He is huge. He is bright red. He has a smile that literally sparkles in the sunlight. When Nintendo first introduced Prince Sidon in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, they probably knew he’d be popular, but I don’t think they realized he would become a genuine cultural phenomenon. Most side characters in open-world RPGs are basically just quest markers with a voice box. Sidon is different. He’s the hype man we all wish we had in real life.
Think back to your first time trekking toward Zora’s Domain in the pouring rain. You’re low on stamina, your weapons are breaking, and everything feels kind of bleak. Then, this massive shark-man leans over a bridge and tells you that he believes in you. It sounds cheesy, but in the context of Hyrule's post-apocalyptic ruins, it’s a revelation. This isn't just about a "cool design." It’s about how Prince Sidon changed the emotional frequency of the game.
The Evolution of a Legend: From Prince to King
By the time we get to Tears of the Kingdom, things have changed for our favorite Zora. He isn't just a prince anymore; he's stepping into the heavy boots of his father, King Dorephan. You can see the weight of leadership on him. His stance is a bit more guarded, his responsibilities are massive, and he's dealing with the "Sludge" polluting his home.
Honestly, the character growth is surprisingly grounded for a game about a boy fighting a demon pig. Sidon struggles with the legacy of his sister, Mipha. That’s a huge part of his DNA. He spent a century mourning her, and in the sequel, we finally see him move toward his own future. He gets engaged to Yona, a childhood friend from another Zora domain, which, let’s be real, broke a few hearts in the fandom. But it makes sense for his arc. He’s growing up. He’s becoming the pillar his people need.
Why the Internet Can't Stop Talking About Him
It’s the pose. You know the one—the fist-pump with the teeth-glint.
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While most of Hyrule is depressed or just trying to survive, Prince Sidon radiates pure, unadulterated positivity. Psychologically, it’s a brilliant move by Nintendo’s writers. He serves as the "Extraverted" foil to Link’s silent, stoic "Introvert." He does the talking for us. He expresses the excitement that we feel as players. When he shouts about how incredible you are, you actually start to believe him.
But it's more than just a meme.
If you look at the technical side of his design, he’s a masterpiece of character silhouettes. He towers over Link. His bright red scales contrast sharply with the blues and greys of Zora’s Domain. He is designed to be noticed. Even his theme music—a triumphant, brassy remix of Mipha’s more melancholy melody—tells a story of resilience. He is the living embodiment of the Zora’s ability to endure.
The Power of the Sage Bond
In Tears of the Kingdom, the gameplay finally catches up to the lore. You aren’t just watching Sidon from afar; you’re fighting alongside him. His Sage ability—a water shield that protects Link and then allows for a powerful water-based attack—is a direct metaphor for his personality. He protects. He supports. He gives Link the opening he needs to succeed.
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Some players find the Sage mechanics a bit clunky. Trying to chase Sidon down in the middle of a chaotic boss fight just to activate his shield can be a literal headache. It’s a valid criticism. However, when you’re standing in the middle of a fire-breathing Gleeok’s attack and that water bubble saves your life, you forgive the AI's pathfinding issues pretty quickly.
Realism in Fantasy: The Grief of a Prince
We have to talk about Mipha. You can't understand Prince Sidon without understanding his loss.
In Breath of the Wild, there’s a quiet moment where you can find Sidon standing alone in front of Mipha’s statue at night. No quest trigger. No dialogue box. He’s just there. It’s a tiny detail that humanizes him. He isn't just a cartoonish "hero" guy; he’s a brother who lost his closest relative to a literal calamity. This grief is what makes his optimism so impressive. It isn't blind happiness; it's a choice he makes every day to be better than his circumstances.
A Note on the Voice Acting
Whether you play in English or Japanese, the performance is vital. Jamie Mortellaro, the English voice actor (who also directed the voice work for the game), gave Sidon a "theatrical" quality that never feels fake. It sounds like a prince who has been trained to lead but hasn't lost his heart. In Japanese, Kōsuke Onishi brings a slightly more traditional "shonen" energy to the role. Both work. Both capture that weird mix of regal dignity and puppy-dog energy.
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How to Maximize Your Time with Sidon in Tears of the Kingdom
If you're playing through the game right now, don't just rush through the Water Temple. Take a second.
- Check the monuments: Read the stone tablets around Zora's Domain. They detail Sidon's efforts to clean up the sludge and his transition to kingship. It adds layers to the world-building that the main cutscenes miss.
- Use the shield for more than defense: The water blast from Sidon’s ability can clean up sludge piles without wasting your precious Splash Fruit or Blue Chuchu Jelly. It’s an efficiency play.
- The Yona Dynamic: Pay attention to how Sidon interacts with Yona versus how he interacts with Link. There’s a different kind of respect there. It shows a side of Zora culture we haven't seen much of—their diplomacy and external relations with other domains.
The "Sidon Effect" on Game Design
Developers are watching. The success of Prince Sidon has likely influenced how NPCs are written in other modern titles. We're seeing a shift away from the "static quest giver" toward the "active companion." He feels like a friend. When you finish his regional quest, you actually feel a bit lonely leaving Zora’s Domain. That’s the mark of a well-written character.
He isn't just a collection of pixels and a "thumbs up" animation. He’s a reminder that even in a world covered in gloom and ancient evil, a little bit of genuine encouragement goes a long way. He’s the heart of the Zora, and honestly, he might be the heart of the entire modern Zelda era.
Practical Steps for Zelda Fans:
- If you’re struggling with the Water Temple boss (Mucktorok), stop trying to hit it with arrows. Use Sidon's water wave to clear a path through the sludge so you can actually move.
- Go back to the Zora throne room after finishing the main quest. The dialogue changes significantly once Sidon is officially crowned, providing closure to his decade-long character arc.
- Experiment with "Wet" weapon modifiers. Many Zora weapons in Tears of the Kingdom double their attack power when Link is wet. Using Sidon’s ability triggers this buff instantly, making you a glass cannon in high-level fights.
- Visit the Mipha Court at sunrise. The lighting engine in the game is specifically tuned to make the scales of the Zora—and Sidon in particular—shimmer, showcasing the technical craft behind their character models.