Impa



Impa is a character seen frequently throughout the Legend of Zelda series. Typically, she serves as a nursemaid and/or bodyguard to Princess Zelda and often offers guidance to Link. Her appearance differs drastically from Ocarina of Time to The Oracle Series.

The Legend of Zelda
Impa is the princess' old and gentle nursemaid. She considers Zelda her own daughter and loves her very much, so much that she would do anything to protect her. After an unexpected attack on Hyrule Castle, Impa fled to find a young lad with enough courage to save the kingdom. She then found Link, the one boy who she knew would be able to rescue the princess.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Impa is the nursemaid of the royal family of Hyrule, and a wise one at that. Impa knows more than anyone could imagine and it is her who explained to Link his destiny. The Legend of Zelda was passed down from her family to keep it safe, and once she saw Link's hand she showed him where the princess was asleep in North Castle. He then knew of the legend of the Great Palace, the location of the Triforce of Courage. She gave Link six crystals to place in the six palaces all over Hyrule to then gain access to the Great Palace.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Impa is Princess Zelda's nursemaid and one of the last survivors of the Sheikah race. She is a great asset to the Royal Family as she is talented in martial arts and is sworn to protect the Princess. She resides in her hometown, Kakariko Village. Later in the game, she is awakened as the Sage of the Shadow Temple. Notably, she bears the Sheikah eye symbol on her chest.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
Impa is the trusted nursemaid of Princess Zelda. Impa, sent by Zelda to bring Nayru back to Hyrule for protection, meets Link when she finds she cannot move a large rock with the Mark of the Hero upon it: Link moves this with ease. However, Veran, Sorceress of Shadow, had possessed Impa. Veran transfers herself into Nayru, leaving Impa's body. After Nayru is kidnapped, she puts all her trust in Link to save Labrynna.

In the Oracle of Ages manga, she is shown to possess almost superhuman strength, being able to carry a cow over her head with relative ease, despite it annoying her greatly.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
Impa is the trusted nursemaid of Princess Zelda, and she has been sent to bring the Oracle of Seasons away from the dangers that threaten her in Holodrum, and take her back to Hyrule. After Din is captured by Onox, she puts all her trust into Link, as he bears the mark of a Hylian hero.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Impaz is a little old lady with red eyes that lives in a cowboy Western-style village hidden from the world (actually called Hidden Village, but at the outskirts, there is a sign that says "Old Kakariko Village.) that awaits for the day a messenger from the skies will arrive with the Dominion Rod. She claims that her name is sacred to the royal family (obviously referring to Impa) and that long ago, a tribe dedicated to helping the royal family lived here.  It's strongly implied that this is the old village the Sheikah lived in, the Kakariko Village of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.  She helped save Ilia.

Trivia

 * Apart from Nabooru, Impa is the only main female character in Ocarina of Time that Link does not share a possible romantic relationship with.