Tears of The Kingdom: Constrained Queer Expression in The Legend of Zelda
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, players found a space for queer expression in the vast kingdom of Hyrule. However, in the game’s expansion, Tears of the Kingdom, this sense of exploration and freedom seemed to be stifled. The constraints on gender expression and the limited role for the character Zelda in the game raised concerns among fans.
The speculation about Link’s gender began before the release of Breath of the Wild. The character’s androgyny in the game’s teaser trailer sparked discussions about the player character’s presumed gender and identity. Some even questioned if a female Hero of Time was possible in the game. Nintendo addressed these speculations by stating that changing Link’s gender would disrupt the balance of the Triforce, and having Zelda as the main character would leave Link with nothing to do.
This reveals the underlying gender dynamics in Hyrule, where the Triforce symbolizes the subordination of women to men and positions courage and power as traits exclusive to men. Fans were disappointed with Zelda’s continuous sidelining in the games, while Link was intended to be a blank slate for players of all identities. However, Link’s gender expression was not incorporated into this vision, aligning with Japanese cultural preferences rather than taking a risk.
Breath of the Wild faced gender controversy closer to release when leaked screenshots showed Link’s interaction with the character Vilia outside Gerudo Town, an all-female city in Hyrule’s desert. The game included a transphobic punchline about crossdressing, but players went on to find queer expression and joy in exploring Hyrule. Crossdressing Link was embraced by artists, cosplayers, and authors of fan fiction.
In contrast, Tears of the Kingdom restricts imagination and denies space for queer subtext and expression. The narrative perpetuates Hyrule’s status quo and introduces new constraints. This becomes evident when examining Gerudo Town, a gendered and raced space within Hyrule. The Gerudo, a matriarchal society inspired by Arabic or North African culture, only allow women and genderless Gorons into their city.
Despite the restrictions on men entering Gerudo Town, the Gerudo themselves do not police gender. Vilia, a character who can be interpreted as a trans woman, is welcomed in the city, and Link is allowed entry when he wears Gerudo attire. Link seems comfortable in these clothes, and the residents of Gerudo Town address him in strictly feminine terms. This suggests that Link is seen as a non-conforming individual within the city’s bounds.
Overall, Tears of the Kingdom fails to provide the same space for queer expression found in Breath of the Wild. The constraints on gender identity and the limited involvement of Zelda in the game highlight the need for more inclusive representation in The Legend of Zelda series.
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