Zelda and Link’s Love - Tears of the Kingdom Theory

[@annieandelsieofarendelle3294]

There's also the fact that even if you complete the Dragon's Tears Quest, the Find Princess Zelda Quest doesn't get marked as complete until the ending as if to say that Link won't give up until Zelda's back to who she is no matter how impossible it seems.

[@GeneralOlde]

I love that detail. There's so many cool details like that.

[@RockerGamer2798]

I got to agree with that. When he tells Impa about Zelda being a dragon she herself is aggrieved but indignant saying there has to be a way. I know Link is the same way. Even if it was all over and Link only had one arm he wouldn’t care. All he would want is to see her again.

[@shysha1308]

They’re my fav ship in this franchise and I feel like they have the most chemistry out of all of the links and zeldas so far!

[@phantom99991]

I'd agree if not for Minish Cap where the whole five minutes they get before Zelda is petrified didn't carry an entire game's worth of chemistry.

[@aetherial87]

SS definitely had it

[@a.jthomas6132]

Mine is well.

[@kit76149]

@@aetherial87 I agree but I personally find the drama and chivalric romance or master and servant trope of botw zelink more interesting to think about. SS is just another separated childhood friends love story for the most part.

[@aetherial87]

@@kit76149 I won't disagree, I'm just a sucker for that, lol

[@RealCFZ]

10:05 Another sad parallel I noticed is that after Sonia got killed and Zelda sacrifices herself. Rauru was looking at Sonia’s grave which has a Sundelion. And Link was surrounded by Silent Princesses after he learned what happened to Zelda. Both Silent Princess and Sundelions looks inverted to each other as well.

[@itsBASILLICUS]

i live for zelink and seeing zelda's beautiful smile at the end was so worth it. i think that's how link felt, too. "may the goddess smile upon you"

[@RockerGamer2798]

When the screen went to black I’m sure they at least hugged it out. How could he not with that smile? :)

[@maryam.m]

Oh my God, that hug animation at 12:19 is so cute. These poor babies deserve it after everything they've been through 🥺

[@r3gret2079]

That interview where they talk about "hands", "it's all connected", "it's all ABOUT connection", leading to Aunuma's revelation "oh I just put it together" when he hears "even his name is Link", is all just so good. Gotta give em a hand for that.

[@GeneralOlde]

Your points about Link's love allowing Zelda to overcome her sacrifices hits so hard. People who say Zelda should have stayed a dragon or come back as a half-dragon monstrosity for her sacrifice in TOTK to have weight and consequences miss the point that Link would do anything to be with her. You can't finish the Find Princess Zelda quest until after Zelda gets restored at the end; Link wants HIS Zelda and he won't be satsified until she's back in the form of the adorable nerd princess he remembers.

[@wiskerfall4519]

Yeah its really on the nose with it although some people have a bit of mental gymnastics even though it literally states “the princess love for her fallen knight awakens her power” her love for link gave her the courage too act as stated in the game.

[@RockerGamer2798]

This is true. Link gave Zelda courage to overcome her fears and awaken her power. And Zelda made sacrifices to give Link the power necessary to defeat Ganondorf. And all they both want at the goal of both games is to see each other again. PS I do like your comment but do you have to call her a nerd? LOL.

[@wiskerfall4519]

@@RockerGamer2798 well she is a nerd but that’s what makes her character so endearing.

[@RockerGamer2798]

I can respect that. I like that feature to her character. It’s just that labeling her as a “nerd” just sounds kind of, I don’t know negative? I appreciate that she enjoys learning new things. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being smart. But that’s others opinions.

[@GeneralOlde]

@@RockerGamer2798 Yeah, I wasn't trying to demean the character; I love her a lot! I think her desire for knowledge is wonderful, and I love how in TOTK, she found a way to tie her hobbies to her duties as a leader by establishing a school and a research team to educate future generations.

[@PLIJIM]

This video kind of turned the tumblers in my brain and unlocked a theory of my own. The three acts of Zelda using her abilities, at Fort Hateno, Sealing The Calamity,, and the recall of the Master Sword and dragon plan show Courage, Power, and Wisdom. She is the embodiment of the Triforce and the will of Hylia in these moments. Feel free to keep going with this thread, but I had to share it.

[@kit76149]

I love this idea

[@PLIJIM]

In particular in that order, courage defending Link, Power holding back The Calanity, and Wisdom bringing the sword to her to fix it

[@Grandwigg]

I love this thought!

[@dietotaku]

probably the reason why when she uses her powers the triforce appears on the back of her hand

[@LUCAMEARDIARAUJO]

8:45 I've seen this scene 10+ times, yet it makes me scream every time I watch it 😭Link carrying his lover in his warm arms, which is what woke her up 😭😭😭❤ I'M DYING FOR THESE TWO, THEY'RE THE BEST COUPLE EVER

[@chrispork1443]

I hope DLC gives us more in the form of more memories from their time together before the Upheaval or an epilogue story that ends with Link and Zelda’s wedding.

[@rebekahzwink8278]

I would lose my ever loving mind at a wedding!

[@wace9174]

I need that

[@American-Jello]

I wish, but it'll never happen. That would essentially end the most desirable draw of the franchise.

[@a.jthomas6132]

That and more memories of Zelda's time with Rauru and Sonia. Thus exploring the origins of Ganondorf with Kotake and Koume.

[@kit76149]

@@American-Jello Shaking my fists at Nintendo

[@RockerGamer2798]

This is very in depth and profound. I kind of had the same thoughts about how Link has helped Zelda overcome her burdens and how they have grown closer ever since the calamity. The only thing is that how Link turned her back to normal was when the arm reacted was actually a conduit to channel Link’s hidden power and Rauru and Sonia helped amplify it. It’s kind of the same difference when Zelda’s power awakened in Breath of the Wild. Link turning Zelda back to normal was because of his love for her. That’s just me though.

[@ShepherdsCreek]

Link has definitely been going above and beyond in his (k)nightly duties

[@__Soya__]

Now wait one god Damm minute

[@lukejones7164]

@@ShepherdsCreek 😂

[@RockerGamer2798]

11:38. That is well put and beautiful. I never really thought about it that way before. Link is the only family Zelda has left. And the same way goes around, Zelda is Link’s only family as far as I can tell given what little info there is about his background. I also find it profound in that right before Zelda becomes the Light Dragon she pleads Link to protect them all. In that instance if that was her last true moment and thought, then her last thoughts were of Link. 😢

[@RealCFZ]

Also, the ost when Link and Zelda falling in the sky after Zelda is cured. It really hits me that plays both Zelda’s Lullaby and Series main theme.

[@RockerGamer2798]

After Rauru mentions Link to Ganondorf and when Link saves Zelda from the yiga clan the main theme plays so to me, I think it’s Link’s theme.

[@RealCFZ]

@@RockerGamer2798 The Series Main Theme will always be Link’s theme since very first NES game and Skyward Sword even calls it “Song of the Hero”

[@wiskerfall4519]

With both games In perspective that being btows kass song that confirms that Zelda romantically loves link and the Japanese diary entries in btow where he says “I want to see Zelda’s beauty again” it’s safe to say this incarnation of link and Zelda are canonically in love

[@__Soya__]

Extremely safe to say

[@ARMScan1013]

I hope I get to see the story expand in DLC if it ever happens

[@IdentifiantE.S]

Please Nintendo !

[@wiskerfall4519]

One thing that I noticed is that kass’s song seems to foreshadow the theme of Zelda and link “holding hands in life” as the end of his song states “the hero-the princess, hand in hand must return the light back too the land” witch is very on the nose description of what we see in totk they are allways with each other metiphoricly hand in hand rebuilding the kingdom but they literally end the game hand in hand since they have to catch each others hands to save one and other.

[@sparks1455]

Oh, I've never thought of it like that before. That's actually a good way of doing it though.

[@wiskerfall4519]

@@sparks1455 yeah I've seen other ppl point this out a lot of people have debated that line because some interpret it as them literally holding hands like a couple and others think it's them rebuilding highrule and I'm kinda like. its both since in totk they do rebuild together but they also hold each others hands in the literal sense. but i mean the song literally says "the princesses love for her fallen knight awakens her power" so there isn't any room for interpretation on whether or not she loved Link. side note why do ppl even argue if Zelink is cannon it literally states it and the Japanese version of btow lin writes "i want too see zeldas beauty again" like fr

[@ZeroJump]

8:30 THIS! I hate when people say "But Mipha!" even if Link loved her back in that way wich I doubt Link should be allowed to move on.

[@annieandelsieofarendelle3294]

I mean even Mipha implied that she wanted Link to be happy and if Zelda makes him happy, I don't think she'd have much of an issue with it.

[@RealCFZ]

I always love Link and Zelda being a couple since Skyward Sword. And Botw and TotK makes me love even more on them.

[@a.jthomas6132]

Many thanks for this amazing video! They are made for each other, and Link x Zelda's relationship fits well in both games. In Breath of the wild, Zelda loves Link. And Link loves Zelda in Tears of the Kingdom. I hope their arc comes to a full circle in the sequel. I think having them as new Rulers of Hyrule is an interesting concept Nintendo should consider be doing.

[@vulpes6144]

I actually like how subtle it is. The obvious ending kiss and whatever is too clichè. Just the intense music as Zelda is falling for the last time and Link FINALLY have the chance to redeem and catch her this time is an true act of love itself.

[@DanielFerreira-gz4qv]

Something interesting is that in the end, the three representa each piece of the triforce Link-courage Rauru-power Sonia-wisdom That's why they can revert zelda's draconificarion

[@kriscynical]

I think it's rather obvious if for no other reason than (anecdata of course) every single streamer/letsplayer I've watched play TotK has assumed they're a couple and living together in that house. Literally _every single one of them_ has referred to Zelda as "my girlfriend!!" while playing, and I think that's adorable. lol

[@a.jthomas6132]

In the Japanese text in the final Dragon's Tear memory, Link found out Zelda's sacrifice by transforming into the Light Dragon. Thus, entrust, the Master Sword to him as Link must lived up to her feelings no matter what. This should implicates their theme of love and sacrifice as well since her knight's courage help her overcome her fears and burdens.

[@Alkeq]

Yeah he said this in the video

[@commonwealthrealm]

Did Tears of the Kingdom's ending confirm that Hyrule got their Queen Zelda and King Link?

[@Cliffordlonghead]

First

[@Cliffordlonghead]

Awesome video

[@joshreichardt2485]

I think it would be Queen Zelda and her consort Link.

[@smhermione]

I think so. If nothing else, I could imagine the sacrifice Zelda had to make would reinforce to them the preciousness of life and how they almost lost each other for good. They got another chance and I don't think they'd waste it.

[@a.jthomas6132]

I hope it in the next Zelda game does happen not because we find Link x Zelda are cute together. But how their relationship fits within the stories of TOTK and BOTW. King Link and Queen Zelda would be an interesting concept.

[@RockerGamer2798]

I still stand by what I said before. Mineru’s theory may be valid, but I believe it was Link’s love that turned Zelda back to normal and Rauru and Sonia amplified their power with Link’s. Rauru himself said it, “I have done all I can for her. The rest is up to you.” That being said when Mineru mentioned the draconification process I saw something in Rauru’s eyes in that he wouldn’t have considered it if there wouldn’t be a way to bring her back. So Rauru must have suspected it would never have been possible without Link.

[@RockerGamer2798]

Another thing I found interesting is that even though Zelda turned into a dragon and lost her sense of “self”, she still helped Link with the final tear and the battle against Ganondorf. This is just a theory, but it might have been a primordial instinct to help him. Kind of like the first lyrics to the song “Boy falls from the sky” from Spider-Man Turn off the dark. Where it goes “You can change your mind, but you cannot change your heart”. I believe it was because of the bond she shares with Link. No matter what becomes of the two it is a bond between them that cannot be broken.

[@LikeADerp99]

If there’s a sequel to make it a true trilogy, it would be nice to see another time skip where they are older and Zelda and link become the new king and queen and Zelda fully masters the power over time/light. And maybe the main character if not link. Is actually their child either being their son to fulfill the role as link. But maybe they also have a daughter that they name Zelda to keep the tradition going, or maybe name her Hylia to break the tradition. Hylia could be the central character, and she has a latent zonai gene that’s stronger than normal. And she has strong control over her time powers naturally (But also being properly taught at a young age having a motherly figure around) Maybe adding the twist that she is the original Hylia who much like her mother, goes back in time but she reaches a time period that the zonai and the golden goddesses exist in and the triforce was left behind and she grows old in that time period as she was destined to become the goddess to watch over the triforce and maintain the flow of time. She grows to become the goddess Hylia and eventually gives up her life to become the first Zelda (so skyward sword Zelda is Hylia reincarnated but Hylia is Totk Zelda and links Daughter) I think it could be a nice way to make things come full circle. And give us more insight to the ancient past we see in SS and history about the zonai, the goddesses, the triforce AND Hylia herself who eventually starts the entire Legend of zelda with this continuity.

[@annaghost]

It would be awesome to get to see the zonai at their prime!!

[@Malice_Mantis]

You should write this as a fanfiction

[@LikeADerp99]

@@Malice_Mantis I would but then I’d become invested in it and be ultimately disappointed

[@gustavoargumanis1863]

Wow!! I really want this to happen An excellent way to close this era. And also in gameplay, a good way to have the new MC with three hearts (by this point, depowering Link again is simply not possible. He should be the crutch character, with his three stamina wheels and 40 hearts).

[@p0tat0boi19]

This is quite similar to what I was thinking

[@nolanmart]

omg this was SO cute 😭They're literally my favorite ship. They've gone through such insane things and I'm so glad they have each other! This was such a lovely video too, I loved how in-depth you went with all of the pretty details. I loved the part where you said "After all, her most sincere smile is reserved for him alone". 🥲Thank you for making and sharing this wonderful video!! I really enjoy your content! 💖💖💖 - That mod of them hugging is really cute gahh 💔

[@a.jthomas6132]

Alot of people said that their relationship is very platonic ( which is true in Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess). And Zelda's English' VA Patricia Summersett claims that Link and Zelda are not romantically involved, but I highly doubt to believe her statement from her offical Twitter post. So I want to go over on what I have over in both Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild. And to proved that, here are the evidences that confirms that the love between Link and Zelda is more mural than you think and speaks volumes: - King Rhoam assigning “HIM” as her appointed knight in in the first entry of Zelda’s diary - She is the only person that helps her Appointed Knight and Hero to be more opened to her as seen in Zelda’s diary entry in BOTW; explaining why he felt necessary to remain silent because with so much at stake and too many eyes upon him. - After the Calamity emerges beneath Hyrule Castle and nearly 80% of the land’s population is nearby wiped out, Link is gravely wounded defending his princess. She jumps in front of Link which activates her sealing powers. In the Champion’s Ballad DLC, Kass hints Zelda’s love for Link at the very last song. Read this lyric here: 🎵 “The princess's love for her fallen knight awakens her power / And within the castle the Calamity is forced to cower. But the knight survives! In the Shrine of Resurrection he sleeps, until from his healing dream he leaps! For fierce and deadly trials await. To regain his strength. To fulfill his fate. To become a hero once again! To wrest the princess from evil's den. The hero, the princess-hand in hand-Must bring the light back to this land.” 🎵 - Petals of the Silent Princess flowers represent their endless love as Bolton has mentioned after the Terry Town side quest. - In memory 8 of the Dragon Tears, Zelda tells Rauru her description of Link as well as her fondness of her knight/hero/lover. Her ancestors acted like the kind of parents who would be interested in meeting their daughter’s boyfriend and hoping to put Link’s mind at ease. - Before the pair set out to investigate the glooms beneath Hyrule Castle, Zelda was about to surprise Link with the newly improved Champion’s Tunic Could suggested that Zelda took the idea of marriage porposal since Link has grown more in depth to the Zora culture - Both become teachers in Zelda’s School to educate a new generation of Hylians in Hateno Village with the assistant of Symin (since they saw themselves through them). - I’m not sure what the Japanese version is like, it claims that it is called "the home" while the American English text has rewritten Link’s formal home “Zelda’s House”. - A scene you get of Link surrounded by the silent princess flowers, a flower field where there are princess flowers and blue nightshade side-by-side, an npc implying married couples by dream homes, that dream home having a study and silent princesses nearby. - After completing the side quest in Lurelin Village, NPC tells Link about the couple’s secret visit at the Lover’s Pond (meaning Zelda visits there with Link accompanying her) - While the original Western version of Tears of the Kingdom calls this side quest “Potential Princess Sightings”, Link calls her "my sweet princess" in the Japanese quest log version - in the final boss battle, Light Dragon (Zelda) comes to save and aids Link against Draconified Ganondorf which could mean not all of her is lost. Zelda’s love for Link could be explained by her dragon instinct. -Zelda’s dragonification is reversed when Rauru’s light power and Sonia’s time power channeling through Link. The reason why it happened was because they required Link’s stronger motives. And we have seen that before in BOTW where Zelda’s motives to save Link triggered her Light powers. It was love. - The entire goal of the game from the start isn't even "Kill Ganondorf" it's "Find Princess Zelda" and that is only completed by Link catching the real Zelda. - A tumblr post from mistress-light shows Link's hidden smile as Zelda staste that she wakes up with a "warm' loving embrace". - Link held on to her tightly as they landed on a lake. Upon being woken after being asleep for hundreds of thousands of years, Zelda can describe it as “a warm, loving embrace”. - When Zelda said “ Link ,I’m home”, I believe it is not just she really returned to the Hyrule she belongs to. But Link is her home. - Mineru Theorized that reversing Zelda’s Draconification requires Sonia’s Time power and Rauru’s Light Power to be channeled through Link’s arm; but activating magic is also in need of strong motive. That is when Zelda smiles at her knight knowing how much his princess means to him. - In comparing the two secret endings, Link runs up to Zelda in Breath of the Wild while he walks proudly as he is showing his composure among his friends approaching Zelda. While she has shown a lot of love and care for the people of Hyrule, Princess Zelda’s true love is for Link and only the player can see the two of them in love. I hope these are enough for everyone to know Zelink is indeed canon in both games. My hope for the sequel of Tears of the Kingdom is we get to see their relationship be moving to the next step towards a possible marriage.

[@LordVerdo]

I thought Zelda’s english VA said, “They’re in a relationship and I just love that!”

[@wace9174]

@@LordVerdo she did but then later said she didn't think they were romantically involved which imo wouldn't make sense due to the various hints and when Kass outright says Zelda is in love with link

[@a.jthomas6132]

@@LordVerdo That is what I thought as well. But then she changed her mind. She also responded back to other Nintendo posts saying "No! No! No! They are not romantically in love". Honestly I felt like she is either telling us that is up to the players to decide or America's Nintendo informing her not to tell us. It felt me with some concerns for awhile. But then I realize that her claims was a bit of misconception as I played through the game. Not to mention Link is being projected as a Blank Slate is something that America's Nintendo enforces on the series, while Aonuma and Nintendo of Japan in general have always framed Link as his own distinct character despite being a silent protagonist.

[@a.jthomas6132]

@@wace9174 Is America's Nintendo trying to retcon everything by rewritten Tears of the Kingdom's original sources that is from Japan? It felt like they do not like Zelink or want Link x Zelda together.

[@kit76149]

I agree with these points, but she didn't say they "aren't", and her personal opinion is no more canon than any other fan's. She is not one of the writers or fujibayashi or anyone from the actual Japanese dev team.

[@RockerGamer2798]

Whether we can another game linked to BOTW and TOTK or something new I feel like this KZbin video you uploaded gives us all or me a semblance of closure to the story. That much I’m grateful for thank you. I know some people state Link couldn’t be king because he’s not royalty but others say he could because Hyrule does not follow the same laws as other kingdoms do, but either way. I feel like in all Zelda titles what Link and Zelda do in the stories proves that in their own way they are king and queen. Also, Zelda is just freakin’ cute whenever she says “Oh Link”!

[@422katieleigh]

Thank you! Idk why people are so stubbornly resistant to the obvious fact that they’re together, if not married.

[@emmamiller.]

The “Warm loving embrace” killed me lol

[@a.jthomas6132]

Yeah it felt very wholesome of those words Zelda speaks.

[@RockerGamer2798]

People also talk about the ending and the secret ending where it has Zelda’s theme and the main theme tied to each other. I won’t say it’s the main theme but rather Link’s theme because when Rauru mentions Link it plays the theme and when Link saves Zelda from the yiga clan it plays it gently so I believe it’s HIS theme. When they play both at the end it also proves that they are destined to be together. 😊

[@AaronPICAR]

Link and Zelda have been married since 1986. I remember watching “Zelda’s Awakening” memory in Breath of the Wild and realized you will fight fiercest for whom you love deepest.

[@ZeroJump]

People who say Zelda doesnt love Link in a romantic way are delusional. Ok you can debate about Links feelings but with Zelda the game practicly spells it out.

[@wiskerfall4519]

I mean links feelings aren’t really debatable in the Japanese version of btow there is his diary entries where he writes “I want too see Zelda’s beauty again with theses eyes of my own” and at the end of btow we see silent princess petals witch are specifically stated to represent endless love. And come on Zelda literally says she awoke when she felt a “warm loving embrace” and link smiles offscreen on the word loveing

[@ZeroJump]

@@wiskerfall4519 Im a big shiper of them but he says " I want to see her smile agin" and he only calls her voice beutifull

[@wiskerfall4519]

@@ZeroJump actually I’ve seen it stated that that line was actually mistranslated by native speakers it is actually “I want to see her beauty again” the misconception mostly comes from the original tumblr post that mistranslated it but ether way it’s still proof he loves her

[@stephcee4319]

My personal theory is that Rutile Lake is a popular date spot for Link and Zelda!

[@bob_marlee03]

they're married, your honor

[@a.jthomas6132]

It better happen in the sequel of Tears of the Kingdom.

[@syedsameeraly]

i like to believe it's already happened good sire ❤

[@IdentifiantE.S]

@@a.jthomas6132We need this ! 🤝🗿

[@a.jthomas6132]

@@Tk421AtHisPost Jeez dude! They are in a relationship. Even the Japanese version implicate further as Link and Zelda are lovers. This ain't rocket science.

[@gtALIEN]

​@@a.jthomas6132just gotta wait 6 more years! 💀

[@wiskerfall4519]

One thing i you forgot to mention was memory 8 because in the memory it’s very clear Zelda is in love with link but also. Raru and Sonia take interest in meeting him like parents wanting to meet their daughters boyfriend. And was especially significant is that raru and Sonia are essentially parents too Zelda in a literal sense they are her great (insert amount of greats here) grandparents so they are family. And once you take that into consideration the only time they both meet link is at the very end and they both lend their powers too link to save Zelda and once they are done. Raru and Sonya both hold hands and look down and link and Zelda. And what does link have to do too save Zelda. Hold her hand zelink is cannon.

[@sparks1455]

I seriously love the idea of Rauru and Sonia acting as the 'parents' of Zelda. As you mentioned, it's even more hilarious and obvious since they act like parents who want to meet their daughters' boyfriend. And the god damn fall at the end had me in tears as Link protects her one last time, holding her close. Also just Zelda saying "But when I felt something, like a warm, loving embrace, I woke up" If that doesn't prove Link loves Zelda idk what does.

[@wiskerfall4519]

@@sparks1455 want to know something link actually smiles when she says "warm loveing embrace" its off-screen tho but the fact that they had to hand animate it and sinc it up with the word loveing if you dont beleve me just look up "link smileing totk"

[@RockerGamer2798]

Yeah. It was Link’s power that brought Zelda back. Rauru and Sonia merely helped amplify it. When the battle was over Link’s only desire was to have Zelda back and that’s when the power activated through the arm Rauru lent to him. It has to be.

[@wiskerfall4519]

@@RockerGamer2798 now this is a theory on my part but it is backed up by some confirmed cannon things like Zelda’s love for link causeing her powers to awaken this was confirmed in btow where it’s stated “the princess love for her fallen knight awakens her power” additionally it is romantic besides the ovbeous memory in totk it says “Zelda only had eyes for link” so it’s confirmed to be romantic as well. Zelda’s powers activated on impulse when links life was threatened they acted on her love for link as stated in the song. She was never actively trying to use. Something similar happens with link his arm starts twitching and reacting very similarly too how Zelda’s powers awakened in btow. Link in this moment wants to save Zelda exactly like in btow. So his arm is merely reacting too his love for Zelda and his want to save her.

[@RockerGamer2798]

I like that theory. My idea is that it was something like that.

[@Raliceia96]

I opened YT today, planning to nap with my kiddos with a video playing in the background. Instead, I am thoroughly invested in this beautifully made video. Thank you so much!❤❤

[@PunknPixels]

I mean she moved into Link's tiny 1-bdr in Hateno and built a school there. It's at least *heavily* implied they're in a relationship lol

[@wiskerfall4519]

Allright with these two games and that “tadiama” there is no way these two are not cannon the game literally says Zelda loves link in btow and when zelda says “warm loveing embrace” link smiles offscreen these two are most definitely in love

[@__Soya__]

Ya it's not even really a theory at this point

[@otakubullfrog1665]

This is a beautiful explanation for something that I wasn't aware was ever really in doubt. To anyone who would say otherwise, I'd like to ask them if they go around saving princesses who are just really good friends.

[@TinyLadyKris]

you wouldn't go and save your friend?

[@furryfurry8477]

She finally had role models to set the scene for what a healthy romance looks like, too.

[@RockerGamer2798]

I just want to say that if Link had an English voice actor with some dialogue I think I would choose Scott Arthur. The voice of Blaidd from Elden Ring. He’s cool calm and collected like Link and has a high voice with deep pitches in the right moments. That and I just think Link would sound good with a Welsh accent. In fact it would be really cool if Link had different accents in the other Zelda games like maybe in Skyward Sword he had a Scottish accent, in Ocarina of Time Polish or Swedish, Twilight Princess Danish, and Toon Link maybe sound Irish. That’d be pretty cool.

[@wace9174]

Honestly I also think that's the perfect voice for botw/totk Link

[@RockerGamer2798]

I’m glad you think so too. It goes to show that no wonder Zelda likes talking with Link. Not only would Nintendo make him a cool, strong, brave and good hearted hero, but he would also have a sexy voice! 😂 But seriously having a soothing voice like that would show how courageous and selfless he is.

[@RockerGamer2798]

Also, I don’t mean to dwell but listening to Blaidd’s dialogue when he says “You are a danger…You die here.” It makes me think of the moment after Link and the sages defeat the Demon King’s army that Link walks to Ganondorf’s atrium alone, I imagine a monologue Link has before fighting him. Something like this: “Ganondorf, wasting away in a cavern is no true justice. No, this is where it ends for you. You have much to answer for. For your Calamity, for the deaths of many innocents, for the Champions, for mine and Zelda’s families. There will be no mercy given, no quarter given. Everything I have endured between now and over a century ago has led to this. You are a danger…You die here.” Just imagining that gives me goosebumps! That would just be so metal.

[@herohearts1919]

I shouted so loud when he caught her and used his hands to cover her head when they crashed into the water, so she wouldn't get hurt 😭😭😭 LOVE IS IN THE AIR

[@SSJ_EWGF]

This ship is Ganon and you cannot convince me otherwise

[@__Soya__]

Wdym

[@javiervasquez625]

​@@__Soya__ Ganondorf = Ganon = "Canon" It's a joke.

[@wiskerfall4519]

@@__Soya__it’s a joke Nintendo black crisis coined in his last zelink video basically if you replace the g in Gannon with c it makes cannon so zelink is Gannon

[@__Soya__]

@@wiskerfall4519 Neat

[@RealCFZ]

It’s a Ganon event

[@Grandwigg]

It's possibly, perhaps even likely that rather than King, his role could be something like prince consort. Legally married, but not necessarily in an official ruling capacity.

[@asunnyra]

Bro. My song Tangled explains this theory perfectly in the first verse!

[@a.jthomas6132]

Even I do not know how to pronounce or speak Japanese, I feel the original version of TOTK is more accurate than English version. When Zelda Said "Oh Link... I'm home" My thought was she is home with Link. That is until you show me "ただいま... リンク" (pronounced as I'm home Link or I'm back Link). It makes sense that "a person you share space with aka lover" since Link has always there for her. I do hope that their relationship comes to a full circle in a possible sequel to Tears of the kingdom or DLC.

[@wiskerfall4519]

Well the meaning is essentially the same sine tadadima is something you say when you come back to family or lover so essentially she is saying I’m back home link or “oh link I’m home” pretty cool contextual translation on the part of the localizers it’s about as close you can get to tadiama meaning in English. But essential she is saying I’m home with you link in the Japanese version it’s just that there is a much heavier weight to it’s meaning since it could only mean in this context that she is back home with her lover link

[@wace9174]

I love these two so much I'm glad they got a happy ending (they better have kids)

[@mmlkshake]

it'd be pretty interesting to see a zelda game that takes place after totk and where the princess zelda of that game is the descendant of totk link and zelda, it'd be super nice

[@emmamiller.]

They would literally have the cutest child-

[@kit76149]

@@mmlkshake I feel like that will happen, even if it's only implied. The next princess has to come from somewhere, after all, and I really can't see totk Zelda picking anyone else. It'll probably stay an implied thing though, like with SS zelink (and possibly WW? People seem to debate that one more). But it would be fun if they gave the next Princess Zelda blue eyes or some other trait that shows who her grandad is haha

[@truelionofhylia8152]

A daughter named Zelda first, then two younger sons.

[@lukejones7164]

Nintendo should stop beating around the bush and just let Link x Zelda be explicit. Let them kiss and express their feelings for each other openly onscreen

[@DaisyFan1]

Post game dlc would be cool.

[@KingBinkus]

Agreed

[@DaisyFan1]

@@KingBinkus We get to rebuild Hyrule, new side quests, Zelink's relationship development, maybe an all new side mission?

[@DaisyFan1]

That side mode having a two player mode. One as Link and the other as Zelda.

[@ellyvanhouten]

and no less important. Zelda hides the new tunic nothing more and nothing less than under the royal throne.

[@RockerGamer2798]

If/when they make a dlc for Totk or make another Zelda game connected to this and BOTW is where Link and Zelda kiss and as they are Link opens an eye to the player or viewers and calmly pulls down a curtain. That way he could break the fourth wall and end the game the most satisfying way possible.

[@GamingWithUncleJon]

Of course not. Link would be Prince Consort, not king.

[@a.jthomas6132]

He may still be a sir knight.

[@setra_45]

0:03 pun intended

[@RockerGamer2798]

I think that in Hateno Village Link and Zelda do actually live together. Some say that the house that Link buys in BOTW was his childhood home but got it back and when the calamity was over he allowed to share it with Zelda. I mean in BOTW there is a sign that says “Link’s House”, but in TOTK there is no sign and the interior is different but the photo from the champion’s ballad is there and the bed is slightly different for two. My guess is that Link had weapon stands, but after the calamity Link decided he would rather let the potential candidates to replace the champions aka sages wield them than collect dust seeing as though the master sword is all he needs. In Zelda’s journal she refers to the house as “my house”, I think that’s only because that’s her journal and not her diary. She’s simply keeping it about business and work. Her diary keeps her personal thoughts and the new tunic she had for Link she had kept in the castle to surprise him because is she had it in the house he would probably find it since they live together as a KZbinr once stated in a short. Most people probably don’t recognize Link because he just didn’t draw much attention to himself in BOTW and before the events in TOTK Zelda was the center of attention and Link simply assists with rebuilding. Coming back to Link and Zelda sharing the same house and bed. My theory is at the end of BOTW they start to show more feelings to one another but kind of unspoken. They do share the same bed but in a platonic way until their relationship goes further. It allows you to sleep in the bed which you can only sleep in beds you rent or own which means they could be living together. This is Nintendo after all so they want to keep ideas about relationships and love interests neutral but the idea is there. And after TOTK Link and Zelda reveal more feelings for each other. This is just my theory.

[@melaniewhitt9271]

i love this game so clear Link and Zelda love each other in this game thanks for making this video and exploring how there relationship developed into a love for each other to help them overcome anything

[@RockerGamer2798]

I’ve recently been listening to “The Chain” performed by Evanescence and hearing this and thinking about all the Link and Zelda moments in TOTK it seriously hits differently. It resembles the bonds of the sages, Rauru and Sonia, but mostly Link and Zelda. What Link is willing to go through to find Zelda and bring her back and what Zelda is willing to sacrifice to help Link defeat Ganondorf and hold out hope to see Link again really shines in this song. All the way from the beginning of the game throughout to the final battle plays on. And to when Link and Zelda as the Light Dragon facing against the Demon Dragon when the part “chain keep us together” and to the final scene when Link dives to catch Zelda, “and if you don’t love me now you will never love me again, I can still hear you say ‘you will never break the chain’”. Just hearing this on and on gives me goosebumps in a positive way of course. 😮

[@kciref6016]

Can we get some comics of Link hugging Zelda after he DOES LITERALLY THE IMPOSSIBLE TO GET HER BACK

[@wiskerfall4519]

In the mangas Zelda kisses link

[@RockerGamer2798]

You know they hugged when the screen went to black. I figure they just like their privacy.

[@RockerGamer2798]

You know they hugged when the screen went to black. I figure they just like their privacy.

[@nandaminecraft9354]

I like to imagine that Zelda was hiding link’s hair band so that he wouldn’t wear it

[@shatter_glass13]

Link and Zelda are so cute together! 🥰

[@magdieljmc]

Two points that your video made me think of: 1. This Zelda (unlike previous incarnations) possesses the three qualities of the Triforce. She's inherently wise, she grows to be courageous (in Breath of the Wild) and eventually becomes assertive (initially in BotW but even more in Tears of the Kingdom). And the fact that the Triforce simbol appears complete in her hand (not with a single triangle illuminated as in previous games) is an apparent reference that in this time(line?) the triforce has not been divided and is merely being created by this Zelda. And forming that idea, would that mean that she IS (in fact) the first REAL incarnation of who would come to be known as Hylia?? 2. Also about Zelda, after all the sacrifices she's made for her kingdom she's still "the princess" of Hyrule when there's no other royal to take her as his bride and make her queen. So, my thoughts (and hopes) are that she (if we ever get to see a sequel to TotK) is going to be proclaimed Queen Zelda after many years, single but still in love with Link (this is bordering fanfic but I'll keep going). And there's going to be a new story about the triforce and how it came to be split, with a new Ganon that will complete the cycle of rebirth that has happened in every game. Let's hope and sI ee, hope to get Queen Zelda in a future game, that would be 🤯🤯🤯

[@chamomiletea5992]

They are absolutely going to get married. (If they aren’t already of course) 💗

[@rockowlgamer631]

Wish Link would've showed more emotion towards everything so that way I feel his love for Zelda.

[@Silarias]

That's something I struggled with as well.

[@RockerGamer2798]

Don’t despair. There is one video that shows the ending where Zelda is turned back to normal but the camera spans showing Link and Zelda as she speaks of “a warm loving embrace” while they have their backs turned. But, when she mentions the embrace Link actually smiles of his own free will. That shows he truly cares for her and when she smiles and says she’s home Link is not in the background. You know Link was smiling with joy too. How could he not with a smile like that, right? :)

[@rockowlgamer631]

I would be able to if they showed it@@RockerGamer2798

[@julianapairs]

Damn , I already watched this video bunch of times 😅😂This couple stuck in my head 😂

[@mrbiscuits001]

My head cannon: Zelda is in love with link but link is utterly oblivious and just focuses on cooking. The man has his priorities straight!!

[@Crowebar-fe9ln]

They’re definitely canon in BOTW/totk and SS. I literally don’t care what anyone says 😅

[@cobaltprime9467]

When they make an inevitable 3rd game, they better be together. And let Zelda be more active in the story. Not MIA and we can’t talk to her. It would be nice.

[@ZeroJump]

Yeah a 3rd game us not happening

[@gleebo9519]

​@@ZeroJumpIts gonna make Nintendo money, so there will definitely be a 3rd imo

[@ZeroJump]

@@gleebo9519 No. Then why didnt Nintendo Make Twilight Princess 2 when that was the most selling one before BOTW?

[@gleebo9519]

@ZeroJump Why did Nintendo make Majora's Mask then?

[@ZeroJump]

@@gleebo9519 Same reason they did TOTK

[@GrogieSnople]

Link would be Prince Consort actually as the spouse can't outrank the blood heir, so he'd be Queen Zelda's Prince Consort

[@silentone3357]

What happened to Mineru Secret Stone? Did Link take it or someone else? Last time we saw it, it was on her construct mecha but in the ending cutscene it's body is limb since Mineru spirit left it.

[@pyramidserum]

9:43 this actually DOES go the other way since link smiles out of bounds when zelda says “a warm loving embrace” but i havent seen any major youtuber talk about it kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3K4Y2Slmtmfa6s

[@wiskerfall4519]

I know right and it’s perfectly timed on “loveing” so he is smile if because she felt his love

[@RockerGamer2798]

I know right? Thank you to whoever made that video. One of the first times since OoT where Link smiled of his own free will.

[@RockerGamer2798]

Also when it shows Zelda when she says she’s home it doesn’t show Link so I’m sure Link really smiles genuinely, because how could he not with a smile like hers?

[@wiskerfall4519]

One thing that was not mentioned was links links Japanese journals in totk and btow now there is a lot of misinformation about this specific topic but to oversimplify a complex topics basically the logs are widely veiwed in the Japanese community as being written by link. Basically in btow when he collects all 13 memory’s he writes “I want too see Zelda’s beauty again with my own eyes” additionally the quest where kass tells link that Zelda was in love with him he writes “I have taken her feelings into account” basically if I remember this correctly the specific Japanese word or symbol is used in subjects that are heart over mind so it’s essentially tantramarte to link say “I have accepted Zelda’s feelings for me” additionally in tears of the kingdom there is a quest that literally translates too “my sweet princess” in English it is “for our princess” however it was changed presumably because the quest log is written in the second person in English so first person possessive pronouns would not work well. So tldr what’s stated within the video that links feelings for Zelda are mutual is a fact beyond the “warm loving embrace” at the end of totk and the silent princess petal symbolism in the secret ending of btow. Hopefully this cleared up ang doubts for people. Edit: the “I want too see Zelda’s beauty again” is the contextual translation of the diary entry the tumblr entry that originally posted it actually mistanslerd it as “smile”

[@ZeroJump]

To be fair in TOTK its definitly not Link writing it because the Puhra Pad says stuff like "a statue of Link and Sidon" and I doubt he writes in 3rd person. He could still write the titles tho. For example in the german version the title of the quest is "Oh you sweet princess"

[@wiskerfall4519]

@@ZeroJump well it’s not like the btow logs where retconned totk never says “oh in btow the logs are not written by link” however about totk at least in the Japanese version the logs are not definitively written in the third person of this where the case then every single log would refer to link by name but this isn’t the case in totk the majority of logs don’t address anybody and lack pronouns when translated into English only a few logs refer to link by name and a quest is even called “my sweet princess” witch could only could have been written by link given the use of the possessive pronoun “my” so in totk it’s a mixed bag but I’m botw the logs are definitely written by link and again they weren’t retconned. So the logs aren’t written in the third person but there are issues with both first and second person when translating too English for example, if you translate that log you mentioned into the first person it has link referring to himself by name witch doesn’t make sense. And in the second person where actions conducted by link are referred to as “you” it uses links name to describe the statue instead of “you and Sidon” it’s “link and Sidon” so second person can’t work ether. So frankly it can’t be first, second or third person. So frankly I think it depends on the log being translated most* of the time you can translate it perfectly in ether the first or second person but only a handful of logs have links name so I think it’s a per log basis

[@skyrogue1977]

I wonder who the new Spirit Sage will be.

[@wiskerfall4519]

Puhra possibly or nobody considering miniru was allready the sage of spirit but she got sent to the afterlife

[@MikePhantom]

a rare undisputable common wealth zelda theory video that doesn't claim unproven things merely to fit a narrative 10/10

[@Carter-o3h]

Bro when it was at the final drop it went “when the final LIMU EMU and Doug.

[@solmartel360]

They shared a house. And a room. They’re together. Period 😉😊

[@Silarias]

I'm not sure why so many people think this. There's no indication in the game that they share the house. It's more likely that Link would stay in that empty house across the bridge from Zelda's House whenever they stayed in Hateno.

[@kit76149]

@@Silarias You can still sleep in Link's bed at the house. You can't sleep in any other house in Hateno, not even the one that has been abandoned by a couple of npcs after restoring Lurelin.

[@wiskerfall4519]

@@kit76149doesn’t Simon also greet link in Japanese that would only make sense if he lives there I’ve seen this mentioned before and if true would be very strong evidence

[@kit76149]

@@wiskerfall4519 Yes, he says おかえりだったんですね when talking to Link for the first time

[@wiskerfall4519]

ah thanks for confirming it @@kit76149

[@jeremygriffin620]

King Link, or Prince-Regent Link?

[@sa3270]

So does the castle just stay stuck 150 yards in the air?

[@kit76149]

Yeah lol

[@mageius]

It's a yes and a no. Yes they are lovers and married BUT Link is not a king. I forgot whatever the term is where the queen still rules but her husband doesn't do any ruling but is rather her protector that's used I think it's consort or something like that. You know where the queen is still the ruler but her partner is in charge of the military or other things like that.

[@smhermione]

That's how it works in our world, but I'm not sure about Hyrule. In botw, it is implied Zelda had such a hard time learning how to unlock her powers because her mother was supposed to teach her, but she died when Zelda was 6. Does that mean the royal bloodline runs through the princess/ queen and the king marries into the family? There almost always seems to be a king of Hyrule so I'm not sure how we would never have heard of a prince consort before now.

[@mageius]

@smhermione I'll reference back to Zelda 2 where we know that there has been a prince before but that the King wanted to pass on things to the Zelda at the if I recall (Can't remember exactly there.) My thoughts however are that Link might have ether chosen that role fir himself and that any child of them be it Male would become King. However if the oldest is Female they would probably continue with a consort. But that's just my thoughts aa Link in the game feels closer to something like that rather than ruling this time.

[@joshreichardt2485]

Given that Zelda is the actual Monarch so she would be Queen and Link would be her consort.

[@alejandrochavez213]

Probably the Hyrulean royal family rarely uses such distinctions. Rhoam is heavily implied to have been the king cosort to Zelda's mother and he still received the title of King.

[@joshreichardt2485]

@@alejandrochavez213 fair point

[@kit76149]

@wyltedleaves The royal line is matrilineal, only the women have the goddess powers. Zelda's mother died before she could teach Zelda how to unlock her powers. So Rhoam is the one who married into the family.

[@Werewolf914]

I never found Zelda secret Well I guess I didn't explore the Wells very well I'm missing a lot

[@mstrclassy]

If Zelda becomes queen and they finally have a daughter named Zelda it'll really will be the legend of Zelda if we play her lol. Jokes aside, I'll be honest there will be another game along with the long awaited Ocarina of Time remake after Tears on the Switch 2 with enhanced graphics and an expanded upon land. I feel like this is something I want, there's no need to end the curse in these games. Giving Link and Zelda the long awaited love story and lore for future series will be enough. If they want to slay demise it'll give adults the ending we needed but Link and Zelda getting together will expand the story and combat so much further.

[@ZeroJump]

Zelda simps so hard for Link that it saved the world twice

[@__Soya__]

Can you blame her though

[@z0ru4_]

Tears of the Kingdom truly is a story about hands

[@redblue0191]

What happened to the top 10 video?

[@MollyOKami]

Technically, if we're following British succession rules, Link wouldn't be king, he'd be Prince Consort. By British rules, since the king outranks queen, any man who marries the queen can't be king, as that means he would surpass her in power.

[@MollyOKami]

This was confirmed in Skyward Sword & doubled-down on in Breath of the Wild. …I still love it, though. 💖

[@kit76149]

Not according to the haters apparently

[@wiskerfall4519]

@@kit76149I mean I don’t really care what those ppl say at this point the amount of evidence proveing it’s cannon and the fact that most major lore KZbin related to Zelda also thinks it’s cannon makes it pretty clear that those ppl are the minority imo

[@kit76149]

@@wiskerfall4519 True

[@wiskerfall4519]

@@kit76149 yeah if the majority of literal lore KZbinrs thinks it’s cannon ppl who litteraly study Zelda lore for a living the ppl who don’t are probably the minority

[@__Soya__]

What do you mean doubled down on in botw

[@HylianBull]

We want Nintendo to spell out what they leave up to interpretation. Its really a conundrum.

[@RockerGamer2798]

If Link was given a proper voice actor with dialogue what do you think his voice actor would sound like? At first I thought someone sounding like Jason Stathem but more youthful, but now I think Scott Arthur who played the voice of Blaidd from Elden Ring would be pretty sick. 😮

[@anthonyfarshaw8619]

Not necessarily a King, but maybe a Prince Consort at her side.

[@charlesdarwin9830]

I've always been curious about how Mipha and Link knew each other. Clearly, if Mipha had developed feelings for Link, they had to have known each other besides their common association with Princess Zelda. I always just joked that maybe Dorephan and his kids were friends of Link's family (maybe he and Link's grandpa were fishing buddies).

[@camchameleon4151]

I’m not 100 percent sure, but I think I heard that Link’s father was a knight and Link was 4 when he first visited the Domain as a swordsman, probably on something diplomatic. Aka, link has been working with the government as a swordsman since he was AT LEAST 4. How??

[@wiskerfall4519]

In btow it’s stated in miphas journal that link was apart of a caravan of soldiers that arrived to Zoras domain when he was 4 (presumably with links father since it’s stated that this incarnation of link had a father that was a sowrdsman) he met mipha when he got hurt and she used healing powers on them eventually link visited her less and less as they got older but mipha never really grew out of the childhood crush she had on him eventually their paths crossed again after many years after link was chosen by the sword. He was silent and did not talk to her a lot as noted in her journal because at the time he was Zelda’s escort mipha noticed that link had moved on from their previous relationship and now had developed feelings for zelda, or at least realized that zelda had love for him. This is why she was about to say outloud “I think about those I most deeply love when I’m healing” before she gets interrupted it’s advice for zelda to channel her love for link to unlock her powers but also a subtle message to link that she is aware that he has moved on

[@annieandelsieofarendelle3294]

@@wiskerfall4519 I'm sorry but the real question is why was a four-year-old being given a sword anyway?

[@wiskerfall4519]

@@annieandelsieofarendelle3294 sorry I get carried out of hand sometimes lol I’m pretty shure it was because he was very good the journal states he was Able to best adults

[@kit76149]

Link visited the domain when his father, a knight, was stationed there. It was only for a short time when Link was very young. He was around something like 4 years old at the time. Link was a child prodigy, so he was already beating adults at that age. Mipha heals child Link during this time because he's a reckless kid who gets himself into trouble. Mipha doesn't see Link again until many years later. Mipha never changed in this time due to Zora lifespans, and she was shocked that Link had grown up so fast in her eyes. Tbh, I never liked that they made her having had looked after him as a little kid and babysat him, to then developing a one-sided crush (she's partly meant to reference Ruto) on him. Just always felt a bit ick to me.

[@nook7189]

I disagree Link’s most sincere smile is only reserved for Zelda. Have you seen the way he looks at food??

[@JulianneNA]

I was your 700th like :}

[@tillythehun]

Link would be Queen’s consort 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@RockerGamer2798]

Tomorrow is the next Nintendo Direct! Hopefully they were joking when they said no DLC, but if not please let them reveal WW and/or TP to the switch! If not any of those show us what the next Zelda thing is. It was the same as before I played TOTK. I was hoping it would show more of Link and Zelda’s relationship I thought “Will it show more? Experience says ‘no’. Will I play it and anticipate the next one? If I’m alive you’d better believe it!” I won’t stop playing until they show it!

[@linkaidman9465]

The True GoTY 2023 Tears of The Kingdom ^_^

[@Catten_whisperer]

They definitely do it

[@danielraad6010]

I didn’t see that cutscene where they hug? Is that fan made?

[@rubellite4480]

It's fanmade