Bubble


 * For the actual bubbles that appear Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly in, see Shabom.

Bubbles are a recurring enemy in. In certain games they are also known by alternate names such as Fire Faerie, Anti-Fairy, Whisp or Wisp.

Characteristics
A Bubble is a spirit in the form of an animated skull with fire surrounding it, sometimes also depicted with bat-like wings. The main threat behind the Bubble is the curse they inflict to those they touch, leaving the victim unable to wield a blade for brief period of time. This leaves the victim open to attack from any nearby enemies and monsters. While this is their most dangerous curse, the actual effects of touching a Bubble vary from game to game; sometimes they steal Magic, in others they will simply set Link on fire or merely cause damage.

The Bubbles of The Legend of Zelda were simply animated skulls with crackling flames surrounding them. Their movements were erratic, and they often appeared in swarms along with other enemies. They were entirely invincible, but would not cause damage. A touch from them would cause Link to be unable to use his sword for a short time, forcing him to rely on other weapons to defend himself, or simply flee until the curse wears off. Using the Recorder will dispel the curse instantly. The exception to this rule occurs in the Second Quest, where Red and Blue Bubbles make their first appearance. In this mode, Red Bubbles will curse Link permanently, while Blue Bubbles will dispel the curse. A Blue Bubble is usually not far away from a Red Bubble. Blue Bubbles, despite knocking Link back, are entirely benign.

Starting from, Bubbles started to vary from their original form. While visually similar, Bubbles now moved differently, bouncing off dungeon walls in straight diagonal lines. Instead of making Link unable to use his Sword, these Bubbles would now cause damage and steal Magic. This type of Bubble would also later appear in a number of other 2D games, such as, , , and , stealing magic where available, but otherwise simply causing damage and being an obstacle. This type of Bubble is also often known as an Anti-Fairy or sometimes Fire Faerie, possibly due to the fact that using Magic Powder on them in A Link to the Past will transform them into a Fairy. This Bubble commonly has four distinctive balls of fire that circle it.

In 3D Zelda games, Bubbles have little in common with the Bubbles of the previous games other than similarity in appearance. They are usually considerably easier to destroy than the near invincible appearances in previous games. Their attack patterns primarily do damage and while some will fly in set patterns similar to those in the 2D adventures, often they will directly react to Link's presence and attack. In, Bubbles appeared in Blue, Green, Red and White, each representing different attack patterns, with Blue being the most common. While they simply cause damage in Ocarina of Time, in, Blue Bubbles are also able to Jinx Link, which causes him to be unable to use his Sword. This ability was carried over to. Other varieties of Bubble will set fire to or freeze Link with their flames, while the normal Bubbles of lost their flames altogether.

Whisp
A Whisp or Wisp is the name given to a specific type of Bubble based on the Bubbles of the original The Legend of Zelda. This name was originally given to a separate variety of Bubble in the series to distinguish it from the normal variety (which was also known at the time as an Anti-Fairy). Whisps look and behave exactly like the Bubbles from the original game, cursing Link so he cannot use his Sword, moving erratically around the room, not causing damage and being invincible. Wearing the Whisp Ring will stop the effects of being cursed.

Whisps in are called Wisps and will behave extremely similarly, but blue Wisps will move faster and vanish after cursing Link, while red Wisps will move slower but will return after cursing. They can be defeated by sucking them into the Gust Jar.

Giant Bubble
A larger version of the normal Bubbles, Giant Bubbles, can be found in the Great Palace in The Adventure of Link. It behaves just like a normal Bubble, but if struck three times, it splits into two fast-moving normal Bubbles. It can be destroyed without it splitting if Link continues to strike it without stopping, but it will give no experience when destroyed. In Link's Awakening, the Giant Bubble returns as an enemy that only appears in the Face Shrine in a side-scrolling passageway. This Giant Bubble looks very different from regular Bubbles, but behaves similarly, bouncing around the room in the same manner. The enemy cannot be harmed with any of Link's weapons and will simply cause damage like regular Bubbles when it comes into contact with Link.

Bubble Group
The Bubble Group is a congregation of four Bubbles in A Link to the Past. They appear in the Eastern Palace, and swarm around a lone pot in one room. The jar sits atop a switch that needs to be hit to get the Big Key, but the pot cannot be reached with the Bubbles protecting it. To dispel the Bubble Group, Link must defeat all the enemies in the room except for them, at which point the group will split and fly around the room as normal Bubbles.

Blue Bubble
Blue Bubbles first appeared in the dungeons of the Second Quest in The Legend of Zelda. Rather than curse Link, they would dispel curses from Red Bubbles. Blue Bubbles would later reappear as dangerous varieties in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask and The Wind Waker. They are still found in many dungeons, but sometimes also appear in the overworld. Defending with Link's Shield will knock its blue flame out. Other items will also accomplish this purpose, but defending is the safest method. They also seem to be attracted to Bombs. When Link throws one near a Blue Bubble in Ocarina of Time, they circle it until the Bomb explodes. When the Bubbles drop to the floor, Link can simply attack it with his Sword. The ability to Jinx returned to Bubbles in Majora's Mask, as contact with its blue flames will cause Link to be unable to use his Sword for a few seconds, although it can be instantly removed by playing the "Song of Storms". If it touches the hero in The Wind Waker, he will be unable to use any item at all. Rather than blocking with the Shield to put out the flames, Link must use the Hookshot or Deku Leaf. Ice Arrows are also effective.

Red Bubble
The Red Bubble also first appeared in the Second Quest of The Legend of Zelda. They were the most dangerous variety of Bubble, as their curse would remain until Link touched a Blue Bubble. They later appeared in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, where they would leap from the lava in Death Mountain or the Fire Temple and bounce around, attempting to set fire to Link with their red flames before returning to the lava. This variety would later appear in The Wind Waker, flying normally like Blue Bubbles, but attempting to set him on fire rather than curse him. They can be defeated in the same manner as Blue Bubbles.

In Twilight Princess, a nearly identical enemy called the Fire Bubble can be found. Just like Red Bubbles in The Wind Waker, it will fly at Link to attack him. When they attack, they damage Link and set him on fire. Their flames can be extinguished with the Gale Boomerang, allowing Link to slash with the Sword. Fire Bubbles also appear in, where they are defeated by stunning it with the Boomerang, then attacking it with a Sword, Bomb, or Bombchu. These Bubbles can also be destroyed instantly by a single Arrow, though they are fairly hard to hit. Their movement pattern and red fire is based on the Bubbles of the 2D games.

Green Bubble
The Green Bubble appears in various dungeons throughout Ocarina of Time. They float in a set pattern with their green flames acting as a barrier. To defeat them, Link must simply wait until their flames die down or put them out with the Shield, then attack them. He can also attack them with a projectile weapon like the Bow, as they will not attack directly. They often appear in groups of two. A larger Green Bubble can be found floating around the water way in the Bottom of the Well.

White Bubble
In Ocarina of Time, White Bubbles bear no flames of any color. They are simply the animated skull of a Bubble with no additional features, yet are still able to fly. They leave trails of white lines behind them as they move. The White Bubble only appears in the Spirit Temple. Similar to the Green Bubble, the White Bubble follows a set path, but they are more erratic, stopping midway, then moving swiftly from one spot to another. They are often seen in groups, so it is a good tactic to pick them out one by one from a distance. Unlike most other Bubbles, they have no flames to dispel, so they can be easily destroyed with the Sword. They do not appear in, making them the only enemy from the original version to be excluded from it.

Ice Bubble
Ice Bubbles appear in Twilight Princess, Phantom Hourglass, and. As a counterpart to Fire Bubbles, they instead freeze Link in a small block of ice upon contact. They are defeated in much the same manner as their fire-based counterparts in either game. In Phantom Hourglass, the Bow, Boomerang, and Grappling Hook work best.

Non-Canon Appearances
In, Bubbles appear as enemies in the mode.

Trivia

 * In The Adventure of Link and A Link to the Past, Bubbles can steal Magic even if Link is flashing after taking damage from enemies or hazards. This period of time normally prevents Link from taking immediate damage again.
 * In, Bubbles will drop different items depending on how they are defeated. They normally drop three Hearts. If defeated with a Fire Arrow, they drop a bundle of 20 Arrows. If defeated with a melee attack, they drop three Green Rupees. If defeated with a Light Arrow, they drop a Purple Rupee.
 * Bubbles in Four Swords Adventures also behave similarly to Sparks, and also appear during the battle with the Big Poe.
 * Although Bubbles do not appear in SS undefined, the Dark Keese are a skeletal variety that also carry the ability to curse.
 * Stalfos heads can sometimes be seen floating around dungeons in A Link to the Past, chasing after Link when he turns his back. These heads do not have flames, but are similar to Bubbles.