| Linkle | |
|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda character | |
 Linkle, as she appears inHyrule Warriors | |
| First game | Hyrule Warriors Legends (2016) |
| Designed by | Chris Pranger |
| Voiced by | Mikako Komatsu |
Linkle (Japanese:リンクル,Hepburn:Rinkuru) is a fictional character who appears in various versions ofHyrule Warriors, a non-canon spin-off title inNintendo'sThe Legend of Zelda series, starting with the 2016Nintendo 3DS release ofHyrule Warriors Legends. She was originally featured in concept art forHyrule Warriors, and was conceived asLink's sister, though this idea was rejected byThe Legend of Zelda designerEiji Aonuma who felt this conflicted with Link's sister, Aryll, inThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
The decision to include her inHyrule Warriors Legends was due to a strong response to the concept art. Reception towards Linkle was generally positive, though it was mixed across different groups. Western fans showed more excitement for her than Japanese fans. There were also disagreements with regard to how Linkle was executed, namely with the concept of a female Link.
Concept artwork of Linkle wielding a red and silver crossbow was first seen in the official art book forHyrule Warriors, with a note that a female Link was considered for the game.[1] A later tweet fromHyrule Warriors developerKoei Tecmo'sTwitter account pondered whether they should include her due to the attention she received.[2] A trailer for theNintendo 3DS re-releaseHyrule Warriors Legends showed a red-and-silver crossbow, prompting speculation that she would be added in this version.[1] Linkle was officially revealed forLegends in November 2015, complete with attire similar toThe Legend of Zelda series protagonistLink.
While Linkle does not have any relation to Link, she was originally meant to be his sister. This was proposed byHyrule Warriors designers atKoei Tecmo, butThe Legend of Zelda franchise designerEiji Aonuma felt that this conflicted with Link's sister Aryll inThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, who is the only sister he has in the series. Linkle was designed in part to add greater diversity to the game.[3] She is the last character written by Chris Pranger before leaving Nintendo, with Pranger stating that he "wanted her to be special."[4] A scene where Linkle rescuesTingle fromGhirahim was cut from the final game due to the designers feeling like it clashed with Linkle's heroic attributes.[5] When asked if she would appear in future games, Aonuma remarked that they would keep her in mind.[6] She is described as "boundlessly cheerful", kind and naive, and "she always stops to help those in need".[7] She is voiced byMikako Komatsu.[8]
Linkle's only official appearance is as a playable character in the 2016 video gameHyrule Warriors Legends, an expanded re-release of the originalHyrule Warriors,[7] as well as itsNintendo Switch port,Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition.[9] Linkle lives in a small village inHyrule and cares forCuccos, aspiring to be a hero from her childhood due to a compass from her Grandmother that has been passed down for generations, which she believes proves her hero status.[7] She goes on a quest, though finds herself easily lost. She journeys with otherThe Legend of Zelda characters, such asMidna, as well as dealing with antagonistic characters likeSkull Kid.
When she originally appeared in concept art for the originalHyrule Warriors, the team received such a strong fan response that it caused her to be added in the 3DS re-release.[10] Upon her reveal, Linkle received an "overwhelmingly positive" response from fans.[3] American fans viewed Linkle as positive representation of women, influenced by what professor Kathryn Hemmann viewed as an openly hostile industry to women, while Japanese fans were not as concerned due to a more open work environment for women. She also discussed Linkle's design, particularly herzettai ryōiki, identifying how this design and Linkle's personality ("optimistic enthusiasm and physical clumsiness") fits themoe aesthetic.[11] Jonathan Holmes ofDestructoid noted that reception for her was mixed across different groups, speculating Linkle was meant to appeal to women more.[12]
Maddy Myers ofThe Mary Sue noted that while she "loves Linkle", she feels that she is not enough, criticizing the designers for not making her Link and feeling that she seemed like a "one-off" and "novelty" made to sell more copies ofHyrule Warriors Legends.[13] WriterAnita Sarkeesian felt that her "cutesy name and appearance" made clear that she was separate from Link, and that this reinforced the idea that male was the default.[14]Vice writer Mike Diver disagreed with the negative sentiment Sarkeesian provided, calling Linkle a "considerable step into the unknown" forNintendo, hoping that Linkle would appear inBreath of the Wild.[14] Thomas Whitehead ofNintendo Life found her to be a "clumsy introduction to a female Link", but felt that she would open the door for better attempts in the future.[15] Brian Ashcraft ofKotaku enjoyed her depiction, and appreciated that she did not boil down to just being a female Link. He expressed hope that she would appear in canonThe Legend of Zelda games.[16]
An unofficialmodification ofThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was created that replaced Link with Linkle. This modification adds Linkle's model, as well as new voice acting, facial expressions, and dialogue.[17]
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