Impa

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Impa is a recurring character in The Legend of Zelda series. She often serves as the guardian or nursemaid of Princess Zelda.

Appearances

The Legend of Zelda

In the first game of the series, The Legend of Zelda, Impa was the first one to inform Link of Princess Zelda's plight, and how she was captured by Ganon and spread the pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom across the land. Impa sends Link on his journey to collect the Triforce of Wisdom, and, in turn, save Zelda. She is never actually seen in game; only in a part of the story that happens before Link starts his quest. Because of this, there are no sprites to be found of her, only artwork.

The Adventure of Link

Years after the events of The Legend of Zelda, Link asks Impa about a mark resembling the Triforce that appears on the back on his hand. She takes him to the North Palace and explains that a sleeping spell was cast on a previous princess and that Link must locate the Triforce of Courage to awaken her. According to Impa, he must place crystals in six palaces.[1]

Ocarina of Time

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Impa appears in Ocarina of Time as the loyal Sheikah body guard, or nursemaid, of Princess Zelda. She is depicted as a woman with a sturdy build, short white hair in a small ponytail and red eyes. Her appearance is quite younger than some of the other games she appears in. She was born and raised in Kakariko Village, and still maintains a watchful eye over the village despite her duty to the Royal Family.

Link first meets Impa after sneaking past the guards in Hyrule Castle to meet with Princess Zelda. Impa then teaches Link Zelda's Lullaby because of what Zelda's dream had foretold. She then escorts Link out of the castle. After they are safely outside the Castle, Impa advises Link to go to Kakariko Village and see what clues he can find that lead to the Spiritual Stone of Fire.

Upon collecting all the Spiritual Stones, Link returns to a scene much like the dream he had at the start of the game. Impa is shown fleeing on a white horse with Zelda. Zelda then throws an object at Link, which he discovers to be the Ocarina of Time. Ganondorf is shown following close behind them on a black horse, and questions Link as to which direction Impa and Zelda went. It becomes apparent that Ganondorf has taken over Hyrule Castle, and this forced Impa to flee with Zelda.

Seven years later when Link goes to Kakariko in order to investigate the location of the Shadow Medallion, Link finds out that Impa has sealed away a great evil in the Bottom of the Well prior to the events in Ocarina of Time. This great evil had taken up residence in the Shadow Temple, and Impa had disappeared trying to seal it again. After defeating Bongo Bongo, the great evil, Impa awakens as the Sage of Shadow. She asks Link to take care of Zelda since her duties of being a Sage keep her from Zelda's side. Impa and the other Sages lend Link their power in sealing Ganondorf. Impa is last seen during the end credits standing atop Death Mountain with the other Sages.

Oracle of Seasons

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Impa in Oracle of Seasons is the nurse of Princess Zelda.[2] She was sent to to Holodrum to take Din, the Oracle of Seasons, back to Hyrule.[2] She works as the cook for the troupe of performers that Din dances for.[3] After Onox kidnaps Din, she tells Link that he must save Holodrum and restore the seasons, and that he should first visit the Maku Tree.[4]

Oracle of Ages

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In Oracle of Ages, Impa is the Royal Nurse for Princess Zelda and has cared for her since her birth. Impa was sent to Labrynna by Princess Zelda with instruction to bring Nayru back to Hyrule in order to protect her from shadows that surrounding her. Impa is found early in the game being attacked by a trio of Octoroks but once Link appears, the octoroks quickly run off. Impa is looking for Nayru and with Link's help she is able to reach the Oracle. However, it is revealed that Veran had been controlling Impa and used Link to reach Nayru and possess her body.

After reverting back to her normal self, she thanks Link for saving her. After seeing the symbol of the Triforce on Link's left hand, she tells Link that he is the hero that must save this world. She will give you the Wooden Sword, which was entrusted to her by Princess Zelda. Impa will then take refuge in Nayru's house for much of the game.

In a Linked Game, Impa will give Link a Wooden Shield instead of the Wooden Sword.

The Wind Waker

Impa does not make a direct appearance in this game, though in the room where the Master Sword is kept there are stain glass windows depicting all the sages from Ocarina of Time.

Skyward Sword

Of the Sheikah race from the Zelda series, Impa bears all their markings and style of dress. An enemy of Ghirahim, Impa saves Zelda from Ghirahim and continues to evade him and protect her from the Demon Lord. She is a wielder of magic and uses it to defend Zelda in battle, although she is clearly no match for him, who can break her barriers with ease.

At the Temple of Time, Impa defends Zelda from Ghirahim to the best of her ability before Ghirahim overpowers her. Link acquires the Goddess's Harp from Zelda as she escapes with Impa through the Gate of Time.

Impa is the "servant of the goddess" that Ghirahim refers to as being the one who snatched Zelda out of his clutches.


Spoiler Alert! This section describes a subject that is sensitive to plot development.

In the end of Skyward Sword, Zelda begs Impa to follow her back to Skyloft. Impa refuses, saying that as the "servant of the goddess" she must remain in her regular time era. Impa then tells Zelda to not worry because they will meet again when the time comes. Zelda then gives Impa one of her bracelets as a parting gift. Once Zelda travels back to her current time era, she sees that the old woman at the Sealed Temple has her bracelet. She realizes that she actually was with Impa the whole time. Impa then disappears.

A Link Between Worlds

Impa makes an appearance in A Link Between Worlds. She appears to take on her classical role as the aid to the princess and she wears familiar clothing.

She is later revealed as one of the seven descendants of the Seven Sages. She is captured by Yuga and held within his possession.

After Link journeys into Lorule, the seven sages are scattered throughout the overworld. Impa's painting is hidden deep within Turtle Rock. Link will need to traverse through the dungeon and defeat the boss Grinexx in order to save her.

Impa, along with the six other sages use their power to give Link the Triforce of Courage and also work to break the barrier that is surrounding Lorule Castle.

Breath of the Wild

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Impa can be found in Kakariko Village where she serves as the village elder. After surviving the Calamity 100 years ago, she awaits for Link's arrival. After Link completes the first four shrines on the Great Plateau, Link is advised to visit Impa by King Rhoam during the cut-scene at the Temple of Time. Upon Link's arrival, she is pleased to see him, but soon discovers that Link has lost all of his memories. Impa will tell Link the story of the Calamity and the four Divine Beasts. Impa then directs Link to Hateno Village to meet Purah and Symin at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab.

Once Link has recovered one of the memories found in the Sheikah Slate, Impa will gift Link the Champion's Tunic; the very same Link wore 100 years ago. Later, after Link has recovered 17 of his memories, Impa will show Link a painting of a specific location, and explains that it portrays the area where Link will restore the final memory.

Other Appearances

Hyrule Warriors

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Impa is the Commanding Officer of the Hyrule Imperial Guard and a playable character in Hyrule Warriors. She is the attendant and vassal of Princess Zelda. The leader of a family charged with supporting Hyrule's royal family from the shadows. She cares not for herself, and works exhaustively for the family and the Princess. Starting from pulling out her long sword back handed, she disposes of her enemies with exact precision in quick, feverish succession. She is a sword master, with precise movements and footwork. Impa's main weapons include the Giant Blade and the Naginata.

Trivia

  • Impa's name comes from the verb "to impart", referring to her original role as the one who delivers Link's "linking" ability to Zelda.[5]

Gallery

References

  1. "AFTER GANON WAS DESTROYED, IMPA TOLD LINK A SLEEPING SPELL WAS CAST ON PRINCESS ZELDA. SHE WILL WAKE ONLY WITH THE POWER OF NO.3 TRIFORCE SEALED IN A PALACE IN HYRULE. TO BREAK THE SEAL,CRYSTALS MUST BE PLACED IN STATUES IN 6 WELL GUARDED PALACES. LINK SET OUT ON HIS MOST ADVENTURESOME QUEST YET... 1987 NINTENDO" — Title Screen, The Adventure of Link.
  2. 2.1 2.2 "Link! Are you all right? Actually, I am the nurse of Hyrule's Princess Zelda. And Din's no dancer either. She is actually the Oracle of Seasons who wields control over the forces of nature. Zelda has mystical powers that told of a curtain of shadow drawing around Din. I was instructed to take her to Hyrule in secret." — Impa, Oracle of Seasons.
  3. "Oh! Your eyes have opened! Are you all right? I am Impa, the troupe's cook. And you are? Link? I see. Din, the dancing girl, found you collapsed in the woods. She's cared for you through your nightmares." — Impa, Oracle of Seasons.
  4. "Please take my message to the Maku Tree in Horon Village. The Maku Tree is the guardian of all Holodrum. Surely he can help." — Impa, Oracle of Seasons.
  5. "There's also a character that would pass that information on to Zelda: an old lady named "Impa." Her name comes from the verb "to impart."" — Shigeru Miyamoto, Hyrule Historia

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