Majora's Mask (Object)

Majora's Mask (pronounced ) is the primary antagonist in the game of the same name, once used by an Ancient Tribe as a form of hexing and torture. The mask is primarily seen being worn by the game's supposed antagonist, Skull Kid, who uses its dark magic to wreak havoc across Termina.

History
Majora's Mask is first introduced after the Happy Mask Salesman removes the curse that was placed on Link by Skull Kid. The salesman explains that the mask is an ancient artifact that was used by an Ancient Tribe for its bewitching rituals, but the mask's wicked power became so great that it was sealed away to prevent a great catastrophe. However, since the ancient tribe vanished, no one accurately knows the true nature of its power. The salesman fears the great devastation that could befall Termina if the mask is not taken back from the Skull Kid.

For a majority of the game, the mask is worn by Skull Kid on the Clock Tower, drawing the Moon to Termina. Although the Skull Kid is unaware, Majora's Mask is gradually beginning to take complete control of his mind, with his once harmless pranks becoming malicious acts of evil. Prior to the game's events, Skull Kid used the power of the mask to prank and curse others around him, such as Kafei.

After the Four Giants are called, the mask abandons Skull Kid and enters the Moon so that it can push it through the Giants' blockade and complete its destructive path. Link then proceeds to follow Majora's Mask into the Moon. Once inside, he finds four children wearing the Boss Remains and one lonely child under a tree wearing Majora's Mask. If Link gives all his non-transformation masks to the four children, the child wearing Majora's Mask will give him the Fierce Deity's Mask. He will then take Link to the final boss room.

After the young hero and Tatl defeat Majora's Mask, they return to the land of Termina where the Happy Mask Salesman informs them that the evil inside the mask has disappeared. The mask is last seen as the Happy Mask Salesman departs with it in his hands.

A Link Between Worlds
In, Majora's Mask can be seen hanging in Link's House, which later becomes Ravio's Shop. It is unknown if the mask is the genuine article, as it is unclear how and when Majora's Mask would have been found in the Downfall Timeline. The mask cannot be worn, although Link can merge into the wall behind it to create an illusion of wearing it. The mask was placed in the game as a hint of the Nintendo 3DS remake of.

Majora's Mask
When the battle starts, Majora's Mask comes to life and grows hairlike tentacles. To defeat it, Link must first stun the mask with any projectile by hitting it in the back. This will make the mask collapse to the ground, allowing Link to strike it with his Sword. Alternatively, Link can transform into Zora Link and use his Boomerang fins. When Z-targeting the mask, the fins will fly behind it, hitting its back. Additionally, Deku Link can burrow into the flower designs on the ground, protecting him from any attack. This also allows Deku Link to hit the mask as it flies over him. After the mask has taken enough damage, the four Boss Remains will begin to attack Link as well, shooting energy bolts at him. They can be defeated by shooting Arrows at them. Majora's Mask will also start shooting fire beams at Link, which can be deflected back at the mask with the Mirror Shield. Majora's Mask can also use its tentacles to perform a whirling attack. The attack cannot be blocked, but it can be countered with a Spin Attack, causing the mask to become stunned.

Majora's Incarnation
After the mask form is defeated, it loses its tentacles and grows a set of arms and legs, as well as a tiny, one-eyed head with horns. This form of Majora's Mask will run around the room, pausing every now and then to perform a variety of dances, including the and, pirouettes, and jumping jacks or to make taunting gestures at Link. Its only attack is a rapid-fire barrage of energy bolts it fires from its hands. To defeat Majora's Incarnation, Link must hit it with either his Sword or Bow when it stops dancing. When hit, it will fall to the ground on its face and flail about. After being struck a few times with the Sword, it will get up again. During the entire battle, Majora's Incarnation makes clucking and whooping noises, and emits a high-pitched screech whenever struck. Though seemingly weaker than its other forms, its speed makes it hard to hit.

Majora's Wrath
After the final scream from Majora's Incarnation is heard, it stands up to assume its final form. Its muscles then begin to throb and inflate into a more humanoid shape,. Whip-like tentacles also shoot out from its hands, and a new head bursts forth from its neck, becoming Majora's Wrath. To defeat Majora's Wrath, Link must use a projectile weapon to stun it while it is immobile. He can then strike it with a Light Arrow or his Sword. It often jumps from one side of the arena to the other. Its attacks are fast-hitting, but slow to wind up, giving Link a window of opportunity to attack. Majora's Wrath attacks by whipping its tentacles three times, throwing giant spinning tops lined with spikes, grabbing Link and tossing him across the room, and using a furious whipping attack that is announced by shriek. Most of the Majora's Wrath's attacks have a long reach which allows it to attack numerous times in succession. Defeating Majora's Wrath causes the monster to disintegrate into ashes.

Majora's Mask Manga
In an extra chapter of the it is explained that before the time setting of Majora's Mask, there was an evil creature which fed on the desires of humans who had come to try and claim its armor and be granted their wishes. A traveler then comes forward to the place where the monster lived and starts talking with the creature, where he finds that the monster itself wanted to die, being so miserable. The man then proceeded to pull out his bongo and started playing. The monster went into a trance and started dancing. The traveler played for three days straight, and on the third day, the beast dropped dead from dancing. The traveler then took its magical armor, but instead of wishing upon it, he carved it into a mask in an attempt to seal the beast's power inside the mask forever. The mask was named Majora after the beast. The mask had a spirit because Majora's evil power lingered on inside the mask seeking a host, not resting until its wish was granted.

Super Smash Bros. Series
In, Majora's Mask serves as a stage for , "Trophy Tussle 3." If all three opponents are defeated within three minutes and without losing the 2 lives granted, the player is rewarded with Majora's Mask Trophy. In, Skull Kid wearing the Majora's Mask appears as an. When summoned, he flips the stage upside-down, inverting the direction of the fighters' movements. A Trophy of the Skull Kid wearing the Majora's Mask and another Trophy of the mask itself can be bought from the. In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Majora's Mask appears as an item in, inflicting 50% of damage to the user while doubling its stats.

Hyrule Warriors Series
In, Majora's Mask appears in the Majora's Mask DLC Pack as part of Lana's Skull Kid Clothes Costume. Majora's Mask also appears as an Item Card in the Termina Map from Adventure Mode, where it maxes out a Warrior's Special and Magic gauges for a single battle. Majora's Mask is also worn by the Skull Kid, who appears as a playable Warrior, and who also appears when Young Link summons the Moon during his Focus Spirit Attack. In, Majora's Mask also appears as Skull Kid Gold Material drop.

The Twili
The Twili tribe, which was introduced in, or more likely their ancestors, could be the Ancient Tribe that used and possibly created Majora's Mask. Majora's Mask has similarities to the Fused Shadow, a relic created by the Interlopers, as they share similar powers and have some aesthetic similarities, especially around the eyes. The Twili's fighting style, as portrayed by Zant, is also very similar to that of Majora's Wrath. As such, Majora's Mask could be the Terminan version of the Fused Shadow, or perhaps a "prototype" of it. And considering that the Happy Mask Salesman said that he went to great lengths to get the mask, it could mean that he actually went into the Twilight Realm to get Majora's Mask.

Ikana
The Ikana Kingdom is populated by an ancient tribe whose history is said to be "stained with a history of darkness" and "drenched in blood," so they would certainly be a match for the ancient tribe who used the Mask.

Trivia

 * During the battle with Majora's Incarnation, it can be heard "singing" part of the Death Mountain theme from.
 * Twilight Princess concept artwork of Ganondorf in bears what appears to be an effigy of Majora's Mask on his armor.

Etymology
Mujura, the Japanese name for Majora, was created by Takaya Imamura, designer of the mask and art director for the original game. He created the word by combining Imamura, his last name, with.