How The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Can Breathe New Life into Impa
Nearly every entry in the Legend of Zelda franchise reinvents itself by remixing familiar elements. Most have their own take on Hyrule with versions of Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf representing the Triforce of Courage, Wisdom, and Power. There are also a handful of side characters who make appearances across the branching Zelda timeline, from Beedle the shopkeeper to Tingle in his iconic green jumpsuit. Impa is one of the series' most important tertiary characters, but The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has to give the Sheikah matriarch a new role.
The original Legend of Zelda features Impa, though not by name; she's called «Old Woman» on NES, but players who read the 1986 game's manual learn she is a nursemaid for Princess Zelda who seeks a hero to defeat Ganon. Impa's role as a guardian and mentor continues with her appearances in Ocarina of Time, the Oracle duology, and Skyward Sword, among others. Her part in Breath of the Wild is more passive, but the younger version introduced in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity could lead to more as Nintendo crafts Impa a place in the narrative.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Could Help the Rito Shine
Age of Calamity, a hack-and-slash spin-off by Omega Force, is set 100 years prior to the events of Breath of the Wild. Its canonicity is questionable given it changes history through time-travel shenanigans, but it presents Impa in her prime. She is a royal advisor to Zelda's family, renown for her knowledge of ancient relics, and the first ally to join Link's quest. Her combat style leans into the ninja motif that Sheikah have embodied since Ocarina of Time, able to create clones of herself that all attack with kunai and bomb barrels.
In Breath of the Wild's timeline,
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