A flock of seagulls fly towards the fluffy white clouds spotting the bright blue sky. Gentle waves crash upon the sandy shore. Marin sits between two palm trees, watching, dreaming.
“If I was a seagull, I would fly as far as I could!” she exclaims. “I would fly to far away places and sing for many people! If I wish to the Wind Fish, I wonder if my dream will come true…”
Maybe one day, Marin would indeed grow wings and touch the sky. But for now, she sings and she waits, wondering what kind of life awaits her beyond the island she calls home.
Marin is one of the most memorable characters from Link’s Awakening. Her sweet, gentle nature and love of animals is adored not only by fans of the Zelda series, but by all the characters and animals that live on Koholint Island. Zelama is one of many artists who was inspired by the lovely Marin and brought the character to life through cosplay. The costume was made by a well-known cosplay company known as Miccostumes, but the necklace and the flower were made by Zelama herself. However, it’s Zelama’s model work and the brilliance of her photographer Synelune who truly bring the magic of Koholint Island to life.
This first photo Zelama shared with her community has Marin captured underwater, her hair waving through the water as she clutches her legs. Her eyes are closed, as if she is dreaming for the ocean to take her away to a new world where her dreams can come true. One would think that Marin’s blue dress would get lost underwater, but Marin’s outfit is actually the perfect aesthetic for this photoshoot. The reflection of the water shimmers across her skin, illuminating her dreams with hope that one day she’ll be up in the skies and not trapped down below.
Marin was actually Zelama’s first underwater shoot. She chose Marin, not only because she is one of her favorite characters, but also because she believes that Marin is “poetically tied to water.” Marin is often depicted standing by the water, looking out at the horizon. In Hyrule Warriors, Marin is given the element of water, with many of her movesets involving waves of water that demolish hoardes of enemies.
But Zelama’s interpretation goes beyond the simple ties to water found within the games. Marin is caged by the largest body of water known to humanity: the ocean. It keeps her trapped, and yet every time she looks out at it, she sees the potential for a new life beyond the shimmering blue waves. For Zelama, shooting underwater was like giving Marin the chance to be the castaway instead of Link.
Of course, Zelama took many photos in her Marin cosplay, but one of my favorites depicts her floating in the water, looking directly at the camera. She looks peaceful with her hair freely moving beneath the surface. Marin’s signature flower is partially submerged, giving the piece a connection to her home that has been left behind. In the corner of the frame, she clutches her necklace the way one might if they were making a wish, and we know that’s exactly what Marin is doing.
“They say that the ‘Ballad of the Wind Fish’ is a song of awakening. I wonder, if the Wind Fish wakes up, will he make my wish come true?”
One of the saddest parts of Link’s Awakening is saying goodbye. Over and over again, Link is told that once the Wind Fish wakes up, Koholint Island will most likely disappear. Marin, too, worries about this, and when I look upon this last photo in Zelama’s Marin gallery, I picture the young girl’s last moments, peacefully sleeping just before she’s turned into a seagull. Even though her wish comes true, it’s sad to see her go. But at least now, every time a seagull flutters by, we can think of Marin and the dream she had to be a part of the skies.
