Link's Adventure Log Actually Reveals His True Feelings For Mipha
Matthew Perez In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild, Link’s true feelings for Mipha are found when the Adventure Log is translated from English to Japanese.
One of the four Champions in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mipha, is noted to have a very close relationship with the main protagonist, Link. Most interactions Link has within the main questline for Zora's Domain and The Divine Beast Vah Ruta are very telling of Mipha's feelings for the hero but, it is not always clear whether these feelings are reciprocated. However, there are some critical differences in the Japanese version of Link's Adventure Log and dialogue between characters that reveal much more about Link's opinion on the Zora champion. As the English version makes Mipha feel like a shallow love interest, the original Japanese version gives Mipha more depth of character and reveals Link's personal thoughts about her.
Although it seems like many of Zelda's Zora Princesses are in love with Link, Mipha shares a deep personal connection with the hero. Throughout Breath of the Wild, players will learn that Link and Mipha were childhood friends, and spent a great deal of time together before they took on their respective roles as Knight of Hyrule and Champion. This information is revealed in memories of the past that Link regains when looking at Mipha's statue in Zora's Domain. In the memory, Mipha is healing Links' arm and implies that she used to do it often when they were younger. With many instances where Mipha's love for the knight is revealed, a translation of the Adventure Log in Japanese also exhibits Link's love for Mipha.
Even though in BOTW each of the four champions died, their memories continue to live on and slowly reveal themselves to Link throughout the game. Furthermore, many of the characters the hero meets will also reveal information about the Champion, and entering Zora's Domain is no different. Mipha's brother, Sidon, tells Link that Mipha had feelings for him and Mipha's father expresses to Link that he welcomed the idea of marriage between the two. The Zora Armor also indicates Mipha's romantic feelings for the Hylian. Although the Adventure Log in its English translation does not seem to specify Link's personal thoughts on Mipha, the Japanese translation does.
In BOTW's Japanese Translation Link Refers To Mipha As A Loved One
According to a YouTube video by creator QuestWithAaron, Mipha, a character some view as Breath of the Wild's best princess, is someone Link expresses care for in his Adventure Log, referring to her as a loved one. The English translation just refers to Mipha as being special to Link but the word used in Japanese can actually have a more specific meaning. The word can mean a mutual love between two people that is cut short or is not able to come to fruition for some reason. This translation of the meaning of the word feels more accurate to Mipha and Links situation.
In an entry that comes after Link is granted Mipha's Grace, and returns to speak to King Dorephan, there is another instance where BOTW's English translation of the Log changes Link. In English, the entry states that the player has earned one of the Champions' charms, while the Japanese Log states that Link, writing in the first person, will now be able to put Mipha's wish into action. Mipha's Grace or Mipha's Wish is to give protection to all those she holds dear and Link expresses that he will finally be able to fulfill Mipha's wish. It is clear, in the Japanese translation of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Adventure Log, that Mipha and Link both share a love and care for one another and that perhaps, in different circumstances, they could have been romantic partners.
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Source: QuestWithAaron/YouTube