The Legend of Zelda is one of the most iconic and indelible video game series of all time. Similar many long-running series before information technology, the franchise has humble origins. The first game's games roots go back to the 8-bit NES and Tom Cruise. You read that correct. Function of the inspiration for The Legend of Zelda was reportedly Ridley Scott'due south Fable, which features an Elvish Tom Prowl frolicking in the fields. I child yous not. Thank y'all for giving us Zelda, Tom Prowl.

Again, non to enlarge information technology, just we owe it all to Tom Cruise. As the games have evolved alongside Tom Prowl'south career, the artwork and design have only matured and become more complex. When Ocarina of Time came out around the same time as the get-go Mission Impossible, nosotros experienced our first 3D Zelda. Air current Waker came out no so long after Mission Incommunicable 2. And so on and so along. As long as Tom Cruise keeps making movies, we should take stellar Legend of Zelda games.

In plow, Zelda has inspired legions of fans and artists. Even and then-called non-gamers or filthy casuals often love the series. Seeing the minimalist triforce on someone' t-shirt in a crowd is plenty to elicit some pocket-size degree of respect. The iconic imagery of the series has long struck a chord with fans. They accept taken to their digital canvasses to pay homage to one of the greatest game serial always. We thought it was time to collect a agglomeration of that wonderful artwork in one place.

23 The Darkness Under The Surface

pixalry

Fine art by: Pixalry

This is a terrific depiction of the dualism raging within Link. In Ocarina of Time, yous run across Nighttime Link at some point. It'southward the yin to Link'south yang. Nighttime Link embodies all the evil stuff Link isn't. Information technology'due south never really confirmed whether Dark Link is an actual person or a spectre. I like to call up of Dark Link equally a metaphor for all the inner struggles Link has to overcome first before he'southward potent enough to face Ganon and relieve Hyrule.

lothlenan.tumblr

Art by: lothlenan.tumblr

This prototype is closest to what a Fable of Zelda world would realistically look like. Okay okay, I know our imaginations are the limit. What I'm proverb is that the series is a fantasy, a genre which borrows heavily from medieval culture. In such times Queens bestowed knighthoods on their nigh valiant heroes similar Zelda is performing here. The touch of Mipha and other Jiff of the Wild faces in the backgrounds lends farther realism to the scene.

21 Zelda: The Graphic Novel

http-nimitmalavia.com

Art by: Nimit Malavia

Here is a rare hyper-realistic look at Link. At that place have been many attempts to portray Link as realistic, simply he rarely gets the comic book treatment. This looks like something direct out of Batman or Superman.

The rugged manliness and farthermost attention to detail evokes classic DC and Marvel.

The desaturated greens confronting the orangish background makes for a assuming pairing. Non to mention that the scene itself is ridiculously cool with Link activating the triforce.

20 Don't Let Go

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There was no way any Zelda fan art list could be included without this prototype. It's one of the well-nigh stunning pictures that has come up out of Breath of the Wild fandom.

Seeing Link and Zelda hug is powerful to replenish whatever fan's empty heart slots.

The brilliant blues and whites contrast sharply with the darkened Hyrule castle controlled by Cataclysm Ganon, juxtaposing promise and despair. Information technology's as well dynamic cheers to the wind effects in Zelda's pilus and the fields.

19 A Boy Becomes A Legend

pixalry

Art past: pixalry

In case you haven't already noticed, I'thou a large fan of epic, asymmetrically foregrounded shots with Link looking off-photographic camera. I know those were the verbal words in your caput. Verbatim.

Link thinks he's also cool for Hyrule.

Link has arrived at a rune of some kind. Any he'southward going to uncover here, it's going to be another stepping stone in his destiny to salvage Hyrule. The magnificent bird's eye view and slanted angle convey the grandeur of it.

18 Last Infinitesimal Touches

lothlenan.tumblr

Art by: lothlenan.tumblr

Still another cute piece in an article with so many beautiful works. The artist has deftly captured a tender moment from Ocarina of Time. Princess Zelda is putting the last touches of Link's saddle as he prepares to go out and save the kingdom. You lot can tell there are some feelings in that location based but on his expression. Also bonus points for the chicken in the bottom lefthand corner. I don't know what a chicken is doing in the castle, simply that's okay by me.

17 On His Knees

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A powerful piece of work. Link is literally on his knees mid-battle. It looks like he can't proceed fighting the evil forces of Ganon. Correct equally he's about to allow go and perish, the aura of Princess Zelda is evoked. The artist leaves it to us to decide whether or not Zelda is actually there or Link is thinking of her in his last moments. Either way, it gives him the strength he needs to pick upwardly the master sword and boxing on.

16 Never Give Up

tommasorenieri.deviantart

Art by: tommasorenieri.deviantart

At present this is metal. Link and Zelda have barely managed to traverse the Hylian fields in one piece and they're beset on all sides by baddies. You can tell they don't have the strength to keep going from their hobbling faces and slouched postures. Even so, Link shields Zelda with 1 arm. He'southward going to keep protecting until the very terminate, even if it ways he'due south going to fall in combat. This image can be taken for a metaphor for Link's loyalty and bravery more than than an actual episode from the series.

xv Guardians Of The Fantasy

via artstation.com/artwork/W0dqD

Art past: artstation.com/artwork/W0dqD

Wowza! Here is another fantastic slice of work from Breath of the Wild. Link is dashing beyond Hyrule with his former friends, whose spirits he has trapped and committed to his indentured servitude for all eternity! In BotW, Link gains new abilities when he sets his former friends complimentary at the 4 different Guardians. Together they rally their powers against Calamity Ganon. The lighting effects and colour palette are vibrant and stunning in this pic.

14 Owl's Eye View

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To continue our celebration of cool Zelda fanart, here'south a clssic from Ocarina of Time. Hither we have Link flying around the globe on an owl. It'southward that same one that weirded u.s. out every bit children and kept u.s. stuck in never-ending dialogue circles through its trickster questioning. I love the framing in this image. I'm a sucker for a adept off-rest shot. If yous've come up for moe art critique than "isn't this prototype awesome!?" you lot've come up to the wrong place.

nicolasrix.tumblr

Fine art by: nicolasrix.tumblr

1 of the best Links is Child Link. He'south like normal Link except he's all modest and cute. Ocarina of Fourth dimension is divided by two sections: when Link is a kid and when he transforms into manhood.

It's unsafe to go lonely. Take this awesome fan art!

Here nosotros see him bravery venturing in Hyrule castle, accompanied only by his abrasive fairy Navi. They're trying to be super sneaky simply Navi has screamed at him to heed so many times that they accept alerted the entire kingdom to their presence.

12 Unanswered Prayers

finnichang.tumblr

Art past: finnichang.tumblr

One of the about moving scenes in Breath of the Wild is a flashback sequence. Princess Zelda is wading in the h2o earlier an idol when she breaks down. Zelda succumbs to all her doubt and fears in that instant.

It'due south 1 of the most humanizing scenes in the series. Zelda is reduced to a scared homo being, not the steel-willed leader she appears to be the residue of the time.

Anybody who has ever failed sympathizes with her. It's no surprise this is 1 of the favorite scenes to describe for artists.

11 A Globe In Ruin

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Some of the best Legend of Zelda fanart depicts the everyday wonder of Hyrule. Here Link is traveling through a forest. Which forest is it? Doesn't matter. Could be whatever forest from any of the games. The point is that there is a timeless beauty in the mundane. The ruins overgrown with ivy here are only role of the background in a series stuffed with such a rich body of lore. The charm of Hyrule doesn't get enough credit for its part in the series' success.

10 A Day In Zelda'south Life

babakinkin.deviantart.

Fine art by: babakinkin.deviantart

One of the funnest parts of Breath of the Wild is getting to visit Zelda'southward room when Link finally braves Hyrule Castle. I don't mean that in a creepy way. Her room is destroyed from centuries of neglect. Happily, her diary is still in pristine status.

Zelda grappled with forces she didn't sympathise while trying to relieve Hyrule, reconciling her destiny with radio silence from the Gods.

Link is treated to all of Zelda'due south daily woes. Here we can meet her during one of those days, trying in vain to get her magic mojo working.

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Link is not alone in Jiff of the Wild. Okay, he'due south literally alone. He spends well-nigh of his fourth dimension trying ill shield board moves and trying out for Superlative Chef: Hyrule edition— but he's not alone because he has nifty ghost friends forth with him. BotW is remarkable in that Link can go directly to Hyrule Castle and battle Ganon correct away… though he'd probably lose. Here is what he should be doing. Once he's completed every main quest, he faces Ganon just he's not alone. He's got all his ghost friends backside him.

8 The Lost Woods

krmayer.deviantart

Art by: krmayer.deviantart

This is a pretty piece of work for a few reasons. The greens are only cute, for one. The framing is also wonderful; we become a real sense of scale with Link equally a reference. The giant fallen log in the groundwork is out biggest hint that this isn't a regular forest only a fantasy one where the typical rules of our universe do non apply. Oh, I judge the presence of a fairy in the prototype is a dead giveaway too.

7 Hyrule's Everyday Dazzler

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I'm running out of superlatives to utilise here. I guess that'll happen when you throw together some of the best Legend of Zelda art to ever grace the internet. Here Link is sitting precariously on a windowsill. His outfit (and the big title) inform us that this is Breath of the Wild.

True to form, the artist channels the essence of Breath of the Wild by having Link goofing off instead of saving the kingdom.

Zelda probably gets pretty annoyed watching him generally enjoying himself all the fourth dimension.

6 Friend Or Foe?

http-bluealterego.com

Fine art by: Blueish Alter Ego

Link didn't always know the Gorons were friends. Before he stepped into their rock villages, they probably looked like enemies to him. A lot of the enemies in The Legend of Zelda are humanoids. Would it actually be that much of a stretch to think the burly rock people weren't friendly? Luckily we know what comes after this motion picture; Link will breathe a sigh of relief and sheathe the master sword, and then greet the Gorons as the allies they are.

5 Living Upward To Her Name

alexblog

Art past: Alex Weblog

What if Zelda were the ane who had to become out and save the day? Why, information technology would require renaming the serial to The Legend of Zel— er, that has never made much sense. Who cares. It'south a great title. Here Zelda is outfitted in her warrior garb. Usually, she assumes her modify ego, Sheik, to go out and relieve Hyrule. No more. She has the master sword and ocarina. She doesn't need no stinkin' Link to salve her, thank you very much.

four Sharing A Repast

twitter.com/aririncocoa

Art past: aririncocoa

Awww now isn't this sweetness? Link has taken a break from chirapsia upward the goblins in Breath of the Wild to sit down and have lunch with them. Normally he'd destroy them and steal their lunches! Throughout the game, Link encounters colossal skull-shaped strongholds such equally this ane. It'south always crawling with baddies that want to requite Link a hard fourth dimension. This merely goes to show that goblins are scared of you lot than you are of them.

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