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| “ | Pathetic little fool! Do you realize who you are dealing with!? I am Ganondorf! And soon, I will rule this world! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf to Link in Ocarina of Time. |
| “ | My country lay within a vast desert. When the sun rose into the sky, a burning wind punished my lands, searing the world. And when the moon climbed into the dark of night, a frigid gale pierced our homes. No matter when it came, the wind carried the same thing... Death. But the winds that blew across the green fields of Hyrule brought something other than suffering and ruin. I coveted that wind, I suppose. | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf reflecting on his motives in Wind Waker. |
Ganondorf Dragmire, also known as Ganon, is the main antagonist of the 1998 action-adventure game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and the 2002 action-adventure game The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
He is the mainstream version of Ganondorf who was defeated by the Hero of Time and sealed within the Sacred Realm by Zelda and the Six Sages. Later on, he escaped to wreak of havoc again, but was defeated for good by a new hero.
He was voiced by Takashi Nagasako, who also voiced him in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Fours Swords Adventures, Demise in the The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Dheginsea in Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn and Hyacinth in Fire Emblem Engage.
Personality
In Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf was the evil and ruthless king of the Gerudo Tribe, and later the Demon King himself. When denied the Spiritual Stones, he poisons the Great Deku Tree, blocks off Dodongo's Cavern, and poisons Lord Jabu-Jabu, respectively, killing the former. He then destroys Hyrule Castle Town after obtaining the Triforce of Power and causes more destruction across Hyrule before being confronted by Link. Ganondorf is shown to be furious after his defeat, as he transforms into Ganon in one final attempt to kill Link, before being defeated and sealed away for many years by the Seven Sages.
In The Wind Waker, while still cruel, attacking Hyrule, where it had to be flooded due to the absence of a hero, kidnapping children, and killing Laruto and Fado with Jallhalla and Molgera respectively, and even though he had been sealed in the Sacred Realm for one hundred years, he is shown to be more honorable person. He commends Link for being able to infiltrate his hideout, the Forsaken Fortress and spares him, doing the same with Tetra, although knocking her out this time. Before the final battle, Ganondorf knocks out Link, but assures him that he won't kill him. He also replenishes Link's health and magic before the fight.
He is also shown to be sympathetic, having suffered in the harsh Gerudo desert for a long period of time, envying the lush lands of Hyrule. His death is also portrayed sympathetically, smiling and stating that the wind is blowing before being petrified.
Biography
Backstory
Ganondorf was born as one of the few males among the Gerudo tribe, which happens at least once a century. And according to tradition, Ganondorf was groomed to become their next king. However, he was also the reincarnation of the ancient demon king Demise, and as such was destined to seek his past life's revenge against the Hyrulian royal family (who were descended from the reincarnation of Demise's enemy, Hylia) and the reincarnation of the hero who vanquished him.
Growing up, Ganondorf grew envious of the lush and peaceful lands and winds which the people of the neighboring kingdom of Hyrule enjoyed, while he in his people struggled to survive in the harsh desert. He also heard legends that somewhere within Hyrule was the omnipotent Triforce, a golden relic left behind by the Golden Goddesses when they created the universe which could grant any wish to its user. Thus, he made it his ambition to locate the Triforce and use its power to establish dominion over the kingdom of Hyrule and possibly the entire world for his people.
Having been raised by the Gerudo witches, Koume and Kotake, Ganondorf learned to harness dark magic, allowing to summon several terrible creatures under his command. He also learned that the Triforce was hidden within an alternate dimension called the Sacred Realm, which could only be accessed through the Temple of Time with the three Spiritual Stones, which were each entrusted to the Kokiri, the Gorons and the Zora, and the Ocarina of Time, which was held by the Hyrulian royal family. Therefore, he concocted his scheme to get into the Sacred Realm to retrieve the stones while he planned to get the ocarina himself.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Beginning his Plot
In the beginning of the game, Ganondorf had already sent powerful monsters to retrieve the Spiritual Stones. These include Gohma, who was sent to the Kokiri Forest to infect the Great Deku Tree and get the Kokiri's Emerald; King Dodongo, who was sent to Death Mountain to retrieve the Goron's Ruby; and Barinade, who was sent to Zora's Domain to retrieve the Zora's Sapphire. While this played out, Ganondorf arrived at Hyrule Castle to pledge the Gerudo's loyalty to the royal family so that he could get close enough to get the Ocarina of Time, which was in Princess Zelda's possession.
However, Zelda had prophetic dreams about Ganondorf and his plan to conquer Hyrule and did her best to avoid him. In addition, a young human boy who was raised alongside the Kokiri named Link (the incarnation of the hero who defeated Demise) began interfering with Ganondorf's plan by slaying Gohma and receiving the emerald from the Great Deku Tree, though the tree ultimately perished soon afterwards. After meeting with Zelda and learning about Ganondorf, Link then traveled to both Death Mountain and Zora's Domain and slew the monsters plaguing them as well, thereby receiving the ruby and sapphire from Chief Daruna and Princess Ruto respectively.
Unfortunately, when Link returned to Hyrule Castle Town with all three stones, Ganondorf had already made his attack on the castle and likely murdered the king as well, forcing both Zelda and her attendant Impa to retreat from the town on horseback. Upon seeing Link, Zelda threw the Ocarina of Time into the moat so that Link could find it and use it to enter the Sacred Realm instead of Ganondorf. Ganondorf pursues them on his own horse, but loses them immedietley after exiting the town. He then sees Link and demands him to tell him which direction they went to, but Link refused to answer him, which makes Ganondorf seemingly impressed by the boy's courage. Link then draws his sword and prepares to fight, which amuses Ganondorf, who then blasts Link away with his magic. The Gerudo King then boasts his name and declares his intent to rule the world before riding off in pursuit of Zelda.
Acquiring the Triforce of Power and Seven Year Reign
After finding the Ocarina of Time, Link travels to the Temple of Time, where he uses it and the Spiritual Stones to open the Door of Time to unveil the Master Sword, the legendary blade of evil's bane which was used to cut down the original Demon King, sheathed within the Pedestal of Time. Link pulls out the sword to use against Ganondorf, but because he was too small and weak to properly wield it, he was sealed into the Sacred Realm where he falls into a deep slumber until he was big and strong enough to use it. Even worse, Ganondorf later returns to find the Sacred Realm had been opened, having suspected that Link had acquired the keys to do so. After "thanking" Link for helping his plan come to fruition, Ganondorf infiltrates the realm and finds the Triforce, preparing to have it grant his wish for world domination.
However, because Ganondorf's unbalanced heart, the Triforce instead seperates itself into its three fragments: the Tricorce of Courage, the Tricorce of Wisdom, and the Tricorce of Power. Each fragment then found its own bearer, with Ganondorf being granted the Triforce of Power; the aspect he most believed in. While he initially failed to conquer the world like he hoped to, the Triforce of Power did increase his dark magic to unimaginable heights. With his new power, Ganondorf was able to summon an entire horde of monsters under his control and easily conquered all of Hyrule, transforming it into a land of darkness and even replacing Hyrule Castle with one made in his evil image.
Despite his success in taking over Hyrule, Ganondorf had not given up on his quest of ruling the world, and thus sought to find the Triforce of Courage and the Triforce of Wisdom so that he could reunify them and make his wish come true. Unfortunetley, the Triforce fragments fell into the hands of his sworn enemies, Link and Zelda; the latter having disguised herself as a Sheikah male named Shiek. In addition, Ganondorf sent his legions to find and capture the Six Sages, whose power was also a threat to his scheme.
Link's Return and Ganondorf's Downfall
To be written...
Escaping the Sacred Realm
Much time passed after the events of Ocarina of Time, the story of Ganondorf's defeat passed on through many generations until it became legend. But at some point, Ganondorf somehow managed to escape from the Sacred Realm and began a new reign of terror in Hyrule. He built a new tower for himself nearby Hyrule Castle and sent his monsters to lay seige on the castle, causing immense destruction in its halls, in a presumed attempt to retrieve the Trifoce of Wisdom, which had been passed down the royal line for generations. The current king at that time, Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule and his people assumed that the Hero of Time would come to rescue them like before, but when he did not, they had no choice but to offer up their prayers to the gods to save them.
Hearing their pleas, the gods decided that the best way to seal away Ganondorf was to seal away all of Hyrule itself. They instructed the survivors of Ganondorf's onslaught to flee to the highest places in Hyrule, and once they did, they summoned a torrential downpour that flooded the land, turning it into a great ocean and its high points into islands. Only Hyrule Castle and the surrounding land were spared destruction, protected by a barrier that kept the water from coming in. However, Ganondorf and some of his forces were somehow able to escape the flood and make it to the surface. To prevent him from causing further destruction, the gods sealed away his full power, with the Master Sword, which was hidden underneath Hyrule Castle, serving as a lock and key. The seal also froze the land of Hyrule in time along with the monsters infesting it. To keep Ganondorf at further bay, Daphnes split the Triforce of Wisdom into two fragments; one was left to his relatives, who escaped the flood, while the other remained with him as he chose to stay behind in Hyrule.
Despite all these setbacks, Ganondorf was not undeterred from his ultimate goal to gain the Triforce and rule over Hyrule. Over the centuries, with the remaining forces he had, he began building a new empire for himself. He eventually took over the Forsaken Fortress, which once belonged to a pirate gang, and recruited the Helmaroc King as his personal servant. He then had his pet bird kidnap several long eared girls from across the islands, believing that one of them would be a descendant of the Hyrulian royal family and the reincarnation of Princess Zelda, and thus have a fragment of the Triforce. Also, knowing that his old rival Link would reincarnate to fight him, he began taking steps to ensure that he wouldn't cause him much trouble. He sent his monsters, Jalhalla and Molgera, to murder Laruto, the Sage of Earth, and Fado, the Sage of Wind to weaken the Master Sword's power so that it wouldn't be able to hurt him if it was used against him. He also sent Gohma and Kalle Demos to terrorize Dragon Roost Island and Forest Haven to retrieve their Goddess Pearls, which were the keys to finding Hyrule beneath the sea. He even attacked and utterly destroyed Greatfish Isle in an attempt to steal the third pearl, but its guardian, Jabun was able to escape with it to a hidden cave on Outset Island.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
As Ganondorf continued to patiently wait for the result of his plans, the Helmaroc King manages to kidnap Tetra, the current incarnation of Zelda, but her pirate crew hits it with a cannonball, causing to drop her on Outset Island, where the current incarnation of Link resides. After Link rescues Tetra, the Halmaroc King then captures Link's younger sister Aryll and brings her back to the Forsaken Fortress, which leads Link on a quest to rescue her. Just when he finds her, the Helmaroc King captures him and brings him to its master. Ganondorf recognizes the boy as the one who defeated him ages ago, but sees that he has not yet reached his full potential. Not wanting to finish off his old rival just yet, Ganondorf orders his pet to throw him far out at sea.
Ganondorf's choice to let Link live pays off for him, as Link manages to defeat his monsters and find the Goddess Pearls to reach Hyrule and pull out the Master Sword from its pedastal, which finally unseals Ganondorf's true power. Link then returns to the top of the Forsaken Fortress, Ganondorf reveals to Link that the Master Sword is dull and it is unable to banish evil. Before Ganondorf can seize Tetra, having found out she is Princess Zelda, the wielder of the Triforce of Wisdom, the Sky Spirit Valoo help Link and Tetra escape. Link is then tasked to reawaken the Master Sword while Zelda is hidden. Link successfully reawakens the Master Sword and gains the Triforce of Courage to become Hero of the Winds. Unfortunately, Ganondorf finds Link and Zelda's hideout, and captures the latter, bring her to his underwater tower. Link finds Zelda, who is unharmed, but being watched by Ganondorf. Just then, Ganondorf releases Puppet Ganon, who engages in a fight with Link. Puppet Ganon is defeated, and Link goes to Ganondorf to finally fight him at the rooftop of the tower.
Before the fight, Ganondorf reveals to Link his harsh and tragic history in Gerudo Desert, and how he envied the green lands of Hyrule. Ganondorf then reveals that he is in possession of the Triforce of Wisdom, and then punches Link, knocking him out half-unconscious. Ganondorf assures Link that he will not kill him, as he only desires the Triforce of Courage. Ganondorf then takes the Triforce of Wisdom and Courage from Zelda and Link respectively, forming the Triforce. Before Ganondorf is able to touch the Triforce, King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule suddenly appears and touches the Triforce first. He then wishes to permanently wash Hyrule away. Water then starts pouring through the barrier protecting Hyrule as Triforce appears, while Ganondorf is simuntaneously laughing. Link and Zelda then wake up, and the former engages in a final fight with Ganondorf. Link defeats Ganondorf, and plunges the Master Sword straight into Ganondorf's forehead. With a final grin, Ganondorf remarks that the wind is blowing before his body turns to stone. Ganondorf's body remains atop the tower alongside King Daphnes as Hyrule drowns beneath the ocean for good.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Ganondorf is mentioned in the prologue of the game recapping the events of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
Gallery
Ocarina of Time
.png "Ganondorf Artwork (Ocarina of Time).png (4.95 MB)")
.png "Ganon Artwork (Ocarina of Time).png (3.99 MB)")
.png "Ganondorf & Horse (Ocarina of Time).png (197 KB)")
.png "Ocarina of Time 3D Artwork Ganondorf - The Gerudo King of Evil(Offical Artwork).png (1.86 MB)")
.png "Ganondorf (Ocarina of Time).png (246 KB)")
.png "Ganon (Ocarina of Time).png (111 KB)")
Wind Waker
.png "Ganondorf (The Wind Waker).png (154 KB)")
Videos
Quotes
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
| “ | Arrrrgh! I lost her! You, over there! Little kid! You must have seen the white horse gallop past just now... Which way did it go!? Answer me!! (Link stays silent and steps away.) So, you think you can protect them from me... You've got guts, kid. (Link draws his sword and shield.) Heh heh heh... You want a piece of me!? Very funny! I like your attitude! (Ganondorf blasts Link away with his magic.) Pathetic little fool! Do you realize who you are dealing with!? I am Ganondorf! And soon, I will rule this world! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf's first words after meeting Young Link. |
| “ | Geh heh heh! Excellent work! As I thought, you held the keys to the Door of Time! You have led me to the gates of the Sacred Realm... Yes, I owe all to you, kid! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf thanking Link for letting him into the Sacred Realm. |
| “ | Hey kid, you did quite well... It looks like you may be gaining some slight skill... But you have defeated only my phantom... When you fight the real me, it won't be easy! What a worthless creation that ghost was! I will banish it to the gap between dimensions!! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf after Link defeats Phantom Ganon. |
| “ | Princess Zelda... you foolish traitor! I commend you for avoiding my pursuit for seven long years. But you let your guard down... I knew you would appear if I let this kid wander around! My only mistake was to slightly underestimate the power of this kid... No... It was not the kid's power I misjudged, it was the power of the Triforce of Courage! But with the Triforce of Wisdom that Zelda has... When I obtain these two Triforces... Then, I will become the true ruler of the world!! If you want to rescue Zelda, come to my castle! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf upon discovering and capturing Zelda. |
| “ | The Great Evil King Ganondorf... beaten by this kid!? Link....! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf upon being defeated by Link. |
| “ | YOU... CURSE YOU... ZELDA! CURSE YOU... SAGES!! CURSE YOU... LINK! Someday... When this seal is broken.... That is when I will exterminate your descendants!! As long as the Triforce of Power is in my hand.... | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf's last words after being sealed by Zelda and the Six Sages. |
Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
| “ | It's been a while, boy. You have done well to sneak into my fortress and wriggle you way all the way up here. I suppose the least I can do is commend you for your reckless courage. My name is Ganondorf… And I am the master of the Forsaken Fortress. By the way, boy... when you drew that sword of yours out of its pedestal... did you by chance notice how all of the monsters frozen in time down there suddenly began stirring again? Do you understand precisely what that means? ...I highly doubt you do. Foolish child. While that sword is indeed the blade of evil's bane, at the same time it has long played another role... You see. It is also a sort of key that has kept the seal on me and my magic intact! By withdrawing the blade, you have broken that seal.... | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf introducing himself to Link. |
| “ | You cannot defeat me with a blade that does not sparkle with the power to repel evil! What you hold is useless. Go back to the world below, and tell that to the pathetic fools who made this blade! Its power is gone, and its edges are dull! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf after Link failed to hurt him with the Master Sword. |
| “ | You pathetic little sea rat! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf after grabbing Tetra. |
| “ | Ganondorf: My Triforce of Power is resonating! Ha! At long last, I have found you... Princess Zelda! Tetra: Wh-What!? What are you talking about? I don't know any Zelda... Ganondorf: Feigning ignorance will gain you nothing! Tell me... If you are not Zelda, then why do you have this fragment of the Trifoce? |
„ |
| ~ Ganondorf after realizing Tetra's true identity. |
| “ | You have deceived yourself... Did you think you'd be safe inside the castle? Foolish... Now that my power has been restored, there is no safe haven for you! I have taken your precious Zelda. And here, you shall into eternal slumber! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf revealing to Link that he has taken Zelda while she was alone in the castle. |
| “ | Do you sleep still? (Link prepares to attack) Wait! Do not be so hasty, boy... I can see this girl's dreams... Oceans... Oceans... Oceans... Oceans... Oceans as far as the eye can see. They are vast seas... None can swim across them... They yield no fish to catch... What did the king of Hyrule say? ... That the gods sealed Hyrule away? And they left behind the people who would one day awaken Hyrule!? How ridiculous... So many pathetic creatures, scattered across a handful of islands, drifting on this sea like fallen leaves on a forgotten pool... What can they possibly hope to achieve? Don't you see? All of you... YOUR GODS DESTROYED YOU! I have been waiting for you, boy. For one like you... Yes... for the hero. Do not betray my expectations. | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf before transforming into Puppet Ganon before battling Link. |
| “ | Yes, surely you are the Hero of Time, reborn... Your time has come... Come now... Stand before me! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf after Link defeats Puppet Ganon. |
| “ | Already, the crest of wisdom is mine... All that remains... | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf as Link confronts him atop his tower before knocking Link unconscious with his swiftly punch. |
| “ | Do not fear. I will not kill you... I merely have need of the power that dwells within you. (picks up Link) Now! Let us put an end to which that binds us together! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf after knocking Link unconscious. |
| “ | Gods! Hear that which I desire! Expose this land to the rays of the sun once more! Let them burn forth! Give Hyrule to me!!! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf making his wish to the Triforce before being stopped by the King of Hyrule. |
| “ | This is foolishness... A future... for you? | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf after the King of Hyrule makes his wish. |
| “ | Very well, then... Allow me to show you... (brings out swords) Your future... Yes allow me to show you... Just what you hope to have... (turns around to face Link and Zelda) See how much your precious Triforce is worth! | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf before the final battle. |
| “ | Ughnn... Heh heh... The wind... It is blowing... | „ |
| ~ Ganondorf's last words before turning into stone after Link defeated him. |
Trivia
- The King of Red Lions repeatedly refers to him as Ganon throughout The Wind Waker, only calling him "Ganondorf" when directly interacting with him.
External Links
- Ganondorf on the Magnificent Baddie Wiki
- Ganondorf on the The Legend of Zelda Wiki
- Ganondorf on the Smash Bros. Wiki
- Ganondorf on Wikipedia
