In a 37-year-old franchise like Legend of Zelda, there are bound to be characters that players fall helplessly in love with. The fanart, fanfics, and affectionate outpour of love about Zelda characters has only grown with each game, especially considering how character-focused Zelda plots have become in the modern era. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the character designs have gotten more attractive, too.
So, as Tears of The Kingdom mania pushes forward, let’s pine after the hottest, most dateable characters to hit the Zelda franchise.
Disclaimer: this list is not a ranking, the characters are simply listed alphabetically.
Cia
Complicated motivations? A seductive get-up? A mask? In Hyrule Warriors, Cia is an instantly magnetic villain. We love a woman with power who won’t stand for others manipulating her. Also, Cia’s affection for Link adds that enemies-to-lovers spice to her that fans adore.
Ganondorf
We couldn’t make this list without talking about Ganondorf. Despite being Link’s destined villain, Ganondorf’s intense personality and thick muscles have done quite a number on Zelda fans (especially in Tears of the Kingdom). While players may not agree with his long-term goals, he has too much sexy bad guy energy. Evil intentions are not always enough to stop fans from being in to a confident villain. And even then, some fans are kinda into his nefarious vibes. Either way, Ganondorf’s got way too much swagger to stop some simping Zelda fans. Just check out some of his amazing, heart-throbbing fanart and you might just become a Ganon-Fan, too.
Impa
Impa is a staple of the Legend of Zelda series, and quite the intimidatingly beautiful assassin. Unlike many characters in Legend of Zelda, you get to see Impa at a variety of stages in her life. At first, she’s a young and stunning fighter. Later, she’s a wizened old leader. There are many versions and dimensions to Impa, and it’s understandable why some fans might love her most when she’s an athletic, dagger-wielding badass. But it’s also kind of beautiful that, with Impa, you really can imagine what it might be like to grow old with her.
Link
Zelda fans have had crushes on our lovely, gender-norms-defying main hero for decades. For quite a few players, he was their first crush — full stop —and who could blame them? Link’s easy to like. He’s a reluctant hero. A good guy. A mute icon. Even if Nintendo didn’t mean it that way, Link lets people see a mute character be accepted, loved, and heralded. This Hero of Time is a fantastic example of unintentional disability representation and is still just as adorably dateable.
Also, he’s got great, androgynous fashion sense. Who wouldn’t have a lil crush on him?
Midna
One of the most surprising and impactful characters across the Zelda series is Midna, the Twilight Princess. She can be spiteful, teasing, and selfish, but she also can be an excellent friend and a powerful ally. She may be more tsundere than some people prefer, but once you get under that tough exterior, she has so much endearing charm and loveability. If only she didn’t have to go back to her Twilight Realm and leave us behind. Sometimes, though, that kind of bittersweet love makes a headcanon-ed romance all the better.
Queen Sonia
From the second fans saw Queen Sonia appear in the Tears of The Kingdom trailer, they fell in love. She’s a beautiful, powerful leader who commands every scene she’s in. It’s hard to resist a cottage-core queen who happens to be descended from the Skyward Sword Zelda we know and love. While she is definitely off-limits and happily married, it’s hard not to pine lovingly from afar.
Sidon
When Breath of the Wild came out, it wasn’t long before the internet began losing their minds and absolutely fawning over the prince of the Zora clan, Sidon. A lively and bombastic young man, Sidon burst into the game and easily stole the show. And when Prince Sidon showed up in Tears of the Kingdom with a betrothed? Thousands of fan’s hearts shattered across the world. With all his Link statues and Hero of Time revelry, though, it’s hard to imagine he didn’t love your Link just as much as you loved him.
Teba
Let’s be honest with ourselves.There are quite a few handsome-as-hell birds in the Zelda world. With the Rito clan a staple of the series, some featherfolk were always going to steal fans’ hearts. While some players prefer the arrogant Revali, the colorful Kass, or the edgy Harth, Teba is an inexperienced leader with a heart of gold. He may not feel prepared to lead the Rito, but he’s charming in his eagerness to figure out how and his relationship with his wife and son are wonderfully heartwarming. Sometimes a handsome, dependable man is all one needs.
Urbosa
All Gerudo are unfathomably beautiful, to the point it’s almost intimidating anytime you head into Gerudo Town. No wonder we’d all be willing to don that desert garb and survive the harsh sun just to be around them. But if we have to pick a favorite, we’d choose Urbosa. An apt champion and a loyal Gerudo, Urbosa fearlessly puts her life on the line to save Hyrule. Beautiful and protective, Urbosa is the exact kind of warrior you want by your side. If you dream of falling in love with your bodyguard, Urbosa has the perfect personality for that kind of self-insert AU.
Zelda
This quintessential princess has grown quite the adorable personality over the years. She’s always been cute, but the more Zelda fans learn about her, she’s proven herself to be curious, scholarly, and problem-solving. While Link is the Hero of Time and does most all of the legwork, Zelda is still integral to Hyrule’s salvation. She dedicates herself to studying, coordinating, and sacrificing whatever is necessary to protect her kingdom. She’s a charming, royal heroine and anyone would be lucky to save the world by her side time and time again.
