Ancient Castle of Ikana

From Zelda Wiki, the Zelda encyclopedia
(Redirected from Ikana Castle)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

The Ancient Castle of Ikana,[1] also called Ikana Castle,[2] is a mini-dungeon in Majora's Mask.

It is located deep in Ikana Canyon, and is home to the long deceased king of the Ikana Kingdom, Igos du Ikana. The Castle was the center of the once-great Kingdom of Ikana and home to the Ikana Royal Family. It was protected by Ikana's soldiers, who were led by Captain Keeta.[3][4]

Entrance to the Castle

The main entrance of the Castle of Ikana is sealed up by an impenetrable front gate and cannot be entered normally.[5] Therefore, Link has to find an entrance somewhere else. The two accessible entrances are:

  • After obtaining the Mirror Shield from Beneath the Well, there is a small cave that is connected to the courtyard of the Castle.
  • The other entrance can only be used once the Mirror Shield or the Light Arrows have been obtained. It is a small opening next to the main gate and can be opened by removing the Sun Block, by either reflecting sunlight on it or shooting it with a Light Arrow.

Themes and Navigation

The Castle is an ancient building that is home to countless undead enemies, especially ReDeads and Wallmasters. The outer area is patrolled by Garo ninjas, who provide information about the place after Link defeats them. The inner area leads to three routes. The southern and northern routes both take the young hero to the roof of the castle and are filled with deadly obstacles and enemy encounters.

The primary theme of the dungeon is light versus darkness. Most of the puzzles require Link to create a source of light by interacting with the outside of the castle so that he can use the Mirror Shield to progress further through the interior of the Castle, first by pressing a switch on the top of a pillar, and later by blasting the entrance room's ceiling with a Powder Keg so that the throne room can be accessed. Once Link enters the throne room, he will encounter Igos du Ikana and his two minions. After successfully defeating them using the Mirror Shield and the Fire Arrows, the King teaches Link the "Elegy of Emptiness", which is necessary to advance once inside the Stone Tower.

There is also an optional puzzle regarding the pillars in flames (north of the castle) that leads to a Piece of Heart.

Minor Enemy

Middle Boss

Trivia

  • By throwing a Powder Keg off a fence on the roof, it is possible to skip half the dungeon and the Wizzrobe battle.
  • An Easter egg exists as a paper airplane sitting on the top of the pillar furthest to the left of the castle.

Nomenclature

TMC Forest Minish Artwork.png Names in Other Regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite.png
Language Name Meaning
Japan Japanese イカーナ古城 (Ikāna Kojō) Ikāna Ancient Castle
Canada FrenchCA Vestiges du château Ikana (MM3D) Remains of the Ikana castle
France FrenchEU Vestiges du Château Ikana Remains of the Ikana Castle
Germany German Ruinen von Ikana Ruins of Ikana
Italy Italian Antico castello di Ikana (MM3D) Same as English.
Spain SpanishEU Antiguo Castillo de Ikana Same as English.
Latin America SpanishLA Antiguo castillo de Ikana (MM3D) Same as English.

Gallery

References

  1. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 246
  2. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Official Soundtrack
  3. "That is the mask of the captain of the soldiers who once served to protect the castle on the hilltop." — Poe Collector (Majora's Mask)
  4. "I commanded the Ikana Army of Ikana Kingdom atop the hill. I am called Skull Keeta." — Captain Keeta (Majora's Mask)
  5. "Ikana Castle Front Gate
    Use what you will, this sealed gate shall never open.
    " — Sign (Majora's Mask)