The Great Calamity and the 100 years of ensuing misery and sorrow likely put a pretty heavy damper on the holiday spirit in Hyrule. Yet, in one corner of the wilderness, seemingly unfazed by Ganon’s spreading malice, our hero defies the humbuggery and finds a way to be festive.
In December of 2016, Nintendo released this promotional artwork to prepare gamers for the then-upcoming release of Breath of the Wild and to celebrate Christmas. (It can also be found in the Breath of the Wild: Creating the Champion book, along with other seasonal promotional art.) In this piece, Link and Wolf Link wait at a window in a stone-and-wood cabin as the snow quietly falls outside. Into the silent night stare the silent knight and his canine companion/alter ego as a multi-colored Guardian draped with garland and topped with a star and a well-detailed snow-Bokoblin decorate the exterior.
Aside from being perfect for a Zelda fan at Christmas time, this piece’s style stood out to me because it resembles traditional Japanese woodblock prints, which happen to be my favorite art genre. The bright colors of the seasonal Guardian and the lights from inside the cabin contrast nicely with the gray of the structure and fallen snow. In all, it gives off a cozy vibe of snuggling up on a cold winter’s evening and daring the skies to let it snow.
As they watch the white stuff come down, I like to think that Link and Wolf Link may get a visit from a caroling Kass. Or, perhaps they are waiting for Santa Claus to bring a new set of armor. We all know they have been good boys. Unfortunately, they are more likely to receive a visit from another roly-poly white-bearded fellow: King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule, the Ghost of Hyrule past. Maybe the Links are just keeping an eye on the Guardian to make sure it doesn’t start firing lasers into the cabin. It may look festive, but it’s still a murder machine.
Even in the harsh hinterlands of Hyrule, our hero is able to find some comfort and joy in this heartwarming artwork. Here’s wishing you and your loved ones find some for yourselves this holiday season.
