The world of Hyrule changed. Honestly, if you played Breath of the Wild, you probably thought you knew these people. You didn't. When Nintendo dropped Tears of the Kingdom in 2023, it didn't just give us a bigger map; it fundamentally rewired the personalities and social hierarchies of every major player in the kingdom. Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom characters aren't just static quest-givers anymore. They're survivors. They're rebuilding. Some of them are literally thousands of years old, stuck in a loop of sacrifice that makes the first game look like a lighthearted stroll through the woods.
Let's be real about Link for a second. He's usually a blank slate, right? But here, he’s carrying the weight of a failed protection mission. He starts the game losing an arm and his legendary sword. That’s a massive tonal shift. He’s not just a hero; he’s a guy trying to fix a mistake that broke the world—again.
The Zelda Problem and the Sage Evolution
Most people talk about Zelda being "missing," but that's a surface-level take. In this game, Zelda is the most active she’s ever been, even when she’s not on screen. She’s navigating the ancient past of the Zonai. We see her through "Dragon's Tears" memories, and it’s heartbreaking. She isn't waiting in a castle. She’s making a choice that effectively ends her humanity to ensure Link has a fighting chance in the future. It’s heavy stuff.
Then you have the Sages. This is where the Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom characters really shine compared to the Champions of the previous game. The Champions were ghosts. They were tragic, sure, but they were dead. The new Sages—Sidon, Yunobo, Riju, and Tulin—are alive. They grow up.
Take Tulin. He was just a kid in the last game. Now, he’s a pivotal warrior for the Rito. He struggles with arrogance. He wants to prove he’s a man. It’s a classic coming-of-age arc tucked into a massive open-world RPG. You see him go from a stubborn fledging to a leader who understands that "strength" isn't just about how well you can shoot an arrow in a gale. It’s about the people behind you.
Riju is another standout. She’s the Chief of the Gerudo, and she’s dealing with a literal plague of Gibdos. She’s young, feeling the pressure of a legendary lineage, and she’s trying to master lightning powers that she can’t quite control at the start. It’s relatable. Well, as relatable as being a desert queen with lightning powers can be.
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Ganondorf: Not Just a Calamity Anymore
We have to talk about the villain. For years, we dealt with "Calamity Ganon," which was basically a giant purple cloud of resentment. It lacked personality. In Tears of the Kingdom, we get the man. The King of Thieves. Ganondorf is back with a voice, a physical presence, and a level of arrogance that makes him genuinely terrifying.
His design is a callback to his Ocarina of Time roots but infused with a raw, ancient energy. He’s not just a monster; he’s a tactician. He spends the beginning of the game literally shattering the master sword and draining Link’s health. He’s a bully. He mocks you. This version of Ganondorf, voiced by Matthew Mercer, brings a gravity to the role that was missing for nearly two decades of Zelda history. He believes he is the rightful ruler because he has the "will" to take it. It’s a classic Nietzschean "will to power" vibe that contrasts perfectly with Zelda’s "sacrifice for the whole" mentality.
The Supporting Cast: Purah, Robbie, and the Hudson Construction Empire
If you spend all your time on the main quest, you miss the best part of the Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom characters: the citizens.
Purah got a glow-up. Literally. She’s now in her "adult" form (though still technically over a hundred years old) and running Lookout Landing. She’s the brain of the operation. Without her, Link would just be wandering the woods with a prosthetic arm and no plan. She represents the scientific advancement of Hyrule. The world isn't just magic and swords anymore; it's research, engineering, and data.
And Hudson? The man is a titan of industry now.
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- He built a whole town.
- He has a daughter, Madison, who has to leave for Gerudo Town.
- His construction signs are literally everywhere.
- He’s basically the civil engineer of the apocalypse.
The quest involving Madison leaving for Gerudo Town is one of the most emotional beats in the game. It’s not about fighting monsters. It’s about a father saying goodbye to his daughter because of cultural laws. It’s these human moments—these small character beats—that make the world feel worth saving. If the characters were just cardboard cutouts, who cares if Ganondorf wins? But you want Hudson to be happy. You want his daughter to be safe. That’s good writing.
The Zonai Connection: Rauru and Mineru
We can't ignore the newcomers from the past. Rauru, the first King of Hyrule, and his sister Mineru. Rauru is interesting because he’s flawed. He’s a god-like being who was also kind of arrogant. He underestimated Ganondorf. He thought his light powers were absolute. His failure is the reason the game happens.
Mineru, on the other hand, is the "Spirit Sage." She exists as a soul inside a construct. Her story is one of technological legacy. She represents the bridge between the ancient Zonai tech and Link’s modern struggle. Using her construct in the Depths changes how you interact with the environment entirely. She’s a character who is literally a tool, yet she maintains a quiet, dignified sorrow for her lost race.
Why Some Characters Feel "Off" to Fans
There’s some debate in the community about how certain Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom characters handle the transition from the first game. Some fans find it weird that characters like Bolson or certain villagers don't seem to recognize Link immediately.
Is it a continuity error? Maybe. Or maybe it’s a reflection of how chaotic the "Upheaval" was. When the world literally tears itself apart and islands start floating in the sky, people get a bit distracted. They might forget the guy who saved them five years ago, especially if he’s been missing for months and has a weird glowing arm now. It’s a bit of a "Clark Kent" situation. Put a new arm on Link and suddenly he's a stranger.
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The Evolution of the Koroks and Hestu
Even the smaller characters got updates. Hestu is still dancing, but the Koroks are in more trouble than ever. The "I need to reach my friend" puzzles are a meme at this point, but they serve a purpose. They show a world in flux. These little forest spirits are scattered and lost. They rely on Link’s ingenuity (and often his questionable Ultrahand creations) to survive.
Actionable Strategy for Engaging with Hyrule’s Finest
If you’re diving back into the game or starting for the first time, don't rush the main Sages. The depth of the Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom characters is found in the side content.
- Prioritize the "Potential Princess Sightings" quest line. It gives you a reason to visit every stable and interact with Penn, the Rito journalist. It fleshes out how the average citizen views Zelda.
- Complete the Mattison’s Independence quest in Tarrey Town. It’s the best character writing in the game, hands down.
- Talk to the Monster Control Crew. These NPCs travel the map and actually fight. It makes the world feel like it's fighting back alongside you.
- Read the diaries. Zelda’s diary in Hateno and Ganondorf’s ancient inscriptions provide context that cutscenes miss.
The brilliance of this game isn't just the physics engine. It’s the fact that after 100 hours, you feel like you actually know these people. You’ve seen Tulin grow up, you’ve seen Sidon find love and take the throne, and you’ve seen the heavy price Zelda paid for the future.
To get the most out of your journey, focus on the "Yiga Clan" questline in the Depths. It reveals a surprisingly humorous yet dark side to the Hylian defectors and their obsession with Master Kohga. Understanding the friction between the different factions—the researchers at Lookout Landing, the builders in Tarrey Town, and the warriors in the various regions—is the key to appreciating why this version of Hyrule feels so much more "alive" than its predecessor.
Focus on building your relationship with the Sage avatars early. Upgrading them with Sage’s Wills isn’t just a stat boost; it makes your "team" feel more capable during the final climb toward Ganondorf. The game is ultimately about the strength of bonds across time, so lean into those connections.