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]].

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]]

==''Twilight Princess''==

{{main|Ganondorf (Twilight Princess)}}

===Sages' 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''.

{{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===

A century before the present day, a prophecy was made foretelling the imminent return of Calamity Ganon. Hoping to defeat Ganon in the same fashion as their ancestors, the [[Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule|King]] and the Hylian people began working to locate and excavate the Guardians and Divine Beasts. A [[Champion]] was chosen from each of Hyrule's four races to pilot the Divine Beasts. Princess Zelda also worked to awaken the power to seal Ganon that rested within her, alongside the protection afforded by her knight and the chosen hero, Link.

===Present===

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.

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''==

Ganondorf first appears as a corpse that has been sealed away [[Beneath Hyrule Castle]]. [[Link (Breath of the Wild)#Tears of the Kingdom|Link]] and [[Zelda (Breath of the Wild)#Tears of the Kingdom|Zelda]] are exploring the cavern due to the appearance of [[Gloom]] in the area. After reaching the depths of the cavern, they find Ganondorf's corpse, which comes to life and destroys most of Link's arm and [[Master Sword]]. Ganondorf uses his power to lift [[Hyrule Castle]] into the sky, and causes the cavern to crumble, where he falls with the ground below and disappears.

Once Ganondorf is nearly defeated, he will commit one final, irreversible act, and consume his Secret Stone. This transforms him into the [[Demon Dragon]]. With the help of the Light Dragon, Link attacks various weak spots along the Demon Dragon's body. After using the Master Sword to shatter Ganondorf's Secret Stone, Ganondorf will finally be destroyed.

{{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'']]

Ganondorf also appears in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''. He is a secret character in both games. In order to unlock him in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'', Link will have to clear Match Event #29. There are three ways to unlock Ganondorf in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'':

{{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.

{{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}}