How Old is Link in Tears of the Kingdom? Who Voices Link in Tears of the Kingdom? Does Link Talk in Tears of the Kingdom?
by Janani
Updated Jun 09, 2023
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
"The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" is an action-adventure game released in 2023 by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch console. Serving as a sequel to "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" from 2017, "Tears of the Kingdom" builds upon the beloved features of its predecessor while expanding the open-world environment of Hyrule to offer enhanced vertical exploration. In this installment, players assume the role of Link, who joins forces with Princess Zelda in a quest to prevent Ganondorf from bringing ruin upon Hyrule.
The concept for "Tears of the Kingdom" emerged as the ideas for downloadable content (DLC) for "Breath of the Wild" grew beyond the scope of what was initially planned. The game was developed by Nintendo's Entertainment Planning & Development (EPD) division, with the return of Hidemaro Fujibayashi as director and Eiji Aonuma as producer, both of whom were instrumental in the creation of the original game.
The first teaser for "Tears of the Kingdom" was unveiled at E3 2019, followed by a comprehensive reveal at E3 2021. Originally scheduled for release in 2022, the game's launch was postponed until May 2023. Upon its release, "Tears of the Kingdom" garnered widespread acclaim for its enhancements, expanded open world, and the emphasis it placed on exploration and experimentation. The game achieved remarkable commercial success, selling over 10 million copies within the first three days of its availability.
How Old is Link in Tears of the Kingdom?
To begin with, Tears of the Kingdom by Nintendo takes place in the same realm of Hyrule as Breath of the Wild, allowing us to make an estimate regarding Link's age based on certain clues. From the evidence, it seems that Tears of the Kingdom is set at least a few years following the events of Breath of the Wild, during which Hyrule is gradually being reconstructed after the devastating Calamity that occurred a century ago.
In Breath of the Wild, there are strong indications through various cutscenes and story details that both Link and Princess Zelda are 17 years old, indicating that Link would be approximately 19 years old in Tears of the Kingdom.
Who Voices Link in Tears of the Kingdom?
Kengo Takanashi has voiced Link in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Japanese voice actor Kengo Takanashi is widely recognized as one of the most talented and prominent figures in recent years, lending his voice to numerous video games and anime productions.
In his recent roles, Takanashi portrayed the character of Blindfolded Boy in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and brought life to the character Tamakazura in Wild Hearts. He has also provided his voice for various characters in Mahou Tsukai Reimeiki, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and Kamen Rider Amazons.
Takanashi's career is just beginning, and we can expect to see him in many more exciting projects, whether they be anime or video games. Notably, he has already made appearances in two highly anticipated games released by a Japanese publisher this year, and it is evident that he will continue to make significant contributions to the industry in the future.
Does Link Talk in Tears of the Kingdom?
Link remains silent throughout the game "Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom." Despite the lack of dialogue, players can still understand Link's thoughts, emotions, and intentions through his expressive gestures and occasional gasps. This absence of speech leaves players curious about the sound of his voice.
The reason behind Link's silence in "Tears of the Kingdom" is explained in Princess Zelda's diary, which refers to Link's commitment to staying strong and silently bearing any burdens he faces. This choice stems from the pressures and internal struggles he experiences. While Link does occasionally speak to other characters within the game's universe, it is infrequent, as he finds it challenging to open up even to Zelda.
From a storytelling perspective, Link's silent nature in "Tears of the Kingdom" serves a purpose. It allows players to relate more easily to the protagonist. A silent protagonist offers a blank canvas for players to project themselves onto, fostering a deeper sense of immersion. While a character with a vibrant personality and distinct voice may be appealing, it runs the risk of some players not connecting with or even disliking them. By remaining silent, Link's character allows players to step into his shoes more effectively, resulting in a more captivating and impactful storytelling experience.
How Old is Link in Tears of the Kingdom - FAQs
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It serves as the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017), featuring an expanded open world of Hyrule with enhanced vertical exploration. In the game, players control Link as he assists Princess Zelda in preventing Ganondorf from destroying Hyrule.
Tears of the Kingdom was developed by Nintendo's Entertainment Planning & Development (EPD) division. The project was led by director Hidemaro Fujibayashi and producer Eiji Aonuma, who were also involved in the development of Breath of the Wild.
A teaser for Tears of the Kingdom was showcased at E3 2019, followed by a full reveal at E3 2021. Initially planned for release in 2022, the game was later delayed and finally released in May 2023.
Tears of the Kingdom received critical acclaim for several aspects. It introduced notable improvements, such as an expanded open world that provided players with more opportunities for vertical exploration. The game also encouraged exploration and experimentation, allowing players to delve deeper into the world of Hyrule.
Upon its release, Tears of the Kingdom achieved significant commercial success. It sold over 10 million copies within the first three days of its launch, demonstrating its popularity among players and fans of the series.