Legend of Zelda mangas: the 10 best manga-exclusive plot points

Much like the games, The Legend of Zelda mangas have breathtaking beauty in both art and narrative. Their alternate storylines are not considered canon to the series, but they certainly look and feel like Zelda in every way. Thanks to localization efforts by the online fan community, an increasing number of them are now officially published outside of Japan.

If you haven’t read any kind of Zelda manga before, you might want to step away from this article to avoid spoilers. For this reason, the Twilight Princess manga series is not listed here in respect of its recent publication. Let’s look back at some of the most powerful plot points The Legend of Zelda mangas and have some fun!

10. Don’t Mess With the Princess

Though the Phantom Hourglass manga has a simpler plot than most mangas by Akira Himekawa, it definitely makes up for it with its “wow” factor. The odds for Link become slim as he squares off in an epic battle with the spooky Cubis Sisters aboard the Ghost Ship. But when they accidentally attack Tetra trapped in stone, the tide suddenly turns and her hidden power as Princess Zelda is unleashed! She dominates the battle and sends the Cubis Sisters packing. Who says a captured damsel can’t be the one to save the day?

9. The Master Topic

It’s unfortunate The Wind Waker has not been made into a full-feature manga yet, but a Nintendo staff member by the name of Oyster lovingly created these hilarious Japanese shorts. This series of two pages, in particular, pokes good fun at Ganondorf’s flair for drama and Link’s, well … dull-witted grasp of the topic at hand inside Forsaken Fortress. Literally. 

8. Lord Raven!

Who doesn’t love the handsome Lord Raven in the Oracle of Ages manga? There’s a reason why his dashing good looks strike a familiar chord with manga readers, too. His style takes a literal page from Link’s adult form seen in the Ocarina of Time manga. Raven’s very existence is a plot twist in itself, as it is revealed he is Link’s ancestor and must be kept alive at all costs. 

7. A Courtyard Surprise

One of the best things about Zelda manga is how it makes beloved game stories new to fans all over again. A great example of this is when Link meets Princess Zelda at the Hyrule Castle courtyard. It turns out the youngsters are already pining for each other, but instead of watching Ganondorf from a distance, the Gerudo King meets them instead! The dynamics that ensue will surely make readers jump out of their seats. 

6. Sheik Plays Double-Agent

In the game, fans might get a sense that Sheik could be a spy. But in the Ocarina of Time Adult Saga manga, Sheik blatantly takes the role to the hilt. The Hero of Time is crushed when he learns the hard way that the mysterious minstrel is apparently working for Ganondorf. But wait! It seems that Sheik played double-agent on the enemy all along. By sheer accident, Link discovers who Sheik really is, and something very interesting happens at the Spirit Temple as a result. 

5. Aghanim’s Past Revealed 

Yes, A Link to the Past lives up to its name in its manga counterpart by Himekawa. The artist-duo did a marvelous take on the backdrop behind Ganon’s mysterious servant. In this version, Aghanim began his magical prowess with good intentions. At one point, Princess Zelda offers him a chance for redemption. Aghanim’s intriguing past is also closely connected with Link’s parents. How does all of this conclude? Well, it’s a long story. But those who read the manga for themselves are definitely in for a treat.  

4. The Tragedy of Volvagia

For Ocarina of Time gamers, Volvagia is just another typical boss fight. But in the manga, the fiery dragon is taken to a whole different caliber. Here, a baby version of Volvagia befriends the young Link and protects him from peril. But in a tragic turn of events, Ganondorf twists Link’s pet into an evil monster when it grows up in the future, and Link is forced to fight it. The entire ordeal is incredibly sad (and yes, the conclusion’s a bit graphic), but it drives home a solemn illustration of the loss and senselessness of war. Make sure to have a tissue box handy when reading this one. 

3. Link Defeats his Best Friend

Speaking of tragedy, few of the Zelda manga plot points hold a candle to the amazing buildup at Turtle Rock in Himekawa’s take on Link to the Past. (Don’t worry, it’s not quite as sad.) Link valiantly defeats a great monster only to discover it was his sidekick companion, Ganty. Link’s distress becomes the catalyst for an emotional roller coaster of even more plot twists that are almost impossible to put down, and all of them lead right up to an intense final battle at the end. 

2. Vaati Turns Over a New Leaf

Witnessing a villain’s redemption in the Zelda series is a rare treat, especially when it’s the Big Bad character. Vaati could have been sealed by the Four Sword in Himekawa’s manga of The Minish Cap, but instead, he reverts back into Minish form and confesses his wrongs to Link and his old master Ezlo! He then returns to the Minish world with Ezlo before the portal is closed. It’s a shame this super-cool alternate ending never made it into the canon.

1. Vio’s Betrayal

Anyone who has read Himekawa’s Four Swords Adventures manga knows how awesome Vio is! Link’s violet-clothed heroic psyche is the heart and brains of the group. Vio consistently provides moral support to the other Links and gets them out of many sticky situations. Thus, when Vio sides with the evil Shadow Link and fights Green at Death Mountain, one can’t help but feel distressed by his sudden about-face. But, as it is with typical Vio, there is no need to be alarmed. Vio was actually pretending to ally with Shadow Link. By doing so, he successfully gets valuable information about the Shadow Mirror and how to rescue Princess Zelda. Well played, Vio!