Daily Debate: What Is The Zelda Series’ Most Emotional Companion Departure?
Posted on March 09 2023 by Mike Midwood
It was a Zelda tradition for quite a while to have Link accompanied by a companion character during his adventures. These were often used as a push in the right direction for players who might get lost, but they were also entities in their own right with unique personalities. Despite occasionally being somewhat annoying, it was easy to become attached to these characters who were present throughout their respective games. Sadly, it was also a tradition for them to part ways with Link at the end of the journey, with this split usually at least implied to be permanent. It’s never a thrill to see these friends go, but which separation delivered the biggest gut punch? Which is the most emotional departure of a companion character?
The de facto answer to this question seems to be Midna’s return to the eponymous realm in Twilight Princess. Midna is a fan favorite companion to begin with and I agree that she has the best arc of them all. Her history and development throughout the game are more impressive than most other Zelda characters. Twilight Princess is also a lengthy game where she is a consistent presence, so it can be hard to say goodbye to someone you’ve grown so accustomed to. Her transformation at the story’s end suggests even more to Midna’s character than we can glean in the game, hinting at an unrealized future for her relationships with characters in Hyrule. Watching the Mirror of Twilight splinter into a million pieces is an emotional peak for the entire series.
Companions like Navi, The King of Red Lions, and Ciela don’t have the same development Midna does, but I’m sure many players find themselves sad to part ways with them. Ezlo and Tatl both have interesting arcs, but they aren’t nearly as iconic as some of the other partners that escort Link through the game. I will say that Tatl’s final call to Link at the end of Majora’s Mask has always been affecting to me. For a game where loss is such a central theme, seeing Link be the one ready to part ways and his companion express reticence is a powerful moment. Honestly, all of these departure moments have been handled very well. If you twist my arm, even Fi has a worthy moment of goodbye (good riddance).
What about you? Which companion departure was the most emotional for you? Do you want to see any of these characters return? Let us know in the comments below!
Hi, I’m Mike Midwood and I’m a Senior Editor at ZeldaDungeon! Video games and literature are my greatest joys in life. An avid Zelda fan, some of my other favorite games include the Resident Evil and Dark Souls series. I hope you enjoy my content here on ZeldaDungeon!
“The sword has no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage.”
