By the time Link emerges victorious from the Angler’s Tunnel in Link’s Awakening, he knows there is something amiss about the island of Koholint. That still doesn’t prepare him for the supernatural surprise awaiting him at the dungeon’s entrance. With his mind already on finding the next Instrument of the Sirens, Link is startled to come face to face with a ghost. Link quickly discovers that swinging his sword at the apparition will not make it dissipate. Undeterred, the spirit demands Link escort it to its house by the bay, and it is as persistent as it is pink (at least in the Switch version). Looks like the next instrument will need to wait.
Link doesn’t have the courtesy to ask the ghost its name, but we learn from the manga that it is Nakura, so I will use that name for the rest of this article. Nakura follows Link around the island, constantly nagging Link until he brings him home. Even if Link wanted to continue on his main quest, Nakura will balk at entering a dungeon, shouting in fear not to go in. What’s Nakura scared of? Dying again?
So, Link leads Nakura to a dilapidated house near the southern shore. Without a second thought, Link does the ghost’s bidding and walks right in. Inside, Nakura floats around the ruins, inspecting the remains of a bygone era. As he reminisces, he is overcome by nostalgia and moved to tears. Nakura takes his time examining his old, untouched belongings. Finally satisfied, Nakura asks Link to accompany him to his final resting place.
Nakura’s grave is not in the cemetery proper, but located just west of it in a solitary grass patch adorned with flowers. Upon arrival, Nakura graciously thanks Link for his aid, gives Link a reward for his troubles (in the Switch version), and informs Link of a treasure hidden in his house. He couldn’t have told Link when they were there? Appeased, Nakura is finally able to rest in peace. That is, unless Link sprinkles Magic Powder on Nakura’s grave, causing him to have a coughing fit and hurl empty threats of curses at the grave defiler.
The Nakura sidequest stands out among the many oddities of Koholint. Who is this ghost? Why can’t Link proceed until he helps the spirit find peace? One well-researched theory, succinctly explained by NintendoBlackCrisis, is that Nakura was an adventurer much like Link, who met his untimely demise in a dungeon, most likely the Angler’s Tunnel. His spirit may have been trapped in the depths of the Nightmare’s realm until Link freed it. I find the arguments in this video to be convincing, and though not canon, the manga supports this interpretation as well.
Where it really becomes interesting, in my mind, is whether Nakura was a real person, like Link, who tried and failed to gather the instruments and wake the Wind Fish, or whether he is a conjuring of the sleeping Wind Fish or of Link, who are sharing a dream. Some on our very own forums have argued that the events of Koholint repeat themselves, and Nakura was an adventurer who was pulled into the Wind Fish’s dream but was unable to complete the quest. While I appreciate this theory, I prefer another put forth on our forums arguing that Nakura represents some hang-up in either the Wind Fish’s or Link’s past that must be overcome in order for both to move forward. Nostalgia is powerful, and though it is fun to indulge, there is a palpable risk of becoming lost and incapable of progress due to the draw of the past (even a past that never occurred). When Link and/or the Wind Fish make peace with the past and realize that it does not have the answer they are seeking, Link can finally continue with his mission.
Whoever you believe Nakura to be, his sidequest is an unforgettable part of Link’s Awakening. Even if you don’t think too much about it, you should feel good helping this lost soul find peace. Or, at least getting to take his stuff. What? It’s not like he’s going to need it.
