Ganon: Difference between revisions

'''Ganon''', also known as '''Ganondorf''', is the primary antagonist in [[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|''The Legend of Zelda'' series]]. He has been present or at least referred to in each of the first five games in the series, and has subsequently been in three more after. Throughout the series, Ganon has had several deaths, both confirmed, like in ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'', and unconfirmed, as in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''. Ganon possesses the [[Triforce of Power]], which contains the essence of the Goddess, [[Din]]. This divine power makes Ganon unimaginably strong and grants him boundless power, making him the largest threat to [[Hyrule]] in all its history. As stated in the prophecy of Hyrule, the only one capable of defeating Ganon is the Hero chosen by the [[Golden Goddesses|Goddesses]].  

Throughout the games, Ganon's intentions have not changed. Taking the Triforce of Power or earning it and spreading darkness over Hyrule, and he often kidnaps [[Zelda]] in the process. Only his appearance has changed. He is a blue pig-monster in ''The Legend of Zelda'', while in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'', he is the King of the [[Gerudo]] and has a power to turn into a giant, green monster. Ganondorf is the human/gerudo version while Ganon is the abomination, beast or demon version of Ganondorf. In ''Ocarina of Time'', he was the only Gerudo men born in that current century, automatically making him their king.

Ganondorf has gone from a cold, heartless individual to a sad individual and back again. In older games he seems to be bent only on controlling Hyrule, but in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'', players saw a different side of Ganondorf, where he was yearning for Hyrule back. Mostly, though, he seems only bent on evil things.

Once Link has obtained all eight pieces, he can travel to [[Level 9: Death Mountain|Death Mountain]] and confront Ganon. This battle is quite difficult, as for the most part Ganon will be invisible, while shooting fireballs at Link. Ganon can only be hurt if Link strikes his invisible form with his sword. Once Ganon has been hit, he will be visible for a moment, and then disappear again. Once Ganon has been hit enough times with the sword, he will turn a brownish color, which shows he is vulnerable. This is Link's opportunity to finish him off with a shot from the [[Bow]] using a [[Silver Arrow]]. This will defeat Ganon, leaving behind his ashes and the Triforce of Power. Link can now proceed into the door directly above and save Princess Zelda. If Link does not shoot him with the Silver Arrow in time, Ganon will flash before turning invisible again, returning to full strength.

[[File:Ganondorf(OOT3D).png|200px|right]]

''Ocarina of Time'' is the first game in which Ganon's human form appears. Named Ganondorf, he came from the Gerudo supposedly swearing allegiance to the [[King of Hyrule]]. Of course he had other intentions. Ganon stormed [[Hyrule Castle]] forcing Princess Zelda to flee. He then tried to take the [[Triforce]] for himself, but it split into three pieces leaving him with only the Triforce of Power, with which he could take over Hyrule but not completely fulfill his evil intentions. At the end of the game Link confronts Ganondorf and defeats him, then defeats Ganon (Ganondorf's beast form). He was then banished to the [[Sacred Realm|Evil Realm]].

After completing his adventures in both [[Holodrum]] and [[Labrynna]], Link finds out that the cause of [[Onox]] and [[Veran]]'s mischief was the result of a bigger plan devised by the witches [[Twinrova|Koume and Kotake]]; a plan to resurrect the evil king Ganon. The actions of Onox and Veran caused the [[Flame of Sorrow]] and the [[Flame of Destruction]] to be lit. In an attempt to light the third and final flame for their ritual, Twinrova kidnaps Princess Zelda herself to be used as a sacrifice. Although Link is able to defeat Twinrova and save Zelda from the ritual, he cannot stop the resurrection of Ganon, as Twinrova ends up sacrificing their own body as a vessel for the evil king.  

Through a linked game, Link can go to a secret altar where they will fight Ganon. For the battle, Ganon will constantly be disappearing and reappearing. Sometimes he will appear and slash at you with his trident. He also has several variations on an orb attack: sometimes he will shoot three larger orbs, one large orb, or many smaller orbs. All his attacks including his trident slash can be avoided by jumping with the [[Roc's Cape|Roc's cape]]. Sometimes he also charges up for a jump which will stun you for a moment. Again, you can avoid this by jumping before he lands. To fight him, you must charge up a [[Spin Attack|spin attack]] when he is not on the screen. When he appears, move next to him and hit him with the spin attack. When he begins to become low on health, he will change the room briefly to a strange blue room and back again. When the blue room is in effect, controls are reversed (if you press left, you will go right, etc) so you have to be careful. After many spin attacks, Ganon will be defeated and you will have completed the game.

As mentioned above in his characteristics, Ganon has a slightly different personality in ''The Wind Waker''. He first appears near the beginning of the game where he orders the [[Helmaroc King]] to throw Link into the [[Great Sea]]. He is not truly seen, as his face is not visible to the camera. However, the [[King of Red Lions]] reveals to Link very soon after that man was Ganondorf. He then appears again near the middle of the game, where Link thinks he can defeat Ganondorf with the Master Sword, only to be nearly defeated himself if it were not for [[Valoo]]. He does not appear in person again until the end of the game when Link and him have a sword duel in drowning Hyrule, ending with him being turned to stone.

Ganondorf is first spoken of about halfway through the game, once Link has completed the [[Arbiter's Grounds]] and entered the [[Mirror Chamber]]. After finding only a quarter of the [[Mirror of Twilight]], the [[Ancient Sages]] tell Link of how the mirror was broken, which was dark power. Power that only ''he'' possesses.{{Ref|TP|1707|[[Ancient Sages]]}} They are of course referring to Ganondorf. They continue to tell Link Ganon's backstory, which includes Ganon being the leader of a band of thieves who tried to control the Sacred Realm, the location that the Goddesses left the world.{{Ref|TP|1710|[[Ancient Sages]]}} However, the Sages explain that he was blind of any danger, and thus was he brought to justice.{{Ref|TP|1713|[[Ancient Sages]]}} A cutscene is showed of the Sages executing Ganon, right in the Mirror Chamber. However, Ganon survived because of the [[Triforce of Power]], which he possesses.{{Ref|TP|1715|[[Ancient Sages]]}} Fearing Ganon will leave the Mirror Chamber and repeat his previous offenses, the Sages use the Mirror of Twilight to banish Ganondorf to the [[Twilight Realm]]. The Ancient Sages continue by suggesting that his power has been passed on to [[Zant]],{{Ref|TP|1717|[[Ancient Sages]]}} which [[Midna]] responds to with a snide comment on how it is much too late to be figuring out where Zant got his powers.{{Ref|TP|1718|[[Ancient Sages]]}} The Sages conclude their speech by telling Link he should be able to collect the [[Mirror Shard|fragments of the Mirror of Twilight]].{{Ref|TP|1724|[[Ancient Sages]]}} Ganondorf is not spoken of again until much later.

Once Link has gathered all the Mirror Shards, entered the [[Palace of Twilight]], and confronted Zant, he will again hear more of how Zant got his powers. Zant will start his explanation by telling Link and Midna about how he was tired of living in this world, where there was not the faintest bloom of desire.{{Ref|TP|1736|[[Zant]]}}{{Ref|TP|1738|[[Zant]]}} He continues by saying that he believed he would be the next to rule the [[Twili]] people, but was denied.{{Ref|TP|1739|[[Zant]]}}{{Ref|TP|1740|[[Zant]]}} Zant continues by telling them how he found Ganon, who he refers to as "god".{{Ref|TP|1741|[[Zant]]}} There is then a scene showing Zant on the outdoor area of the Palace of Twilight, smacking the ground in frustration. A large ball appears above Zant's head, and proceeds toward him. It encompasses Zant, and Ganon will be shown, telling Zant that he will store his power in Zant, making whatever Zant desires something Ganon desires too.{{Ref|TP|1742|Ganon}}{{Ref|TP|1743|Ganon}} Zant ends his speech by saying that Ganon had only one wish,{{Ref|TP|1744|[[Zant]]}} to merge light and shadow, to make ''darkness''.{{Ref|TP|1745|[[Zant]]}}

Ganon is finally confronted by Link at the very end of ''Twilight Princess'', where he is physically seen for the first time. This confrontation happens at the highest tower of [[Hyrule Castle (Twilight Princess)|Hyrule Castle]], in the [[Throne Room]]. Ganon can be found sitting on the throne, with [[Zelda|Princess Zelda]] levitating above him, in the middle of the Triforce statue. He arrogantly introduces himself by welcoming Link and Midna to ''his'' castle.{{Ref|TP|1767|Ganon}} After a dramatic scene of Ganon standing up, Ganon begins his speech by making fun of Midna's people, saying it was very pathetic that they defied the gods with ''petty'' magic only to be cast aside.{{Ref|TP|1770|Ganon}} He continues by saying the anguish felt by the Twili people acted as his nourishment, as their hatred ''bled across the void'' and awakened him.{{Ref|TP|1771|Ganon}}{{Ref|TP|1772|Ganon}} He explains why, in his opinion, Midna's people did not succeed; it was because they lacked true power.{{Ref|TP|1773|Ganon}} The kind of power those chosen by the gods wield.{{Ref|TP|1774|Ganon}} He continues by saying that someone with the type of power would make a suitable king, while at the same time holding up his right hand, which has the marking of the Triforce of Power.{{Ref|TP|1775|Ganon}} After Midna vows to deny Ganon what he desires,{{Ref|TP|1779|[[Midna]]}} Ganon redirects their attention to Zelda, who he refers to as their ''little friend''.{{Ref|TP|1783|Ganon}} He uses [[Twilight]]-magic to possess Zelda, and this begins the epic four-phase battle that concludes ''Twilight Princess''.

Ganon appears in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]'', and is referred to as [[Calamity Ganon]]. Calamity Ganon is known as a primal evil that has appeared throughout the history of [[Hyrule]]. Ten thousand years before the story's events it appeared and attempted to destroy the world. To deal with this threat, the ancient [[Sheikah]] race built an army of mechanical constructs called [[Guardian]]s to aid the chosen [[Link|Hero]] and [[Zelda|Princess]]. These protectors were aided by four massive creatures known as the [[Divine Beasts]] that were used to weaken Ganon. With this army, the Sheikah and [[Hylian]]s sealed Ganon beneath [[Hyrule Castle]], where it lay dormant for a millennium.  

After Link's awakening in the shrine one hundred years later, Calamity Ganon can be seen circling the top of Hyrule Castle, unable to escape. During Link's absence, Zelda's power to contain Ganon has been weakening, allowing the beast to create more of a presence as the days continue. Many characters in the nearby vicinity acknowledge Ganon's existence, often referring to Ganon as an 'it', while the Monks still refer to him as 'Ganon'. Once Link completes his journey and returns to Hyrule Castle, he encounters Ganon in a large room below the [[Sanctum]]. Ganon takes a grotesque form, appearing in a centipede-like figure, with a large head surrounded by Ganondorf's signature long flowing red hair. The beast fights with a combination of the attacks used by the blights he created long ago, and puts up a considerable fight even against the Master Sword's power.  

Ganon appears in the [[Nintendo Wii U]] game ''[[Hyrule Warriors]]''. Ganondorf is the primary antagonist of the game, manipulating [[Cia]] to try and revive himself. He is also playable after Cia is defeated in [[Valley of Seers]]. Ganon appears in his ''Twilight Princess'' beast form.

Ganon made an appearance as the primary antagonist of the 1989 Zelda Animated series from DIC Entertainment voiced by Len Carlson. In this series he was loosely based on his design from the original The Legend of Zelda as an anthropomorphized boar in a purple robe. His portrayal is much more comical than any of the game appearances. He is often quick to anger and yells at the bumbling of his minions or waves his fist after losing to the heroes.  

File:Ganonloz1.jpg|''Artwork of Link and Ganon from The Legend of Zelda''

File:Silver Arrow scene.jpg|''Artwork of Link and Ganon from The Legend of Zelda''

File:Ganonloz.jpg|''Artwork of Ganon from The Legend of Zelda Game Manual''

File:Ganonloz2.png|''Ganon Artwork from Million Publications Strategy Guide for The Legend of Zelda''

File:Ganon-Artwork-LoZ-Kodokawa-Shoten-Guide.png|''Ganon Artwork from Kadokawa Shoten Strategy Guide for The Legend of Zelda''

File:Ganon-ALttP.jpg|''Ganon Artwork from A Link to the Past Nintendo of Europe Spieleberater''

File:Ganon-Barcode-Battler.png|''Ganon (A Link to the Past) Artwork from Zelda Barcode Battler''

File:Ganon-Bat.png|''Ganon in his Bat form from A Link to the Past''

File:Ganon-2.png|''Ganon from A Link to the Past''

File:Ganon-3.png|''Ganon from A Link to the Past''

File:Lttp_sho_guide114.jpg|Japanese Info A Link to the Past''

File:Ganon-Art-ALTTP.jpg|Ganon from A Link to the Past''

File:06Ganondorf.png|''Young Link seeing Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time''

File:Ganondorf (OoT).jpg|''Artwork of Ganondorf from Ocarina of Time''

File:Ganon (OoT).jpg|''Artwork of Ganon from Ocarina of Time''  

File:Ganonoot1.jpg|''Artwork of Ganondorf and Link fighting from Ocarina of Time''

File:Ganonoot2.jpg|''Artwork of Ganondorf and Link from Ocarina of Time''

File:Ganonoot3.jpg|''Artwork from Ocarina of Time''

File:GanonToP-thumb-418x284.jpg|''Ganon with the Triforce of Power in Ocarina of Time''

File:Ganon-Oracle-Sprite.png|''Sprite of Ganon from Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages''

File:FSA-Ganon.png|''Ganon from Four Swords Adventures''

File:Ganonfsa.png|''Ganon from Four Swords Adventures''

File:Ganonww1.jpg|''Artwork of Link and Ganondorf from The Wind Waker''

File:Ganonww2.jpg|''Artwork of Ganondorf from The Wind Waker''

File:Ganonww3.png|''Ganon featured in stained glass in The Wind Waker''

File:Dark-Lord-Ganondorf.png|''Ganondorf from Twilight Princess''

File:CalamityGanon.jpg|''Calamity Ganon from Breath of the Wild''