For nearly forty years, franchise has captivated players with its incredible worlds, outstanding game design, and breathtaking music. But at the heart of the Zelda series, at its emotional core, is a cast of characters that have transcended the franchise and become some of the most beloved, popular figures in gaming. As the franchise features a large, continuously expanding cast of races and diverse cultures, it's pretty easy for someone to find a character that speaks to them in a personal way.

Whether it's the main group of heroes and villains, featuring the likes of Link, Princess Zelda, and Ganondorf, or the number of delightful companion characters and supporting cast members, The Legend of Zelda has never been short on fan-favorite characters. These characters have been ranked based on their personality, fan response, and overall contribution to the Zelda franchise, as this storied series has continued to introduce fresh, exciting characters in each new entry ever since its inception.

was a bold, highly ambitious game, as it ditched the lush green fields that had defined the land of Hyrule for years, establishing major elements of the Zelda timeline by flooding Hyrule. And to get across the Great Sea, Link would need a new mode of transportation, as Epona would find it rather difficult to traverse the ocean, leading to Link meeting the King of Red Lions. This sentient sailboat first meets Link after he is thrown out of the Forsaken Fortress, becoming his main method of traveling the harsh, mysterious sea that has consumed Hyrule.

The King of Red Lions is a bombastic, highly entertaining character who acts both as a companion character and a guide, as he knows quite a bit about Hyrule and its ominous fate. This is explained by way of his being the King of Hyrule before the flood, assuming the form of the boat to find a hero capable of saving the land. The King of Red Lions has gone on to become one of the franchise's most popular figures, with his charming design and complex story resonating with fans of this classic for years. Thankfully, fans will be able to experience the epic journey between Link and the King of Red Lions when The Wind Waker is re-released for Switch 2's online service on June 5, 2025.

As far as companion characters in the Zelda franchise go, Epona is easily one of the most popular and beloved in the series. Having first appeared in Ocarina of Time, Epona was conceived as a way to make traversing the huge, open-ended 3D version of Hyrule more manageable. But while Epona's origins are somewhat mechanical, designed simply as a game concept, she would ultimately become one of the franchise's most cherished characters.

Epona has played a major role in the overall function of the series, as she defines how Link and Zelda travel across Hyrule for years. This charming and loyal steed has stolen the hearts of both Link and the fanbase, as she is still one of the franchise's most beloved figures. She's more than just simple transportation, as her absence in games like The Wind Waker and Skyward Sword have continued to be felt even several years later.

There may not be a more popular or endearing companion character in The Legend of Zelda than Midna, the eponymous Twilight Princess, who has soared to superstardom in the franchise. Ever since her debut in , Midna has been continuously sourced as one of the franchise's most popular characters, topping fan-favorite rankings in magazines like Nintendo Power and Game Informer.

Her mischievous nature, ambiguous goals, and simple design have catapulted her to the top as one of Zelda's most cherished characters. The relationship between Midna and Link also helped, as her journey changes them both for the better, seeing her struggle with abandonment and loneliness in their quest to stop Zant. Her final goodbye to Link and Zelda, which sees the entrance to the Twilight Realm shattered, was a heartbreaking moment that cemented Midna as one of the franchise's most treasured heroines.

There are countless compelling characters on Kohilint Island, the surreal dreamscape that takes place in, but none are as popular as Marin. Many video games and movies have done the "it was all a dream" plot twist, but very few have done so as effectively as Link's Awakening, as the strong personalities and delightful designs made characters like Marin feel more real and alive than most characters.

Marin lives with her father, the aptly named Tarin, and rescues Link when he washes up on the shores of Koholint Island after being shipwrecked. She is endlessly sweet and helpful, acting as both a guide to Link's new surroundings, but also taking part in his trip to the iconic Animal Village, where she sings the Ballad of the Wind Fish to wake up the walrus blocking his path. Marin is still one of the franchise's most popular heroines, becoming a major source of fan art, cosplay, and fan games over the years.

In terms of video game royalty, Princess Zelda is easily one of the industry's most popular fan-favorite characters of all time. She gave the Zelda franchise her namesake, and continues to be crucial both to the integrity of the games but also to fan interaction. And while Link has been the default playable character in the franchise since its inception, fan requests to make Zelda playable have persisted for decades, culminating in her starring role in 2024's.

Princess Zelda is many things: a mediator, a warrior, and the one who possesses the Triforce of Wisdom, as each incarnation showcases something new. She has frequently topped polls and is consistently listed as one of the most beloved in video game history, as this weathered Princess isn't just a franchise fan favorite, but one that players across the entire industry have fallen in love with over the years. Countless piles of fan fiction, art, and cosplay are easy to find for the namesake of this brilliant series, a reputation that she has gracefully earned since 1986.

Ever since he debuted on the original NES in 1986, Link has emerged as one of the most prominent and well-liked video game protagonists of all time. And like every great video game hero, Link has done well to reinvent himself over the decades, as each version of him feels unique, while also retaining all the charm and spirit that defined him. There is no figure in the Legend of Zelda franchise that is as well-represented across the fanbase as Link, as he appears in the highest number of games, spin-offs, and fan content of any character.

With the Master Sword at his side, Link has defeated the evil forces threatening Hyrule for decades, and in doing so, has endeared himself to gamers of all ages. He is one of the few video game characters that appeals to anyone of any age, as his bravery, fierce loyalty, and sometimes silly sense of humor have captivated audiences from every generation of gaming. Fans have celebrated Link in numerous ways, and he continues to be the most popular character in the Zelda franchise to this day, and one of the industry's most beloved heroes.