Skull Kid
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Attacks | Ocarina of Time | |
Shooting projectiles via flute
Skull Kids are recurring characters in The Legend of Zelda series that first appeared in Ocarina of Time. It is believed that children whom become stranded in the Lost Woods are transformed into Skull Kids, and it is this area that they are primarily known to habitate.[1] They are typically very childish in nature, similar to the Kokiri, and are often friendly with those of an equal naivete. Skull Kids are very distrustful towards most adults, however, and are known for playing tricks on those that they encounter.[2] They are small in stature and wear pointy hats along with what seems to be makeshift clothing. Their face's complexion and texture varies between portrayals, as does whether or not they sport large beaks in place of mouths.
Majora's Mask features the most notable of all Skull Kids, as he assumes the role of main antagonist. He is possessed by the titular Majora's Mask, granting him immense power, but also warping his mind and judgement. The Skull Kid's actions plunge all of Termina into a state of chaos, and, additionally, incurs the land's destruction by way of setting the Moon on course to collide into it.
Ocarina of Time
Skull Kids debuted in Ocarina of Time, in which there are three individuals, and can be encountered in the Lost Woods. They are playful creatures that each possess a penchant for playing the flute, and Link is able to befriend them if he is in his child form. The Skull Kid residing nearest to the forest's entrance will offer to buy the Skull Mask from Link, and, moreover, will award him a Piece of Heart if Link performs Saria's Song. Further into the forest, a pair of Skull Kids will award Link a second Piece of Heart if he successfully memorizes their song and plays it back to them. Though random, this song always consists of eight notes.
If Link happens upon Skull Kids when he is an adult, they will be hostile. They attack with their flutes by way of spitting projectiles towards Link, and are immune to all weaponry aside from his sword of choice. Skull Kids are tricky opponents in that they are able to instantly transpose themselves into different positions around Link's vicinity, making them very unpredictable. When defeated, they yield an Orange Rupee, holding a valuation of two-hundred, the same as the Huge Rupee. Skull Kids are the only means of obtaining Orange Rupees in Ocarina of Time.
Majora's Mask
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Majora's Mask prominently features an individual simply known as "Skull Kid." He is implied to have met Link during his quest in Ocarina of Time, the very same Skull Kid who had requested a performance of Saria's Song from him.[3] The Skull Kid steals Majora's Mask from the Happy Mask Salesman and is promptly corrupted by its power. Some time after, he ambushes Link in the Lost Woods with his fairy friends, Tatl and Tael, intending to steal his things. Link pursues him and soon finds himself in Termina.
The Skull Kid begins to act very erratically once Link meets him again in Termina, atop the Clock Tower. He treats Tatl and Tael very harshly, estranging the both of them.[4] Traveling around Termina, it is apparent that the Skull Kid is the causation of many of the land's troubles. Various characters make mention of the Skull Kid's mischief, and it is through him that Majora's Mask provokes the Moon's swift oncoming toward Termina.[5][6][7] After Link dispatches the evil within Termina's four temples, he confronts the Skull Kid again and plays Oath to Order, summoning the Four Giants, whom delay the Moon's collision with the land. Majora's Mask then separates itself from Skull Kid, confirming it to have had a life of its own all along, and the Skull Kid merely a convenient puppet.
After Majora is defeated, the Skull Kid is seen to have reverted to his normal disposition. He expresses his guilt to the Four Giants, whom he was close with long ago, and is shocked to find that they still consider him a friend. It appears that Tatl and Tael have forgiven him, and he shows gratitude toward Link for rescuing him from the clutches of the mask. He asks to be Link's friend, and a scene following the credits depicts a carving on a tree stump of the two smiling together.
Friendship with the Four Giants
The Skull Kid's relationship with the Four Giants is briefly witnessed after Link's triumph over Majora, but is further elaborated upon if Link chooses to listen to Anju's Grandmother's stories. By equipping the All-Night Mask and requesting the story of the Four Giants, it is divulged that they are the creators of Termina and had been close friends with an imp, whom can be assumed is the Skull Kid. The Skull Kid is devastated by the Four Giants' sworn guardianship of the land, as they must leave him to do so. He disperses his anger throughout all of Termina, much akin to his actions during Link's adventure. He is quelled when the Four Giants threaten to harm him, thereby banishing him "to the heavens."
Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess features one Skull Kid. It is encountered within the Sacred Grove where it leads Link through the forest via a game of hide-and-seek. The direction in which the Skull Kid's lantern glows as well as the faint sounds of its instrument are of great use to Link during his search. However, the Skull Kid is able to endlessly summon hordes of Puppets in order to complicate Link's progress. It will begin playing Saria's Song once Link is in close proximity, and striking it with a weapon or as a Wolf will cause the Skull Kid to change location. After Link strikes the Skull Kid three times, it will initiate combat with him, during which he must strike it three times more. The Skull Kid never attacks Link directly and instead relies on its summoned Puppets.
While the Skull Kid may initially seem to be an adversary of Link's, it is possible that it is attempting to aid him in his quest, albeit amusing itself while doing so. On Link's first foray into the Sacred Grove, the Skull Kid's antics lead him to the resting place of the Master Sword, a weapon essential in Link's fateful slaying of Ganondorf. As a result of their second encounter, Link finds himself at the entrance to the Temple of Time.
Non-Canon Appearances
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This section describes a subject that is or may be outside the core Zelda canon. |
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
The Skull Kid seen in Majora's Mask makes an appearance in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U as an Assist Trophy. When summoned, the Skull Kid can inflict various confusing effects onto the battlefield. He may flip the game's perspective upside-down or mirror it, reverse players' directional inputs, or cause all fighters to become transparent.
Hyrule Warriors
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"This mysterious imp draws his power from his stolen mask and wields an ocarina on the battlefield to protect his treasured friends."
The Skull Kid that appeared in Majora's Mask is a playable character in Hyrule Warriors. He is accessible via the Legends Character Pack DLC on Wii U, Hyrule Warriors Legends on 3DS, or Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch.
Cadence of Hyrule
In Cadence of Hyrule, the Skull Kid serves as the protagonist of Symphony of the Mask. Not opting to use typical weapons, he wields an arsenal of masks with varying abilities. His quest leads him into battle against King Dobongo, Synthrova, and eventually Ganon, who steals the Skull Mask in his pursuit of power.
Gallery
A Skull Kid from Ocarina of Time
A Skull Kid wearing the Skull Mask from Ocarina of Time
Artwork of a Skull Kid wearing the Skull Mask from Ocarina of Time
The Skull Kid from Majora's Mask
Artwork from Majora's Mask 3D
The Skull Kid in Twilight Princess
Key art of the Skull Kid from Hyrule Warriors
Artwork of the Skull Kid holding the Ocarina weapon from Hyrule Warriors
The Skull Kid's sprite from Cadence of Hyrule
Key art of the Skull Kid from Cadence of Hyrule
Trophy from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Trophy from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
References
- ↑ "Skull Kid Is this what happens to kids who get lost in the forest? He might be our friend if we do something..." — Navi, Ocarina of Time.
- ↑ "Skull Kid Is this what happens to kids who wander into the forest? It looks like he doesn't like grownups." — Navi, Ocarina of Time.
- ↑ "Eh-hee-hee...You have the same smell as the fairy kid who taught me that song in the woods..." — Skull Kid, Majora's Mask.
- ↑ "Skull Kid, do you still think you're our friend after that?!!?" — Tatl, Majora's Mask.
- ↑ "I was turned into this by a strange imp wearing a mask..." — Kafei, Majora's Mask.
- ↑ "Young one! Please hear my plea! I have been broken and shattered to pieces by the masked Skull Kid." — Great Fairy, Majora's Mask.
- ↑ "I was just busy minding my own business, picking mushrooms, when... BAM! I got hit from behind! That pesky Skull Kid! Did he think an old hag wouldn't recognize him if he hid his face?" — Koume, Majora's Mask.