Tears of the Kingdom introduces a wide range of new characters and some old ones borrowed from Breath of the Wild. There are the main characters, Link and Zelda, and the main villain Ganondorf. Here are all the Tears of the Kingdom characters and their roles.
Key Takeaways
- Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom features several old and new characters, including Sage companions, NPCs, and bosses.
- The two main characters are Link and Zelda, a chivalrous hero and the Princess of Hyrule, respectively.
- There are also five Sage companions that grant you their special abilities and instruct you to complete their respective temples.
- These Sage companions include Yunobo, Tulin, Sidon, Riju, and Mineru.
- There are also some NPCs that give you quests and rewards as well as progress the story. These include Rauru, Sonia, Robbie, Josha, Purah, Teba, and Impa.
- Finally, there are two bosses that stand out. These are Master Kohga, the Yiga Clan leader, and Ganondorf, the Demon King and final boss of the game.
Main Characters
The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom only has two real main characters: Link and Zelda. Here’s a summary of the two and their role in the story.
Link
Link, the hero and central figure of the Legend of Zelda series, is known for wielding his iconic bow and arrow while wearing the Champion’s Tunic. Starting as an ordinary boy, he gains heroic status through courageous acts, beginning with his journey alongside Princess Zelda underground.
Early in the story, Link and Zelda explore beneath Hyrule Castle. As the narrative progresses, you learn essential actions like climbing and swimming before encountering Ganondorf. He seizes the Master Sword, sending Link plummeting below Hyrule Castle and initiating the adventure.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Link wields various weapons, with his bow and arrow as a go-to choice. The game introduces an abilities system, granting combat and overworld abilities, including weapon fusion.
The main goal is clear: obtain all Sage abilities and the Master Sword, then confront Ganondorf head-on. Link’s journey involves heroic acts, including puzzle-solving and numerous boss fights.
Zelda
Zelda is the secondary protagonist of the Legend of Zelda series. She is the princess of Hyrule and is of Hylian descent. Princess Zelda’s appearance has changed drastically over the years. But there is one constant: that Link is her chivalrous savior.
In Tears of the Kingdom, she accompanies Link initially but is eventually captured by Ganondorf, the Demon King. Throughout the game, glimpses of Zelda can be seen. But it is evident that she has been sent back into the past and is trying to help Link retrieve her and defeat Ganondorf.
As the story progresses, she becomes the Light Dragon and aids Link in acquiring the Master Sword. She’s also present as Link’s ride during the final battle against the Demon Dragon.
Zelda is not a playable character and has no powers that can be used in-game, save for being used as a ride when she becomes the Light Dragon. In Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda is described as the descendant of Queen Sonia, the first queen of Hyrule.
Sage Companions
During your journey, you will meet the five Sages, companions who require you to complete their quest line. They join you during these quests and grant you their signature ability.
The quest involves tackling puzzles, challenges, and entering Sage Temples, where you’ll face Sage Temple bosses, often with the help of the Sage companions’ abilities.
Once their quest is complete, the Sage companions reward you with their Vows, enabling you to summon them and utilize their abilities and melee attacks. These Tears of the Kingdom characters are highly valuable both in battles and exploration. Explore our Tears of the Kingdom abilities guide for more on the Sage’s abilities.
Here are all five Sage companions, their main quest line, and their signature ability.
Yunobo
Yunobo is the grandson of Daruk, the old Goron Champion. He is described as weaker and more cowardly than the other Daruks. However, despite this, he acquired the secret stone and became the new Sage of Fire.
He is a Sage companion that will accompany you throughout the first parts of your journey. Yunobo was Link’s friend in Breath of the Wild. But in Tears of the Kingdom, he must be fought first as a miniboss before being recruited as a companion.
Tulin
Tulin is the Sage of Wind and the son of Teba. This feathery little friend will briefly accompany you on your journey before granting you his Vow. He was first introduced in Breath of the Wild and is all grown up and ready to take on some adventure.
His Gust ability is ample helpful both in battle and outside of it. Additionally, his quest is one of the easiest to complete in Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom.
Sidon
King Sidon joins you on your adventures and gives you his Power of Water ability. Sidon is royalty in Zora and is a borrowed character from Breath of the Wild, where he was a prince.
Sidon grants you the Power of Water ability, which is more of a combat than an exploration ability. Unfortunately, his main quest is the hardest to complete as it requires you to finish several other quests along the way.
Riju
Riju is the Chief of the Gerudo Tribe. She was shown as the potential heir to the throne in Breath of the Wild. And now, in Teras of the Kingdom, she has finally ascended the throne and become the Sage of Lightning.
She is the protector of Gerudo Town, a small settlement that the Gibdos have terrorized. Her quests see you defending the town and eventually fighting the queen of the Gibdos.
Mineru
Mineru, the Sage of Spirit, is a new Tears of the Kingdom character. She is from the race of Zonai and, as such, has potent abilities. Mineru also has royal blood, being the elder sister of King Rauru. This also makes her the sister-in-law of Queen Sonia.
She has a unique ability that lets you pilot a Zonai mech suit. This device can also perform several actions that help you in battle and during world exploration.
NPCs And Side Characters
Legend of Zelda is known for its main characters. But it would be incomplete without its NPCs. Here is a list of Tears of the Kingdom characters that are NPCs and their role.
Research Team – Purah, Robbie, And Josha
The dynamic trio, Purah, Robbie, and Josha, are loved by players worldwide. These Tears of the Kingdom characters are researchers who have different designations. Purah is the head of the Lookout Landing, the first small settlement you encounter after landing on the Hyrule Surface.
Josha, on the other hand, performs research in the Depths while Robbie is the head of the Purah Pad team. All three researchers will guide you in your journey and send you on several quests. One of these includes a pursuit where you unlock the Camera ability.
Paya
Paya is the granddaughter of Impa and the Chief of the Kakariko Village. She dons a large circular hat and a traditional Chief outfit. She’s a borrowed character from Breath of the Wild, where she was the heir to the position.
She was named after a birthmark on her body that was shaped like a papaya seed. Paya is fond of Link and loves to spend time with him. In Tears of the Kingdom, she can be found in West Necluda, close to where you find Tauro in Ring Ruins. He will talk to Paya. You can now interact with her and talk to her.
Besides that, you can visit Impa’s house and read her diary. Yes, it seems like you’re prying on her privacy. But the journal mainly discusses her admiration of Link and their adventures in Breath of the Wild.
Impa
Impa is the ex-Chief of the Sheikah and the grandmother of Paya. In Tears of the Kingdom, she tries to help Link find Princess Zelda. She helps Link by deciphering the various old geoglyphs that have appeared across the kingdom. These help Link track down Zelda’s location.
Being a hundred years old, Impa has been a loyal friend to the Hyrule royal family for several generations. As such, she has also seen the events that caused its near extinction. In Breath of the Wild, she was the Chief of the Sheikah. But in Tears of the Kingdom, she has now stepped down and trusted her granddaughter with that role.
Rauru And Sonia
Before we continue, we must warn you there are major spoilers ahead.
Rauru and Sonia are vital Tears of the Kingdom characters you encounter. Rauru, initially the Sage of Light in Ocarina of Time, later takes on the form of Kaepora Gaebora, an owl guiding Link.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Rauru is briefly mentioned in the opening cutscenes and appears in his owl form, revealing himself as a Zonai. Your first meeting with him precedes “The Closed Door” quest, where he guides you, especially to the game’s shrines.
Rauru is revealed as the founder and first King of Hyrule, while Queen Sonia, a Hylian woman and Sage of Time, is his partner. Sonia’s Secret Stone grants her control over time. During the story, Princess Zelda is sent back to their time, where they train her to use the Tear Stone’s power correctly.
Tauro
Tauro is the leader of the Zonai Survey Team. He is a handsome man with dark hair and blonde highlights. He has a never-ending curiosity for the world around him and is eager to know more about Hyrule and its history.
In Tears of the Kingdom, he is described as a traveling researcher who loves staying on the field for days. His interests include ancient ruins and history. He guides Link throughout his adventures and can be found talking to Paya in the beginning.
Hestu
Hestu is one of the few Tears of the Kingdom characters that Link can trade with. He is described as a tree fairy, singing and dancing through the Korok Forest. He is the fabled Spirited Musician of the same forest and wields his maracas to dance through the day humbly.
During your adventures, you can give Korok seeds to Hestu. In return, he will expand your inventory, including your bow, weapon, and shield slots. The problem is that Hestu does not stick to one location, and you need to keep finding him throughout the map of Hyrule.
Teba
Teba is the father of Tulin and an elder in the village of Rito. He is an anthropomorphic hawk and specializes in the art of flying. Eagle-eyed viewers will recognize him from Breath of the Wild. Instead of helping Link directly this time, he guides his son, Tulin, to aid Link.
Throughout the story, as you complete Tulin’s quest, he adorns Tulin as an empowered warrior and finally rewards him with his bow.
Antagonists
Besides the heroes and NPCs, there are several antagonistic Tears of the Kingdom characters. You get to fight countless bosses and minibosses in Tears of the Kingdom. Of those, here are some of the notable antagonists who will actively try to interrupt your quests.
Master Kohga
Master Kohga, the Yiga clan’s master, is a recurring secondary antagonist in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, driven by the goal of defeating Link.
Encounters with Master Kohga occur four times in the game. The first encounter happens after finding the first statue and getting a vehicle. The strategy is simple: stagger him and follow up with melee attacks when he’s down.
In the Abandoned Gerudo Mine, you’ll face Kohga again, this time airborne and launching missiles. Utilize your paraglider and Gust to swiftly dodge his attacks.
Kohga’s third encounter is in the Abandoned Lanayru Mine, accompanied by two Yiga Ninjas. Chase his ship and use Yunobo’s Charge ability to defeat him.
His fourth and final encounter features him riding a Zonai Construct, shooting bombs and laser beams. He also gains a low-accuracy defensive mechanism.
Ganondorf, The Demon King
Ganondorf, the main antagonist in Tears of the Kingdom, embodies the hatred of Demon King Demise, sometimes considered his second incarnation. He’s a formidable character.
In the game, Ganondorf is referred to as the Demon King, sealed by Rauru 10,000 years ago and recently awakened to threaten Hyrule once more.
You can face the Demon King early, but it’s advisable to return with better equipment since he’s essentially the final boss. First, battle his army, followed by his swordsman and empowered forms. The fight culminates with him transforming into the Demon Dragon. The Light Dragon intervenes, and you must defeat the Demon Dragon to conclude the battle.
Final Thoughts
You will encounter a diverse set of Tears of the Kingdom characters. You have Link and Zelda, the dynamic duo that has been featured since the start of the franchise. Then there are the Sage companions that grant you their unique abilities and help you defeat the temple bosses.
Then there are several vital NPCs, such as the King and Queen of Hyrule and Teba, Hestu, and the research team. Finally, you have Master Kohga, a recurring villain, and Ganondorf, the iconic Demon King, and the final boss.
Here’s our Tears of the Kingdom Shrine locations guide to find all the Shrines.
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An enthusiastic writer who loves art and gaming, you can find Maaz casually spending his day either behind the keyboard or the canvas. Maaz holds a major in Electronics and has over 5 years of experience working as a freelance blog and content writer. He loves to talk about all things gaming and help other gamers through his guides. He’s an expert when it comes to Diablo 4, Elden Ring, Dark Souls, Starfield and Baldur’s Gate 3.
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