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“ | You don't have to look so sad! We actually find it to be quite livable! I mean, is perpetual twilight really all that bad? | „ |
~ Midna |
“ | Eee-hee-hee! See you later! | „ |
~ Midna's catchphrase. |
Princess Midna, also known as the Twilight Princess, is the titular deuteragonist of the 2006 action-adventure game The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
She is the rightful ruler of the Twilight Realm and a descendant of the ancient Twili people. At first, she seems to be a strange, dark imp with an agenda of her own and little regard for the safety of Link or Hyrule. However, she gradually changes her attitude towards those who are willing to help her and develops a close bond with Link, as well as resolving herself to save not only her kingdom, but also Hyrule.
A creature of the Twilight Realm, she is able to hide in Link's shadow in the light world of Hyrule, but her powers are much greater in the Twilight Realm. Her true form and identity are revealed as the story progresses.
Appearance[]
Standing a head taller than Princess Zelda, Midna is a creature with a pale bluish complexion from the Twilight Realm. Likewise, she has orange hair and red eyes. Midna wears a hooded cloak in similar design to Zant's leading some to believe that this may be some kind of royalty garb.
Personality[]
Midna’s personality is a stark contrast from the refined state of Princess Zelda. Though she initially is shown to be a loner and completely apathetic towards the goals and objectives of the other characters, only caring about her own objectives and saving her people, the Twili, from Zant's tyranny, once Zelda sacrifices her form to save her, Midna gains new faith for Link and the people of Hyrule. Throughout the course of Twilight Princess, Midna forms a close friendship with Link. She also declares that she will save not only her realm, but the world of light as well.
Powers[]
When in the Twilight Realm, Midna can create a field of energy around Link, which Link can use to perform a series of quick, successive attacks. Princess Midna can also use illusions to change her form’s appearance. Additionally, Midna can transport from area to area through a warp system, and in context-sensitive moments, help Link quickly leap from point to point.
History[]
Princess Midna first appears immediately after Link awakens in the Twilight Realm. Link, imprisoned and in his wolf form, reluctantly allows Midna to cryptically give him hints and ride on his back. As the duo travels through the Twilight Realm version of Hyrule Castle, they encounter Princess Zelda, who informs the two of the danger of the Twilight Realm. Midna, after addressing Princess Zelda as the “Twilight Princess,” tells Link to find the ancient artifact called the Fused Shadow, all without revealing her true motives.
After collecting all of the Fused Shadow artifacts, the Light Spirit Lanayru is summoned, right before the Usurper Twilight King Zant appears. Zant steals the Fused Shadows, places a curse on Link to remain in wolf form even in provinces not affected by Twilight, and after attempting to persuade Midna to join him, which she openly refuses, he exposes Midna to Lanayru’s light, leaving Midna in a critically scarred state. Barely alive, Midna is carried to Zelda by Link in his wolf form. Zelda offers her very existence to save Midna, who instantly abandons her previous intentions in order to stop Zant not only to save the Twilight Realm, but all of Hyrule.
Zelda, before her disappearance, informs the two of the Mirror of Twilight, a bridge between the light and Twilight Realms. After Midna has recovered, they teleport out of the castle, but it is soon encased in a gold diamond shaped barrier. Link and Midna are outraged, but they know there was nothing they can do at this point and proceed to the Sacred Grove. After various encounters with the mischievous Skull Kid, Link acquires the Master Sword which breaks Zant's curse on him, allowing him to return to his regular form. Midna then decides to make good use of Zant's Shadow Crystal to allow Link to switch between both human and wolf forms at any given time.
Link and Midna traveled to the outskirts of the Hyrule land to the Arbiter Grounds, only to find the Mirror of Twilight broken into four pieces. The truth is revealed by the Sages of Hyrule, who describe Midna’s true race as the Twili people, wielders of ancient and forbidden magic who were banished to a realm of shadows known as the Twilight Realm, with Midna herself being the realm’s true leader. Zant also is the cause of Midna’s impish form, as he put a curse on her before abandoning her.
After the collection the Mirror of Twilight shards, Midna describes that the Mirror of Twilight can only be utterly destroyed by the true ruler of the Twilight Realm, but since Zant is only able to break them into four shards, it proved that he was never its rightful king, adding "A fake is a fake. No matter how you cover it up, the real thing always wins." Link and Midna enter the Twilight Realm to fight Zant, who is ultimately defeated by Link and killed by Midna, who uses the Fused Shadows’ true power to finish him off. It is then revealed to Link and Midna that Zant was only a puppet in the grand scheme of things, with Hyrule’s eternal evil Ganondorf being the true enemy.
Midna guides Link to Hyrule Castle, where she uses the Fused Shadows' power to ultimately destroy the barrier. Eventually, the two confront Ganondorf, who possessed Princess Zelda and separated her from Link. After Ganondorf is beaten, she uses the Fused Shadows to remove his influence on the Hyrulean Princess, and joins Link in a battle with Ganon's beast form. After the fight, Princess Zelda is restored to life and empathizes with Midna through all the undeserved suffering she was put through.
Midna then uses the Fused Shadows’ power to attack Ganondorf, only to be defeated, as Ganondorf appears before Link and smashes the Fused Shadows before him. Link and Zelda then defeat Ganondorf. Princess Midna is revived by the Light Spirits of Hyrule, ultimately breaking the hex upon her and returning her to her true form. Link, Zelda, and Midna return to the Mirror Chamber, bidding farewell to each other. Midna then destroys the Mirror of Twilight as she returns home; the only link between the two worlds.
Other Media[]
Hyrule Warriors/Hyrule Warriors Legends[]
Midna appeared, in her imp form, as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors and in both her imp and Twili forms in Hyrule Warriors Legends.
Super Smash Bros.[]
Midna appears as two Trophies and a two Stickers in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and the name of the title Midna's Lament.
External Links[]
- Midna on the Koei Wiki
- Midna on the Zelda Wiki
- Midna on the Nintendo Wiki
- Midna on the Inconsistently Admirable Wiki