The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is arguably one of the best games in the franchise and an undeniable classic. The game is rich with lore featuring a courageous hero of time battling the very embodiment of evil and corrupted power. Ocarina of Time shaped much of the action-adventure genre we know today.
However, what fans of the franchise may not know is that a manga adaptation was released a few years after the game. The manga offered significant details that built upon the already impressively complex story arc established from the video game. In many ways, the manga improves upon the game, especially regarding storytelling and character development.
10 Link's Origin Story
In the video game, little is known about Link's past. The story begins when he's 10-years-old; however, he's inexplicably living amongst the Kokiri. He is apparently an outcast and notably different from the ageless Kokirians.
The manga provides an origin story for Link, which significantly helps develop his character. As a baby, Link was taken to the woods by his mother, desperate to hide her son from Ganondorf. Tragically, Link's mother was turned into a tree after taking him to the forest; and his father, a Castle Town guard, was murdered by Ganondorf.
9 Volvagia, Link's Pet Dragon
Players familiar with the Ocarina of Time undoubtedly remember the lava dragon boss of the Fire Temple, Volvagia. In the game, legend tells stories of the Goron's victory over Volvagia, an ancient dragon from Death Mountain.
However, the manga tells a different origin story, which adds a surprisingly tragic element. Link cared for Volvagia as a child, bonding with the dragon as a pet. Sadly, once Link becomes an adult, readers learn that his former pet has been corrupted by Ganondorf, becoming the Fire Temple's evil guardian.
8 Impa Trains Link
In the game, Impa is one of the story's primary protagonists, who helps Link and is responsible for protecting Princess Zelda. Her role is portrayed as merely an advisor and guard for Zelda. However, her character in the manga adds notable significance to her story arc.
In the manga, Impa is actually credited with teaching Link how to use a sword. Not only does she train the hero, but she is described as an even more formidable and skilled fighter than Link, an impressive feat in itself.
7 Mido & the Kokiri Sword
Fans of the video game fondly remember Mido, the stubborn Kokirian who denies passage to Link while guarding the forbidden forest entrance. Aside from his snarky remarks, the character has no backstory other than his strict rule enforcement.
However, in the manga, readers learn that Mido was a childhood friend of Link's, who was sad when the hero disappeared from Kokiri. Though he similarly bullies Link in the manga, he also gives Link the Kokiri Sword and helps him in the battle against Queen Gohma.
6 Navi's Role
Aside from Navi's annoying habit of yelling "Listen!" which still rings loudly in fans' heads today, her role is limited to advising players on self-explanatory game mechanics while berating Link. The game employs her as a "tooltip" and doesn't develop her character much beyond that.
In the manga adaptation, Navi's relationship with Link is much more beneficial, with Link constantly seeking the fairy's advice. Her wisdom is notably more welcome and genuinely helpful in Link's journey, and the pair eventually develop a mutual bond.
5 Sheik Goes Deep Undercover
Sheik is a memorable character in both the video game and manga. Fans still discuss the exciting moment when they learned Sheik was actually Princess Zelda in disguise. As a form of "blending in," Sheik joins Ganondorf to avoid suspicion of her true identity.
The reason behind her partnership with the evil antagonist is explained even further in the manga. It turns out, Zelda had intentionally sealed away both her memories and personality to appear loyal to Ganondorf. Not only that, but the revelation that Sheik is Zelda occurs much earlier in the manga's timeline.
4 Link Can Talk
One of the more obvious differences between the two iterations is Link's ability to talk in the manga. In the video game, the silent protagonist is relatable through his actions, expanded upon by the reactions from characters around him. However, his ability to talk in the manga adds a certain element that is noticeably lacking from the game.
In the manga, Link's two-way conversations deepen our understanding of his character. How he responds and interacts with those around him is fundamental in understanding his drive to protect Hyrule and its inhabitants.
3 Link's Iconic Pierced Ears
Countless installments in the Legend of Zelda franchise, including Twilight Princess and Breath of the Wild, include the hero's iconic blue earrings. In the Ocarina of Time, Link is inexplicably given earrings after traveling through time and becoming an adult.
The manga provides an intriguing backstory to his earrings, making them more significant and adding depth to Link's relationship with Impa. Readers learn that Impa pierces Link's ears as a right of passage, explaining that it is a tradition for Sheikah men.
2 Ruoro, Prince of the Watarara Tribe
Fans of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker undoubtedly recall the memorable race of bird-people, the Rito. It turns out, the inspiration for their race actually stems from the Ocarina of Time manga.
In one segment of the manga, Link encounters Ruoro, the Prince of the Watarara Tribe. Throughout the story, Link assists Ruoro, who was separated from his Tribe during migration.
1 Connection to Majora's Mask
Something that is surprisingly absent from the conclusion of the Ocarina of Time video game is the connection to its sequel, Majora's Mask. Fortunately, the manga sheds light on the continuation of Link's journey.
After Ganondorf is defeated in the manga, Zelda uses the Ocarina to send Link back in time, returning him to his childhood. After Link has returned to the Kokiri Forest, readers learn that he has started to befriend Skull Kid, who becomes the unwitting antagonist of Majora's Mask.