Now that access to English translated Legend of Zelda manga is easier than ever at bookstores these days, most fan linguistic work that was done over the years is finally accomplished. Some fans, however, continue their labor of love on the remaining exceptions in the quiet corners of the internet. Thanks to the hard work of fan translator Chuck Roffiel, a special full color mini-manga that celebrated the release of Ocarina of Time 3D for the 3DS handheld in the Taiwan and Hong Kong areas is now available to read in English online.
Known as manhua in that particular region, this rare piece is made by the legendary manga artist duo Akira Himekawa and was originally in the Chinese Mandarin language. Its design was a miniature booklet meant to create excitement for the game’s launch at the time. Not surprisingly, it’s still incredibly effective.
The manhua recaps the classic events of Ocarina of Time from the perspective of the main Japanese manga but with key differences. The pages are completely redrawn, making it a separate piece of its own right. The tone escalates much quicker from Link’s childhood and the Great Deku Tree to the final showdown with Ganondorf, and it focuses more on the latter, with other events represented as flashbacks. Finally, every single page is illustrated in stunning rich color. The complete manhua is accessible on Chuck Roffiel’s The Hyrule Fantasy fan site. It’s a must-read for every Zelda fan and manga connoisseur.
