Midna
Midna is a recurring character in The Legend of Zelda series, first appearing in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.[5][6] She is an enigmatic resident of the Twilight Realm and serves as Link's companion for the duration of Twilight Princess.[7]
Biography
Twilight Princess
Midna is one of the Twili, a race descended from a confederacy of sorcerers banished to a separate dimension by the Golden Goddesses in an event known as the Interloper War.[8][9] This dimension shrouded in darkness eventually became known as the Twilight Realm.[10]
Before the events of Twilight Princess, Zant, a conspiring servant of the royal family overthrows Midna and places a curse on her. Already having a piece of Fused Shadow, she formulates a plan. Midna leaves the Twilight Realm to acquire and assemble the remaining pieces and exact her vengeance through its power.
In Ordona Province, she witnesses Link transform into a wolf before being taken away by a Shadow Beast. Midna follows Link to his prison cell in the Castle Sewers and offers that she will help him escape under the condition he does exactly as he is told.[11][12]
The pair eventually exit the sewers and go to a tower in Hyrule Castle to visit Princess Zelda where she is imprisoned.After the meeting with Zelda, Midna reminds Link that to save Ilia and the Ordon children who were kidnapped he must act as her "servant."[13] Once Link finds the first Fused Shadow in the Forest Temple, Midna reveals that was the item she was looking for, but refuses to explain their exact purpose or what her plans entail.[14]
Upon collecting all Fused Shadows, the usurper Zant confronts Link and Midna in the Spring of the Spirit Lanayru and easily confiscates them. He attempts to persuade Midna to join him, but she refuses. He then restrains her in front of the Light Spirit Lanayru, who gravely injures her by overexposing her to light. With Midna nearing death, Link rushes her to Princess Zelda.[15][16] Midna requests that Zelda tell Link how to break his curse and where to locate the Mirror of Twilight.[17][18] Zelda, realizing who Midna is and touched by her consideration of the world of light despite her injuries, revives her by giving up her physical form.[19][20] Moved by their selfless acts, Midna vows to save Hyrule.[21] The duo arrive at Gerudo Desert, where Midna asks Link's assistance in finding the Mirror of Twilight.[22]
After traversing the Arbiter's Grounds, Midna and Link locate the Mirror Chamber. Eventually, Midna and Link reach the Mirror Chamber where they are greeted by the Sages that guard the chamber. There they see Mirror of Twilight has been broken into Mirror Shards, with only one of four remaining in the frame. After the Sages reveal the locations of the remaining shards, Midna and Link recover them and return to the Mirror Chamber and fix the mirror. Before the pair's departure, the Sages reveal that Midna is the ruler of the Twili.[23] From there, Midna and Link travel to the Twilight Realm, where they confront Zant in the throne room of the Palace of Twilight. It is there where Zant lashes out against Midna in an unhinged fit of rage and exposes Ganondorf as his "god" and the source of his magic.[24]
Once Link defeats Zant in battle, Midna is shocked to see that her curse is not lifted; Zant gloats that only Ganondorf's defeat would restore her original state.[25] Enraged, she uses only a fraction of the power of the Fused Shadows to tear Zant apart and is utterly bewildered by their power.[26]
The duo returns to Hyrule with convictions to defeat Ganondorf and rescue Princess Zelda.[27] They soon confront a Twilight infested Hyrule Castle encased by an arcane prism conjured by Ganondorf. With the assistance of her ancestors' magic, Midna transforms into a colossal spider-like beast with a trident to pierce the barrier surrounding Hyrule Castle.[28] This course of action allows the duo entry into the great hall where Ganondorf and Princess Zelda reside.
After a brief confrontation between Link and a possessed Zelda, they successfully drive him from Zelda's body. From there, they fight a newly transformed Ganon. Through teamwork, they manage to keep the beast at bay. Because their sustained efforts fall short, Midna resigns to confront Ganondorf alone. Before doing so, she warps Link and Princess Zelda to East Hyrule Field. She uses the Fused Shadow again to transform into the creature with the intent to finish off Ganondorf. Victorious over Midna, Ganondorf appears before Link and the princess and breaks a piece of the Fused Shadow to flaunt her demise. With assistance from Zelda, Link subdues him in battle. Following Ganon's death, the Light Spirits descend upon the field to revive Midna; with Ganondorf neutralized Midna's curse is finally broken, and thus her true form restored.
With Hyrule brought to order, Midna bids Link and Princess Zelda farewell in the Mirror Chamber.[29][30] She sheds a single tear which destroys the Mirror of Twilight completely upon contact with it. Having severed the only link between the two dimensions, Midna races across the platform to return to the Twilight Realm. She parts with the hero, assuring "See you later..." before disappearing into the portal.[31]
Characteristics
Appearance
Midna is identified by the cursed state she appears in for the majority of the game: A diminutive imp with long arms, jagged elven ears, large cat-like red eyes (one covered by the Fused Shadow she wears), snub nose, and crooked fang. In both forms, her arms and legs are adorned with glowing aquamarine markings.
Standing taller than Link or Princess Zelda, Midna possesses orange hair, red eyes, and a pale bluish complexion. She wears a black, full-bodied hooded cloak with Twili patterns and symbols woven into the fibers. Underneath, she wears a half-dress that reveals one leg bare. Her regalia is typical of a Twili of her caste, all made from the same unidentified iridescent metal. These consist of a shackle that binds her hair, a forehead-encompassing circlet inlaid with a red gemstone, and a headdress similarly designed to Zant's shoes.
Personality
Midna begins Twilight Princess as a morally grey individual. Upon first encountering her, she is arrogant, cynical, and shrewd, in a way befitting an aristocrat. She sees herself as entitled to authority and prioritizes her agenda before the needs of others while showing impartiality and disdain to those whose status and goals differ from hers. As such, Midna is often condescending to Link, frequently jeering at him, insulting his intelligence, and makes veiled threats his loved ones’ safety.[32][33][34] A similar disregard extends to Princess Zelda, as Midna denigrates her leadership ability throughout the game, even going suggesting she is not entirely above Zant.[35][36][37] Notably, the most antagonistic and ruthless aspects of her personality are accentuated in her dynamic with Zant. Little is recounted of Zant and Midna's previous association, but it is mutually virulent when the game begins. She is also observed to have a playfully morbid sense of humor.[38]
Midna is shown to possess a vast degree of selflessness later on. When Zant ambushes Link and Midna her demeanor shifts drastically. Determined, she pleads for Link to help himself and carry on with their quest without her.[39] After the intervention of Link and Zelda, she is willing to do everything she can to help them in return.[40] Midna grows far more amiable as they progress on their adventure, maintaining a camaraderie with Link. Her honesty and trust in him improve as well. At the Mirror Chamber, Midna admits she was originally unconcerned with the Light World and imposed a deal upon Link simply to use him as a tool to gather the Fused Shadow fragments and crush Zant, following an expression of remorse for having fled her people.[41][42][43] By the end of the game, her entire view of the World of Light improves, delivering a genuine compliment to Princess Zelda and her subjects.[44]
Abilities
Throughout the game, Midna portrays several abilities both in the Light and Twilight worlds. The most notable one is that she is able to warp Link through the portals of the Twilight at any given time (provided that Link can transform into a wolf without anyone noticing him).[45] She seems to do this with ease, and is capable of it with any kind of object or person: at one point, Midna warps a bridge and a giant rock from Death Mountain in order to help Link during his quest.[46] Another ability seen in the beginning of Twilight Princess is the capability of walking through walls and other objects, as witnessed when she easily disintegrates and reintegrates as she gets through Link's cell in Hyrule Castle. Moreover, she can easily change her appearance and transform into other people: Midna changes her appearance to look exactly like Ilia and Colin as she reminds Link of who else he needs to rescue.
These powers are just some of the many other abilities that Midna seems to possess, another being that she easily frees Wolf Link from his chain and imprisonment by simply concentrating a small ball of energy between her hands. The most important power contained within the true Twilight Princess is the ability to utterly shatter the Mirror of Twilight. Zant, the Usurper King, was only able to destroy the mirror into fragments,[47][48] and it's only Midna's true powers that can completely obliterate the Mirror.[49]
Gameplay
Midna's function in the game is comparable to Link's previous companions: she provides a tutorial to the player and offers Link hints on what to do or where to go next. When Link is a Wolf, Midna rides atop his back and can create an energy field to help the young hero lock on to enemies and defeat them, as seen in the case of Shadow Beasts. Players can choose to talk to Midna at any time by pressing the "Z" button on the GameCube controller or up on the Directional Pad on the Wii Remote. When Wolf Link is in a certain area or near a faraway platform, Midna's icon will flash, which, when pressed, will make Midna float over to that area, allowing Wolf Link to access otherwise inaccessible platforms. She can also hide in Link's shadow while he's in his human form.[50][51] Once he turns into Wolf Link, she can use her hair to pull switches or create a power field around her for Wolf Link to attack enemies within range.[52][53]
Other Appearances
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Midna appears as two Stickers and a Trophy. "Midna's Lament" also appears as an unlockable song which plays on the Bridge of Eldin stage.
# | Trophy | Significant Games | Description | How to unlock |
---|---|---|---|---|
196 | Midna |
Twilight Princess | A mysterious masked being. Midna was a princess in the Twilight Realm who was transformed into an imp by Zant. Midna's personality is characterized by a sharp tongue and a tendency to act on whims. Midna pairs with Link to save the world. She also possesses powerful magic skills, such as the ability to warp through space. | RandomCan be obtained via Coin Launcher, in certain rounds of All-Star Mode, or during Subspace Emissary mode |
Sticker | Artwork from | Effect in The Subspace Emissary | Usable by |
---|---|---|---|
Midna & Wolf Link |
Twilight Princess | [Leg] - Attack +26 | |
Midna |
Twilight Princess | Dizzy Time —50 | All |
Hyrule Warriors
In Hyrule Warriors and Hyrule Warriors Legends, Midna appears as a playable Warrior. She uses the Shackle as her Weapon, with which she uses to conjure powerful Twilight attacks. Her fighting style is brutal and wild, often consisting of her grabbing and throwing her enemies using her hair as well as summoning Shadow Wolves to attack.[54] One of Midna's attacks transforms her into her Fused Shadow form from Twilight Princess.
In the game's Legend Mode, Cia is said to have transformed Midna into her imp form and she is now searching for Cia in order to be changed back. She is first encountered as a villain by Lana and Agitha in "Land of Twilight", having stolen Agitha's Goddess Butterfly after learning it could guide her to Cia. She is soon tracked down by Lana and defeated, conceding defeat and surrendering the butterfly. However after learning that the Hyrulean Forces are not aided with Cia, she willingly joins their cause and travels with them to the Palace of Twilight, where the era's Gate of Souls is being guarded by Zant.
When defeated in battle as an opponent, Midna may either drop a lock of her Hair as a silver Material, or her piece of Fused Shadow as a gold Material.
My Nintendo Picross: Twilight Princess
Midna appears in the in-game tutorials in My Nintendo Picross: Twilight Princess, where she teaches the rules to Picross puzzles and offers tips on solving them.
Whenever a puzzle is solved, Midna gives the option of posting the resulting image to Miiverse, along with an optional message or drawing from the player, which can feature Miiverse Stamps of the solved puzzles.
The thirtieth puzzle in the Picross series and the thirty-seventh puzzle in the Mega Picross series depict Midna.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Midna appears as an Assist Trophy. When summoned, she attacks opponents with her hair in its arm form. She also appears as a Trophy.
# | Trophy | Appears in | Description | How to unlock | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
202Nintendo 3DS version 204Wii U version |
Twilight Princess | Midna is a descendant of the Twili and comes from the Twilight World. She doesn't mind getting a bit bossy with Link, and though she offers to help him, her motives are unclear. Try to ignore her dismissive attitude—maybe she just has trouble showing her true self. | RandomCan be obtained in Classic Mode, in All-Star Mode, in Trophy Rush, in Smash Run (3DS exclusive), in Smash Tour (Wii U exclusive), in Crazy Orders (Wii U exclusive) or purchased from the Trophy Shop | ||
Midna |
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Midna Primary Spirit No. 222 |
Team Power | Grab | 9200 | Rank | ★★★ ACE | Fighter(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage | Bridge of Eldin | Theme | "Midna's Lament" | Bayonetta | |
Rule(s) | Assist Trophy Enemies Item: Transforming Types |
Hazard(s) | — | ||
Condition(s) | |||||
• Hostile assist trophies will appear |
Midna reappears as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. She also appears as a Spirit and, when enhanced to Level 99, can become, Wolf Link & Midna.
Trivia
- During development of Twilight Princess, Tetra from The Wind Waker was used as a placeholder for Midna when riding Wolf Link.[55]
- Midna's voice clips feature English lines jumbled up and distorted, creating the gibberish heard in the game.[56]
- When Link is in Wolf form but does not have Midna riding on his back, her shadow still appears over him. If Link is in front of anything reflective, such as the ice from Snowpeak Ruins, Midna will have no reflection.
- In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Midna's left hand is miscolored grey on the Wolf Link trophy, despite the rest of her arm being the correct black.
Nomenclature
Midna's name comes from the word "midnight." [57]
Names in Other Regions | ||
---|---|---|
Language | Names | |
ミドナ (Midona) (SSBUSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate) | ||
米多娜 (Mǐduōnà) (SSBUSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate) | ||
| ||
Midona (HWDEHyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)[58] | ||
Midona (HWDEHyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition) | ||
Midna (HWDEHyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)[60] | ||
Midna (HWDEHyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition) | ||
Midna (HWDEHyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition) | ||
Midna (HWDEHyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition) | ||
This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference. |
Gallery
See Also
References
- ↑ "From Twilight Princess, Midna and Agitha join the battle." — Hyrule Warriors Direct , YouTube, published August 4, 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1
Midna... Foolish Twilight Princess... The curse on you cannot be broken... It was placed on you by the magic of my god! The power you held as leader of the Twili will never return!
— Zant (Twilight Princess HD) - ↑
Midna, Twilight Princess
— Tutorials (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition) - ↑
Midna: Princess of the Twilight Realm. A curse placed upon her by Zant causes her to physically transform and lose her magical abilities. In the Light World, she appears as a shadow.
(Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 114) - ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 276 (TPTwilight Princess)
- ↑
Eee hee hee! Welcome to the world of Picross.
— Midna (My Nintendo Picross: Twilight Princess)
I'm Midna. - ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 275
- ↑
Do you now understand what I am? I'm a descendant of the tribe that was banished to the Twilight Realm!
— Midna (Twilight Princess HD) - ↑
What do you think happened to the magic wielders who tried to rule the Sacred Realm? They were banished. They were chased across the sacred lands of Hyrule and driven into another realm by the goddesses.
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
It was another world entirely... The antithesis of Hyrule, where the sun shines bright. Eventually, most came to call it the Twilight Realm, and from it, none could return to the world of light...
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
As a ruler who fled her people, I'm hardly qualified to forgive you. In our world, we've long believed that the Hero would appear as a divine beast. That's why when I found you, I thought I could use you, Link.
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
But in exchange for my help, you have to do EXACTLY as I say!
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
I guess a promise is a promise, so I'll let you go back to where you first tumbled into twilight... But...are you really sure you should be going back? Are you sure you aren't forgetting anything important? Eee hee! Do you want to save them? Well, in that case, little Midna would be happy to help you! But... Well, you'd have to be my servant...and like a servant, you'd have to do exactly as I say!
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Eee hee hee! Well done! That's...what I was looking for. That's a Fused Shadow. It's what the light spirit called dark power... There's a total of three Fused Shadows. I think the other light spirits have the rest... If you want to know exactly what Fused Shadows are... Well, maybe I'll tell you if you find the other two.
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
And that, Midna, is why... I need you. Not just for me, but for all of our people... Lend me your power. So be it... I will return you to the light world you covet!
— Zant (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Link, hero chosen by the goddesses... Go to the princess locked away in the castle.
— Spirit of Light (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Please... Please tell me... How do we break...the curse on this one? This...is the one... You need him...to save your world! That's why... Princess... Please...You must help Link...
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Princess... I have one last request... Can you tell him...where to find the Mirror of Twilight?
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Midna... I believe I understand now just who and what you are... Despite your mortal injuries, you act in our stead... These dark times are the result of our deeds, yet it is you who have reaped the penalty. Accept this now, Midna. I pass it to you...
— Princess Zelda (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Once Princess Zelda's spirit, which remained inside Midna, was returned to her body, she defended Link using the Light Arrows.
(Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 117) - ↑
But after witnessing the selfless lengths that Princess Zelda and you have gone to... Your sacrifices... I now know, in the bottom of my heart, that I must save this world, too. There is no other way.
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Hey, but listen, Link... I've got a little favor to ask... Would you mind coming with me to find something called the Mirror of Twilight? It's hidden somewhere in Hyrule... Yes, the Mirror of Twilight... Our last potential link to Zant!
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive our carelessness... O Twilight Princess.
— Sage (Twilight Princess) - ↑
And as such, I was denied the magic powers befitting our ruler. It was then, in the thrall of hatred and despair, that I turned my eyes to the heavens...and found a god.
— Zant (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Midna... Foolish Twilight Princess... The curse on you cannot be broken... It was placed on you by the magic of my god! The power you held as leader of the Twili will never return! Already he has descended and been reborn in this world...
— Zant (Twilight Princess) - ↑
I... I used just a fraction of the power that's in me now... I did THAT using only a fraction of my ancestors' magic?!
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
With it, I can return the cherished power Zelda bestowed upon me... Now! Let's go! Princess Zelda is waiting!
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
So Ganondorf was just using Zant to help him return to the world of light... I guess now we know the true nature of that barrier over Hyrule Castle... He's in Hyrule Castle, I'm sure of it...
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Well...I guess this is farewell, huh? Light and shadow can't mix, as we all know. But... Never forget that there's another world bound to this one.
— Midna (Twilight Princess HD) - ↑
Zelda... Your words are kind, and your heart is true. If all in Hyrule are like you... Then maybe you'll do all right. Thank you...
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Thank you... Well, the princess spoke truly: as long as that mirror's around, we could meet again... Link... I... See you later...
— Midna (Twilight Princess HD) - ↑
Hmph! I guess you're not completely stupid after all!
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
You idiot! While you were staring off into dreamland, your lantern got stolen!
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
So you really have no choice but to do what I say. Saving your friends and all that... Well, that'll depend on your actions... Because you never can trust words, you know.
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
So, don't you think you should explain to him what you've managed to do? You owe him that much... ...Twilight Princess! Eee hee!
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
But Zant will never be my king! I have nothing but scorn for his supposed strength. Not that your Zelda is much better...
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
It still appalls me that this world of light is controlled by that princess. A carefree youth, a life of luxury... How does that teach duty?
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
What a shame... I mean, maybe you'd rather just wander as a spirit like the rest of them, totally unaware of what was happening for all eternity...right? Eee hee hee!
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Fine... Link... You can... You can get to the woods...on your own, right?
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
But after witnessing the selfless lengths that Princess Zelda and you have gone to... Your sacrifices... I now know, in the bottom of my heart, that I must save this world, too. There is no other way.
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Remember what Faron the light spirit said... He said you would need the Fused Shadows to defeat the dark overlord Zant and save the world...
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
In our world, we've long believed that the Hero would appear as a divine beast. That's why when I found you, I thought I could use you, Link. And I only cared about returning our world to normal... I didn't care what happened to the world of light, not at all.
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
As a ruler who fled her people, I'm hardly qualified to forgive you.
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Zelda... Your words are kind, and your heart is true. If all in Hyrule are like you... Then maybe you'll do all right. Thank you...
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
I'll use my power to take you to the location of the open portal... Pick where you want to go.
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
When most people enter the twilight, they can't come out this easily. You'd better be grateful!
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Only the true leader of the Twili can utterly destroy the Mirror of Twilight...so Zant could merely break it into pieces.
— Sage (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Zant could only break the Mirror of Twilight into shards... He couldn't utterly shatter it.
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Only the true ruler of the Twili can destroy the Mirror of Twilight.
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
I want to keep a low profile, so I'll hide in your shadow when you're human, but I can change you whenever.
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Do you mind if I continue to hide as your shadow while you're in human form?
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
You just hold down [B] and I'll expand an energy field, so enclose all the enemies within it and release!
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑
Press and hold [B] and I'll put up a dark energy field... You trap all of these guys inside of it and then release the button!
— Midna (Twilight Princess) - ↑ "This impish Twili princess can ride a shadow wolf into battle and swat down enemies with her magical, hand-like locks of hair." — Nintendo, Official Site - Hyrule Warriors for Wii U , Zelda.com, published n.d., retrieved October 26, 2014.
- ↑ "In early prototypes, as a placeholder for Midna, Tetra from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was riding on Wolf Link as he ran around Hyrule." — Satoru Takizawa, Countdown to DLC Pack 1: The Master Trials , Zelda.com (web archive), published June 27, 2017, retrieved June 27, 201.
- ↑ Inumarou, Midna's Voice Clips - Unscrambled , YouTube (Video), published December 20, 2010.
- ↑ "Speaking of which, her name seems to come from midnight... "shadow" = "night" is simple, isn't it." — Brian, Zelda: Twilight Princess HD tweet (1/25/16) , Nintendo Everything, published January 25, 2016, retrieved January 25, 2016.
- ↑ "Midona" — View Warriors (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
- ↑ "……米多娜?!" — Princess Zelda (Twilight Princess, NVIDIA Shield TV version)
- ↑ "Midna" — View Warriors (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
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