Ganon

Ganon
The Legend of Zelda series character
First game	The Legend of Zelda (1986)
Created by	Shigeru Miyamoto

Ganon (ガノン), also known as Ganondorf (ガノンドロフ, Ganondorofu) in his human form, is a fictional character and primary antagonist of several games in Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series. He is the most commonly recurring villain in the series and is frequently the final boss, and is arch-enemy to the main protagonist, Link. Although he has appeared many times in the series, he was first given a back-story in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Conception and creation

Character creation

Since his first appearance, Ganon's name has caused much confusion. In his first appearance, The Legend of Zelda, his name was spelled as "Gannon". This spelling was used only three times, again in the Japanese version of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, and in the non-canon CD-i game Zelda's Adventure. "Ganondorf" was given as the character's original name in A Link to the Past, and the humanoid Ganondorf of Ocarina of Time was known exclusively by that name, except for his castle being known as "Ganon's Castle" and his transformation at the end of the game. The name "Ganondorf" is only used to refer to the character's human form, while "Ganon" is used to refer to the evil spirit tied to the Triforce of Power, be it the human or bestial form.

Actor portrayal

While voice actors have never been used for the speaking parts in the series, they have been needed for various noises, like shouts and grunts, during battle. Takashi Nagasako was the voice actor for Ganon in Ocarina of Time and reprised the role of Ganon for Super Smash Bros. Melee and The Wind Waker, but he did not return for Twilight Princess. Instead, Hironori Miyata was given the role of Ganon's voice actor.

Characteristics

Personality

Ganon is depicted as the ultimate personification of evil. In earlier games such as A Link to the Past, he was characterized simply as a power-crazed tyrant obsessed with conquering and enslaving Hyrule. Since then, he has been depicted with more complexity, in games such as The Wind Waker, which provide a more understandable reason for his villainy. His manifestation has drastically changed since his first appearance. Ganon's roles range from savage beast, Machiavellian tyrant, and god-like entity; sometimes, he is seen as a mixture of all three. He possesses a vicious, psychotic nature, though he usually maintains great composure, despite the furious rage that seethes within him, only occasionally losing his emotional restraint.

Abilities

Ganondorf is an impressive sorcerer with immense physical strength and mystical power, complemented by his unrivaled cunning and resourcefulness. Through resourcefulness, as well as the manipulation of others, Ganondorf came into the possession of the Triforce of Power. The Triforce of Power is an artifact of boundless mystic power, its source being the divine essence of the Goddess Din herself. His abilities, both physical and mystical, are augmented to god-like proportions due to the artifact's influence. As such, Ganondorf happens to be the most powerful mortal in existence, demonstrating abilities such as invulnerability, unfathomable physical strength, and unrivaled magical power.

The Triforce of Power also grants Ganondorf virtual immortality; using its power, he has endured mortal wounds (such as having his heart pierced by a sword), only to remain alive, unscathed and unconquered. An attempt to kill Ganon, regardless of its nature, is ultimately futile; the essence of the Triforce of Power makes him effectively invulnerable. The sole exceptions to this rule are sacred weapons such as the Noble Sword, Master Sword, Four Sword, Silver Arrows, or Light Arrows; these are usually the only weapons that can slay Ganondorf, though the apparently "ordinary" Biggoron Sword can slay him during the first battle against him in Ocarina of Time, and the final battles against him in Oracle of Ages or Oracle of Seasons.

In addition to his incredible strength and magical abilities, Ganondorf has proven himself to be a very talented swordsman, as seen in the final battles between Ganondorf and Link in The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. This could be an attempt to combat the Master Sword, the weapon most often used against him.

Appearances

Video games

Since the series began, Ganon has taken the role of the primary antagonist. As such, he has appeared in almost every game in the series, some of which hide his existence until late in the game. When he does not appear, the antagonist role is filled by another character, such as Majora in Majora's Mask, Bellum in Phantom Hourglass, and Vaati in both The Minish Cap and Four Swords. In Link's Awakening, Dethl (the physical form of The Wind Fish's Nightmares) fills the role of the antagonist. During the final battle, Dethl assumes several forms, all of which are based off of villains and creatures from Link's past. While Ganon does not fill the role of the antagonist in this game, one of Dethl's forms is called "Ganon's Shadow" and is constructed from Link's memories of their battle.

1986—1996

In The Legend of Zelda, Ganon made his first appearance. After years of imprisonment in the Dark World, Ganon, the Prince of Darkness, managed to escape. With an army of his followers, he soon invaded the land of Hyrule and stole the Triforce of Power. With the power of the Triforce, Ganon wished to plunge the world into darkness and fear under his rule. To protect the realm from this fate, the Triforce of Wisdom was shattered into eight pieces, each hidden in a different location within Hyrule. This last minute effort was pulled off by the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda. Fearing her efforts would not be enough, the princess sent her nursemaid, Impa, to search for a man with enough courage to defeat Ganon. After learning of the princess's actions, Ganon kidnapped Zelda, locked her in his lair on Death Mountain, and sent a group of his minions after Impa. When the minions found Impa and all seemed lost, a hero named Link appeared to rescue her. Fearing for their lives, the creatures fled. The failure of the pursuing creatures sealed the fate of their master. When Link's journey finally brought him to Death Mountain, an invisible Ganon faced the hero. Despite Ganon's invisibility, Link managed to defeat the Prince of Darkness with the legendary Silver Arrows. Now that their master was dead, the remaining followers were filled with the desire to seek revenge.

In The Adventure of Link, Ganon's minions attempted to kill Link in order to revive their master by sprinkling Link's blood on Ganon. Throughout the game he was seen as a shadowy figure in the Game Over screen.

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Ganon, in A Link to the Past.

In A Link to the Past, it was revealed that centuries ago, Ganon and his army of thieves, who were all skilled in dark arts, found the entrance to the Golden Land. Upon entering the realm, Ganon killed his followers, touched the Triforce with "blood stained hands", and made a wish. His wish to conquer the world transformed the Golden Land into the corrupt Dark World. From the Dark World, Ganon began to summon other beings to the Dark World where he used the Triforce to transform them into monsters for his army. When his army satisfied him, Ganon led them in an attack on the land of Hyrule. However, when the knights and the Seven Sages combined their powers, they managed to seal Ganon and his army in the corrupt world he had created.

Ganon was trapped in the Dark World for many centuries, but using the form/possession of Agahnim, he returned to Hyrule Castle and overthrew the King. To break the sages' seal, he kidnapped the Seven Maidens, the descendants of the sages, and transported them to the Dark World. When it came time to transport Princess Zelda, it was discovered that she had escaped with Link. Determined to break the seal, Agahnim sent the brainwashed knights of Hyrule to search throughout the land for the princess. Much time had passed when she was finally found to be hiding in the Sanctuary. Her recapture had very little resistance because Link had gone in search of the Master Sword, so by the time he found Agahnim, it was too late. Zelda had been transported to the Dark World, and Ganon was finally free. Link began to fight Agahnim, but when the situation began to look bad, the wizard transported the boy to the Dark World. Link does not see the wizard again until Agahnim appeared before Link to battle to the death atop of Ganon's Tower. Unlike their previous fight, Agahnim was finally killed. With his minion gone, Ganon fled to the Pyramid of Power, where Link, armed with Silver Arrows and the Master Sword, was finally able to defeat him.

1997—2001

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Ganondorf as he appears in Ocarina of Time

In Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf is known as the King of the Gerudo, by virtue of being the only male in the tribe born once every 100 years. Ganondorf learns of the legend of the Triforce and seeks to attain it with the aid of his servants, Twinrova. He makes several attempts to steal the sacred stones in order to enter the Sacred Realm, but each time he is unsuccessful. When Link obtains all three, Ganondorf uses this opportunity to seize the Triforce when Link removes the Master Sword, the final key to the Sacred Realm. His unbalanced heart only allows him to receive the Triforce of Power (with Wisdom and Courage going to Zelda and Link respectively). His Triforce piece allows him to cause numerous disasters for all of Hyrule, and in doing so, become the King of Evil.

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Ganon in his monstrous form in Ocarina of Time

By the time seven years had passed, he had placed monsters in the Sages' temples to prevent them from hearing their "awakening call". When Link awakened from the Sacred Realm as a young adult, Ganondorf watched him, waiting for when Zelda would reveal herself. Ganondorf is eventually able to capture the final sage — Princess Zelda — forcing Link into a direct confrontation. Although bested by Link in the ensuing battle atop his tower, he uses the remains of his power to destroy his tower, in hope of finishing Link and Zelda. Though they escape, thinking him defeated, Ganondorf emerges from the rubble and transforms into the monstrous sword-wielding boar-like demon, Ganon. After an epic battle, the Seven Sages imprison Ganon in the Sacred Realm where he vows to return and exterminate the descendants of Link and Zelda as long as the Triforce of Power remains in his hand.

In Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, the Twinrova sisters attempt to revive Ganon by causing sorrow in Labrynna, destruction in Holodrum and despair by sacrificing Princess Zelda. However, when Link saves Zelda, the ritual is incomplete, and, left with no other options, the Twinrova sisters use themselves as the sacrifice. While the King of Evil is brought back to life, Ganon becomes nothing more than a mindless beast bent on destruction, failing to retain his mind due to the wrong sacrifice in the ritual.

2002—present

In The Wind Waker, it is revealed that before the events of the game, Ganon, who had been sealed away at the end of Ocarina of Time, managed to free himself. He spread darkness across the land once again, but unlike his previous attempt to rule over the land, he was faced with no opposition by the Hero of Time. When Ganon's goals finally seemed within his reach, the Gods intervened, flooding the kingdom and hiding the remains underneath an ocean. While his conquest had been delayed, not all was lost. If Ganon could find the Triforce of Wisdom and the Triforce of Courage, then he could wish for the kingdom to return. Thus began his search for the descendant of Zelda. Sending his followers to bring him young blonde-haired girls with pointy ears, Ganon began his search for the Hyrulean princess.

One of the girls kidnapped by the Helmaroc King was Link's younger sister, so he set out to find her. When Link finally finds his sister, Ganon meets face to face with one of his two targets. However, Link manages to escape and begins to search for the Master Sword. This is what Ganon had hoped for, however, because the removal of the sword would return his power. Manipulating the course of events, Ganon not only manages to lead Link to the resting place of the Master Sword, where it is soon removed, but he also lures Link back to him in order to steal both Link and Zelda's respective Triforce pieces which he then uses to put the Triforce back together again in order to bring Hyrule to the surface, becoming its complete ruler. As Ganon is about to combine the pieces of the Triforce, he reveals the reason for his lust for power and control over Hyrule. He reveals that his country was filled with death and despair which would rain down even from the winds. Hyrule was a rich land filled with life, which Ganon coveted and desired to rule. Ganon then attacks Link and weakens him enough to take his and Zelda's Triforce pieces, and forms the Triforce. However, before Ganon can activate the Triforce, it is activated by King of Hyrule, who wishes for Hyrule to be destroyed and the children saved. Ganondorf begins laughing maniacally, and attacks Link and Princess Zelda, who retaliate and eventually defeat him by impaling his head with the Master Sword. Ganondorf utters one last laugh and says, "The wind... it is blowing". Ganon then turns into stone, and his body stays as Hyrule is flooded with water.

In Four Swords Adventures, Ganondorf is seemingly given a new back-story. A Gerudo named Ganondorf is found to have stolen a trident that gives him incredible powers. With this weapon, he begins to seize control of parts of Hyrule, spreading evil and creating an army of Dark Links. When a worried Zelda and Link go to check on the seal in the Sanctuary of the Four Sword, a Dark Link reveals himself and begins to attack. Having no weapon to defend himself, Link is given no choice but to pull the Four Sword, releasing the Wind Mage, Vaati, once again. However, this was all part of Ganon's plan. Ganon planned to use Vaati as a scapegoat so that his actions would remain hidden. However, when Vaati is destroyed and Ganon is discovered to be the cause of everything, Link and Zelda go after him. As in The Wind Waker, Link and Zelda team up to defeat Ganon. Finally defeated, Ganon is sealed within the Four Sword.

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Ganondorf, as he appears in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

In Twilight Princess, Ganondorf initially appears in a plot twist midway through the game, though he is really the one behind all of the events that have transpired throughout the story. Before the start of the game he was banished to the Twilight Realm after a failed execution by the ancient sages which left him with a glowing scar wound on his chest. Then, presenting himself as a god, he encounters Zant (who was built up to be the primary antagonist), giving him his power and convincing him to attempt conquest of the light world. He also serves as the final boss of the game in numerous phases, including one appearance as Ganon (in a more feral style than in previous appearances, mirroring Link's wolf form). In the final battle with Ganondorf, he used no magic attacks and only uses his sword, the same sword that the sages used to try and execute him, to try and defeat Link. At the end of the game Link defeats Ganondorf, impaling him through the wound in his chest with the Master Sword. After getting up and muttering a few words, Zant's neck is shown snapping in a vision, his eyes close, and the Triforce symbol on his hand disappears.

While Ganon does not appear in the story of Phantom Hourglass, he is seen in the game's opening sequence as "the evil king", which refers to the events of The Wind Waker.

Other appearances

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Ganon, as seen in Faces of Evil

In the CD-i games, Ganon appears in his "green boar" form in two of the three CD-i Zelda titles, Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon, Link: The Faces of Evil; in Zelda's Adventure he is a large muscular devil creature. In these versions he only requires one hit to defeat, and appears to be a sorcerer of some sort with features based on his cartoon incarnation.

Ganondorf is an unlockable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and is based on his appearance in the SpaceWorld demo, even wielding the large, cleaver-like sword in one of his victory poses (though he cannot actually use it in combat). He is one of the four characters from the Zelda series to be playable in the game. In Melee, he is referred to by his full name, "Ganondorf", and is a slower, heavier, and more powerful "clone" of Captain Falcon, performing mostly the same attacks and moves (although his regular A button attacks and a few others are different). In a recent interview, Eiji Aonuma revealed that his design team had submitted designs for Ganondorf and Sheik to the developers of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but neglected to mention whether either of them were playable in any capacity.

Other media

Ganon was the main villain of 1989's The Legend of Zelda cartoon, which was shown as part of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show in syndication that year. In the cartoon, Ganon was a brown-skinned anthropomorphic wild boar and a wizard. He was in possession of the Triforce of Power, and, despite having seemingly endless abilities and magical powers, lost every chance to steal the Triforce of Wisdom. He spent most of his time living in his subterranean lair, referred to as his "castle", which was located in the Underworld. He was voiced by the late Len Carlson.

In addition to The Legend of Zelda cartoon, Ganon (along with Link and Zelda) also appeared in Captain N: The Game Master, as a secondary villain in the episode "Quest For the Potion of Power". This was something of a continuum of Ganon's appearance in the Zelda cartoon. The episode uses elements from The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link. During the episode, Ganon is revived, double-crosses Mother Brain, and is killed again by the Reflect magic on Link's shield.