We couldn’t close out Shark Week without taking time to mention one of the most enthusiastic sharks ever introduced in media. I’m not talking about the shark from Jaws or the friendly, fish-loving Bruce from Finding Nemo. And I’m certainly not talking about Baby Shark. I’m talking about the shark that when I saw him the very first time, that sitcom theme instantly popped into my head. You know, the one that goes “People let me tell you about my best friend!”
Yes, I’m talking about the Slayer of Octorocks, Prince of the Zoras, and certainly the dreamiest shark to ever grace a screen: Prince Sidon.
Let’s set the scene in which we meet this Zora for the first time. Link has been wandering around Hyrule for a while, perhaps avoiding Zora’s Domain because of the perpetual rain. Eventually, on his travels, he runs into a Zora who, upon observing Link and the amount of weapons he’s probably carrying, beseeches him to head East and find their Prince. He’s seeking a Hylian to aid the domain to save them from a looming disaster.
Once Link comes upon the Inogo Bridge, he meets the man (or… fish?) himself. While I hear a lot of understandable frustration with this area, this is where I fell in love with Sidon as a character. I don’t know about anyone else, but I struggle with confidence and belief in myself. It’s a daily battle at times, and it’s a struggle to win it, and there are times the little voice in my head just doesn’t cut it. I can only imagine how Link feels. Waking up with no memory, being tasked with saving an entire kingdom and everyone in it. No pressure.
But in Sidon’s eyes, there isn’t any pressure. Of course Link will make it through the treacherous path that leads to Zora’s Domain. Sidon has known him all of three minutes, but he has “an eye for talent that is unparalleled,” so there isn’t a single doubt in his mind. He stops Link to tell him this — several times in fact: “In the meantime, I’ll be cheering you on from here in the river, so hang in there! You can do it! Stay strong!”
But there’s a deeper side to this unbridled enthusiasm. As Link reaches the Domain, he see the problems it’s having due to the torrential rains and the threat Divine Beast Vah Ruta is posing. While several of the Zora regard his presence with suspicion or outright disdain, Sidon is ever faithful. He’s respected by his people — not just the members of his fan club — but all the domain. They look to him for their strength and for guidance, and he’s brought Link all the way to the domain because he, perhaps, is truly their last hope.
I could easily write an entire essay on why Sidon’s enthusiasm is great, but that isn’t the reason he quickly became my favorite. He mirrors Link in a way, carrying the burdens of his people. If you find Zelda’s diary, she mentions that Link confessed, “with so much at stake, and so many eyes upon him, he feels it necessary to stay strong and to silently bear any burden.” The response to pressure varies from person to person. In Link, it manifested in silence, in Zelda a devotion to her studies, and in Sidon it appeared as unbridled and unparalleled enthusiasm. I believe that was a part of his personality already, but pressure has a way of making us rely on our strong characteristics to get through the rough times.
There’s also an immensely sad side to him that we see later on, after the threat to the domain has been vanquished. If Link approaches Sidon at Mipha’s statue, he sees him having a moment to himself, speaking quietly to the image of the sibling he lost so early in life: “Mipha… Dear sister… Are you still trapped inside the Divine Beast? Are you supporting Link in his fight? Is there really nothing more I can do?”
It’s a drastic change in demeanor, the drop in confidence, the sudden vulnerability. We only see it one other time and only for a split second, when King Dorephan praises Sidon for how much he has grown: “You’ve grown much recently. I know you will be a worthy heir when your time comes.”
Both times he recovers quickly, resuming his vivacity a moment later in the throne room and apologizing to Link for his moment of weakness in front of the statue in the other scene. It was incredibly touching to me, and it instantly solidified him as a favorite character of mine. Perhaps it’s because I can understand the positive attitude coupled with immense self-doubt. It’s something I experience every day.
Sidon is a fan favorite for a lot of reasons, from his unwavering faith in and praise of Link, to his charming smile and handsome design. He has spawned countless pieces of fan art and a plethora of fan stories, but my favorites are the ones depicting Link and him as the best of friends, because that’s what I think they would be. And for his unwavering faith and unflinching positivity in the face of danger, I think that earns a hearty top-tier expression of gratitude: “ZO! ZO! RA RA RA!”
