Ganon: Difference between revisions

{{Specify|this=the character that appears throughout the series|other=game-specific boss information and strategies}}

{{Infobox|character

| image    = [[File:TotK-Ganondorf-Art.jpg|400px]]

| game    = ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''<br/>''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link|The Adventure of Link]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons|Oracle of Seasons]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Oracle of Ages]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''<br/>''[[Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom|Tears of the Kingdom]]''

| location = [[Level 9: Death Mountain]]<br/>[[Pyramid of Power]]<br/>[[Ganon's Castle]]<br/>[[Room of Rites]]<br/>[[Forsaken Fortress]]<br/>[[Tower of Winds (Four Swords Adventures)|Tower of Winds]]<br/>[[Hyrule Castle (Twilight Princess)]]<br/>[[Hyrule Castle (Breath of the Wild)]]

| voice actor  = [[Matthew Mercer]]{{Ref| name=Mercer | [https://twitter.com/matthewmercer/status/1646676756122705922 Matthew Mercer on Twitter] | I just got the go-ahead from Nintendo, so I can FINALLY announce my absolute pleasure to be voicing Ganondorf in the Legend of #Zelda : #TearsoftheKingdom. An immense honor that I have thrown myself into doing justice.}} (English, ''Tears of the Kingdom'')

}}

'''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]].

{{main|Ganon (The Legend of Zelda)}}

[[File:Ganon.png|left|100px]]

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.

==''Ocarina of Time''==

{{main|Ganondorf (Ocarina of Time)}}

After Link awakens from his slumber, he sets out to undo the evil Ganondorf has inflicted over the land and awaken the five Sages. After doing so, Princess Zelda comes out of disguise and presents Link with Ganondorf's weakness, the [[Light Arrow]]s. With Zelda's disguise removed, Ganondorf is able to find her and capture her, using her to lure Link up into his castle. He hopes to take the pieces of the Triforce from Link and Zelda and engages Link in battle. At first, Link seems to win and the castle collapses, but Ganondorf revives in his beast form, Ganon, and engages Link in battle again. In the end, Link comes out victorious, but as Ganondorf still holds the Triforce of Power he cannot be killed. The Sages are forced to seal Ganondorf away, though he claims that as long as he holds the Triforce of Power, he will return and take his revenge.

{{main|Ganon (Oracle Series)}}

[[File:Ganon-Oracle.png|200px|left]]

The resulting incarnation of Ganon lacks much intelligent thought, though he does show knowledge of who he is. Still, Ganon proves to be the toughest obstacle that Link will have to overcome if he is to restore peace to the world and take his destined place in history as the Legendary Hero.

==''Four Swords Adventures''==

{{main|Ganon (Four Swords Adventures)}}

==''Twilight Princess''==

{{main|Ganondorf (Twilight Princess)}}

===Sages' Story===

===Zant's Story===

After Link has defeated Zant, Zant will reveal to Link and Midna that his god, Ganon, has already descended and been reborn in the World of Light.{{Ref|name=Quote1|TP|1754|[[Zant]]}} He continues by showing good faith in Ganon, saying that as long as Ganon survives, he will resurrect Zant without cease.{{Ref|name=Quote1}} This mini-scene shows how much Zant really praises Ganon, which can be interpreted as Ganon playing Zant so he can be revived in Hyrule, or as a true relationship that has mutual feelings.

===Confrontation===

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''==

{{see also|Calamity Ganon (Boss)|Dark Beast Ganon (Breath of the Wild)}}

{{Quote|Calamity Ganon's physical body is sealed away inside of Hyrule Castle. Princess Zelda's weakening powers and the hero's awakening have served as a catalyst for Ganon's revival. When Calamity Ganon finally breaks Zelda's seal, its form is incomplete. It resembles an enormous spider equipped with a variety of weapons. It has absorbed the ancient Sheikah relics used to attack it one hundred years ago, and utilizes a beam attack that is not unlike a Guardians laser.|[[Creating a Champion]], page 76}}

===Backstory===

{{image|file=Calamity-ganon.jpg|align=right|type=caption|caption=Calamity Ganon}}

===Past===

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.

===Present===

While Ganon seemingly disappears after its defeat, Princess Zelda indicates that Ganon is only 'gone for now'. Though Ganon can no longer take a physical form, it is still able to return in the future.

The playable version of Calamity Ganon is slightly smaller than the boss version though he can still use many of the same attacks. His unique ability is to spread Malice when performing combos and certain Strong Attacks. Pressing ZR will have Ganon absorb the Malice back into his body, filling the Malice gauge. Filling it completely will have him enter his Calamity Form where he gains new powerful combos. Either string will not only stagger strong enemies and bosses but expose their Weak Point on hit. His Enhanced Ability allows him to spread even more Malice in his Calamity form with his normal combo.

===Weapons===

<gallery mode=nolines perrow=3>

==''Tears of the Kingdom''==

{{clear}}

==Non-Canon Appearances==

{{Non-Canon|section}}

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

In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest]]'', Ganon serves as the final boss in the main quest, located within the 9th level, [[Raid on Ganon's Castle]]. Ganon later appears in the 12th level, which is also the 3rd secret level, [[Death Mountain Path]]. In this level, Ganon takes a more armored visual look and can withstand more damage. Also, Ganon makes two appearances in the 15th and final level of ''Battle Quest'', [[Ganon's Last Stand]].

{{Monita}}

[[File:Ganondorf_Brawl.png|thumb|upright=1.1|Ganondorf as seen in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'']]

*Play 200 matches in ''Brawl'', and then beat Ganondorf in a fight

{{clear}}

[[File:CartoonGanon.jpg|200px|right]]

Ganon made an appearance as the primary antagonist of the 1989 animated TV 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.

* Ganon's last name is ''Dragmire'', according to the manual of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''.

* In ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'', Ganon's name was spelled G-A-N-N-O-N. In every game since, it has been changed to G-A-N-O-N, only using two "N"s.

==Gallery==

{{main|Gallery:Ganon}}

<gallery>

File:Ganon-Barcode-Battler.png|Ganon art for ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''

File:Ganondorf - OOT Turnaround front HH.png|Ganondorf design art for ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''

File:Ganondorf-Artwork-The-Wind-Waker.png|Ganondorf key art for ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]''

File:FSA-Ganon.png|Ganon sprite from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]''

File:Ganondorf TPHD.png|Ganondorf key art for ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD|Twilight Princess HD]]''

File:GanonLBW.jpg|Ganon key art for ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds|A Link Between Worlds]]''

File:Calamity-Ganon-Art.png|Calamity Ganon key art for ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''

File:CoH Ganon Sprite.png|Ganon sprite from ''[[Cadence of Hyrule]]''

</gallery>

{{cat|Hyrule Warriors Characters}}

{{cat|Age of Calamity Characters}}

{{cat|Super Smash Bros. Series}}

{{Cat|Cadence of Hyrule Characters}}

{{Cat|Valiant Comics Characters}}