The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda is a long-running action adventure franchise with spin-offs in various genres and various media. While I’ve only played a few games in the series (and beaten even fewer), Zelda has been a foundational cornerstone of the games industry for as long as I can remember.

Most Zelda games are concerned with the eternally-recurring battle of good against evil, with characters like Link and Zelda herself being reincarnations or descendants that fulfill their destined roles over and over. As such, the main characters tend to be broad archetypes leaving the story to focus on the hero’s journey. But the side characters who do not recur between games have more room for their own distinct personalities and stories.

Waifu Tier

ⓘ

The best of the best. Only one character may be in this tier for a given work or medium. This character... is Mai Waifu.

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  Lana

  from The Legend of Zelda

  Lana, The White Sorceress, is a playable hero and major character in Hyrule Warriors. Originally part of the sorceress Cia who protected the balance of the Triforce but was corrupted by Ganondorf, she is the embodiment of the light that was pushed out of Cia’s soul. When Cia led an army of monsters against Hyrule, Lana teamed up with Zelda, Link, and others to fight back.

  As a person of pure light and goodness, Lana does what’s necessary to save Hyrule despite the personal cost. While she tries to dissuade Cia from her destructive path and gives her every opportunity to cease her war, she knows that it’s more important to stop Cia than save her and doesn’t hesitate to help Link do so, though it ultimately means Cia’s death. And she never lets her unrequited love for Link - whom she knows must be with Zelda and not her - get in the way of their shared quest.

  She’s also my favorite hero to play as, with powerful magic that’s fun to use and effective both at clearing rooms and dueling giant bosses.