Retro Japanese Magazine Artwork Depicts Link as a Woman

Posted on April 02 2019 by Judy Cooper

Twitter account Kazzykazycom recently uploaded pictures from retro Japanese magazine Shonen Captain that depicts our favorite hero as a female. The magazine showcases a female Link with long, red hair, sporting that iconic green tunic that we have come to know and love.

This particular edition of the magazine dates back to 1986 — the same year that the original The Legend of Zelda was released for the Famicom. A section of the magazine, titled “Famicom Information Bureau”, features artwork of a female Link in a battle pose, with sword and Magical Shield at the ready.

Without character illustrations in relation to the artwork, it’s possible that these depictions may have come from staff at the magazine itself, and those in charge may have believed that Link was, in fact, a woman. This might have caused all sorts of confusion for players when they fired up The Legend of Zelda for the first time!

In 2015, Nintendo unveiled Linkle — the closest thing to a female Link as fans could get — for Hyrule Warriors Legends. Reception to Linkle was highly positive, and with the rediscovery of this magazine’s artwork, it is possible that the world was ready for a female Link a very long time ago!

What do you think of these depictions of a female Link? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: Kazzykazycom (via Nintendo Life)

[easy_image_gallery gallery=”445″]