Ganon's Mysterious Origins (Revisited)
summary
Ganon's origin and name in The Legend of Zelda may be derived from Ganikomoru, a monster from the Kamen Rider series. This theory suggests that visual similarities between the 8-bit Ganon sprite and the Gel Shocker monster, combined with linguistic patterns in Japanese pop culture, point toward this influence. While official sources cite the Chinese character Hakkai as an inspiration, the Kamen Rider connection provides a more comprehensive explanation for Ganon's specific name and appearance.
key points
- The visual design of the original 8-bit Ganon shares striking similarities with Ganikomoru, including the belt buckle and overall silhouette when simplified into pixels.
- The prefix 'Gel' from the Kamen Rider organization Geldam often serves as a shorthand for evil in other Japanese franchises, suggesting a linguistic link to Ganon's name.
- Official inspirations like the Journey to the West character Hakkai explain Ganon's pig-like nature but do not fully account for his name or specific visual details.
who should read it
Fans of The Legend of Zelda and video game historians who enjoy speculating about the hidden pop culture influences behind iconic character designs.
discussion positive
consensus
Commenters generally agree that early Zelda lore and character names were likely created with little initial intention or deep meaning, often relying on generic fantasy tropes or haphazard inspirations. Many believe that Nintendo frequently retcons continuity to serve the current game's vision rather than adhering to a strict lore bible. The sentiment is largely dismissive of attempts to find deep, hidden meanings in early game design choices.
top insight
The comparison to Osamu Tezuka's works suggests that Nintendo's early characters functioned more like a troupe of actors playing different roles across games, rather than fixed entities with consistent histories. This perspective shifts the focus from continuity errors to a deliberate stylistic choice where characters are repurposed to fit the immediate needs of thestory.
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