The Legend of Zeldais a storied franchise with innumerable characters, from mainstays like Link and Zelda, to smaller on-off parts only present in a single game. Some characters, like Rauru fromTears of the Kingdom, manage to make the jump from small-timeLegend of Zeldainclusion to become important characters in Hyrule’s history, and one character from an iconic game is long overdue for more time in the spotlight.
Because of the way theLegend of Zeldagames skip around the universe’s timeline, it’s too easy for even the most important characters from some games not to come back in future titles. The likes of Link, Zelda, Ganon, and others who frequently return have been explained as being the reincarnated spirit of the same character, giving them the ability to transcend time in a way, as they are reborn just in time for each new installment. While this explanation is usually reserved for major characters, a number ofZelda’s recurring side charactersare also believed to be reborn when they appear in different games at distant points in the timeline.Tears of the Kingdomused this technique to give new life toOcarina of Time’s Sage of Light, Rauru, but he isn’t the onlyOcarina of Timesage that deserves a rebirth.
Rauru’s Return shouldn’t be a One-Off for the Zelda Series
Fans of the earlierZeldagames might remember Rauru as the sometimes-man-sometimes-owl who turns out to be the Sage of Light inOcarina of Time, but recent games have given the name to a much different character. InTears of the Kingdom, players were introduced to the king of the zonai, Rauru, who married Queen Sonia and founded the kingdom of Hyrule. Throughout the game, players will learn more about Rauru, Sonia, and Hyrule’s past as Link reawakens the sages of Rauru’s time. As it turns out, this version of Rauru also holds the title of Sage of Light, leading many fans to believe thatRauru has been reincarnated, allowing his spirit to play the same role in both games.
This revelation has fans wondering what the two characters' other connections might be. Other than their names and roles as Sage of Light, there’s nothing directly tying the two together, but the importance of the Sage of Light shouldn’t be overlooked. The idea ofsages being reincarnated inZeldagamesis old news, as this plot line has been used in many of the series’ titles. However, though the sages are often present, they don’t usually share names with their previous era’s counterparts. This could mean that Rauru’s spirit plays a much larger role in the story of Hyrule than fans might have thought.
Another Important Sage has been Overlooked for Too Long
Rauru’s connection toOcarina of Timehardly went unnoticed by longtime players, who were left somewhat puzzled by his inclusion. After all, he is generally thought to be one of the weaker characters inOcarina’s sage lineup. Another sage, who many players feel a much greater connection to, isSaria, the Sage of the Forestand Link’s childhood best friend. So far, Saria has only appeared inOcarina of Time, but if Rauru can become a major player in Hyrule’s history, then she deserves a similar role in a future title. With her strong ties to Link and heartfelt scenes at the beginning of the game, Saria easily won over many players, but has been left in the past. As a sage though, her return could easily be explained if she were to appear like Rauru inTears of the Kingdom, and help Link or Zelda through another quest.
Ocarina of Timeis one of the most beloved and acclaimedLegend of Zeldagames, and Rauru’s inclusion inTears of the Kingdomshows that Nintendo knows that. As a fan-favorite character, Saria’s rebirth might be even better received than Rauru’s, and would be the perfect way tohonorOcarina of Time’s legacy. She and Link should get a chance to rekindle their friendship across generations as she finally gains the reputation she deserves.
