Tag: Legend of Zelda fandom

Ganondorf’s Robes in The Wind Waker

~ Kathryn ~ Leave a comment

I’m excited to share my contribution to Hyrule Fashion Anthology, a fanzine celebrating the complex evolution of fashion history through the characters and setting of the Legend of Zelda series. Here’s a short description…

“A Wind-Grieved Ghost” discusses the influence of medieval Noh theater on the striking costume worn by Ganondorf in The Wind Waker. I provide a brief introduction of Noh drama and summarize how its character archetypes are enhanced by their clothing. I then explain the symbolism of Ganondorf’s gorgeously patterned robes and argue that the sartorial allusions to Noh theater serve to characterize Ganondorf as a frightening yet tragic ghost displaced from the beautiful vanished kingdom of Hyrule.

If you’re interested, you can read the full essay on AO3 here:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/60062635

I consider myself extremely fortunate to have this essay illustrated by the dangerously stylish Astarsor, who shares bold and colorful character portraits on Instagram (here).

Leftover sales for Hyrule Fashion Anthology are open until November 15. This is a beautifully published zine filled with gorgeous artwork and fascinating articles inspired by the golden age of glossy fashion magazines, and it’s a stunning physical object. You can pick up a digital or paper copy along with a dazzling selection of merch via the zine’s storefront (here).

How The Wind Waker Navigated Fan Expectations

~ Kathryn ~ Leave a comment

I’m excited to have published an essay titled “How Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Navigated Fan Expectations” on one of my favorite video game sites, Sidequest.

I’ve been studying fan interpretations of the Legend of Zelda games for about five years, but I’ve mainly focused on fancomics. In this essay, I finally ventured into the stormy territory of IGN forums in an attempt to understand why people disliked The Wind Waker when it came out twenty years ago. Here’s an excerpt from my essay:

For better or worse, gamers have grown up, and video games have developed as an artistic medium alongside us. In the case of The Wind Waker, the Legend of Zelda fandom has matured enough to appreciate the depth of the game’s story and design, as well as the unique character of its graphic style. Meanwhile, the challenge Tears of the Kingdom will face is that many of the younger players who embraced Breath of the Wild are now seven years older, and they expect the game’s sequel to reflect the seven years of cultural progression they experienced alongside gaming fandom on social media.

If you’re interested, the full piece is available to read online here:
https://sidequest.zone/2023/05/02/how-the-wind-waker-navigated-fan-expectations/