that really ties them together with the baddies, a lot of the monsters just seem like random rabble in the English versions. The localisers are limited by how much they can add, though. Japanese is a very efficient language, so to speak. Whole sentences, ideas, and sometimes full stories can be conveyed in just a few characters, and English translators don't have the luxury of adding several more text boxes for more information. That's especially true during animated cutscenes.

[@UltimateTobi]

@@KorriTimigan Good point in regards to space-efficiency of both languages. Ah well. Luckily we have channels like Aaron's to get a glimpse of the Japanese versions, if you don't understand Japanese (like myself).

[@keiichimorisato98]

And then you have people who make changes because of their ideology and politics rather than localizing in good faith. Like they don't use "tribe" or "race" in the new game because they're afraid it's racist when it isnt, they really are different tribes and races, it isnt like they're all human. Or in some cases change characters personalities because thru don't like them. There are lot of examples, especially in Ninte do titles, where the changes make the product worse and aren't rooted in trying make a cultural reference make sense for a different audience. I have zero respect for localizers.

[@TheBreadPirate]

Shoot!! That explains the reincarnation so well. It makes way more sense now.

[@QuestWithAaron]

Hey, thank you Mr Bread sir! And thank you so much for your help the other day! The concept of the soul and spirit has always been such a fascinating topic for me ^^

[@demantim]

As a Zelda nerd who is setting his first steps learning Japanese your channel is a godsend!

[@kallistiravenhurst5232]

kudos, you made me actually feel like the link-reincarnation theory has legs again. thank you so much for going into the japanese understanding of concepts like gods and souls and such, it really helped and i've noticed a number of people conflating the use of the term 'god' when refurring to characters like Hylia and the Three Golden Goddess's with the western/christian understanding of the term without once thinking of how kami are shown both in ancient mythology and modern media [seriously the vast majority of religions don't have gods of any kind that are truly all powerful and all knowing, have people seriously not noticed how many myths start with "Insert God Here Screwed Up Royally"?]

[@TheNachmar]

I'm more into Greek mythology, where they start with "insert God *cough* Zeus *cough* screwed"

[@kallistiravenhurst5232]

@@TheNachmar There's a difference? (/j)

[@nickcurrant2254]

Fantastic video! I do wonder, though, whether SS Link was chosen because Hylia could see the future, or because there was another past Link that had already been chosen, yet existed before Hylia gave up her sword.

[@QuestWithAaron]

It's possible, for sure! I think it's that out all of the souls, Hylia narrowed down the "strong" of them and selected SS Link's soul out of that group, which is why he's referred to as the "chosen one".

[@nickcurrant2254]

@@QuestWithAaron Right? I'm on the fence about it, but it could technically go either way. Either SS Link was chosen by Hylia from the future, or the past, leaving her sword for the next one. SS is the 'first' story, but it's also based in vague, expandable backstory. A fun thought.

[@javi7636]

My understanding is that SS Link is the first one, chosen by Hylia through understanding the future. The entire adventure in Skyward Sword is constructed by Hylia in advance--you literally receive prerecorded messages telling you where to go! As Aaron says, this adventure forged Link's spirit into that of a true hero in the same way that the Goddess Sword gets forged into the true Master Sword. Neither the Master Sword nor the true hero's spirit existed before the events of Skyward Sword. From this, I speculate that from that day forward, the spirit of the hero always exists even when there is no evil to vanquish. Just how the Master Sword only shows its true power when facing evil beings, the spirit of the hero always exists but does not show its true strength until Hyrule is in danger. Plenty of young men get born with the hero's spirit over the generations, but most of them just live normal lives with no reason to become hardened warriors.

[@nickcurrant2254]

@@javi7636 That's certainly valid, but there's one big piece of evidence that really leaves it up in the air: During the ceremony where Zelda gives Link the Sailcloth, she says, 'You know, they say that the goddess gave the Sailcloth to her chosen hero long ago. Of course, the one you're holding isn't the same one.' Of course, 'they say' implies a legendary history, but so is everything else I guess. It would seem that it could go both ways. Nintendo likes to leave plenty of room for lore expansion.

[@javi7636]

@@nickcurrant2254 Ahh, you're right! Damn, that does make things very ambiguous. It's possible that it still refers to SS Link because he traveled back in time and defeated Demise in the past, but it's not clear. Zelda's line about "not the same one" doesn't explain much because at this point Zelda didn't have her goddess memories yet and she had made the sailcloth herself, so she was just using common sense. You can still interpret the legend being true because technically Hylia did give SS Link the sailcloth.

[@Zerolink30]

With the connection "spirits" and TotK has had since its reveal, part of me (especially after that line from Zelda in the latest trailer) wants a climax where, yes Ganon has you on the ropes, winning seems hopeless but at that moment within Link's mind, every past Link is seen to encourage and remind this Link that they have and will always prevail against the darkness. How many Hero Links are there anyway? 1. Hero of the Sky (SS) 2. Hero of the Minish (MC) 3. Hero of Time (OoT/MM) 4. Hero of Twilight (TP) 5. Hero of Winds (WW/PH) 6. Hero of Spirits (ST) 7 Hero of Legend (LttP/OoS-A/LA) 8. Hero of Hyrule (Zelda 1/2) i personally think this one should be Hero of Ruin. 9. Hero of Fashion (TH) 10. Hero of the Four Sword (FS/FSA) i know this 2 are seperate Links but I've never heard them having an actual separate title. 11. Hero of Worlds (LBW) does this Link have a title yet? 12. Hero of the Wild (BotW/TotK) Personally i think it would be amazing to see every Link iteration in TotK graphics, really giving life and certainty that the Spirit of the Hero is a power like One for All from My Hero Academia.

[@derrickdaniels3955]

The Hero of Fashion and The Hero of Worlds are the same Link and you forgot the Warrior Hero (Hyrule Warriors).

[@truelionofhylia8152]

There'd been one other Link before Skyward Sword. Still named Link like the other Links, but before the others bein' born. He was Link, Hylia's Chosen Hero and the Lion.

[@michaelwalsh3837]

I believe LBW Link is referred to as The New Hero of Hyrule

[@mjc0961]

@@derrickdaniels3955 Hyrule Warriors isn't canon.

[@derrickdaniels3955]

@@mjc0961 He still counts because he is a Link canon or not

[@sarahp7761]

So are Gramps and ALBW Link a case of reincarnation akin to candle lighting? Maybe they're parallel lives?

[@QuestWithAaron]

I believe that may be very well what's going on there!

[@kingdaniel3519]

This is the kind of deep diving lore I like to see.

[@willisrose9756]

You made me appreciate each of the heroes in the zelda series even more because of how courageous they are!

[@SuzumeMizuno]

This is so interesting! I love the hard work you put into the script and visuals to convey the importance of the Japanese context!! The coexistence of the souls of two Links in Twilight Princess has always confused me, but the beautiful metaphor of the flames was so helpful for me to understand the idea! Thank you so much for this video

[@Dyundu]

Fantastic as always. お疲れ様でした！ Found this channel not too long ago, and got inspired to go back and play as many Zeldas in the original Japanese as I can get ahold of. 今まで、ありがとうございます！

[@QuestWithAaron]

いつも見てくれてありがとうございます！ I'm super thrilled to hear that, replaying them in Japanese is awesome!

[@Zinkolo]

This video weirdly lines up with monstermaze's video... COINCIDENCE?!?

[@QuestWithAaron]

We indeed had some great discussions on a call a few weeks ago, it was a fantastic chat! Monster Maze's ideas and videos are insane quality!

[@Cleoli2]

Awesome video! This perspective you bring is so unique, its incredible. Not only that, the quality of your videos is just fantastic. Keep up the great work!

[@QuestWithAaron]

Thank you so much!

[@archmdc370]

Fantastic video!!! You have brought a new breath of lore and real-world understanding to that lore. Thank you.

[@magau3698]

I hope in tears of the Kingdom we get to learn links history. We know about Zeldas history we know Ganons history. But what about Links?? in most games he is considered an orphan, but in making a champion, there’s an image that shows his father and sister.

[@ShepherdsCreek]

You bring a really refreshing perspective on this series. I'm astonished you don't have more subs!

[@Gigamex2]

I'm happy to see another video from you again so soon. All these terms you define and apply help me not only appreciate Zelda more, but also many other media from Japan that I enjoy. This was truly a gift. Thank you.

[@theloruleanhistorian]

Did you pick up that サイレン, "siren", is pronounced the same as the kunrei-shiki reading for 試練, which means "trail; test; ordeal"? The place of trials (Siren) is the "Siren" Realm~!

[@QuestWithAaron]

Oh my god I never noticed that before! That is such an awesome detail, now it all makes sense why they're called "siren"! I thought it might have been related to, or a pun on some loan words but I could never figure it out, I've been thinking about it for ages haha, thanks for sharing that

[@theloruleanhistorian]

@@QuestWithAaron anytime!

[@acgearsandarms1343]

After realizing how important the Master Sword is when tied to every master it had, it makes me sad knowing it’s fate is to be forever forgotten and drowned in the Adult Timeline. More specifically Fi. That is not a fate I think she deserves.

[@jaimeruiz7837]

Well… if theories are correct then these games take place way after everything. Apparently they connect it all

[@Dharengo]

I still reject the notion of this 'downfall' timeline. The _singular_ reference to it is in a single fan book that was made countless years after many games were already made. Not a single game makes mention of it. Hell, even the fanbook makes zero mention of what event lead to it. This, combined with the devs' complete disregard for continuity in subsequent games, tells me that the devs like their lore, but have no qualms about breaking continuity, and the games should be viewed as loosely connected rather than forming a cohesive whole. What matters to the devs before anything else is the game they are working on at that moment.

[@QuestWithAaron]

Very true! Honestly, I think that the way the Zelda games are "connected" is extremely fascinating. It really makes each game and their lore/story feel so unique.

[@ChateauLonLon]

Really fantastic video! Clearly very well researched. I also analyze the Japanese versions of the game, and came to a lot of the same conclusions you did. I appreciate the legwork you put in at the start of the video to not only define kami, but to define kami in the context of the series. Zelda gods absolutely have Christianized elements to them, which is something very easy to overlook. The whole battle between good and evil thing, the Triforce as omnipotent and omniscient, and other themes are absolutely imported from the West. People tend to miss the kami stuff altogether, or not realize there are these kinds of little differences between kami in Japanese myth and kami in Zelda. I don't know how relevant it really was to the argument, but I am really glad you put it in! Though one thing that had always tripped me up was the relationship between kokoro and tamashii in SS. As far as I could tell, the game was treating them as the same thing, or at least that the kokoro was contained within the tamashii. You made a really good argument there. And I love how it explains every Hero needing to awaken or forge themselves as a new Hero despite the idea they all share the same soul. That always bugged me a bit, but now I have an extremely clear reason for why that might be. Also, man! I love how you noted the absent mention of "hero" in the Silent Realm trials. I never noticed that. Really great catch. At one point you talked about how the Silent Realm trials don't refer to Link's courage, but instead his kokoro. I think you may have misunderstood what was going on there. If you go back, you might notice "Wisdom" isn't written its usual way either. Traditionally, Wisdom is written as "chie". But, in the Silent Realm trials, it's called "eichi". These "eichi" and "kokoro" bits are actually just clever references to the OoT Creation myth. --- ネール… Nayru… その叡知を　大地に　注ぎて、世界に　法を与える。 She poured her intelligence into the earth and gave laws to the world. --- So, the Silent Realm trials are probably just using clever nods to OoT's creation myth language rather than something deeper. Still! This is cool information. I think it suggests Power, Wisdom, and Courage are rooted in the idea of vigorous body, sharp intellect, and passioned emotion. Kind of a Body/Mind/Heart;Emotion thing. Really interesting idea with the Hero's Shade. I've had a similar one. I also once had the idea that the Shade was actually the regrets of the Hero of Time that were bunshined off when he reincarnated. So it wouldn't really be the HoT, but only his memories of regret taken form. However now I believe none of it is that complicated. In AoL, we have Princess Zelda the 1st coexisting with her later descendant. In ALBW, we have Gramps (the former ALttP Hero) wandering around and communicating with modern-day Link. I've had all kinds of theories to suggest these characters are also bunshins or offshoots, but now I think the simplest idea is that reincarnation works like the candle metaphor brought up in the video. When Hyruleans procreate, I believe they pass along something like the genetic potential to become a Hero or a Zelda. A "Link Gene" or a "Zelda Gene" if you will. But that genetic potential is a fragment of the parents' soul. It's exactly the same as your candle metaphor, only going along with the implication that alike characters in the series are blood-related. All the Zeldas share a family, many Links are said or implied to be related, Hena is related to the OoT Fishing Guy, Koboli is said to be the descendant of a Hyrulean postman, etc. etc. So I do believe there's reincarnation in the series, but it's migration is bound to familial lines, either working the way you suggest or the way I do where it's more like soul-mitosis. You know, I'm a huge Zelda theory junkie myself, and I take special interesting in the series' metaphysics and theology (I like esoteric stuff). I just came across your channel, and I love this video. Would you want to DM sometime?

[@QuestWithAaron]

Wow, thank you so much for your comment and feedback! It truly means a lot! I believe that "kami" is quite an overlooked concept that I thought was worth bringing up. It's so easy just to translate it as "god" or "deity", but it's really so much more than that. Perhaps I did go a little off topic when delving into it in the video, but to be honest, it's quite hard not to when its a word as diverse as that haha The concept of "kokoro" and "tamashii" was extremely fascinating and fun to explore, it was one of my favourite parts of the making of the video! I didn't notice how the Silent Realms trial make a nod to the OoT creation story, that is a really awesome observation and it makes a lot of sense! From what I researched and understood, having or developing a strong kokoro is important as it's what acts as the foundation necessary for one's courage to truly flourish. Therefore courage and "kokoro" may come hand in hand, which I think exactly reflects what you say about how courage may be rooted in the idea of "passioned emtoion". I really like the idea of that suggests how a Hylian may be passing on the genetic potential to become a Hero or a Zelda when they procreate. It makes everything feel much more connected. I am absolutely down to have a chat with you sometime and discuss things in more detail, feel free to send me a message on Twitter!

[@kevinsalmeri3492]

So basically, all links have the same spirit but a different heart, so there the same but not exactly?

[@danielmunoz1275]

Yes, it gets a bit weird considering some links are descendants of other links (Ocarina of Time Link : Twilight Princes Link, and Wind Waker Link : Spirit Tracks Link).

[@QuestWithAaron]

Yeah, all, if not most Links share the same soul/spirit, but they all have their own unique "heart" or "mind" if that makes sense

[@doloresgronenberg5882]

​@@QuestWithAaron , not really, since they would really have to be essentially the same, but the way I understand it is that all Link's are not the same, that they just have the essence that makes Link a hero, but they aren't really the same person, the same hero, that's why even in Twilight Princess the Hero of Time and the Hero of Twilight meet (although the Hero of Time is technically dead there and his body is a skeleton but he's still bound to be there and isn't able to rest yet) and they aren't the same of course and their meeting is possible

[@QuestWithAaron]

@Dolores Gronenberg Yeah that's exactly what I'm saying! The Link's aren't the same, they have all have the same essence that makes them a hero (soul/spirit/魂) but they are not the same person as they all have a different 心 which also connects to the naming convention of each hero as you've highlighted.The Hero of Time and the Hero of Twilight are different people but share the same soul, which by applying the elements of Japanese culture I talk about in the video, explains how they are able to meet

[@acgearsandarms1343]

Another way you can think of this is that the soul doesn’t solely define a person. It’s also other factors that makes them, them. Otherwise they’d be carbon copies. Each Link, while possessed of the same soul or spirit, is each their own person. They can have similar traits, but each has their own lives, own memories, own personal quirks.

[@StarlasAiko]

Last few years, I've been working on a LoZ fanfic (not a Rule34 type) that has some of these elements. I am still in the plotting stage (yes, I know...plotting for years? I am slow), but have detailed certain scenes already. In that story, all the LoZ games are a series of children bedtime stories called "Legend of the Eternal Hero". Link, having grown up with them, knows them to be just children stories and, when reveiled to him that he is the latest incarnation of the Hero, rejects the very notion of a "Chosen One". The Three Trials that he overcomes, he interpets as trials to prove that one is worthy of becomming worthy of being chosen by the goddess as hero and believes that he failed because he was scared every step of the way, not realising until it is spelled out to him during the final battle that the Goddess always knew him to be the hero, the trials were to prove not to the goddess but to him that he already was the hero. I have a couple of scenes planned in which Link meets the previous incarnations and also one where he has to fight against himself.

[@megamillion5852]

As someone also in the plotting for years stage, you have my unrelenting support! This idea sounds wonderful, and I'd cherish seeing it come to fruition. We need more rumination on the Spirit of the Hero, and what it means to live up to destiny, and responsibility.

[@self-absorbed5269]

One , you reinforced the idea that Ganon could curse while he is dying. Did you think that the Triforce could actually be a regulator of fated encounters? And two , the word "downfall" also means "fallen from grace or respect." The face inside the ghost ship was that of the hero that fell to Ganon's temptations.

[@siraaron4462]

This is the one question I always wanted answered thank you.

[@brandonwhite4992]

One spoiler free tip I found out eventually was there are some Bokoblins with armour that seems impenetrable at first, try using a boulder as a weapon using one of the abilities and they arent that bad anymore. I had to run away from a few of these guys at first 😂

[@silentplaythrough]

i just stumbled across your videos over the last few days. these are awesome! please keep doing them! :)

[@carlosdgutierrez6570]

So the concept of kami is more similar to the Greco-Roman deidities or Nordic pagan deidities than the Abrahamic concept of God. Interesting.

[@ArinJager1]

so, it's like _the avatar_ (Aang, Korra)... gee, I'd like to see a game made that takes place when the goddess Hylia is _alive_ (like physically) and the first _hero_ (like even before skyward sword)

[@KNitsua_]

I was today years old when I realized Link’s name is a representation of his “soul link” with Zelda, Hylia, and the Master Sword. He’s literally the chosen hero (champion) who is “linked” to Zelda’s legend as divine protector. 😐🤦🏽‍♂️ I feel dumb. Lol

[@Fragmentsinfractals488]

Kokoro like Kingdom Hearts, right? And Darkness of Malice....

[@SparklesTheTheorist]

That was an amazing analysis. Thank you for helping me understand even more deeply the qualities of Link and Zelda and the stories of the Legend of Zelda series.

[@QuestWithAaron]

I really appreciate that, thank you! This was one of my favourite videos to put together as the concept of the soul in Japanese culture is such a fascinating topic to me. I hope to revisit it and expand on it in the future as well!

[@SparklesTheTheorist]

@@QuestWithAaron I will look forward to watching that video if or when you do so! I’ve learned quite a bit already. And your videos have such good production value too. The titles are visually striking.

[@slateoffate9812]

I had an idea of a character-driven Zelda game, the basic pitch being "Link is a hero of courage, NOT a hero by choice." This incarnation of Link(She, since I want a girl protagonist in this genre, since I myself am a woman) wouldn't have the stomach for the merciless killer thing most heroes have going on. She'd shudder after killing when she thought no one was looking. There'd also be a curse involved limiting Link's freedom of movement, put in the place to ensure she fulfills her role as hero regardless. There'd also be a recurring theme of "courage isn't fearlessness. Bravery is standing up to that fear." Remembered that as I saw the video title. Let's see if my idea is possible.

[@megamillion5852]

*Please* let this idea see the light of day!

[@andresmarrero8666]

Link is the hero, quite literally he the archetype. These concepts regarding lingering souls and incarnations aren't unique to Japan. In fact they are found pretty much everywhere and is easy to follow. It really does confuse me why people just fail to grasp it.

[@LadyCucco]

How do you explain Gramps from A Link Between Worlds? He also wields the Master Sword and is very much alive, when fighting him it's like fighting a Shadow Link, using the same arsenal of weapons as Link. Therefore it's very heavily speculated to be a previous Link. What are your thoughts on this? How could two chosen ones be alive at the same time?

[@ozero00rockon]

He could be a future descendant that trained somehow

[@Giose]

I've always thought of that as a mere easter egg, because there is only 1 confirmed master sword (at least a sacred one, that is, not including copies like the alttp ones), so Gramps using one could just be a reference to him being really strong. Another thing that could explain it is whatever he does to summon Shadow Links, maybe he did something similar or he used one of the copies we find in a link to the past That's what i like to think at least

[@purgatoryhorse1023]

Even though I personally view each Link as being their own person, this was an interesting video to watch to get the perspective of those who view that there is spiritually only one Link in the Zelda franchise who gets reincarnated endlessly.

[@acgearsandarms1343]

Who says it can’t be both? I do see each Link as unique and their own person, despite having that same spirit. Reincarnation doesn’t mean having a carbon copy every time, right?

[@purgatoryhorse1023]

@@acgearsandarms1343 By each being their own person, I mean each of them has their own soul and personal existence and not just having separate bodies or lifetimes.

[@poogly123]

These videos are amazing. I’ve been binging your entire channel. Thank you so much for what you do!

[@Pixel_Spritz]

I found this video very interesting and I learned some new stuff in this video, I love these kinds of videos that people make because it's so entertaining especially if it's about Legend of Zelda, you have earned a subscriber. Also does anyone know the calming music that starts at 19:40 - 20:46?

[@JKd3vLD]

Sounds like a kind of a remix of a song from Twilight Princess...

[@QuestWithAaron]

It's from Twilight Princess! It's the song that plays when the mirror of twilight is completed I love the melody, too!

[@Pixel_Spritz]

@@QuestWithAaron Okay thank you! Found it!😄👍

[@painuchiha2694]

That is really cool stuff to know about 🔥

[@skilarbabcock]

The word courage comes the Latin word cor which means heart...

[@DaNintendude]

I can definitely understand and respect how simplified this all becomes in localization, but I wish there were more hints within the games themselves that indicate what we lose in translation. I remember awhile back someone was trying to explain thr Spirit of the Hero to me. I always assumed it was just a spirit as in-- a grounded mindset. But this video does a really good job explaining it all. One question I have though, is how this relates to Wind Waker. The Link in that game isn't a descendent of the hero, and the hero no longer exists in that timeline. So how does the Spirit of the Hero find itself in the new Link? Is it a brand new spirit?

[@NurtChurt]

Not the creator of the video so I hope you don't mind if I share my interpretation, but: Since the Hero of the Winds can wield the Master Sword, it's pretty fair to assume - like with all Links, that he's got the Spirit of the Hero, even if theoretically it might've been sent to the Child timeline. In Wind Waker, when King Daphnes is telling WW Link the legend of the Hero of Time, he says that when the Hero of Time was sent to the Child timeline, he was separated from the things that made him a hero. This could mean plenty of things, but if I had to guess, it's mainly referring to the Master Sword and Triforce of Courage, as a way to give an explanation as to why those items exist in both timelines. But, you can also use this as an explanation as to why the Spirit of the Hero exists in both timelines, and honestly it's more fitting imo - since the Master Sword and Triforce of Courage didn't make him a hero, he already was. Though with this interpretation, it kinda implies that at the end of OoT, Zelda is pretty much killing Link's physical form and just sending back his mind rather than his whole being, which would've included his soul. So, a little morbid in a way.

[@DaNintendude]

@@NurtChurt Oh yeah, that definitely would make sense. Even if it's not _exactly_ that, it's definitely along those lines, and I'm satisfied with that answer.

[@jamaalaldintv]

Link’s courage is unmatched! 💪 Who else loves his adventures in Hyrule? 🌍

[@josephsloop8865]

"I'll do you one better. Why is Link?" -Drax, probably

[@mrbubbles6468]

Skyward Sword defining him as a reincarnating Soul made him really boring honestly.

[@carljohansson3512]

While I don't believe much in the fallen split due to it's nature and it being a non-definitive answer I think A link to the past's great calamity prophecy describes best how dire the world's situation becomes should the hero that challenges the one who brought calamity happen to fall.

[@v-nus7718]

I understand this video is old, but if at all possible, I'd love to see you do a full analysis on the Hero's Shade in particular. Recently it seems that a few have come to conclusion that the character isn't the Hero of Time, and I would love to see what the Japanese text hints at, if there's anything hinted at in the first place.

[@stuffz1757]

So to break it down if I understand right: 魂　= a innate part of a person that is internal and always reincarnating. 心　= The physical nature of a person and they're being, all that makes a individual an individual. So that doesn't really clear up what Link is tho, if I'm understanding right. I know you said he's a 勇者, but I'm not sure I get how he being a Yuusha in Skyward Sword translated into a persistent Tamashi that carries over time and churns out nearly identical Kokoros. Like I get that it's a part of the Japanese mythology, Buddhism, I think, that all souls eventually return to the void/cycle and reincarnate but it's the constant near identical means in which Link, Ganondorf, a variety of smaller side characters, and possibly Zelda reincarnate that I feel makes no sense.

[@QuestWithAaron]

Yeah you've got the right idea here! The reason why the soul of the 勇者 in Skyward Sword is important is because it's the one that's bound to Demise's curse. It reincarnates the same time as the hatred does. Each Link develops their 心 during each game. SS Link developed his through his Silent Realms. OoT Link developed his by collecting the three spiritual stones. Usually it's three items or three tasks Link must complete in each games that build up his wisdom, power and courage. That's why they end up having those elements of their 心 be identical. Other parts of their personality is mostly unique to each incarnation of Link, though. The deku tree sprout in OoT is an example of a 魂 that reincarnates in the same game. I also believe that it's possible that each Zelda in the series may still possess the soul of Hylia, especially considering everything I spoke about in the video. I hope this clears some stuff up a bit, I may make a follow up in the future to explain additional things, we'll see!

[@Ryodraco]

@@QuestWithAaron So if each Link is a different individual, with only the more nebulous yuusha of the hero reincarnating, just what can we assume happens to each individual Link after they die? Does who they were cease to exist unless bound by some lingering regret, does it fuse with whatever part of them did reincarnate, i.e. is that what happens when the past Link finishes teaching the current Link in Twilight Princess) or does that individual continue on in some form of afterlife for eternity, since after all the goal of many reincarnation beliefs is to eventually stop reincarnating and achieve some form of eternity? I admit a lot of this confusion on my part is that my understanding of the soul has always been that it is also a person's identity, but the concept of reincarnation can make it hard to mesh with that (since if you have endless identities, can you really be said to have a identity at all), and I've seen a number of media interpret the idea in different ways (from one extreme of making the reincarnated person literally the same person but without their memories (and if they somehow get back memories of a previous incarnation than any distinction between the two identities can vanish), to the other extreme of only part of their soul reincarnating into a whole new person while their previous incarnation retains individuality and continues on, sometimes advising their future selves but otherwise existing on some higher plane independently).

[@skilarbabcock8720]

I just wanna note that the word courage also translates right heart from latin... also great video! I just found you, and this channel is amazing

[@QuestWithAaron]

Wow! That's very fascinating! Thank you for sharing! I appreciate your kind words ^^

[@skilarbabcock8720]

@@QuestWithAaron No problem! But Courage comes from the Latin word Cor which means heart :) so it actually all stoll works as power wisdom and courage. Looking forward to more videos from you

[@pj9525]

I've been wanting to study this kind of thing for a long time. Would you recommend any literature on the topic?

[@lucaspalomino-fs8tz]

So basically the hero shade did reincarnate into twilight link but since it still had many regrets and unfinished business only a part of the soul reincarnated?

[@CJusticeHappen21]

Dude, still working my way through your catalogue so park me if I'm speaking something you've already addressed, but I'd be really interested to cheer your take on the Fierce Deity.

[@neo_b]

praying that Totk translation isn’t tampered with, whenever i play a zelda game now i wonder if im reading what is actually being written and not a sterile interpretation of it, their work is the equivalent of a Jelly-filled-donuts from the pokemon anime but worse because that one was at least harmless but at least Zelda lost in translation is prevalent enough to warrant youtube videos & articles explaining what we missed out on so that’s always good

[@Jintenzo]

16:44, she did what now?

[@CaliburnClarent]

Great video! But now im wondering... what the heck is going on with wind waker link then? I get the heroes have to develop their Hearts, but he had to go out of his way to make the Gods choose him. IIRC, in the original japanese as well, Ganondorf's "hero of time reborn" comment is mainly meant to be a metaphor too? Is WW Link an exception to the reincarnation thing? If not, then why wasnt there a hero to stop ganondorf in WW's backstory? Its very confusing...

[@QuestWithAaron]

I'll probably go over Wind Waker Link specifically in a future video, you've a good point

[@ThomasCapella]

So if The Hero of Time is a bourei and all Links have the same soul, how does the soul pass on to another person in that of The Hero of Twilight? How does something like that happen where two beings can have the same soul?

[@Dumbo-zx7oc]

There’s a theory that there are two sprits of the hero in the child timeline since Zelda sent him back to before ganondorf got the triforce there would be technically be two links in that timeline

[@skeffvevo371]

I'm a year late to this but this video is a banger. Phenomenonal work

[@QuestWithAaron]

Hey, I really appreciate that, thank you!

[@Will-f8g]

They prevailed

[@crov43]

I'll do you one better, why is Link?

[@QuestWithAaron]

When is Link?

[@NeoDeity]

Ever think of doing a Fierce Deity video? You're the only Zelda youtuber I think would do the subject justice.

[@NeoDeity]

Nevermind, you already did one!😂🎉

[@QuestWithAaron]

I did! I'm glad you were able to find it ^^

[@Zod_JB]

I never realized just how much lore and meaning is lost in translation going from Japanese to English. It really changes and clarifies a lot.

[@mkv2718]

well you see, a link is a bonding point, or often a piece in a chain…. oh wait. “what is Link.” not “what is *A* link.” ….my mistake

[@gregorygan2077]

The spirit of the Hero is cursed to stay for eternity in a battlefield realm to satisfy Hylia's romantic desires as Zelda. He's a victim of the goddess of time who trapped him and deprives him of moving on. Zelda is the true villain of the series.

[@mojo449]

The Zelda Tears Of The Kingdom Main theme reversed says help us please help us Mohsin which could be linked to Tamashi.

[@link_team3855]

Yaknow. i feel like theres just the small problem with windwaker... he not this link :PP

[@jeffreytang7434]

When tears of the kingdom comes, will you please live stream it in Japanese perhaps after you played it cause you don't wanna ruin your experience of a first playthru I can no longer stand English localizationand this would help so many Japanese learners and ones who are mass immersing. And I'm just curious, my level is not good enough so someone like me needs to literally be walked thru the Japanese version of the game. It's okay if you don't want to

[@TheSpaceInvaderer]

Awesome video. Wondering what you or anyone here in the comments thinks about the significance of Link's name. Link means to connect, and Link connected the three pieces of the triforce by cultivating wisdom, power and courage. Im sure there is more here

[@portgasace7961]

Thanks for this cool video, really interesting to hear the japanese version really opens your eyes to how good this franchise is, good job=) by the way which medley is it from 19:00 when your explaining the heros' shade?

[@mr.peanutz4584]

I feel like links only words in tears of the kingdom should be "well excuse me princess" and the game ends

[@ExtraZelda]

We all be asking 'WHAT is Link' but nobody's asking 'HOW is Link?' :(

[@TetraForceAC]

This is why the Japanese version of BOTW does more Justice to story details than the English version does.

[@EGreeneConversations]

What if the Link from Tears of the Kingdom is basically the story of the Hero's Shade and how he ended up where he was?

[@nicirochi0]

This is one of best videos I ever seen! I know we are losing some things in translation, but some words is a huge deal to understand the comple story. You did a awesome explanation, thank you!

[@MikeSwapp]

Happy you took events from Age of Calamity as well.

[@LilNoNo09]

I think that the blue hand is like the god of courage and like at the end of the game the hand and hylia will seal Gannon but I think also Gannon and zelda will be like guided and there spirits will like come out and seal delmise

[@collaborisgaming2190]

22:01 Guess that means that Breath of the Wild is mostly set in the Downfall timeline, or at least was the destination of the merged timelines if theories surrounding the Hyrule warrior games are true.

[@Wildicon19]

This has opened my eyes and has given me clear voyency to the embodiment of Link and his role of a hero throughout his history in Hyrule!

[@LinkedIn12Smith]

I got a feeling a movie will tell us who link really was.

[@Linkwii64]

Ganon worst mistake is kept Link reincarnation. 😂

[@happyentertainment8003]

dang. this shows that a little change in words can mean a lot

[@DanielBultitude]

Sugoi, zeruda wa omoshiroi desu yo

[@Waterdust2000]

Good job here, how interesting it is for others to see the flip-side of the coin here. If only this was done by developers.

[@fitforfreelance]

This makes a lot of sense

[@explosivesraspberry6795]

The funny thing is that anybody who learned solely english while growing up usually find learned most other language as a herculean task because the structure of the language has it so we have basic words that can become complex thoughs by using verbs and adjectives allowing us to understand what we are all saying even without much context. But in languages like japanese (i am no expert and dont even know it but from what i have learned of foreign language) many different words can have the same or similar meaning but each contextualizes and individualizes themselves from each other. Allow complex thought through the combination of words that already possess their own context (context being used to describe thing like when the word hero is used it can be interpret as a skilled warrior or brave person, two very different meanings to what a english speaker would see as the same word). So in english a single word can mean many thing so the person describe (in the sentence) which meaning of the word they are using but in japanese every one of the different meanings of a single english word has their own separate word to describe itself allowing japanese speaking people simple use the word that has their desired meaning. The structures are completely different so when english speakers try to translate other languages alot of the meaning and context is lost allowing mistranslations of what its trying to describe but when a foreign language speaker tries to translate english they find not only a bunch of "is", "it", "that", esc. But words that in their eyes can mean a lot of different things with no way to tell which interpretation its trying to convey. I dont know if i managed to explain what i was trying to say (ironic right?) but it all sums up to many other languages share similar ways of structure sentences while english is extremely different.

[@QuestWithAaron]

Absolutely! Language is insanely complex. You are not going to be able to capture every hidden nuance of each word in the original text every time. Therefore sometimes its easy to assume something is a "mistranslation" when in actuality, there is much more to it than just labelling it as one. Analysing those nuances and how they affect the Zelda series is what's so fascinating to me!

[@willisrose9756]

Hey Aaron, did you watch the new trailer for Tears of the Kingdom?

[@QuestWithAaron]

I certainly did! I posted the Japanese version with English subtitles on my twitter just now ^^ I am so hyped! What did you think?

[@eriel-fu4305]

Player are link's soul.

[@jayglenn837]

How does this tie in with the skyward sword prequel comic that features an even earlier Link?

[@Psykhe_ofthestars]

That manga isn't canon

[@Tom-jn7id]

What about the wind waker tho. He held the sword and wasn’t in the bloodline right?

[@louiesatterwhite3885]

The master sword chooses its wielder. Sometimes its needed while a Link isn't around yet, so it will occasionally let another heroic individual wield it. Case in point, the Zonai Hero shown in BOTW and TOTK.

[@Kingfrozttheartist]

Wait a minute, so the long eared beings that inhabit Hyrule are humans?

[@Dumbo-zx7oc]

I’m pretty sure that in the games hyrulians are referred to as humans

[@KingLAO2964]

Now this video cooked

[@spring.on.neptune]

my GOD i cant with for totk

[@137_Diego_]

Cheesus, that's cool af!

[@schrimply5980]

link us a Hylian

[@christopherbradshaw1436]

I need more lire dives like this!!

[@chibbinzTV]

At 0:45 wtf is that form of Ganon real ?

[@lil_nublet6454]

yes it’s from age of calamity (a canon spin off)

[@AbelicoMc]

Muy buen video bro 👍🏼