I think a big reason Midna is so beloved is not only the writing (Which is great) but also her character animation. Midna moves a lot and is one of the most expressive characters Zelda has ever had. I think that was one of the main things Fia lacked, she had a stoic face and mostly stood still. Not only was she well animated but she also spoke. You didn't understand a word she said but you could hear the inflections in her voice.
Personally I feel Fi was done that way on purpose, remember that when you first meet her she's essentially a blank slate. She doesn't move much because she has no personality or mannerisms to express. If they had developed more of her screen time to her emerging sense of self instead of reminding you about dowsing for the umpteenth time it really could have been a fascinating arch. There's certainly hints of it specially at the end.
My personal favorite would have to be Linebeck and tied with him is Midna now idk if he coints but ravio he is kinda like a companion kinda in Link between world
@@GamesBrained : Navi's invaluability is in her actions as a assisting companion. Literally every thing that involves targeting action is through her aid. She becomes so detriment her help is basic nature. You don't think about the extended fairy guard connection in bringing down foes or advised whisperings in solving puzzles when ever she appears over interactions. So much- at the end when she is temporally unable to help you in a fighting portion with Ganon, then we get a brief reminder on how she has been beneficial to Link involved in the players own unconscious uses.
@@blackmagician7645 Every Zelda game has L targeting without a fairy, Navi was useless and becomes increasingly useless the more you replay the games. Characters like Midna, Tatl, or even Zelda (ST) have a lasting charm despite their expositorial purposes fading. Having a companion that feels alive is essential to the experience. Navi wasn't much beyond "Hey" and "Listen"
@@dupersuper6516 Well now- they explain every targeting shoot being your characters natural honed ability. But back when the concept of Navi was introduced it was her fairies magic gift to assist you by enhancing your awareness and dexterity to focus/target on things in a proximate environment. This was a game induced story mentioning for all children of the forest, known as the Kokiri to have through their very own fairy companions. The game designers used this as a imaginative way to connect players with a brand new mechanics to incorporate a different 3d emersive experience. Hence the side companions name "Navi" being a short interpretate for navigation. This was the very first starting trend for Zelda games that had experience 3d only in previous instalments before by using overhead isometric veiws. So having a way for players to interact with objects in a comfortable plus fun exploration through easy guide was fundamental for the earlier game developers. It also helped the game adventure by explaining how a young child without before-hand training experience was able to immediately possess all these great talents and fighting skills. In other games after, this has been circumvented by introducing the hero link with some prior combat survival training experience before his adventure even starts out. In other words...Navu just simplified things for past gamers.😊
@@blackmagician7645 I think you're getting Navi's foundational significance confused with her character's lasting appeal. No one is arguing Navi is an important building block in Zelda's 3D explorational foundation. The problem is she's a one note irritating character. Tatl is fundamentally identical to Navi but with a personality. This is what people are talking about. Most of Navi's "heys"' and "listens" were replaced by the little bells and rings in MM. The idea is if we're gonna have a companion, make it one with a personality and who isn't invasive like Fi, or constantly barraging you with "hey" "link" "watch out" "listen"
This is literally one of the main reasons as to why Twilight Princess is still my favorite Zelda game of all time, even after playing halfway through Breath of the Wild. Yeah, Breath of the Wild has superior gameplay to all Zelda games, but it's story pales in comparison to Twilight Princess. With that being said, Midna is one of the most developed Zelda characters to date. In fact, the only characters in the series that has ever topped her is Link followed by Zelda. And because of this, all three of them make a great trio at the end of Twilight Princess. Midna literally dominated 1/3 of the story, while Link and Zelda took the other 2/3rds.
Yeah, the story is probably the weakest aspect of Breath of the Wild while it's game play it's strongest. In some ways it's kinda the opposite of Twilight Princes were the game play is kinda stiff and too easy but the story is awesome, even thought I never thought Ganon was really necessary/felt tacked on at the end. Heck, even in BotW he and Zelda kinda get lost in the background.
@@177SCmaro yeah mechanically and gameplay wise the best botw it's story isn't like a Zelda game there is no true objectives to what you do u can even take ganon after u get off the plateau botw 2 should get that story charm back with open world environment although that would make the game almost perfect. quite a hard task. But Nintendo has always been amazing with Zelda games who knows.
That ending had me crying and scarred me, Midna and Link being forever separated after growing very close together broke me. I even took to convincing myself that they get reunited and end up rightfully together. If I had one LoZ wish to be fulfilled, it would be to get a answer/story where Link and Midna get officially reunited.
I must be one of the rare few people who, honest to God, likes Fi; but yeah, Midna is definitely the superior companion. I also like Ezlo a lot, he's just so funny.
MultiGamerGuy1 Seems more manipulative if you ask me... You can't just praise her for her sudden shift despite the lack of build-up and the fact that she hasn't really earned much respect herself.
Tatl is actually very similar to Midna as in that she's selfish at first and just uses Link but as the journey goes on, Tatl gets more attached to Link. Tatl doesn't have the big story or design to her as Midna does, but her cocky yet nice personality is pretty much the same.
TheTSA57 I totally agree. I actually had a segment in this video about how much they have in common, and that Tatl is like a proto-Midna, but I ended up cutting it because it was too off topic
That would be amazing! Her final smash could be her fused shadow spider form. She could also warp around the stage (like how Sheik teleports) and her other attacks would be all twilight based like dark magic particles and her hair attack that she used when she's on wolf Link, takes a second to charge but does a ton of damage to anyone inside the circle
One thing that really works about Midna is how she bridges Link’s personal motivations to the larger plot. You don’t start out on a quest to save the world; you’re just trying to find and bring back your friends, and you go beyond that mostly because there’s this imp you owe something to for helping you out of a tight spot. She reminds you of your debt, and pushes you to engage with the larger events of the story in a limited form as you search out essentially pieces of a weapon for her to take back her throne-though of course, she doesn’t even clue you in on this. As you progress, though, you start to see how pressing the danger facing Hyrule is, and both you and Midna grow closer, she becomes more empathetic to the people you meet on your journey, which leads you to care more about these wider implications, and their connection to a character you don’t know. You’re still more or less just a farm boy-now proven capable, sure, but without super lofty explanations-that has been a step in her larger journey. When you collect the last fused shadow, there’s this sense that the detour in your mission is done, you both have what you need and can separate now... but neither of you really wants to. You care about each other now. That’s when the standout beat of the story happens. Zant appears, his unbelievable power is made clear, and he attacks you, erasing all your progress in an instant. You realize you ain’t shit compared to the bigger looming threat, and Midna is left in a dire situation. It is how you have grown to care about her that drives the story next-it’s up to you to save her life, and when you do, she’s charged with a responsibility to both worlds as Zelda gives up her power and Ganon takes the castle, sealing you off. You continue beyond that because you care about Midna, and want to rise to this new challenge, etc. The game perfectly preserves this sense of real consequences and motives by making a vague, less personal motivation to save the world build up from your attachment to this other character, who as a princess is really personally responsible for these things. Midna drives the story, but you’re no mere onlooker because the game makes you care about her; she makes the whole thing work. You are not some random dude trying to save the world because You Should Do That-you’re Midna’s knight, her companion and agency, all of your own will, and she in turn supports and enables your journey, managing your transformations, carrying your inventory, transporting you, et cetera et cetera. You’re partners, building your relationship and then settling into it, and when it’s revealed who’s been with you this whole time, or when you finally say goodbye forever, that sad “see you again,” and you reflect on that relationship-well, it’s no wonder I’ve cried each of the many times I’ve beat this game.
So I recently got into the legend of zelda thanks to a friend of mine and i was looking through art from the games when i saw her so i asked my friend. "Who's that?" "That's Midna." "Who's Midna? he looks dead at me and with the most serious expression just says.. "The best."
I remember when I first played TP, my neighbor also got it on the same day. We camped outside of a Best Buy the night before the Wii launch day. We were largely playing it in parallel with eachother. There was a discussion early on where we couldn't figure out if she was a good or evil character. That twisted smile she gets on the 1:10 mark just makes her seem so vile. She seems initially like she is just using you to get her way, and will abandon or even betray you when you are no longer useful. But god, I fell in love with her. That mad dash to Hyrule to find Zelda when Midna nearly dies, and her tragic song playing in the backround... it was the first time in years that I really felt a connection to a character like that. I was desperate to save her. Watching her leave at the end was heartbreaking, to both Midna and Link, as well as to me. I have been enamored with her ever since. C'mon, Nintendo! Bring her back!
I like Imp Midna, she's adorable but I prefer her true form, she is beautiful and elegant. I also believe she seemed to develop feelings for Link. At least that's what I believe.
I read the manga of this game and Midna is actually more enjoyable than the game. I'm not saying that the game version of Midna is bad, it's just that with Link being a fully-fleshed out character, and the former's freedom from the constraints to a game. Midna is free to show her power as she pleases (personally breaking wolf Links cell, punching out the boss monkey, helping him cheat in the Goron wrestling contest, etc), her connection to Zelda is greatly expanded upon, and the banter between her and Link never gets old.
Thank you! A lot of people forget that. She even warms up to Link during the game as well and even cracks a few jokes. Her character development is very subtle but very touching to me
Midna has always been one of my favorite characters in the Zelda games, and i'm glad you made this for her. My only issue her is the fact you used footage from the mirrored version of TP from the Wii version, rather than the standard GC or WiiU HD versions. Its kinda jarring, especially due to Midnas asymmetrical design.
Best girl. None have topped her. My opinion of her could only be described as "unhealthily obsessed." Funnily enough, until watching this video and see the side-by-side comparison of her two forms, I never noticed that her normal form has the shackle she wore around her hair as an anklet.
Awhile back, a friend and I played through Twilight Princess and happened upon something we now use as a head cannon. Midna dosen't start being nicer to Link until soon after being shot out of the cannon for the first time. We think Midna suffered a concussion and is developing an entirely new personality as a result of never getting it treated.
While I don't want to be rude, but acording to the cannon of OoT and MM Link and Navi had a deep conection with each other. The reson Link was even in the woods at the beginning of MM was to find Navi.
That may be true in-universe, but as a player, that just doesn't exist, so it doesn't feel as powerful. We, as players, feel a connection to Midna. She felt like a real person. Navi was just a tool and game guide, and any development she had was off-screen. In the beginning of MM, we can sympathize and understand Link's desire to find her, but we don't feel that same desire the same way we would if it were Midna, because Navi had no real characterization or story arc.
I haven't really gotten the chance to play this game. I had it when I was in middle school but my brothers kinda took over my save and finished the game themselves, and may have sold it...I don't know as that was like eight years ago. Anyway, I was COMPLETELY OBSESSED with Midna to the point of basing my first real story off of this game and a major character in the story off of her, along with having my "imaginary friend" based off of her. So I've always kinda had a special connection to the game and Midna's character...
Yeah, when i first met midna i thought she was just gonna be another tatl(wich honestly is my least liked companion)... And at the end of the game i was shipping her and link HARD. Also if iwere to guess from what i've seen in the fandim, i'd say the real numbers for favorite zelda companion wuoould be 6/10 Midna, 3/10 tetra, 1/10 all the others, negative scores for fi and Navi(which honestly is a shame), probably because ghey got a little too heavy handed with exposition and hand holding you through the game, i still like them all
Midna started caring about link Zelda and hyrule before she was saved not because of it. She wasn't selfish at all she asked Zelda to save link even though she was dying.
Midna was not chubby as an imp. She was short with short proportions. I think she is cute and sassy as an imp and sidekick. Her true form is beautiful and mysterious. I love her skin patterns that look like she's wearing black amidst her pale skin, but is in fact her skin markings. I wish the twili people were featured in more zelda games.
Zelda didn't give up her soul to save midna she gave her the tri force of wisdom. Zelda turned into a spirit like her people. That's why she's alive at the end of game.
For me Fi is my favourite sidekick though covered in annoying prompts her final moments are just so touching knowing shell never see her beloved master again
I was gonna make an annoyed comment about how the Minish cap companion wasn't forgettable and as I went to put my comment I couldn't remember his name 😂😂
Actually for the King and Fi, you CAN say that. You just have to actually pay attention to things that aren't in cutscenes. Most of Fi's personality only comes up in her comments on enemies, NPCs and other Z-targetable objects (guays, bokoblins, Scrapper and under the "right" circumstances, Peatrice to name a few) or if you pick the "right" dialogue option during a particular conversation, coming to a head when she finally gets put to rest at the end. The King finds you and gives Link a chance more or less on sight, sure (which Midna also does), but you still get the feeling of both parties being used by each other at first until after the assault on the Forsaken Fortress goes south, and only then does he begin to realize how blinded by revenge he was (just like Midna), and this culminates in him wishing Old Hyrule away while ensuring Link and Tetra would have hope for a future (much like how Midna shattered the Mirror of Twilight).
In my opinion, midna in her true form and midna in the emp form are two different personalities. In her true form, she is a good ruler, just, commanding, wise, and reasonable. Even more so than Zelda, in my opinion. In the emp form, she is mischievous, manipulative. Probably because she is racist, if that’s the correct term, in the beginning of the game. After all her people were banished from that land, but her opinion on that is obviously changed over the course of the game. And no, she was not romantically in love with Link. More like an honor, respect emotion. I never got any hints that she might romantically love him.
I would have to strongly disagree with you. She has the same personality and growth in both forms. She doesn't become a different person when she is back to normal. She still teases Link and is definatley still the same character. Just because she changed her appearance , doesn't mean her personality changed. And not to be rude, it is very obvious that she has the same personality
Link went searching for navi at the end of ocarina of time and the beginning of majoras mask. The king of red lions killed himself but you can tell link was upset about it. Fi at the end of skyward sword was able to feel emotions. And tatl was selfish at first and only used link towards the end tatl actually started being friendly towards link.
Child Timeline is the canon timeline. Fallen is a possible timeline they made to stick their old games in before they were making them all in one game, and Adult is just Zelda erasing Link from that timeline and sending him to the Child Timeline.
Honestly, i'm not a fan of her human form. People keep saying it's hot, beautiful or whatever but when i look at her i dont see Midna. If she atleast kept the same eyes, shape and all then i could believe it but instead she went from having cute mammal eyes into those enchanting snake eyes. I grew fond of her little imp form which is by majority her most iconic look. So seeing her true form felt like looking at fire and water. I dont see how that form could replicate the energy and personality of our beloved little imp.
@@aarondevaldez9134 She said that?? I havent reached that far in the game(I'm stuck at the temple with the moving statues) She's obviously not aware of that fact then.
everyone always associate Midna with her imp form, sometimes forgetting she even has a human form. and the Gil encourages that, imp Midna is best pony.
Midna is my favorite character in the entire series for the reasons shown in this video. Her personality and arc are honestly one of the best I've seen for a supporting character
Someone said that while Midna was suffering, he was away 3 hours unpaused and came back. Midna was still alive by the time he got back. Now I question what he was doing for those three hours.
i believe that midna only had the power she had to destroy zant the way she did because at that point she was harnessing the power of zelda aka the power of the triforce. i don't believe that the fused shadow was that powerful thats why she was confused when she destroyed zant that easily, she may use the fused shadow to transform at the gate of hyrule castle but she tears through a triforce seal. i believe that when zelda gave her soul to save midna she also gave midna the power of the triforce, which is the same power that ganon holds. also considering ganon defeats midna being that hes more experienced in the power of the triforce. this is all really speculation but i dont really think the fused shadow was shit and midnas power through the end of the game was coming through the triforce and not the fused shadow. overall i believe midna became more powerful than she knew how to harness at the end of the game wielding both the triforce power and the power of the fused shadow. the only reason that it makes sense that ganon defeated her was that she didnt know how to use them together correctly and ganon is an evil being who holds the power of the triforce, basically saying at that point midna was a less trained version of ganon. thats why she was so confused killing zant the was she did, she did it that easily almost by mistake. meaning she wanted to destroy him but didnt know she harnessed the power to do it that easily.
Okay guys, to be honest, Midna is the best character (or at least, one of the bests) of the Zelda series, and is an unforgettable companion, for her story, design and personality development. It gave me a huge impression and made me love LoZ. But we need cool characters as Groose or Linebeck! I couldn't forget Groose (specially in that falling scene from the sky) XD These kind of characters make you feel affeccion for them, and is one of the best things in the Zelda series (that's why I love Skyward Sword)
0:39 *shows Ezlo* “...some have been forgettable....” bro are you shading Ezlo ?? He was fucking amazing !! I know Minish Cap in general is pretty underrated but doesn’t mean the companion in the game wasn’t hilarious and nor did he add substance do the plot, because he did
Twilight Princess' ending genuinely makes me sad. I don't usually "feel" things ( like the absolute edgelord I am), particularly in Video Games, but dammit I get sad. COME BACK PLEASE AAAAAAAAAAAAGH
Honestly, I would say that getting saved by Zelda is more or less the peak of her character development, what with her begging Zelda to let her die and instead restore Link to his true form so that he could save the Light Realm. The rest of the game was more or less her acting with her new appreciation for Hyrule and its people, rather than just using them as a way to save herself and the other Twili.
9:40 trust me, I'm not the one to sugarcoat when someone's just plain fat, but I wouldn't call her chubby. That is just a straight curvaceous form with a cute belly slightly sticking out. When you say chubby, sidefat and other sectors of excessive fat comes to mind. Maybe it would be so if the animation style was more detailed and "realistic". But in the context of the game's abstraction, chubby is not the word I'd use. I do like her imp form more, and there's quite some art out there where she looks more humanly developed which is just superior to her true form
While I loved the gameplay and art style of BOTW I really hope they can have a greater focus on character writing/development a la Midna in future games. Maybe the BOTW sequel can develop an interesting relationship between Link and Zelda - they do seem to have a love/hate thing going in BOTW already, it just didn’t have enough plot to support it.
Midna didn't sacrifice herself to stop ganon she thought she could defeat him alone with the powerful fused shadow and triforce of wisdom. She was overconfident.
