I will likely always have a fond spot in my heart for Four Swords Adventures. I think a big part of it is that I first played it, not with four players, but as a pair with the person who later became my wife. Another thing that really made me fall in love with the game isn’t actually even from the game. Akira Himekawa’s manga based on the game told an amazing story that, while based loosely on the plot of the game, expanded the characterization so each of the Links really became their own person. In their art titled “The 5 Links”, Gorryb manages to call me back to that classic manga through the use of poses and facial expressions to convey oodles of personality.
Starting on the right, Red Link holds a Fire Rod, a feared item when playing multiplayer as it can be used to combat evil but can also be turned towards toasting a friend in order to steal some rupees if needed. Thankfully, Red Link doesn’t hold that guilty thought in their heart. A cute wink in their eye and an arm wrapped around Blue’s arm shows that friendship is Red’s only goal. A small heart resting between the primary color pair’s heads shows how dedicated Red is to their partner. If only someone had told Blue!
Blue seems a little surprised or nervous about linking arms with his fellow Link. The sweat drops resting on his cheeks and his side eye towards Red hint at some concern. Perhaps he’s worried that his feelings, while strong in the way all Link’s camaraderie is, can’t match Red’s level.
Green is the hero we all know and love. His eyes are z-targeted on a threat in front of him, and his sword is gripped tightly in two hands. He is the prime Link that the Four Sword created the rest of his warrior band from, and his renowned courage will help the group to triumph.
To his right, is the purple Link who I’ll call Vio, short for Violet, in reference to the manga. Vio isn’t prepped for battle. His hands rest on the sword’s pommel. The sword’s blade pointed downward towards the ground. His eyes are partially closed as well. Does this and his unready stance indicate an overconfidence in his abilities or something sinister? Perhaps the answer lies in the Link to his left.
Wait. Isn’t the game called Four Swords Adventures? Who is this mysterious swordsman? This dark mirror to our heroes is Shadow Link. In the game and the manga, he is the villainous foil to our four Links. Yet he seems awfully comfortable with Vio. His arm is wrapped around the purple-clad hero, and their faces are touching creating symmetry with Blue and Red’s faces which also touch on the left side. Shadow’s fingers and their accompanying stars hint at a confidence that those who serve Hyrule don’t want to see from a minion of Ganon
Through their use of facial features and posing, Gorryb is able to show so much personality. Whether it’s how close two of the Links are standing, the details of their eyes and mouths, or the positioning of their blades, each minute detail shows us who each hero (or villain) is.
