Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Story Explained (Part 1/3)

[@Zeltik]

Check out Part 2 here! kzbin.info/aero/PLKb_pMSfR7rVK_oqxnvZj0FSUcd-icRJs

[@fathergascoigne1457]

No. I will not

[@UnsaltyPaprika]

i find it funny that i was watching this while doing the quest with impa in TotK lol

[@UnsaltyPaprika]

@@fathergascoigne1457 do it.

[@josearmandovalenciayoga]

@Zeltik #Zeltik If princess Zelda have both time and light, but mainly time, why she became the light dragon and not the time dragon? 🤔🤔

[@matheusmaia4654]

O

[@johncunanan65]

A grim fact about Wild Zelda is that she at this point has had and witnessed 3 mothers/mother figure dying all before she is queen or is a mother herself. Her birth mother died at age 6, Urbosa who is arguably her adoptive/surrogate mother died during the calamity and Queen Sonia assassinated by Ganondorf infront of her. Sis needs extra extra therapy.

[@archaiks]

she nees sum milk, I mean therapy edit: and alcohol. a lot of alcohol. at least 7 Noble Pursuits

[@johncunanan65]

@@archaiks girly needs that vintage Chateau Romani

[@iangreer4585]

Not to mention she was a h*cking prisoner for 100 years to the Calamity iteration of Ganon as well as....*TOTK SPOILERS BELOW. DO NOT CLICK UNLESS YOU COMPLETED THE GEOGLYPHS QUEST* Become a H*cking Dragon for 10,000 h*cking years

[@TwistedImp7184]

@@iangreer4585well I feel like it was more of a white room type of thing where someone was in a white room for multiple days but afterwards it all feels like it happened super quickly for them

[@darianjenkins2630]

​@@iangreer4585It was arguably longer than that, like 100,000 at least. Poor girl...

[@rossjones1530]

Fun Fact: because of Zelda’s time shenanigans, the Purah Pad we use is actually _older_ than the Sheikah Slate was. Could the Sheikah Slate have been based on the Purah Pad, in a kind of Bootstrap Paradox situation?

[@Vogelchen]

and since its said that the Purah Pad is based on the Sheikah Slate its kinda like the chicken or the egg situation

[@abydosianchulac2]

The Sheikah would have had to have access to the sky islands and the constructs to find the Purah Pad to study it, though

[@lordofuzkulak8308]

@@abydosianchulac2 Minaru would presumably have left notes behind after transferring her spirit to the pad, so if her library wasn't destroyed or rendered entirely inaccessible, its plausible that Ancient Sheikah could've used said notes (or fragments from them) to base their designs on.

[@TheSpooniest]

It can't have been based on the actual item, because the Sheikah wouldn't ever have had access to it: it was chilling inside a random steward construct in the Sky for the whole time the Sheikah were developing their technology. But if the Sheikah had somehow found or inherited Mineru's notes about the Purah Pad, then it's possible they might have used those notes when developing the Sheikah Slate. There do seem to be some weird implications of a connection between the Sheikah and the Zonai, so I don't think we can rule out the possibility that this could very well have happened. We don't know exactly how that would have come about, though.

[@Peterrific4]

@@TheSpooniest Also, it’s said that the Geoglyphs were drawn by ancient people who saw the visions the tears contained. One of them is of the Purah Pad so they could also have been inspired by what they saw there.

[@AubriGryphon]

I imagine Naydra, Dinraal, and Farosh preparing to swallow their secret stones assuming they would become the wise eternal guardians of the springs, only to lose themselves and fly off to wherever, not even responding to the friends they left behind. And that's why draconification is forbidden.

[@funforall9741]

It's also possible that like the goddes hylia who gave her godlike form up, the three dragons were the goddesses farore, din, and nayru. Realizing they were mortal they gave their moral bodies up to let their spirits and power stay forever

[@sarah._.noelle]

@@funforall9741oooooo this is a rlly good theory

[@ChuckSploder]

@@funforall9741 Just what I was thinking, I'm surprised this is the first I've seen of this theory

[@randomrhombeses4759]

They didn’t the dragons are not the goddesses but draconic forms based on them probably created from the energy left behind

[@justkrexx]

not to be that guy but naydra is named after nayru dinraal being din and farosh being farin

[@pinkcupcake4717]

I love that even though Zelda isn't physically with you for TOTK, her influence and presence is *everywhere* in Hyrule. She's been extremely busy over the last five years, and her fierce devotion to her kingdom and people has never been more obvious. When we do see her, she seems so happy and at peace until Big G rears his ugly head. She's processed her grief and is able to be Zelda instead of performing as the Princess of Hyrule. It makes the sacrifices she makes so deeply painful and effective instead of feeling like a story beat.

[@coltforceplayer]

Wait 5 years? Does that mean Link is 22?

[@aetherial87]

​@@coltforceplayerat minimum, two couples in TotK that you help get together in BotW have kids that are somewhere in the 5-8 year old range.

[@mxjokage1266]

@@aetherial87no because gerudo grow up faster than hylians I think there’s at least 2 or 3 years between the 2 games

[@aetherial87]

@@mxjokage1266 Riju disproves that. She's definitely not aging faster than normal.

[@mxjokage1266]

@@aetherial87 Well I don’t know 🤷🏽‍♀️ but in 5 years the castle must have changed and it is in ruins like in botw there’s also the description of the silent princess that say that it has become more frequent lately but it has been like that since botw 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@Shea.Coco03]

I just love how you casually mention Koume and Kotake showing up and literally no one else noticed. That was like the best Easter egg I’ve seen in this game so far…I hope Twinrova shows up in the dlc somehow! On a separate note I just realized that if the sages predate the divine beasts, which were made as tributes to them; maybe the sages share the same names as the divine beasts! Medoh, Ruta, Naboris, and Rudania…maybe?

[@TheCosmicCloud]

That could be the case for some of them, but I think Urbosa explicitly says in botw that Naboris was named after Nabooru

[@kit76149]

@@TheCosmicCloud Well, we don't know the gerudo sage in the ancient past wasn't called Nabooru. Given Rauru shares Rauru's name I think that's likely.

[@johnpatrick8644]

I’m assuming the names are Darunia, Ruto, Nabooru, and something that Medoh is based off of. Interestingly, the Sages Ruto and Nabooru are mentioned in BotW as being the namesake of the Divine Beasts, but the History of the Zora that mentions Ruto makes it sound like she may have been another Sage named after the original Sage.

[@gurbo8734]

@@johnpatrick8644 I Believe I heard somewhere Medoh is named after Medli from Wind Waker.

[@katieanderson8877]

I had to rewatch this part! I longed for this callback to Koume and Kotake from OoT, and was let down when I didn't see their return in ToTK at first.

[@Saben.C-Spoon]

A small thing, but I think it's a really cool detail and really sweet how Sonia and Raaru are basically the parents Zelda always wanted and needed. Sonia acts motherly towards Zelda. She comforts her when she needs it, isn't afraid to and take inititaves on her behalf, provides an ear and her own thoughts, and is emotionally responsive to her. Raaru is lighthearted and lax, he works WITH her and is patient with her rather than demanding and restrictive and listens to what she has to say so that he can better understand and help her. How they care for Zelda as a whole is something she didnt get from her real parents. Her mother died when she was very young, so Sonia being so loving towards her really seems to effect Zelda, especially since Sonia means to teach Zelda the nature of her powers, which, her mother intended to do but died before she could. Raaru, on the other hand, completely contrasts Rhoam. Raaru is easygoing and friendly, and let Zelda have agency in trying to figure out the nature of her power. Whereas Rhoam was strict, emotionally unresponsive and harsh. Though we know why Rhoam was this way and wanted nothing more than to love his daughter fully, this was not the childhood Zelda experienced. So Raaru is essentially what she wanted her father to be. I think its a pretty nice follow up to something that happened to her from BotW.

[@crakhaed]

That's amazing. Thank you for this comment. ❤

[@jonson856]

Amazing detail and it kind of supports my "theory" (its not a grand theory, just a theory about Zelda, Rauru and Sonia) that Rauru and Sonia were a bit like parent figures to her. Especially Sonia. But not only that, Rauru and Sonia probably felt similarly towards Zelda, that she was a bit like a daughter figure to them. Especially in the memory (memory 8) where they talk about Link it really (almost) felt like they were a family. The way Sonia brings up Link, I believe she and Zelda had been discussing him before, in a mother - daughter fashion a la "So, Zelda, do you have a lover" "Ehhhh" "Well? ".... yes there is one" "Oh?" ..... I imagine such a conversation having taken place some time before the 8th memory while they were on a stroll in the Garden of Time. I also thought Rauru's reaction to hearing that name for the first time was in a more fatherly fashion. __________ And ultimately in the scene where Zelda is transformed back into her Hylian form, while in the EN version its explained by Mineru that Rauru and Sonia "channelled" their powers through link, I have heard/read from someone who understands a little Japanese, that in the original it was more like Rauru and Sonia LENDING Link their powers in response to his wish/desire. So, while Link (very very very likely) loves Zelda in a romantic way, Rauru and Sonia also kinda loved her in a parental way and their spirits responded to his feelings towards her, which then enabled the re-transformation.

[@vchlopie9357]

And then all dat happens afterwards😢

[@Vennex89]

I cried each time Sonia gently took Zelda's hands in hers. That motherly and affectionate touch that she never got from her father or her mother after her passing. It meant a lot to me that she had this connection. I just wish it wasn't taken again from her. 💔

[@odile2odette]

that makes her witnessing BOTH of their deaths so much worse though... 😭

[@cosmicjellyf1sh]

Something I noticed about Ganondorf’s secret stone is that it’s on his forehead where Rauru’s third eye is. It’s Ganondorf’s attempt to bring as powerful as Rauru. A twisted version of him.

[@softsounds8453]

That hubris and overconfidence is what gets him killed in the end since he left his stone exposed as a dragon.

[@Saben.C-Spoon]

Neat catch but I'm pretty sure its just the same forehead jewel he's always had, just turned into a power source, which I love that its now more than just a design detail now and is actually a plot relevant thing

[@Neoprototype]

He didn't attempt to be as powerful as Rauru he was more powerful than Rauru and his pathetic champions. He surpassed all of them with his pure will. Truly the rightful master of Hyrule and beyond.

[@Neoprototype]

@@softsounds8453 It is not hubris nor overconfidence. He is immortal, forever the triforce of pure power. He knows he is to manifest forever. He's just enjoying toying with the pathetic wisdom and whatever link triforce is. Like a cat toying with its meal.

[@softsounds8453]

@@Neoprototype Yeah, you see where that got him though.

[@goli8699]

I would never have expected anyone calling TotK Ganondorf "incredibly angry champagne"

[@Zeltik]

I was very close to cutting it out of the script but I couldn't do it lol

[@snsnni]

it should remain a canon nickname to the demon king, the incredibly angry champagne

[@hikawagetsbitches]

perfect way to describe that immaculate but unhinged man

[@moskbarto9436]

@@Zeltik glad you kept it! 😂

[@Crusty783]

@@Zeltikthank god you didnt lol that line was great

[@mattcy6591]

I cannot get over how well they nailed the emotion in Zelda's face. Their animators outdid themselves

[@espensele662]

Yeah in Sonia's death scene she is wonderfully animated, so much emotion

[@LaSneky]

BRO IKR the absolute fear in her face when ganondorf turns into the demon king is just so REAL I love it sm

[@yourfellowthomasd3675]

Except for ganondorfs uncanny movement and emotions this games cutscenes are impeccable, I don’t know if it’s motion capture or not, as it’s in Nintendo’s nature to (because of their ego)

[@matthewmuir8884]

If you think about it, there's a really cool reason why Ganondorf in this game looks so much more like Demise than previous Ganondorfs did; in this game, he becomes the Demon King through the Zonai secret stones, which are stated to be power _amplifiers;_ they take a person's innate powers and abilities and amplifies them. In Ganondorf's case, those innate abilities would be the ones he has as an incarnation of Demise's hatred.

[@CryptoCwis]

Good point

[@dragonbornexpress5650]

Sidenote: Shogun Mercerdorf is probably one of the most snarky villains in the Zelda series; Dude gives no fucks whatsoever. Edit: 18:21-18:24 is a prime example: He basically pulled a "My expectations were low, but holy fuck!" reaction, and this is within the first 10 minutes of the game.

[@diablorojosincero4040]

The triforce looking at your comment 😐😐😐

[@matthewmuir8884]

The Triforce is not a power amplifier; each piece of the Triforce _bestows_ different powers and abilities, with the complete Triforce granting the user's wish. Incidentally, the Triforce's connection to the goddesses caused the original Ganondorf to have pointed ears like a Hylian whenever he possessed the Triforce of Power (his ears are round when Link is a kid in Ocarina of Time, then they're pointed when Link is an adult as well as in Wind Waker and Twilight Princess). This Ganondorf has round ears, since, unlike the original, he does not possess any pieces of the Triforce.@@diablorojosincero4040

[@matthewmuir8884]

@@diablorojosincero4040 The Triforce is not a power amplifier; it bestowed different abilities onto Ganondorf and, perhaps ironically, brought him closer to the Hylians than to Demise by giving him the Hylian pointed ears.

[@yunlien]

Two Zelda existing at the same time also happened in Skyward Sword. The first time you go to the Sealed Temple, if you look inside the small gap of the door behind Impa you can see the amber colored crystal where Zelda is sleeping for many centuries

[@kushgodreturns5873]

Don't forget there are two links in Twilight Princess

[@Unoj151]

There are two Zeldas also in Adventure of link, and in that case they are two different person with no time travel involved

[@SandyCheeks1896]

@@kushgodreturns5873different people though. Literally the same person in the case of Zelda in SS and TOTK.

[@kushgodreturns5873]

@@SandyCheeks1896 I know that. I'm just saying two hero spirits can coexist since people are saying two different Ganondorfs can't

[@mokarokas-1727]

Then it's not "two Zelda", just one Zelda at different points in her life.

[@Dingleburry37]

One detail i love about Rauru's hunting trips is that he couldn't help but get away from his duties for a while, and sonia loved him for it while also playfully scolding him. It's framed as a really healthy and fun dynamic, and i love that for them

[@a.jthomas6132]

I wish we could see more of Rauru and Sonia since they are much similar to Link and Zelda.

[@shrekonion7032]

No they are not similar to link and Zelda wtf

[@jocax188723]

@@a.jthomas6132with their dynamics reversed, yeah. Sonia is more serious, a prodigy in her field, and is more calm and dutiful, but has a fun side she rarely shows. Rauru is more easily distracted, would rather do stuff that isn’t kingly, and seems to make allies easily. Makes sense to me.

[@hwah8065]

@@jocax188723 also their visual parallels with link and zelda having the same eye colour as rauru and sonia respectively, plus the fact that zelda wears similar clothing to sonia while link has the charged set which looks like rauru's clothing, plus the fact that link _has_ to get the charged set to progress the main story!!

[@ChillstoneBlakeBlast]

​@@shrekonion7032>Sonia's Secret Stone is Time, Just like Zelda > Not similar

[@StormyTalks]

Zelda's sacrifice was something so very important and heartbreaking. Also, when the light dragon roars, you can hear human Zelda's scream beneath the main sound right toward the end.

[@StonedHunter]

Holy shit I didn't notice at first and now I'm crying again. That's such a brilliant detail

[@momomo21girl]

Once I watched all the memories of the dragon tears, I have been too heartbroken to play totk again 💔

[@Wolfylink]

I got the master sword from the light dragon before I got to the cutscene where Zelda turns herself into a dragon. As soon as I realized the dragon I was hurting by pulling the master sword out of its head, I felt horrible and was experiencing some emotional pain 😢 emotional damage indeed

[@marissabulso6439]

That part ripped my already broken heart to SHREDS

[@TalesLima-bu5pf]

What?! I need to check this!! Edit: does it happen when the Dragon roars for the second time right before it disapears? I swear I can hear a secondary sound, which I presume is her scream. If so... my God, I can't imagine being an immortal creature for ages and losing your human form. I remember I couldn't believe when I found out who was the Light Dragon. I would cry if I was her knight and see my beloved princess being a colossal creature 😭😭😭

[@IanFraser420]

I only just noticed that Ganondorf was unarmed when he killed Sonia. He’s so ridiculously jacked that, without any power augmentation, he can kill a person with a single punch.

[@RinChan82]

I got the sense that he stabbed her with a dagger and left it in her back, and that we couldn't see it because her massive hair was covering the hilt. That makes more sense to me than him killing her with a punch so it's what I choose to believe happened at least.

[@theoverlord3937]

Warlock punch is canon

[@Nyxael5845]

​@@RinChan82You can hear a very noticable crunching sound when Sonia was attacked by Ganondorf. The guy straight shattered her spine and probably left her with severe blunt trauma and internal bleeding. Even if she managed to survive the hit, she would have been paralized.

[@vicentesepulveda1129]

@@RinChan82 You can quite literally hear her spine breaking, so Ganondorf probably punched her instead of stabbing her.

[@mimi-kw7mk]

@@RinChan82 Falcon punch!

[@Gombo125]

You have a phenomenal story telling talent. I got quite emotional when you described the light dragon and just how long it's been flying above the clouds of Hyrule

[@jordanthomas7090]

I find it heartwarming that zelda basically gets a do over of her childhood with the time she spent with Rauru, Sonia and Mineru. They're loving parental figures, helping her learn how use time powers and treat her thoughts and feelings with respect. Them dying to ganondorf makes it sting even more with zelda for loosing people she cares about again.

[@MayDayEXE]

It's great that at the end (SPOILERS FOR THE END OF YOU HAVENT FINISHED THE STORY) they are the two that get to come together and use their power to bring her back to herself, through her connection to Link. I honestly think the story from BOTW/TOTK is my absolute favorite of all of the games so far. They really knocked it out of the park on this one.

[@OhNoTheFace]

@@MayDayEXE A sick part of me wanted (!!SPOILERS AGAIN!!!!) the tragic ending of not reversing the zelda dragon for a bittersweet thing. But I also like this a lot.

[@theisheep2676]

Mineru is kind of like an Aunt to Zelda !

[@sethescope]

​@@OhNoTheFace a friend and I were talking about the deus ex machina scene where Zelda magically just gets her body and mind back, which really almost diminishes her sacrifice because then she didn't end up sacrificing anything because the post credits scene shows she doesn't remember the thousands of years she ended up living. don't get me wrong, I get why they did it and I don't disagree with the choice because she has sacrificed so much for her people that forcing her to remain a dragon for the rest of the eternity would be excessive. she deserves to be happy and live in the world she helped preserve. that being said, although it would not have fit narratively, I think it would have been cool to give Link a quest where he would restore Zelda to her old self. it wouldn't have fit in the narrative structure of the main game, and it would have been shitty to put that quest in the DLC, even if it was free DLC. so basically, there was no good way to handle this, imo. no matter what, restoring her to herself couldn't be done in a narratively satisfying way imo because by the time the player is guaranteed to know that Zelda is the light dragon, you're already at the final climax and the denouement. you would have to rework the entire structure of the story and THAT doesn't work because you need the light dragon during the final battle for the juxtaposition. it was a good story and Zelda deserved to be restored. I just wish there was a narratively satisfying way for us as the player to be the one to restore her. it would have added a great opportunity for us to be like "wow, she did so much shit for me and everyone else. now it's my turn to do this for her."

[@GeneralUile]

I really loved how much of the lore isn't just about wall carvings or murals, but ancient texts. There was an ancient version of their own language, and as someone who's really into that and enjoys working with translation, it's just wonderful to see how language can help us (re)discover history.

[@lordofuzkulak8308]

What was cool about those ancient texts (in the English version of the game) is that they were written in an actual archaic version of English (Middle English to be precise) so even without the game translating them for you, you're still able to get the general jist of what they say.

[@odile2odette]

when i tell you my inner linguist/historian was GEEKED over this plot point

[@missbeans]

​@lordofuzkulak8308 yes!! Absolutely loved that detail. Was so fun figuring out the texts.

[@Nyxael5845]

​@@lordofuzkulak8308The thing that bothers me is that everyone in Hyrule during the distant past is speaking in Modern English instead of Middle English There should have been a language barrier due to but the plot demands Modern English should be fine

[@dragonbornexpress5650]

@@Nyxael5845. I suspect it's simply to make understanding the story easier on the player, especially since most people on Earth don't speak Middle English or even know HOW to speak it.

[@phalamy9180]

I like to imagine the Ancient Hero is just an early decendant of the Rauru and Zonia, while the Zonai blood was still much more present in them. Since there haven't been any zonai present in a long long time, the royal bloodline simply became more and hylian over time, resulting in the current time, where they have no Zonai features anymore at all. Though that far back, i'd imagine it was much more visible that they were part Zonai. After all he looks very much like a middle ground between a Hylian and a Zonai

[@softsounds8453]

The ancient hero also has Sonia's tattoos! You can see the eye symbol on his shoulder just like it's on hers.

[@veemo8830]

But then why would the Ancient Hero look more Zonai and ancient Zelda look more Hylian?

[@rmsgrey]

Was the footage of the ancient hero official, or a fan-rendering? My recollection is that nothing in BotW shows the ancient calamity more clearly than as the tapestry, and, while I've not yet fully explored TotK, it seems unlikely that they'd digress into the intermediate past for a cutscene about the previous outing of Calamity Ganon...

[@phalamy9180]

@@rmsgrey Not sure what exactly you are referring to, but if you are talking about the fully moddled appereance of the Ancient Hero, thats in Totk Its an armor you can find. And if you show it to impa she tells you outright its the ancient heros appereance.

[@veemo8830]

Wait...I forgot he had a tail, so he can't be the child of Sonia and Rauru. Maybe he's a mix of Hylian, Zonai, and a race that we know nothing of yet.

[@miguelburgos972]

You made a really good point about the ancient hero. He does kind of look Zonai, but definitly isn't a pure blood one, so what if he is a direct descendant of Rauru's and Sonia's children, who were half-Zonai/half-Hylian. That would make a whole lot of sense in how he does have Zonai characteristics but "watered down", and explain how a "Zonai" was still alive in the times of the great calamity if Rauru and Mineru were the last of the Zonai PURE blood race.

[@Karalora]

I love that you referred to the Depths as a "Dark World." As soon as I realized the inverse parallels between surface features and places in the Depths, I realized that this *is* the latest iteration of the Dark World. It has a new name every time (Lorule, the Twilight, etc.) but it's a concept the series keeps coming back to!

[@NapaCat]

Lorule is technically a parallel world that latched onto Hyrule's triforce to desperately try to save itself.

[@Karalora]

@@NapaCat That's its backstory within the plot of ALBW. However, functionally it is a version of the Dark World--a grim copy of Hyrule, mirroring its geography.

[@lilkorok]

you can always count on zeltik to come through with top tier zelda content 👍

[@bilsuart]

hi makar

[@TomastheHorrorfan]

I agree

[@alizard5214]

ong

[@bensunderland2354]

True

[@Youtuubpewp]

I agree, Zeltik’s stuff is always so good!

[@NebuloreYT]

Before I begin, I can just tell that this retelling of the story and lore is going to be a masterpiece

[@villaniousmustache4898]

Surprised there's anything to retell when Zelda is captured again and we have to fight Ganon, again

[@briannalikesbooks]

@@villaniousmustache4898f u don’t like it then why are u playing? (edit id like to include Zelda isn’t even captured)

[@HawksDellas]

@villaniousmustache4898 ​You clearly haven't played the game if you think Zelda is captured by the villain. Be serious.

[@starbutter2730]

@@villaniousmustache4898 Your comments are super repetetive and tbh none of us care tbh. Im glad that the rest of us were able to love the world, characters and story and ya know what that sucks that you couldnt.

[@Royal_Giant_o7]

@@villaniousmustache4898F u you each of shi#

[@legomaster2538]

51:25 I just kind of assumed the names of the Sages where that of the Divine Beasts. Medoh, the Rito Sage of Wind Rudania, the Goron Sage of Fire Ruta, the Zora Sage of Water Naboris, the Gerudo Sage of Lightning Also, fun fact about sages: When you wear a Divine Beast Helm, the avatar of the sage corresponding with that helmet will wear that same Zonai mask as the ancient sages.

[@cheepcheep4499]

The divine beasts are named that because of other important characters from previous games. (Urbosa mentions in botw that vah naboris is named after nabooru).

[@santiagopomares6287]

oh, my, god, I hadn't thought of that, in fact the sage of lighting technically serves the same purpose as Nabooru, so she would be called Naboris

[@Saben.C-Spoon]

I'm not quite sure how that would work with the previously established lore of them naming Divine Beasts after other characters from the series (Nabooru and Ruth are mentioned by name) but we have Raaru in name now as well from OoT's set of sages so its plausible

[@ItsRainingBloodIsHeCrying]

​@@santiagopomares6287 Urbosa explicitly states in BOTW Naboris was named to honour Naboru so that's not the case.

[@karnotik]

I really have to hand it to Nintendo for crafting such a beautiful, subtle romance between Zelda and Link in these two games. Its not some surfacey, sloppy drivel - it is real and deep- these two have a true respect and admiration for each other.

[@adenkhan5071]

There's subtlety, and then there's what they did at the very end. Zelda and Link are looking right at each other and Zelda... stands up and starts monologueing. Even if you want plausible deniability, at least let them hug!

[@karnotik]

@@adenkhan5071 omg when the theme music kicked in when Zelda said "when I felt a warm loving embrace, I woke up" Let's just say my sobbing has caused another great Hyrulean Flood 😂

[@adenkhan5071]

@karnotik I was just pulling my hair out in frustration. Like, the guy who gave you that embrace is standing right next to you! You thought you'd never see each other again, right? Even if he's just a friend, give that boy a hug!!

[@karnotik]

@@adenkhan5071 well they do live in the same house so...

[@itsentdev]

ayo?

[@MikelPokeGamer]

the amount of trauma and sacrifice this zelda has had to deal with is mindblowing

[@emiliomartinez7573]

I wish we got to see the children of Queen Sonia and king Rauru which would make the story even more sad since both of them left their children. 😢

[@jockson7574]

I feel like their children must have ran away for safety. I also think Mineru could’ve had kids one of them being the ancient hero

[@chrisbj5251]

probably or not, the hero aspect is a descendant of them.

[@NoaWatchVideo]

now that i think about it the fact sonia died but we never hear about her having children doesn’t really make sense if zelda is her direct ancestor

[@user-fc1kv7oy1c]

@@NoaWatchVideothere is also mineru

[@manavmurugesh9811]

Emil you just want to see the world burn with depression don’t you?

[@shineeshaymin]

When we needed him the most, he came back. You're the hero of Hyrule, Zeltik! ❤

[@z.a.y.n-5053]

Have you played the game

[@The_Sage_of_Six_Paths]

Who is he?

[@RayhemXD]

saw your name and had to do a double take lol

[@Gilliebeany]

​@@z.a.y.n-5053why are you asking? She didn't say anything to need that question

[@Row_dog]

@@Gilliebeany yo I am leaving this reply to see if any chaos on folds

[@HeisenbergFam]

Always a great year when Zeltik returns after a month with +1 hour video, appreciate quality milk

[@ethanbrown5253]

Heisenberg, stop being on KZbin! We need to cook!

[@DUKEzors]

I didn't even need 3 acorns this time!

[@bobosaurus331]

And this is only part 1...

[@user-qv2mc3dw5o]

Bot

[@gsomething]

@@user-qv2mc3dw5ohow

[@AdamDeLand]

My theory as to why all the Sheikah technology disappeared is because like the shrine monks, they faded away once they served their purpose. This is why there are several caves and chasms in the places where the shrines and towers once stood. Purah and Robbie then tried to re-create some of it like the towers and the Sheikah Slate, but since the full knowledge of the technology has been lost, they are not perfect replicas. The skyview towers can't scan land on their own and then distill it into the pad, and the Purah Pad is unable to re-create all the runes the Sheikah Slate had.

[@ogelpeace4610]

What about after the first calamity that they defeated

[@AdamDeLand]

@@ogelpeace4610 If you watched Zeltik's video "The Truth of the Ancient Hero", he theorizes that the Sheikah foresaw that the calamity couldn't be purely eradicated then, and that the technology would serve their true purpose 10,100 years later.

[@APsGTG]

@@AdamDeLandtrue. And then the Zonai technology came in to fulfill its duty with Zelda’s prophecy from the beginning of Hyrule.

[@StonedHunter]

One detail I noticed that I really love is how you can see which traits Zelda shares with each of her ancestors. She's kind and caring like Sonia, she's adventurous and prefers her endeavors to ruling similar to Rauru, and finally she's intelligent and always looking for more to learn like Mineru. Even with so many generations between them, they are still clearly family. I dunno I think it's sweet given Zelda had any semblance of a normal family growing up taken away from her so young. You can see how much she needed to have that, even if it was only for a little.

[@Duriel123]

Its so weird to see the most major zelda tubers being quiet. And now zeltik is the first to break that line with a 1+ hour video. Lovely!

[@avengehyrule6869]

You just don’t follow enough, Zeltik isn’t the first 😂

[@avengehyrule6869]

Just to add some examples Common wealth realm and wizzo

[@nicocchi]

Probably 'cause TotK kinda floored the most dedicated Zelda fans who kept track of how every game connected with eachother. Tears of the Kingdom seems incredibly difficult to fit into the official timeline because of how it kind of contradicts established lore, so I think the most likely scenario is that this game is the wake-up call/reminder to fans that "we make the games without timeline placement in mind, we just kind of fit them in later" By the way I might sound kind of negative with this comment but I don't really mind this sort of rebooted continuities or something of the sort. Once you start messing up with time travel, basically everything is possible lol. And the games were always called The *Legend* of Zelda-"a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated." I look forward to lore and theory youtubers trying to come up with ideas on how TotK fits with previous games, it's going to be entertaining watches even if no conclusion is reached

[@Duriel123]

@@avengehyrule6869 I was talking about NBC, bandit, HG. But you're right. commonwealth has been on the grind lately. I don't follow wizzo. I might check him out! I do follow fattbrett (I think thats his name) Which has been deep diving into characters. Which I love

[@Duriel123]

@@nicocchi I agree. Tho, if it was a reboot I'd like it to be a Lil bit clearer

[@shiners3328]

I would like to mention that for the part about the Temple of Time being lifted into the sky, after you complete a mini game on top of the temple (I believe after getting every shrine), a Construct says that the Sages were the ones to lift the Temple to the sky

[@FalconAggie]

Unless it specifically says which Sages that doesn't really help much, because Zelda is the Sage of Time and Mineru is the Sage of Spirits. That were their offical titles back in the past.

[@JamisonHingle]

You don't have to get every shrine for it, and it DOES mention the sages

[@shiners3328]

@@JamisonHingle mb, I think all you need is to get the Zora Armour

[@rmsgrey]

@@shiners3328 I'm still missing the headpiece for the Zora Armour, and I've got that quest open. I think I had four sages unlocked when I took the trip to the top of the temple for the first time and found the quest, but I might have also got the fifth.

[@shiners3328]

@@rmsgrey I was referring to the chest piece as it is the only part that allows you to go up waterfalls

[@greycat111]

So Calamity Ganon rises every 10,000 years, and the last "Legend" involving the Guardians happened the most recent 10,000 years ago, then theoretically the whole event with Ganondorf could've happened even up to 100,000 years ago, or even older. Wild to think about.

[@2perish]

Count the games then let's start the questionable number of immaculate times the king of Demons has tried the spirit of a Hero

[@pwitts]

What’s really wild is that calamity Ganon took over the castle for 100 years and didn’t notice original Ganon chilling in the basement.

[@MiniRunnera7]

Calamity is Ganondorf's subconscious @@pwitts

[@pwitts]

@@MiniRunnera7 hadn’t made it that far into the video yet when I commented.

[@seanoleary3662]

I’m so sad that I can never play this game for the first time again. Same for breath of the wild. They’re both such incredible games, easily the greatest gaming/story experiences I’ve had. Like I know when I replay it I’ll still enjoy it & such but also I’ll know where the story is going and won’t have that sense of wonder & anticipation again

[@whitelasagna6786]

Wait. You experienced a story in Breath of the Wild! How did that happen?

[@lillith7257]

@@whitelasagna6786 Funny thing that, so you see if you go to where they tell you to go and talk to people you get a story. Not that hard, i'm sure you just messed about too much :)

[@whitelasagna6786]

@@lillith7257 You mean all the stuff that happened in the past that you do not get to experience for yourself? Yeah. I wouldn’t call that a story.

[@arapnator17]

There are a handful of games I feel that way about. ToTK, Super Mario RPG, and Bloodborne are among them.

[@dragonbornexpress5650]

@@whitelasagna6786. It's a story regardless; COPE.

[@LordXius]

What a passionate recapture and retelling of the story and lore behind TOTK. Can't wait for part two. It blew my mind when you mentioned Kotake and Koume being present with Ganondorf in the distant past. Thank you so much for this and looking forward to more!

[@a.jthomas6132]

Thank you Zeltik for connecting the dots, and establishing a connection between the History of Calamity Ganon and the events of the Imprisoning War.

[@hordern_6607]

it's crazy that i never noticed the similarities between Rauru and the spirit dragons, they really do just look like Zonai, makes you wonder what other races would like as dragons (we've seen Zelda and Ganondorf, one hylian and one gerudo) this game never fails to amaze me, your telling of the story is incredible Zeltik!

[@softsounds8453]

Yeah they've got the droopy lips, big floppy ears, and giant white mane that Rauru has. There's also the fact that the Zonai have ritual armor that mimics these dragons' appearances, and there's cautionary tales about dragonification. The three dragons definitely are gonna end up being three Zonai that ate their sacred stones for one reason or another, way before Zelda took the plunge herself.

[@softsounds8453]

Forgot to compare Zelda's dragon to the spirit ones! Zelda's got little ears that stick out to the side and a tighter face compared to the others because those are Hylian features. And of course she's got flat gold hair rather than their white spiky manes. I can't remember much about Ganon's dragon rn but I do wonder if his features (ears, snout, hair) transferred to his dragon too. I know it has his red mane at least!

[@SSJ3Tim]

When the Zonai's (Rauru's) design was first revealed in a trailer, many people were pointing out how they seemed to be based on the dragons. Turns out, the dragons are based on the Zonai 😂

[@aceofblades1677]

I've been thinking about this for too long and now I'm imagining a tiny picori dragon. Help.

[@thesetwofloofs5397]

I bet a Zora dragon would have a short snout and a mane resembling a fish tail. Instead of scales they might be covered in similar textured skin to Sidon or Mipha, and they might have heavily webbed feet. (I really like this idea)

[@andykegs5584]

One thing I would have liked to see is that when you get the Master Sword back from the light dragon it had become the Golden Master Sword like when its upgraded in A Link to the Past

[@APsGTG]

And didn’t break 🤦‍♂️

[@AudacioresPuella]

I know I'm late to this but that would've been great actually with all the gold themes in this game. Think about golden apples, sundelions, golden horse, the trees and grass in the sky islands. A golden master sword would fit right in.

[@sarah._.noelle]

Zeltik is the standard for zelda content fr-I’m always amazed at the amount of perfected work and attention to detail that goes into all of his content. the way that his videos spark such a sense of community among so many different people and affection for the Zelda series is wonderful. you do the best job of capturing the art of the legend of zelda✨ thank you for your amazing work!

[@Uhhhhh1188]

The fact that this was split up inro two parts really goes to show how much effort Zeltik always puts into his video. Just like I said regarding his BOTW recap, it's insane. I can't wait to watch this and part two when it's ready! Just from the intro, I can already tell this is going to be a great experience to sit down, watch, and enjoy.

[@ZeoViolet]

It baffles me sometimes why Ganondorf chose brute force as a first attack on Hyrule, when if he already knew how to control dark magic, why not just use it, but eventually I realized he didn't want to show off his full hand too soon. Rauru immediately showed a strength of magical force, but in doing so, showed immediately what their magical source was. Just...using Moldugas just seemed illogical. Those things swim through sand, not other terrain types.

[@lumidoessomething4077]

Moldugas were likely used cuz Ganondorf could just say it was a weird, but rare occurrence Essentially getting a full frontal strike on the kingdom with no consequences

[@iniudan]

@@lumidoessomething4077 Indeed weird, but more then rare, I would say, in the French dub Zelda specifically say Molduga are not gregarious and shouldn't attack in group, like the nerd she supposed to be, instead of been flabbergasted at their number like in the English dub. In German she probably say something similar to in French, but my German not good enough to be certain without German subtitle, and too lazy to switch my system language, as unlike voice it's not a simple option in the game for some reason.

[@GamerBen87]

I figured the moldugas were used because they come from gerudo desert where ganondorf is from and at that time the world wasn't teeming with monsters

[@Dangitbobby-KFP_Shaman]

I've seen some say that Link should have gotten his own secret stone at some point in the game but like... the secret stones only amplify your powers. Link's only innate "power" is that he's a natural born badass, which I don't think the secret stone could do anything for lol. Also he already has the Master Sword, which is quite literally THE ultimate weapon.

[@derrickcrowe3888]

It would depend on whether the powers granted by Rauru's arm count as Link's or not. I have a personal theory that secret stones are created from highly refined zonaite (hence their role as power sources), so if Link gets a secret stone in DLC it would plausibly manifest as infinite or multiplied battery life.

[@kit76149]

Seen some theorize it could be spirit due to the whole hero's spirit situation

[@vivacornholio9649]

Courage.

[@richardlee3679]

Most prefer that Link doesn't get one. It makes him comparable to the Wind Waker Link in a sense - he wasn't chosen by any great power and no one GAVE him anything, he's just so determined and unwilling to give up that he can still overcome mountains. Also, the thought of a completely mortal, unpowered Link matching the strength and speed of Ganondorf who is the 'Master of the Secret Stones' is just really funny to me. 😅

[@derrickcrowe3888]

@@richardlee3679 Not sure where you're getting the consensus of "most" from. But even if Link does get a secret stone, it would only be in DLC, so the standard experience is still fighting Ganondorf without one. It would be about as canon as the master cycle.

[@samdunkley6989]

I believe that Zelda and Minueru worked together with the sages to show them how to go about raising the sky islands AFTER her transformation, so the sages see her complete her task and then raise the islands as the final task to setup for the future

[@APsGTG]

Yep, because her turning into the dragon proved to them that she was serious

[@gus8378]

This is like modern mythology. There are so many figurative meanings and interpretations of the events of the story, of the characters’ choices and of the sacrifices made, which can provide meaning to our lives and make us reflect on our values.

[@PolandSphere]

I have been anxiously awaiting this video since I experienced the story myself. I can't wait to watch this entire thing in one session without any distractions.

[@oceanfur__0415]

Tears of the kingdom is the first EVER game to have a solid grip on me when it comes to lore. Generally I either skip dialogue or barely pay attention, but from the beginning, this games story and lore and connections to past games has a chokehold on my entire soul. It actively has me searching out the history of the series and the lore of past games so that I may piece together the puzzle, and it all feels so rewarding! I cant wait to hear more videos in the future like this one! Thank you soo much for all the effort you put into these videos and the countless hours of research it must have taken.

[@tumultuousv]

Totk is the only one? Huh

[@chloeashrose1427]

... What other games have you played

[@oceanfur__0415]

@@chloeashrose1427 Not very many, thought its not surprising that i don’t care much for story since my first game was Paper Mario: Sticker Star… so yeah

[@oceanfur__0415]

@@tumultuousv I’ve never been able to play the other zelda games, i grew up with only a ds and maybe like 5 games i found at a yard sale. Plus the first game i played was Paper Mario: Sticker Star, so my expectations are pretty much through the floor with games

[@CabaRulez]

The way you recreated the first teaser with footage from the actual game is awesome

[@tatenaibenbusi]

You could easily write a PhD thesis about this game. Astonishing patience and verbose, detailed descriptions. Thanks for these videos!

[@strawberry-sundae]

I think gloom has to be the same as the stuff in the ocean temple from phantom hourglass. The hourglass kept you safe in the temple for some time, but had to be recharged in the sun. One of the skeletons at the entrance warns you that the temple will drain your life force. Coincidence? 👀 I think not. Also, all the bosses turn into sand when they die in totk. I think if the hourglass existed in totk it would protect you from gloom.

[@whigershen9964]

It's really interesting to see that in between botw and totk, Zelda moved into Link's house. She removed all the weapons, bows and shields hanging on the wall, and replaced it with pictures of her people and beloved golden horse. The pictures are actually represent several mini tasks which related to the true Zelda. She also opened the small room at the back of the house, which was closed in botw. The "Link's house" sign in the front of the house was also removed.

[@LordVerdo]

One wonders if Link gifted the house to her. That, I’m certain they live together, he put it in her name and allowed her to do what she wanted.

[@thebestthebestthebestthebe5249]

They definitely going the deed 💀

[@idoxially]

Bro straight up evicted us💀

[@user-fc1kv7oy1c]

I was so excited to run into the home to get some of my old gear back just to found out zelda took over the place

[@Doctor_Odin]

@@LordVerdoIt’s likely that it became more domestic when she moved in and Link likely was often having to do escort missions to assist in the restoration projects, delegated by Zelda. So eventually civilians forgot about Link (being rarely able be home for long) and associated it with just Zelda.

[@cherbie517]

Do you think that Zelda had a hard time activating her powers in BotW because her Sacred Power was being channeled above as her Dragon Form? Maybe the master swords breaks in BotW because there is a second sword also channeling Fi and healing above the clouds.

[@softsounds8453]

I think it's was more so that Zelda leaned more towards time power than light power this time around. Kinda like writing with your non-dominant hand instead of your dominant one. You struggle and struggle but maybe you'll manage and make something acceptable. And then you use your dominant hand and everything goes a lot smoother than it ever did. She learned and controlled her time ability in what had to be months compared to her years of struggling with her light one, and she couldn't even keep that light power going after the fact.

[@dialga236]

i think the master sword shattered against ganondorf because it was clearly pretty badly damaged in the calamity, rusted and battle scarred. being left with the great deku tree clearly helped repair it, but i dont think the great deku tree has nearly the amount of sacred power that the light dragon had. even with the 100 years and some change it had to heal, the master sword in totk obviously had far more time to repair and power up, meaning it had far more strength and was far more durable. thats my headcanon, anyways

[@iwasanMBTInerd]

I wish the gameplay reflected that. The master sword felt extremely nerfed in TOTK. Post Trial of the Sword in BOTW it was the most satisfying weapon to use.​@dialga236

[@CZsWorld]

No, I don't like the idea of erasing the BotW storyline of Zelda channeling her care for Link, after learning that Mipha did the same to call upon her healing powers. Besides, there had to be a "first run though" of the cycle where Zelda had not gone back yet.

[@wingedhybrid16]

I like the way you think. These are really interesting ideas.

[@ryanheemann3819]

Really impressive work. I’ve rewatched all the tears memories and found all the stone tablets but you did an excellent job of combining those story bits together with editing and music. The extra tidbits translating the lettering of the languages are icing on the cake! Can’t wait to watch more.

[@AustinPSmith96]

I appreciate how the existence of "malice" and the idea of Ganon's (sub)conscious influencing the outside world can connect to the other games. Like, maybe that evil didn't manifest as a "calamity" each time, maybe that evil caused or influenced some of the other Ganondorfs or villains. Like sometimes you want to try a giant cloud boar dragon, other times you just want to use a gerudo puppet body to steal the triforce!

[@LaSneky]

YOO thats such a cool theory omg

[@mattdekker5693]

This game has no connection to other zelda games other than easter eggs, it barely connects botw. Link literally doesnt know what the calamity is in this game, "The Calamity?" Is a dialog option in a conversation with Impa after getting all the tears. Nintendo has trolled you all.

[@AustinPSmith96]

ok@@mattdekker5693

[@APsGTG]

@@mattdekker5693you gotta be kidding me man. Link doesn’t know about the calamity? 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@gmaster2647]

Finally, a high-quality Zeltik video diving into the lore of the most recent game. I got my popcorn ready.

[@SoulsOfWisdom]

I'm excited for this. You're definitely the Vaatividya of the Zelda community. There is just something exceptional about both of your channels.

[@benjaminrabuzin9957]

I always wonder if him and mynameisbyf are the same guy tbh

[@cliftondurand]

Was honestly thinking this same thing!

[@Mendouja]

I agree with this comment on a spiritual level.

[@whylime21]

the editing of this, especially the music choices is absolutely incredible. Zeltik always delivers the best in zelda content here on YT

[@skyriotAndKadeGaming]

With the Ancient Hero, I wouldn't be surprised if he was actually Raruu's and Sonia's child or descendant. He looks like a mix between a Zonai and a Hylian

[@jonasgisel3707]

And a Gerudo?😬

[@antiope-d9780]

@@jonasgisel3707 not everyone with red hair is a gerudo.

[@jonasgisel3707]

@@antiope-d9780 are you sure?

[@kobiestarr4770]

Ganon’s child perhaps?

[@orestespena3262]

Rauru spirit shows that he has regular Hylian feet not paws 🧐

[@acebass7789]

Man, Zeltik does not miss in his content, editing, framing, phrasing, and captivating storytelling with pinpoint perspective. I can't wait for part 2!

[@lordofuzkulak8308]

Until you pointed it out, I didn't notice that the Zonai don't have tails; I just took it for granted they did when I equipped the Hero's aspect and saw it gave Link a tail. That being said, maybe they do, but the size/shape is an ethnic trait? Perhaps Rauru and Minaru have tails, but they're more like rabbit tails. Ethnic diversity could also account for the Hero having green skin/fur and red hair while Rauru and Minaru have ashy/grey fur and white hair; in BotW and TotK we already see more ethnic diversity than in any previous game - eg both Hylians and Gerudo show the same range of skin variation as real life humans rather than being just undefined lighter skin colour in the former and vaguely Middle Eastern in the latter. Is there anything in any previous game/media that says Link can only incarnate as a Hylian? If not, I think it'd be kinda cool if in a future game we got to play as none-Hylian Links, be it another Zonai hybrid, a Zora, a Rito or whatever. I know we have Majora's Mask letting you use a Zora form, a Goron form, a Dekuscrub form, etc, but those are just temporary 'costumes' you take on and off rather than actually being one of those races and playing as them for a full game.

[@slwrabbits]

okay, from now on I'm gonna headcannon Rauru and Mineru with bunny tails and no one can stop me

[@ytwacher8047]

You know how in the end of BOTW Zelda tells link they should go visit the Zoras. Well in totk there's a writing saying that she went to them after the great calamity and apologized for miphas death. Also at the top of the lab there's a guardian. And an orni woman makes a comment about Bah Medoh. Those are the "hidden" bite details I have seen so far.

[@Anonymous_Individual]

The autocorrect is strong with this one

[@ytwacher8047]

@@Anonymous_Individual yeah, English isn't my first language, nor is my phone in that language so things get changed. sorry for the writing errors.

[@Anonymous_Individual]

@@ytwacher8047 no you’re fine. Wasn’t meant to be a diss against you just thought it was funny. Hope you have a good day.

[@Soupenomics]

Just starting the video and I love seeing the "Part 1" in the title. It's really clear how hard at work you've been since the game launched. You consistently set a higher standard for Zelda content and especially lore/analysis stuff. So excited to hear everything you have to say about this game!

[@SerafimGuigo]

I am in complete awe. AMAZING work, incredible storytelling, great editing. I watched it for over an hour straight and didn't even notice it. Congrats for the video!

[@meganbeck8077]

Just came to say that Zeltik is, hands down, my favorite LoZ lore historian. I’ve watched many on this platform and it doesn’t get much better than this. Thank you! I’ve shared your videos with more friends than I can count who were interested in getting into the games. 💚

[@abydosianchulac2]

Strange that the most recent calamity damaged the sealing magic by raising the castle, since the castle wasn't even a part of the seal Rauru created. Unless... What if Rauru's body lasted just as long as Ganondorf's did, seeing as they both got caught in the same magical suspended animation? The damage to the castle could have destroyed Rauru's body, crushing his mummified husk and severing the arm from the rest of him. As Rauru says at the start of the game, he no longer has a physical form: we take that to mean he's died, but it could be more literal, that he's alive by his magic for now but has no body but the hand to cling to.

[@missbeans]

In the tunnels between Lookout Landing and the Castle, there is a stone that talks about how the castle was built over an ancient evil to help seal him away.

[@leargamma4912]

Or maybe the story makes no sense and nintendo hates the past games

[@Saben.C-Spoon]

The end of the game supports the lower half of this

[@train4292]

@@leargamma4912Pretty sure that’s not it really

[@StonedHunter]

​@@missbeansi think the castle was more to keep people from getting down there to tamper with the seal, not a part of the seal itself.

[@y8knsnsnzmzz]

Love the recap.. My theory is the zonai built the shrines of light atop the lightroots, not the other way around. It could be done to harness and focus their natural power to dispel literal darkness and gloom. the lightroots look like a natural plantlike feature and not one borne of any construction.

[@w925gaming6]

That Would Make sense as the spiral os the same as what's coming from Rauru/ his hand when harnessing Ganondorf's magic.

[@derrickcrowe3888]

What about the shrines on the sky islands that don't connect to a lightroot? It's also possible that the sacred power emanating from the shrines simply stimulated the growth of the lightroots.

[@bluehullabaloo5540]

@@derrickcrowe3888 Although the timeline is blurry, the shrines were still built before the sky islands, so it's possible that the connection was made and then in the current period, they have enough power to run themselves?

[@derrickcrowe3888]

@@bluehullabaloo5540 Sure. But if they were built on top or light roots and were later separated, the light roots would presumably still exist in the depths, which they don't.

[@thomaswebber1435]

"Kotake" and "Koume" written on Ganondorf's two servants' sashes is mind blowing and such a nod to Zelda lore

[@a.jthomas6132]

FR I wish we have the Wild’s version of Twinrova if Fujibayashi & Aonuma hadn’t decided to cancel their DLC plans.

[@CZsWorld]

The Kotake and Koume thing blew my mind

[@SeaScutes]

Omg a million sub KZbinr with no likes and/or comments yay I am having a chance to get on a high comment woo hoo

[@TequilaSun8097]

Ganons first words still give me goosebumps. There’s very specific implications behind the words “cannot save you from me”. Such a pure feeling of dread

[@asherbasher09]

I just want to commend your storytelling ability. I especially felt it during the scene where the master sword broke. I could really feel the tragedy at place here with not just what you were saying but how you were saying it.

[@bmmbooshoot]

absolutely stellar work. my husband and i watched it all in one go! we LOVED the little easter egg with Koume and Kotake, we wouldn't have even noticed. we also got a chance to see more of the ancient gerudo, whose skintones more closely resemble the greenish tone ganondorf has. i suppose millenia of hylian interbreeding likely altered the modern gerudo's skintones to the more orange/peach/"whiter" tones they are now instead of the grey/green/olive tones. ganondorf fits in a lot more with the coloring of the ancient gerudo than he does modern. though, i still wonder why he has round ears.

[@katrinespeaksinsilence]

It was once said that Hylians have pointed ears to better hear the words of the goddess Hylia. Even the modern day Gerudo have pointed ears. Maybe his rounded ears are symbolic of the fact that he is willfully opposing the goddess and her Light? Or, y’know, it could just be a trait of sexual dimorphism in the Gerudo people that we simply never see again because no other Gerudo men are born after Ganondorf

[@Hazzarai]

I just sat here enthralled by every moment of this masterpiece, truly can’t wait for the next part, Zeltik you really have knocked it out of the park again!

[@ThePileatedSnagret.]

I think i speak for the majority of all people when i say that Zeltik makes one of, If not the best Zelda Lore/Theory videos on the platform. Keep it up man!

[@USMCbrantley]

Amazing indepth video. Love how you did musical editing. Each one was perfect for setting the scenes as you moved along. Can't wait to see part 2 this Saturday.

[@joshkerwick761]

Really great stuff in this video. TotK's story is already extremely emotional and tragic, but hearing you recall it so well and with such fine additions from the wider lore makes me appreciate it even more. Looking forward to Part 2 - great job as always Zeltik!

[@pikmin4743]

oh man that was epic. I already knew the story but hearing it narrated so well gave me chills and tears. thank you

[@eragonfan360]

I went absolutely FERAL seeing a Zeltik video that was an hour and a half long. This was so well done, I had no idea about the bit with the two witches behind Gannondorf. Zeltik always comes through with the best lore videos, I can't wait for part two!

[@ainikih9532]

It just hit me that every race in this game towers over the average Hylian. Taking this fact out of the Hylian point of view, I realized that the other races are not actually tall, but the Hylians are the Halflings of Hyrule :P

[@c-love6753]

And Link is even smaller. Bro really got the short end of the stick bruh

[@ainikih9532]

@@c-love6753 True that 😅

[@shannonconnor3697]

The use of different music from past games is just *chefs kiss* fantastic production. Midnas theme is iconic

[@Lamont781]

Poor Zelda… First she had to lock herself away with the calamity holding it back and nearly almost DIED from doing that. THEN she had to sacrifice her entire being for +10,000 to restore the master sword and save Hyrule. Lets not forget that all her family is dead and so is some of her friends. Someone give this woman a hug.

[@PARK-sy3tf]

This is gonna be great. Although it’s crazy to think all the past games are SO far back into the past that they’ve all become legend, except for the story of the master sword and the eternal darkness cast by demise. In my opinion, this is a new era for the Zelda series on a United, re-unified timeline after an unprecedented event where Hyrule was completely forgotten and had to be re established, and personally I’m very excited for the future of this truly legendary series.

[@dorianwiesner4477]

Try imagine TotK plays entirely in the unified timeline, where the original kingdom faded and was refounded by Rauru and Sonia eons later. It makes a lot more sence

[@rhyshain7629]

@@dorianwiesner4477I really, really hope this is what Nintendo intends the lore to be and that they are not going to retcon themselves, again. Though it wouldn’t be out of character for them to simply make a mess out of the Zelda timeline

[@PARK-sy3tf]

@@dorianwiesner4477 that’s kinda what I was trying to say, I just said it badly lmao, sorry if my point wasn’t super clear but it’s definitely the theory that makes the most sense.

[@mariad.s.6760]

I have heard another beautiful theory: TOTK and BOTW are in a completely different timeline begun at another very important point of split up, and parallel to the other group of timelines created by the previous games. That is, immediately after the world was created by the three goddesses, if the zonai descend from the heavens, than it is where history leads to TOTK time. If not, it is where Skyward sword takes place and consequentely all the games afterwards according to the timelines already organized for them. Voilà! So it is explained something like the coexistence of Rito and Zora in BOTW and the fact that in the last thirty years of playing, we never heard of the Zonai!

[@rhyshain7629]

@@mariad.s.6760 It would though make sense that we hadn't heard of the zonai if they only descended after all the other games. After some great cataclysm that saw Hyrule completely collapse

[@bruno213]

Holy. I just have no words good enough to express how good this was. I cried. The Legend of Zelda is everything to me. I want to thank you so much for your passion. Your narration, editing and story telling. Just astounding. I honestly cannot wait for part 2.

[@tossingturnips]

Zeltik, this is your magnum opus thus far. I just finished the game for myself the night before, but have had this video queued up since you released it. It's so well-made and such an incredible telling of the story for the game. I can't wait to see the other parts!

[@d00p58]

dude this video is so well made. i’ve watched a good amount of story analysis videos so i know the games story very well and still learned quite a bit from this video!

[@FelipePanettoni]

I love your Zelda content. The quality is great and I can't wait for Part 2! Cheers from Brazil!

[@Cheatscape]

I never would have noticed the Dueling Peaks being connected in the past. Such a cool detail!

[@JamesSmith-tk6pg]

1:20:25 and forward. Literal chills. Top tier editing and music placement.

[@briannalikesbooks]

the dedication to make these videos is amazing keep it up Zeltik!!

[@joshreid1822]

I wish there was more info about the dragons. I would love a video about just them and who they possibly were before dragonifcation

[@MrSd512]

Zeltik, you cover LoZ like no other I've seen so far. Very informative, and it's very much apparent that you do more than just make a video. I always anticipate your videos as they are so well done. Thank you.

[@princesscoronagames]

My god... That felt like I was watching an actual movie. I was moved by the cutscenes when I first played the game, but this gave them IMPACT. You don't realize how much was sacrificed and lost on both sides of the conflict until you step back and watch the cutscenes again. Nothing but praise, Zeltik. You made me fall in love with this game and BOTW all over again. 👏👏👏

[@HawkWindrider]

How do you always have the *best* Zelda videos, this was so incredibly well made

[@Velektric143]

Can I just say, I LOVE your way of story telling!! Your voice is so chill and fun to listen to!

[@genaromero8259]

I just wanted to put in here amongst all these other comments, that I truly truly enjoy watching your videos. You take such care in your editing and presentation, that it shows. You do wonderful work. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these. ❤

[@mylittlehyrule]

fi’s theme playing when the master sword shatters hit me so emotionally

[@kylaurien]

as someone who has never played a zelda game in their life and yet is obsessed with the lore, i am eternally grateful for these plot recaps :)) excited for part 2!!!

[@EricStevenTerry]

This was me (with the exception of A Link to the Past) until Breath of the Wild came along.

[@anonanonymous9670]

So you're just choosing to NOT play the games of a franchise where most of it's games are 8/10 or above because....?

[@EricStevenTerry]

@@anonanonymous9670 Lack of access. I've now completed Skyward Sword and Link's Awakening and loved both of them. I've tried playing the original NES games, but I'm too stupid to get anywhere in those games. I'm waiting for the N64 controller to become available again before I play OoT and MM on NSO.

[@thebluest_blue1145]

@@anonanonymous9670 Not original commenter, but I just suck at combat in games. I played a fair bit of BOTW but never got past one of the divine beasts, I'm pretty sure I can with enough attempts but it's not fun for me. But I like the story.

[@bradencosier80]

Notably, Zelda’s timeline loop is the perfect explanation for how BotW merges all 3 previous timelines. In order for her to have gone back in time, all possible timelines have to end the same way. Interestingly, I recall we used a term back when BotW first came out, I don’t recall exactly what it was, but I think Dragon Timeline/Merger was close. Quite fitting don’t you think? My only question for the timeline is this: when did the Imprisoning War happen? I suspect it occurred before Skyward Sword and that Demise was potentially the first Calamity (and closely resembled the Demon King, even taking his title) and the introduction of the Master Sword as it clearly didn’t exist during the Imprisoning War.

[@4thdimensionalexplorer]

Perhaps all it would take to merge them was a wish on the triforce and knowledge of the split. Maybe we will one day get a game that has 2 timelines dealing with some sort of evil together and the wish was to save both worlds. Big stretch but fun idea.

[@t3hfluff]

There are hylians who worshipped the goddess hylia before the zonai descended and the skyward sword ruins are present and already much older than the zonai architecture in totk. The term you're looking for was dragon break which I believe was from another game series.

[@DISSONVNT]

​@@t3hfluffit's from the elder scrolls games and they're actually crazy mind boggling events, definitely recommend looking vids up on em

[@ankoku37]

You might be thinking of a Dragon Break which is something from The Elder Scrolls that's similar to what people have speculated is what happened to the Zelda timeline (being it splits and then the branching paths all mash into one) and which I know some people referenced in comparison while BotW theorizing. Still though, it's fun how it seems like the name might actually be fitting in Zelda too.

[@dragnbane]

"Like a cork from an incredibly angry bottle of champagne" Lmao that was hilarious

[@ogelpeace4610]

This video is a masterpiece. Very well edited

[@Starboy-_-]

I just finished TotK. I don't know if it was because of the randomness of the way the story unfolded, the endless distractions or the dozens of sidequests, or simply the fact that it's been going on for months and my brain can only take in so much, but I had not understood the story. Your video helped me immensely. THANK YOU mister, incredible storytelling!!!!