Analyzing the Thematic Parallels Between Ocarina of Times’ Hyrule and Majora’s Masks’ Termina

Ocarina of Time was an instant classic in November of 1998. Visually striking, it stood as pinnacle of three-dimensional games, as well as revamping the Zelda formula previously set in A Link to the Past. Even today it is regarded as not only one of the greatest Zelda games, but one of the greatest games in general. Ocarina of Time represents the adventurous spirit of the Zelda franchise within every aspect — story, gameplay, visuals, puzzles, characters — which is why the acquired popularity has been maintained ever since.

After Ocarina of Time was released, Eiji Aonuma was asked by Shigeru Miyamoto to remake the dungeons for a release of the Master Quest on the “Nintendo 64DD”. Although given the head on the project, Aonuma started making new dungeons in secret, as the prospect seemed much more interesting to him. The new ideas couldn’t be contained for long, with Aonuma asking to make an entirely new game. Miyamoto accepted the request with the condition that the new game be made in one year. Thus, by some miracle, or simply Nintendo’s ingenuity, Majora’s Mask released April 27, 2000.

With the same graphics and engine, the game is meant to parallel Hyrule. While the similarities between Ocarina of Time and its sequel are likely a result of time constraints, the likeness is not without significance. Majora’s Mask carries its own deep and dark storyline that, although separate from Ocarina of Time, has visual similarities that bind the games together thematically. The masterful development of the three-day cycle, as a result, was not the only thing that benefited from a short development timeline.

Clock Town vs. Hyrule Castle Town

As mentioned before, Majora’s Mask has a primary game mechanic of time travel, with Link resetting the same three-day cycle until he is able to stop the moon from falling. Within the three days is a brooding and growing panic as the potential end of the world is anticipated. Clock Town, the central hub of Termina, is where this is seen the most.

On the first of the three days, the town is much like Hyrule Castle Town. Not only are most of the residents “copy-pasted” from Ocarina of Time visually, but it also feels very similar. Society is lively and boisterous, showing a calm normality as a basis for which sanity to later decline. Life is simple, celebration is imminent. This, in turn, makes the later changes even more striking. The player is used to the common life depicted in towns, the state of Hyrule Castle Town staying a constant when Link is young in Ocarina of Time, so the first day in Clock Town is thus familiar.

On the second day, however, a change takes place. The music speeds up, the moon is closer to the ground, NPC’s either express their worry over the end of the world or deny that the moon could possibly fall. It is the very essence of complacency that causes this denial, rooted in the readily established peace of the first day. Although Hyrule Castle Town in Ocarina of Time is bleak and hopeless seven years after Ganondorf invaded the sacred realm, the actual change is not seen. It is the aftermath of a threat that is seen in Ocarina of Time, yet Majora’s Mask expresses the build-up, the anticipation, and the fear. The moon falling threatens the loss of everything that was once known and normal, and that the normality was taken for granted.

The music is faster and the moon descends even closer on the third day. The panic is greater among the NPC’s, going further into their fear until they flee in the last six hours. Link roams an empty town in those hours, the music mournful and lamentative, the final acceptance of the end of the world. No panic, no fear, no hope, no holding on to the normalcy that once was, just the inevitable end of a once prosperous town. Of course Link aims to circumvent this inevitably, yet the environment of the central hub of Termina truly adds to Majora’s Mask and the doom within the story. The contrast it maintains with the normalcy of Hyrule Castle Town goes a long way to achieve the subtle changes that occur, making the end of the world in Termina all the more gradual, and therefore fearful.

Hyruleans vs. Terminians

Much like the connection between Clock Town and Hyrule Castle Town, the familiar races of Hyrule featured in Majora’s Mask serve a particular purpose.

The first region in the game, inhabited by the Deku, fulfills the “forest type” area common in Zelda games. However, in comparison to Ocarina of Time, the omission of the Kokiri when the Gorons, Zoras, and Gerudo are prominently featured speaks to the difference between the two games. The absence of the Kokiri reminds the player that this isn’t Hyrule, nor is it familiar terrain. The forest they knew in Ocarina of Time as Link’s home and a relatively safe place is not here. No Great Deku Tree, no Navi, no Saria, no friend, no sanctuary. Majora’s Mask is one of the Zelda games that places you in the thick of danger without holding your hand and the lack of familiarity distances that hand even more.

Additionally, players of Ocarina of Time are used to the Gorons being associated with Death Mountain, and hence things like volcanoes, rocks, and fire. Yet, Majora’s Mask places them in a snowy tundra, opposing expectations and furthermore outlining how uncomfortable the Gorons are where they live. Not only does it compel the player to resolve the conflict within that area and rid them of the snow, but also serves as a precursor to the suffering seen within the rest of the game. The trend is continued by the Zora who had her eggs stolen by the Gerudo, the father in Ikana who was cursed in a mummified form, and all the citizens of Clock Town who constantly grapple with the decision to either brave the possibility of death or leave their homes. The many instances of characters suffering within the game seems to echo Termina’s namesake, the threat of termination plaguing their livelihood.

Ikana Kingdom vs. The Kingdom of Hyrule

In Ocarina of Time, Link becomes the primary defense system for the Kingdom of Hyrule. He rescues the Seven Sages and works to defend the land even when Hyrule’s forces are bleak at best. In this way, he is the embodiment of Hyrule’s hope, and, in consequence, an unofficial soldier for the Kingdom.

In Majora’s Mask, Link encounters the fallen Kingdom of Ikana, making his way to the throne room to meet three Stalfos warriors. At first, they engage him in combat, Link quickly making ghosts out of two soldiers. The soldiers, now floating heads, begin to argue over who between them is the greater swordsman before the surviving Stalfos criticizes how insignificant their argument is. He puts forth that “petty little battles like this” have resulted in “the kingdom being ruined” and them being “left in this state”. The Stalfos goes on to remark that feelings of forgiveness and friendship have “vanished from [their] hearts.”

Much like Link in Ocarina of Time, they were loyal to their kingdom. They were the personification of that kingdom’s pride and fought past even death to protect Ikana. Yet, this kingdom fell as a result of what is described as “petty battles”, a direct contrast to Hyrule Kingdom, which was saved as a result of battles of great importance and valor waged by Link.

However, the faults of Ikana’s soldiers directly coincide with the legendary soldier of Hyrule’s Kingdom. Although Link does not succumb to pride or vanity, Link not being able to see the importance of forgiveness is quite relevant at this point in the story. Whether it’s to forgive Zelda for sending him back in time, Navi for leaving him alone, or Skull Kid for inflicting so much upon Termina, Link is warned greatly to remember the value in forgiveness; and, that without it, he is on the path to ruin.

Considering that the Hero of Time later becomes the Stalfos depicted in Twilight Princess, it could be argued that these warnings were not heeded or remembered. However, since the gap between “young” Link leaving Termina and an unfathomably older Link appearing before Twilight Princess Link is both large and ambiguous, that is conjecture that canon has no solid support for.

Skull Kid vs. Navi & Zelda

Forgiveness, it turns out, is a large part of Majora’s Mask. The giants who try to stop the moon from falling have wrestled with aspects of forgiveness in their own way. Skull Kid was once their friend, yet in acquiring Majora’s Mask he betrayed the safety of Termina and endangered the residents. The giants, in saving Termina from Skull Kid pulling the Moon to the ground, must forgive Skull Kid unconditionally without proof that he deserves it, and without him even asking for that forgiveness. They must believe in the good qualities within Skull Kid that they remember, and must believe that behind the mask is their dear friend who needs help. The giants, in the spirit of their resolved struggle say to Link, “forgive your friend”. As mentioned before, this could be referring to Princess Zelda or Navi, as both failed Link in one way or other.

At the end of Ocarina of Time, Link defeats Ganon and brings to end a conflict seven years in the making. Princess Zelda, no doubt guilty for what Link had to sacrifice for her kingdom, elects to send him back in time to before he pulled the sword and let him live out his life in a way he wouldn’t have ever experienced battle. However, Princess Zelda not only did this without asking for Link’s consent, but also did not consider that she was taking Link away from the life he knew best, having interacted with people who may not even remember him in the alternate timeline. Additionally, he would have to still live with those memories of battle, and even worse, live in a reality where that furthermore isolates him.

Navi, on the other hand, was Link’s guide throughout the entirety of Ocarina of Time, both literally and figuratively his light in dark places. She was his friend, and perhaps the friend he needed the most when he was sent back in time and lost so much. Yet, she flew up and away without a word, having served her purpose much like Link. Link evidently did not let this go, the beginning of Majora’s Mask saying that he had been searching for an invaluable friend. Before Skull Kid steals the Ocarina of Time and Epona, therefore leading Link to Termina, it’s logical to assume that Link was looking for Navi.

The Giants are therefore telling Link to consider the value of forgiveness, that being heroic does not make one completely invincible to fallacy. This, in turn, is a reminder to us as players to believe in each other and to forgive each other as readily as we can.

Anju & Kafei vs. Link & Zelda

Since the release of Majora’s Mask in 2000, players have had the pleasure of snapping pictures in The Wind Waker, helping Batreaux become more human in Skyward Sword, and building an entire thriving town in Breath of the Wild. However, it seems that the Anju and Kafei side quest still remains one of the best in the series, if not the best. Over the entire three-day cycle spans a story of love and loss, Anju and Kafei set to be married on the eve of the festival. Yet, unless Link interferes at every step to make sure the union takes place, the end of the world inevitably obstructs the event.

Upon arriving in Clock Town, the Skull Kid, under the influence of Majora’s Mask, turns Kafei from a young adult into a child. Already engaged to be married to Anju, Kafei hides in shame, effectively going “missing” according to his fiancé and both their families. When Link finds Kafei, he learns that the wedding mask needed for the ceremony has been stolen and assists him in finding it in Ikana Canyon. Anju, who had received via Link a letter from Kafei promising that their union would take place, insists upon waiting for Kafei. When the end of the world seems imminent, the moon mere hours from destroying Termina, the rest of the town escapes. Without even her grandmother, Anju stays in wait, ready to die for the mere possibility that she would be united with her love, even if just one last time. If Link successfully assists Kafei in retrieving the mask, returning to Clock Town leads to him witnessing them exchange their masks. Even after they declare their unconditional love, that the curse on Kafei will not hinder it, they do not escape Termina. With each other they have all they need, their undying faith in each other has payed off and, whatever comes next, they will “greet the morning together”.

The connection this side quest has to Link and Zelda in Ocarina of Time is much like a mirror, reflecting upon it and reversing the image, but not copying it. Link and Zelda in Ocarina of Time have a platonic if not professional relationship. Their connection is one of trust, care, and mutual dependence, but they are not overtly romantic like Anju and Kafei. Their in-game actions of caring for the other aside, their similarity and incidental contrast to Anju and Kafei comes in their final goodbye at the end. Princess Zelda saw Link as the child he was, that he was forced into adulthood, and that she needed to compensate for that. Unlike Anju, Zelda’s fear and guilt was at the forefront of her mind. So, she sent Link back in time seven years, feeling that she had failed him. She gave up on being there for him and decided the only way for her to make up for her mistakes was to try to give him back what he lost in the process. She lost hope in his ability to move forward in that timeline and lost hope in her ability to help him. She lost hope in her kingdom being peaceful enough for Link to thrive, and felt he better deserved the peace the Kingdom knew before her actions enabled Ganondorf access to it.

Zelda, unlike Anju, lost her faith in herself and others and in the end, they said goodbye forever. Like death, Link could never see that Zelda again.

Conclusion

Majora’s Mask was made and released on the cusp of a new century, uncertainty surrounding the future of the world as the 1900’s came to a close. Twenty years later, a different uncertainty has arisen as many aspects of our normal lives are postponed or cancelled completely in order to promote our collective safety and well-being. As Majora’s Mask turns twenty, I feel that it is important to remember the lessons we can derive from it.

The residents of Termina were quick to resort to fear, rightfully afraid that the world would end because of Skull Kid’s malfeasance and the Moon’s impending fall. With how much Link has to do to stop the end of the world, it seems to be the destiny of Termina to be terminated. But, even in the face of darkness, there are those who bring light. There is Link, who stops at nothing to help as many people as he can, even if he may not succeed in unthinkable: a young child stopping a cataclysmic and large celestial event. There are the giants, who forgive Skull Kid with barely a reason to, proving how unconditional and powerful forgiveness really is. And finally there is Anju and Kafei, whose faith in each other surpassed the possibility of death. They didn’t give up on their love, even when they were separated and, until they could reunite, they didn’t lose hope.

Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask therefore teach us through the Hero of Time himself that time is fleeting. It is important, especially now, to believe in each other and not lose hope in the precious time we have.

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Alex Weber is a writer for Zelda Dungeon. Her favorite food is apple pie and she is happy that at least she’s reunited her with her cat. Her alias as a fan fiction writer is fatefulfaerie and she can also be found on Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr.