As night falls over Kakariko Village, chimes ring and clatter, strings are plucked, and a deep woodwind instrument gives melody to the Sheikah village. The tune is for the players, breathing life to the world… Or Link is secretly being stalked by a band of musicians. Either way, the music is one of many tracks that inspire people to create. Age of Calamity might not have had the same music nor the open world players have come to love, but it did give fans an insight into the world of Breath of the Wild 100 years prior, including a much younger version of the classic character, Impa. Miklawave was listening to the Breath of the Wild “Kakariko Night” theme and relaxing to the Japanese woodwind when a drawing came to mind that combined the feel of the flutes with Young Impa.
Impa is a strong female character and a great magical warrior living up to the Sheikah’s name. She dedicated her life to protecting Hyrule and the Royal Family, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t up for a little bit of flute playing every now and then. Miklawave captured Impa in the middle of a song, her expression soft and in bliss. Art can’t make music, but some pieces still emit a sound through our memories. This piece evokes the tunes and melodies associated with the Sheikah and Kakariko Village. It is not canon for Impa to be a flute player but Miklawave’s piece shows that she would look that part and that her Sheikah garbs can represent both warrior and musician.
Miklawave’s style in this piece is rather soft. The colors are a little washed out, working with the light to make the simple portrait appear peaceful. The piece is still yet sways with the movement of a flute player. The charms that decorate Impa’s headpiece have been drawn mid-motion, dangling with the rhythm. A little bird flies in close, its wings caught in motion as flutters nearby. If Impa can hold a tune, maybe it will sit on her hat and whistle along. If Impa’s flute playing abilities are not up to par, then maybe the bird will peck at her hands to get her to stop. Nevertheless, Impa’s expression is drawn to reflect that she is having fun. The music, whether good or bad, is making her happy, just as Miklawave may have felt when listening to the Kakariko Village song.
Breath of the Wild and Age of Calamity didn’t give Link a musical instrument to play, nor did the music have the same energy or importance that has been seen in previous titles. Miklawave’s piece gave us a chance to see what a traditional instrument might have looked like in the new generation of Zelda. In Ocarina of Time, Impa taught Link how to play Zelda’s Lullaby. If her Breath of the Wild counterpart was given the chance, what musical knowledge would she pass down to the legendary hero this time?
