With Tears of the Kingdom out and in the wild, it’s important to refresh on the major players in Breath of the Wild — the game set directly before the events of Tears of the Kingdom. While some of these characters have reduced or expanded roles in totk, they played a key role in Link and Zelda's adventure throughout the previous game and leading into this one.
This guide will provide a brief overview of the major characters from Breath of the Wild, help establish what some of these characters are up to at the start of Tears of the Kingdom, and get you all ready to dive back into the land of Hyrule.
Updated by Jeff Brooks on June 24, 2023: The guide was updated to include more fleshed out information for certain characters, additional entries for minor but endearing characters, and images and links were updated throughout to provide a more helpful experience.
Calamity Ganon
The central villain introduced in Breath of the Wild, a prophecy foretold of the coming of Calamity Ganon, that he would sweep across Hyrule and destroy everything. To prepare for this, Princess Zelda assembled the Champions from some of the different main peoples of Hyrule (Goron, Zora, Rito, and Gerudo) and had them pilot each of the four Divine Beasts to seal Ganon away.
Calamity Ganon struck first, corrupting the Divine Beasts and plunging Hyrule into 100 years of darkness. This lead into the starting events of Breath of the Wild. After defeating Calamity Ganon at the end of botw, Link and Zelda set off on their next adventure.
Demon King Ganondorf
While exploring the chasm beneath Hyrule Castle, Princess Zelda and Link discover an awakening Ganondorf. He quick rises to power and begins terrorizing those across Hyrule. Throughout the game, you will learn about how Ganondorf came to so much power long ago and created the legend of the Demon King.
Ganondorf is cunning and cruel, and he will stop at nothing to claim Hyrule as his own — even if he has to destroying everyone and everything standing in his way.
Princess Zelda
The titular character of the Legend of The Legend of Zelda series, Princess Zelda was in many ways the main protagonist of Breath of the Wild. After learning of the prophecy of Calamity Ganon, she assembled the Champions and quested across Hyrule to unlock her own prophesied powers. She struggled to unlock her latent abilities, but during the crucial moment of Ganon’s rise, she finally unlocked her powers, and she sealed herself away with Calamity Ganon beneath Hyrule Castle for 100 years to allow Link time to heal from his grievous wounds.
Once Link was able to challenge Calamity Ganon and weakened him, Zelda sealed Calamity Ganon away forever. In Tears of the Kingdom, Princess Zelda mysterious vanishes during the first few moments of the game, and the central mystery driving your adventure is the search for the missing princess.
Link
Link was chosen to wield the legendary Master Sword and act as protector of Princess Zelda. After suffering grievous wounds during the rise of Calamity Ganon 100 years prior, Princess Zelda had Impa and Purah seal Link in the Shrine of Resurrection to heal him from near death while she sealed herself away with Calamity Ganon to prevent his rise to power.
After waking up, Link adventured across Hyrule, reclaiming the four Divine Beasts, helping and protecting the people of Hyrule, and finally putting a stop to Calamity Ganon’s reign of terror with the aid of Princess Zelda. At the beginning of Tears of the Kingdom, Link and Zelda are exploring the forbidden passages beneath Hyrule Castle.
Rauru
Rauru acts as your spirit guide during the opening section of Tears of the Kingdom, much in the same way that the Old Man/Rhoam did during the opening Great Plateau in Breath of the Wild. Rauru is of an ancient race of beings who lived in Hyrule long ago, the Zonai, and he helps familiarize you with the various concepts around this ancient and mysterious people.
The Zonai are responsible for all the cool gadgets and abilities available to you during the course of Tears of the Kingdom. Link's new arm, along with its unique abilities, also once belonged to Rauru long ago.
Impa
The leader of Kakariko Village, she acts as a guide of sorts for Link early after he awakens from the Shrine of Resurrection. Due to Link’s amnesia, she is also his main link to the past, and she will share more information as Link unlocks various memories scattered around Hyrule. She is as ancient as she is wise, and she helps direct Link toward the Divine Beasts in order to advance his quest toward a clash with Calamity Ganon.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Impa is out traveling the world, investigating Geoglyphs that have appeared all over Hyrule. Geoglyphs are massive crop circle-like markings in the landscape. How they appeared, and why, remains one of the game's central mysteries.
Paya
In Breath of the Wild, Paya was the granddaughter and caretaker to Impa in Kakariko Village. She was extremely shy around Link, but she was always kind and helpful no matter the situation.
In Tears of the Kingdom, with Impa off researching the geoglyphs that have cropped up all over Hyrule, Paya is now the acting Chief of Kakariko Village, working tirelessly to investigate the strange ring ruins that rained down over the village during the Upheaval.
Purah
A researcher into Sheikah technology, part of Zelda’s research team, and Impa’s older sister, Purah was one of those responsible for getting Link to the Shrine of Resurrection before the events of Breath of the Wild. Due to one of her wild experiments, Purah appeared as little more than a child, despite having lived for well over 100 years. She is an expert in the Sheikah slate technology and provided quite a bit of information to Link during his adventures.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Purah has aged up noticeably, though still appearing significantly younger than her true age. At the start of Tears of the Kingdom, she's leading efforts to search for the missing Princess Zelda and investigating the various phenomena around Hyrule.
Robbie
Another researcher into Sheikah technology, Robbie exudes something of a 'mad scientist' vibe. In Breath of the Wild, he, alongside Purah and Impa, is one of the few figure who actually remembers Link before the Clamity struck and sent him into 100 years of hibernation.
In Tears of the Kingdom, he can initially be found at Lookout Landing, where he, along with Josha, will introduce you to the terrors and discoveries of the mysterious Depths beneath Hyrule. He'll eventually relocate to his laboratory in Akkala where he is critical in unlocking several excellent functions of the Purah Pad.
Josha
Josha is a new character in Tears of the Kingdom who can be found at Lookout Landing. A young researcher working with Purah and Robbie, she's a bit of a genius, and she is absolutely obsessed with the Depths. She helps guide you toward discoveries in the depths, ranging from Poes and Bargainer Statues to Yiga plots down in the darkness.
Daruk
One of the four Champions in Breath of the Wild, Daruk was the Champion of the Gorons. Always jovial and ready to help a friend in need, Daruk was fast friends with Link. He was chosen as Champion due to his strength and respect among the Goron people, and he almost immediately became Link’s sworn brother shortly after meeting.
He went on to pilot the Divine Beast Vah Rudania. After he fell during Ganon’s rise 100 years ago, he was still able to help Link in the ultimate confrontation with Calamity Ganon at the end of the game. Daruk isn't involved directly in Tears of the Kingdom, but his presence can still be felt in the legacy he left behind.
Mipha
One of the four Champions, Mipha was the Champion of the Zora. A bit shy around others, Mipha was a powerful healer and had intended to marry Link, though that never came to pass. Daughter to King Dorephan and brother to Prince Sidon, She was chosen as Champion of the Zora, and so she went on to pilot the Divine Beast Vah Ruta.
Just like Daruk (and the other Champions), Mipha perished during Ganon’s rise 100 years ago, and she was able to assist Link in his climactic battle against Calamity Ganon at the end of Breath of the Wild. Mipha isn't involved directly in Tears of the Kingdom, but her presence can still be felt in the legacy she left behind.
Urbosa
Another of the four Champions, Urbosa was the leader of the Gerudo people and was respected by all. Urbosa was a powerful warrior, and she went on to control the Divine Beast Vah Naboris with relative ease. She was close friends with Princess Zelda’s mother, and so she acted as a sort of mentor to the beleaguered Princess during her quest to unlock her own powers.
Urbosa was eventually slain by Thunderblight Canon and sealed away inside her Divine Beast until Link defeated Thunderblight Ganon, freeing her spirit. Urbosa isn't involved directly in Tears of the Kingdom, but her presence can still be felt in the legacy she left behind.
Revali
The final of the four Champions, Revali was chosen as champion for the Rito people. Haughty and full of himself, Revali held himself in high regard and spoke down to Link regularly, believing he was more worthy to wield the Master Sword than Link. Still, he was an extremely skilled warrior, and so he was chosen to pilot Divine Beast Vah Medoh.
After falling during Ganon’s rise 100 years ago, Link freed his trapped soul after defeating Windblight Ganon. Revali isn't involved directly in Tears of the Kingdom, but his presence can still be felt in the legacy he left behind.
Yunobo
In Breath of the Wild, Yunobo is easily frightened and somewhat cowardly, though ever-friendly and kind. He is the descendant of Daruk and retains some of Daruk’s Champion essence. Despite his fears, he assists Link in defeating Fireblight Ganon and freeing Daruk’s imprisoned soul in Vah Rudania, in the process unlocking the same ‘Daruk’s Protection’ power than his ancestor employed and granted to Link.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Yunobo has matured quite a bit. He can still be somewhat unsure at times, but his confidence has grown considerably, as has his noble spirit. Though when first meeting him in the game, he seems a bit different than you remember. Is something nefarious going on?
Riju
The current chief of the Gerudo people, Riju is a little older and more mature than her first appearance in Breath of the Wild. Back in BotW, Riju assisted Link in downing the rampaging Divine Beast Vah Naboris, which allowed Link to free Urbosa’s trapped spirit.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Gerudo Town is under siege by mysterious monsters called Gibdo. Riju is busy training to hone her powerful lightning ability passed down from Urbosa, and she is determined to save her people and put a stop to the dangers roaming the desert.
Teba
A warrior of the Rito tribe, Link encounters him when first visiting Rito Village in the Tabantha Frontier. Teba has been eager to fight against Vah Medoh, which has been flying high over Tabantha Frontier, preventing any Rito from flying too high, lest they be blasted from the sky. Much more disciplined and stoic than Revali, though perhaps equally stubborn, he assists Link in reaching Vah Medoh, allowing him to defeat Windblight Ganon and free Revali’s trapped spirit.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Teba is now the village elder, watching over the safety of Rito Village. Despite the blizzard that’s driven many away, he’s determined to see his community survive. He’s used to a more action-oriented life, but he’s wrapped up in ensuring his people have enough food to survive.
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Tulin
Teba’s child, Tulin, is a little older now than his last appearance in Breath of the Wild, and he’s eager to prove himself. A bit headstrong, countering his father’s cool, stoic demeanor, Tulin wants to save his home from the blizzard ravaging Rito Village in Tears of the Kingdom.
While he’s still inexperienced, he makes up for it with some sharp skill and a kind heart. He’ll stop at nothing to see his home saved and the crisis averted that is leaving his home, Rito Village, on the brink of destruction.
Prince Sidon
Brother to Princess Mipha and son to King of the Zoras, Dorephan, Prince Sidon is always in a good mood and looks at the positive side of life. He dearly loved his sister, and he was very excited to see Link returned to the world. He helped Link reach Divine Beast Vah Ruta and eventually free his sister’s trapped spirit within.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Sidon is away from his kingdom, up on a mountain, using his water abilities to try to curb the sludge pouring into Zora's Domain. Still confident, he’s more subdued than in Breath of the Wild.
Yona
Yona is a newly introduced character in Tears of the Kingdom. A former childhood friend of Prince Sidon, she is now his fiancée. She hasn't been able to see him for a while, though, as she's been busy healing wounded Zora from the ongoing sludge issue affecting Zora’s Domain.
A kind face when visiting the diminished domain of the Zoras, she is instrumental in helping you reacquire your newly repaired Zora Armor, first introduced in Breath of the Wild.
The Great Deku Tree
The guardian and protector of the Korok Forest, the Great Deku Tree stood watch over the legendary Master Sword in Breath of the Wild, waiting for Link to return and claim it for his battle against Calamity Ganon. The Great Deku Tree is a wise figuring acting as quite protector over the Koroks.
In Tears of the Kingdom, the Great Deku Tree is equally difficult to reach as in BotW, and seeking out the Great Deku Tree will reveal a strange sickness has come over this once powerful figure. Link must brave the source of this corruption in the hopes of freeing the tree from its evil clutches.
Hestu
Easily the largest Korok that Link encounters during the events of Breath of the Wild, he is well loved by fans for his silly dance and his flashy maracas. Hestu was instrumental in expanding Link’s inventory space; by collecting Korok seeds and returning them to Hestu, Link would be granted expanded inventory, an invaluable benefit while exploring.
Expect to see this adorable tree dude, along with his many small Korok friends, as you travel Hyrule once again in Tears of the Kingdom. You'll need the inventory slots with all the crazy fusions you'll want to pull off!