Nintendo did everything right by fans during yesterday’s Direct and closed with moreBreath of the Wild 2footage that everybody was waiting for. The trailer was a knockout success with new mechanics and locations, but Link shared a similar problem with a popular Studio Ghibli protagonist - and it needs to be discussed.
In addition to the new teaser, the Japanese titan also offeredZeldafans a new Game & Watch to celebrate the franchise’s 35th anniversary and pleasedMetroid Primefans too.
Despite the teaser giving no word on whetherZelda is a playable characteror not, Link’s new open-world adventure looks as breathtaking as its predecessor, and the trailer had plenty to unpack.
Nintendo’s NewBreath of the Wild 2Teaser
Before Nintendo revealed the conclusive teaser, the publisher cleverly opened the Direct with a scene involving Ganon’s demise, just to throw us off the scent.
However, theBreath of the Wild 2trailer that followed soon made us feel right at home, showcasing some new elements with a sinister story at its heart.
A new mechanic that allows Link to pass through solid floors was on show in the spectacular teaser, as well as a skybound location which prompted Link’s skydiving.
Another mechanic that caught everyone’s attention was Link’s new weapon attached to his arm. The device seems to be of similar technology to the Sheikah Slate as well as posing as a weapon, but the reason behind Link’s evolved arm sounds familiar.
Who is Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke?
Studio Ghibli’sPrincess Mononokeis a story of war, nature, and balance led by the Emishi Village princeAshitaka- who often scouts with his companion Yakul, a red elk.
In the anime’s opening, Ashitaka battles a demon to protect his village. The demon is actually a giant boar that has been infected by a parasite created from the potency of the animal’s inner anger and hatred.
In the melee, the demon-infused parasite wraps itself around Ashitaka’s arm which leaves him scarred and cursed.
Ashitaka then embarks on a mission to discover the origins of the curse, and ends up meeting a wolf girl in the middle of a war between industry and nature.
What are Link’s Similarities to Ashitaka’s Situation?
Not only is the great expanse ofBreath of the Wildsimilar to Studio Ghibli’s settings - not to mention Link’s unbreakable bond with his steed Epona - but the silent protagonist also receives some sort of trauma to his arm by way of dark magic.
We then see Ganon’s Malice - which is also spawned from anger - attaching to Link’s arm in the trailer’s opening, and his arm looks a little different in the next scene when he falls through the sky.
The weapon we later see attached to Link’s arm could be a way of using Hyrule’s ancient technology to subdue whatever poison or curse has been bestowed upon his body - similar to the contraption seen on a monk’s arm in the E3 2019 teaser.
Based on this theory, Hyrule’s hero may have to bare a similar burden to Ashitaka, .
