Ganon: Difference between revisions

| caption  = Dark Beast Ganon from ''Twilight Princess''

'''Ganon''', also known as '''Dark Beast Ganon'''{{Ref|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Encyclopedia]]'', pg. 172}} or '''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 the power to turn into a giant, green monster. From that point on, Ganondorf tends to refer to the villain's human or Gerudo persona, while Ganon is the abomination, beast or demon version of Ganondorf. In ''Ocarina of Time'', he is the only Gerudo male 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 see a different side of Ganondorf, where he also yearns for the return of Hyrule in its absence. Mostly, though, he seems only bent on evil things.

==Appearances==

===''The Legend of Zelda''===

In ''The Legend of Zelda'', the character appears as a giant, humanoid pig-monster, Ganon. The intro of the game tells of how Ganon ''stole'' the Triforce of Power, and was rumored to be after the [[Triforce of Wisdom]] too. Before he could steal that one too, Zelda broke the Triforce of Wisdom into eight [[Triforce Shard|pieces]] and hide them inside underground labyrinths (dungeons). She then sent [[Impa]], her nursemaid, searching for a hero to collect all eight pieces and destroy Ganon. Impa comes across [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]], and asks him to take this quest. This begins the game.  

===''The Adventure of Link''===

===''A Link to the Past''===

===''Link's Awakening''===

===''Ocarina of Time''===

===''Oracle of Seasons'' and ''Oracle of Ages''===

===''The Wind Waker''===

As mentioned in the “Characteristics” section above, Ganon has a slightly different personality in ''The Wind Waker'' compared to the previous game. 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 fully seen, as his face is not visible to the camera. However, the [[King of Red Lions]] reveals to Link very soon after that the man was Ganondorf. He then appears again near the middle of the game, where Link believes he can defeat Ganondorf with the Master Sword, only for Link to be nearly defeated and survive only by the intervention of [[Valoo]]. Ganondorf does not appear in person again until the end of the game, when Link and he have a sword duel in a now-drowning Hyrule at the bottom of the sea, ending with Ganondorf being turned to stone.

===''Four Swords Adventures''===

===''Twilight Princess''===

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 (Twilight Princess)|Princess Zelda]] levitating above him and the sword once used to execute him in his hands, 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|1771-1772|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''.

===''Phantom Hourglass''===

===''Skyward Sword''===

Ganon is not mentioned directly in this game, but [[Demise]], before he dies, suggests Ganon or a similar figure will succeed Demise as a threat at some point in the world’s future. Demise states that hatred for the Gods and Goddesses like his is so strong that it can never be vanquished for good, and a reincarnation of himself will be born into the world again someday.

===''Breath of the Wild''===

Ganon appears in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]'', and is referred to as [[Calamity Ganon (Boss)|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 (Breath of the Wild)|Guardians]] to aid the chosen [[Link (Breath of the Wild)|Hero]] and [[Zelda (Breath of the Wild)|Princess]]. These protectors were aided by four massive creatures known as the [[Divine Beast]]s (also built by the Sheikah) that were used to weaken Ganon. With this army, the Sheikah and [[Hylian]]s sealed Ganon beneath [[Hyrule Castle (Breath of the Wild)|Hyrule Castle]], where it lay dormant for a millennium. In breath of the wild it hibernates within a cocoon, it attempted to regenerate a physical form after link awoke but was forced to confront him in an incomplete state.

Despite their efforts, Ganon broke free of its prison before Zelda awakened her true power. Unexpectedly, the beast was cunning, and used its power to take control of the Guardians and turn them against Hyrule and its citizens. Ganon also created four blights in his image to infect the Divine Beasts, taking control of the constructs and killing each of the Champions. Waterblight Ganon, Windblight Ganon, Fireblight Ganon and Thunderblight Ganon. With most of [[Central Hyrule]] destroyed, [[Link (Breath of the Wild)|Link]] and [[Zelda (Breath of the Wild)|Princess Zelda]] fought against the Guardians in a deserted field. While defending Link, Zelda awakened the power to seal Ganon away and defeat the Guardians. Link, however, died soon after, and was taken to the [[Shrine of Resurrection]] where he would revive after a long slumber. Until this day arrived, Zelda used her power to contain Ganon within Hyrule Castle. Ganon thinks he can be undefeated.

===''Age of Calamity''===

===''Battle Quest''===

===''Super Smash Bros.'' Series===

===''Hyrule Warriors''===

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 [[Shining Beacon]].{{clear}}

 

[[File:Coh-ganon.png|200px|right]]

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===''The Legend of Zelda'' (Animated Series)===