Template:Featured Template:Character Midna, the Twilight Princess, is a main character in Twilight Princess. She is a resident of the Twilight Realm and a descendant of the ancient Twili people.[1] At first she seems to be a strange, dark creature with an agenda of her own and little regard for Link,[2] but she ends up changing her attitude towards those who are willing to help her.[3]
Biography
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Light and shadow can't mix, as we all know. But... never forget that there's another world bound to this one. |
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| — Midna | ||
Midna without the Fused Shadow on her head
Midna is one of the Twili, a race descended from wielders of powerful and evil magic who were banished to an alternate dimension by the goddesses Din, Farore, and Nayru after an event known as the Interloper War.[1][4] This alternate dimension, out of which the sublimated descendants could only exist as shadows, eventually became known as the Twilight Realm.[5]
Prior to the events of Twilight Princess, Zant, one of the Twili, overthrew Midna from her throne and placed a curse on her, giving her the imp form that she maintains for most of the game and depriving her of the magic powers that are granted to the leader of the Twili.[6][7] Midna, already in possession of a Fused Shadow, leaves the Twilight Realm and witnesses Link as a wolf being taken away by a Shadow Beast.[8] Knowing the Twili legend that the Hero would appear as a "divine beast," Midna follows Link to his prison cell in the Castle Town Sewers and tells him she'll help him escape if Link does exactly as he's told.[9] The pair eventually exit the sewers and go to a tower in Hyrule Castle to meet with Princess Zelda, who Midna mockingly calls "Twilight Princess" and blames Zelda for Hyrule's current state.[10]
After the meeting with Zelda, Midna reminds Link that he must still save Ilia and the rest of the Ordon children that were kidnapped, saying that she'll be happy to help the young hero if he acts like her "servant."[11] Once Link finds the first Fused Shadow in the Forest Temple, Midna reveals that was the item that she was looking for, but refuses to tell Link their exact purpose or what she plans to do with them.[12] The power of the Fused Shadows can be used to destroy Zant, returning Midna and the other Twili to their true form.[13] Midna does not tell Link, however, that she wants the Fused Shadows for the benefit of herself and her world.
Upon collecting all Fused Shadows, Zant confronts Link and Midna in the Lanayru Spring and easily takes the Fused Shadows from them. He then tries to persuade Midna to join his side, but after she refuses, he holds her up in front of the Light Spirit Lanayru, who gravely injures Midna by overexposing her to its light. With Link now once again as a wolf and Midna nearing death, the young hero takes her to Princess Zelda in Hyrule Castle.[14][15] The dying Midna, no longer caring for her sake, asks that Zelda tell Link how to break his curse since he is the only one who can defeat Zant.[16] As a last request, Midna pleads to Zelda to inform Link where he can find the Mirror of Twilight,[17] and Zelda, having heard this, chooses to revive her by transferring her soul within Midna's body,[18][19] disappearing in the process. After seeing the unselfish acts made by Zelda and Link, Midna has a change of heart and vows to help save Hyrule from Zant.[3] The duo eventually arrive to the Gerudo Desert, where Midna asks for Link's help in finding the Mirror of Twilight, their last potential link to Zant.[20]
Eventually, Midna and Link reach the Mirror Chamber and find that the Mirror of Twilight has been broken into four Mirror Shards, with only one of them remaining in the mirror. After learning from the Sages the location of the remaining three shards, the pair find them and return to the Mirror Chamber to complete the mirror, where the Sages reveal that Midna is the true Twilight Princess and ruler of the Twili race,[21] not Zelda, who had previously been defined as the Twilight Princess by Midna herself,[10] presumably to keep a cover on her identity. Zant, after usurping the throne from Midna, placed a curse on her that gave her the form she maintains for most of the game. This curse could presumably not be lifted until Ganondorf, the source of Zant's power, was defeated.[22]
Once Link has defeated Zant in battle, Midna is shocked to see that her curse is not lifted, which would enable her to regain her powers. She uses only a fraction of the power that the Fused Shadows hold to destroy Zant, and is utterly bewildered by their power.[23] The Fused Shadow's power is also used to break the pyramid-shaped barrier around Hyrule Castle. Midna uses the power to transform into a giant, spider-like beast with a large pole-arm weapon (see right side). This same form is used in an attempt to destroy Ganondorf during the ending sequences of the game, but ultimately fails. Shortly thereafter, Ganondorf is seen holding up the helmet part of the Fused Shadows that was Midna's trademark garment, breaking it in his hand.
Midna's transformation
After Link, with some assistance from Zelda, defeats Ganondorf once and for all, the Light Spirits revive Midna and break the curse placed on her by Ganondorf and Zant, allowing Midna to regain her true form. In a comical moment when Link first sees her true form, she is amused by his silence and asks, "Am I so beautiful that you've no words left?"
Before going back to the Twilight Realm, she bids Princess Zelda and Link farewell at the Mirror Chamber and sheds a single tear, which, upon contact with the Mirror of Twilight, destroys it completely, just before she returns to the Twilight Realm. She vows to Link that she will "see [him] later,"[24] however it is unknown if what she says comes true, as the Mirror was the only known link to the Twilight Realm. As another last word, she asks that everyone "...remember that there is another world bound to this one." She may be hinting about the Hour of Twilight, mentioned in a conversation between Link and Rusl, and Rusl states that the two worlds intersect when the sun sets.[25]
During this ending sequence, as her tear begins to float toward the Mirror of Twilight, Midna addresses Link, beginning with the word "I..." but never finishes her sentence.
Characteristics and gameplay
- See also: Midna Gallery
Midna's true form
Standing a head taller than Princess Zelda, Midna possesses orange hair, red eyes and a pale complexion from the Twilight Realm. She wears a hooded cloak in similar design to Zant's leading some to believe that this may be some kind of royalty garb. With this, she wears a half-dress that reveals one leg bare, and a headdress (or crown). Strangely, she slightly resembles Veran from Oracle of Ages.
Since Midna is one of the Twili, Midna is unable to withstand the light in Hyrule and, as such, hides in Link's shadow whenever he is in the Light World. After Princess Zelda sacrifices herself and transfers her light essence to Midna, she is able from then on to take her physical form even when she's not in the Twilight; however, she still chooses to hide in Link's shadow for most of the game.
Midna's function in the game is like that of Link's previous companions: she helps the player learn the controls for the game and often gives Link hints on what to do or where to go next. When Link is a Wolf, Midna will ride on top of him and be able to create an energy field to help the young hero lock on to enemies and defeat them easily, as seen in the case of Shadow Beasts. Players can choose to talk to Midna at any time by pressing the "Z" button on the GameCube controller or up on the Directional Pad on the Wii Remote. When Wolf Link is in a certain area or near a faraway platform, Midna's icon will flash, which, when pressed, will make Midna float over to that area that Wolf Link can jump to. This is especially helpful to Link since it allows him to reach otherwise unaccessible platforms. Obtaining the Shadow Crystal later on in the game will allow Midna to switch Link between human and wolf as desired.
Abilities
Midna pretends to be Ilia
Throughout the course of the game, Midna portrays several abilities both in the Light and Twilight worlds. The most notable one is that she is able to warp Link through the portals of the Twilight at any given time (provided that Link can transform into a wolf without anyone noticing him).[26] She seems to do this with ease, and is capable of it with any kind of object or person: at one point, Midna warps a bridge and a giant rock from Death Mountain in order to help Link during his quest.[27] Another ability seen in the beginning of Twilight Princess is the capability of walking through walls and other objects, as witnessed when she easily disintegrates and reintegrates as she gets through Link's cell in Hyrule Castle. Moreover, she can easily change her appearance and transform into other people: Midna changes her appearance to look exactly like Ilia and Colin as she reminds Link of who else he needs to rescue.
After Link gathers a sword and a shield for Midna to use, she tries to use them, but is displeased by their power, so she vanishes them into the Twilight and keeps them for Link until they are needed. She can also hide in the light world as Link's shadow while he's in his human form.[28][29] Once he turns into Wolf Link, she can use her hair to pull switches or make a power field around her for Wolf Link to attack enemies within that range.[30][31]
These powers are just some of the many other abilities that Midna seems to possess, another being that she easily frees Wolf Link from his chain and imprisonment by simply concentrating a small ball of energy between her hands. The most important power contained within the true Twilight Princess is the ability to utterly shatter the Mirror of Twilight. Zant, the Usurper King, was only able to destroy the mirror into fragments,[32][33] and it's only Midna's true powers that can completely obliterate the Mirror.[34]
Personality and relationship with other characters
Link
Link and Midna standing before Hyrule Castle
Upon meeting Link while he is in wolf form, Midna suggests a deal: she will help him escape from his prison if he does exactly as she says. Midna is often condescending to Link, frequently jeering at him. As they progress further on their adventure, Midna and Link grow closer. When Zant attacks both Link and Midna, she pleads for him to help himself, and carry on with their quest.[35] She admits that she initially intended to use Link just as a tool to gather the Fused Shadows and crush Zant, not caring a single bit about the Light World and its destiny. But because of the heroism of both Link and Zelda, the latter having sacrificed herself to save Midna (by infusing her with the Triforce of Wisdom and thus losing her physical form in the Twilight version of Hyrule), she gains a true respect for the people of the light, wanting to do everything in her grasp to save both worlds.[3]
From then on, Link and Midna maintain a strong friendship, and she is far less disdainful and more amiable and kind to him. Towards the end, Midna sacrifices herself as a last desperate attempt to kill Ganondorf, sending Link and Zelda to safety. She appears to be defeated however, and Link mourns her death after killing Ganondorf. Shortly after the Light Spirits restore her, and with Ganondorf's power lifted, she is in her true form. Noticing Link's surprise, she jokingly says to him: "What? Say something! Am I so beautiful that you have no words left?," somewhat of a fourth-wall jab at Link being a silent protagonist.
Zelda, Link and Midna return to the Mirror of Twilight, where the latter breaks it, to both Zelda and Link's surprise, seemingly sealing the worlds of Light and Twilight from each other forever, as only the true ruler of the Twilight Realm could destroy the Mirror. Shedding a single tear (which is used to destroy the Mirror), her parting words are "Link... I... See you later." However, this is not what the Japanese text literally translates to. Her last words, in Japanese, were "リンク…ま…またな…", which translates to "Link...s...see you."
Some fans of the series have alleged a possible romance between Midna and Link, interpreting scenes when Midna lays her hand on Link's cheek, when Link cradles Midna in his arms and they gaze at each other for several seconds, or even Midna's last words as signs of affection.
Zelda
When Link first meets Zelda, Midna addresses her as "Twilight Princess,"[10] and seems to be very aggressive and supercilious of her and her decision to choose Hyrule being turned to Twilight over death. Midna often mocks Zelda throughout the game.[36][37][10] It isn't until Zelda sacrifices herself, imbuing Midna with her Light to save her life that she gains respect for her and the people of the Light.[3]
During the final battle, Ganondorf possesses Zelda's body, and Midna tries to use her own to protect the princess. When this fails, Midna looks ready to attack Zelda, but softens and sadly places her hand on Zelda's cheek, and is attacked by Ganon's Puppet Zelda. When she awakens from the attack, Midna uses the Fused Shadows to eradicate Ganon's presence from Zelda, placing her out of harms way. When Dark Beast Ganon is defeated, the light Zelda gave Midna is returned to her. Zelda says that she and Midna's hearts were as one briefly, and she understands Midna's suffering.[38]
When Ganondorf resurfaces later, Midna sacrifices herself to attempt to defeat him, and sends Zelda and Link away to safety. Although it appears as if she has died, Midna is later returned to her true form after Ganon's defeat. At the Mirror of Twilight, Midna intends to leave and says that light and shadow can´t mix.[39] The true Twilight Princess says "your words are kind, and your heart is true," but later she departs regardless, shattering the Mirror.
Zant
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Traitors, ha! You want to know why none would call you king? It was your eyes, Zant. All saw it, a lust for power burning in your pupils... Did you think we'd forget our ancestors who lost their king to such greed? |
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| — Midna | ||
The Usurper King Zant turned the Twilight Princess, Midna, into an imp to prevent her from retaking the throne and as punishment for defying him. Midna seeks nothing else than to destroy him, using Link to collect pieces of the Fused Shadows that may defeat Zant.[13] Nothing is known of Zant and Midna's previous relationship, but it is nothing but hatred when the game begins. Fans speculate that Zant and Midna both belong to the royal family, hence Zant's expectation that he would ascend to the throne.
Ganondorf
Although Midna doesn't know it initially, it is Ganon who pulls the strings behind Zant, who overthrew Midna and changed her into an imp with Ganondorf's power. He intended to become ruler of both the Twilight and the Light, and Midna says to him she will do everything to deny him. Midna also attempts to kill Ganondorf using the power of the Fused Shadows, but fails.
Non-Canon Appearances
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Although she is not playable or an Assist Trophy, Midna makes several cameos in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Midna appears as two Stickers: one of them has her riding Wolf Link while the other is just of her floating.
"Midna's Desperate Hour" is a song in the game that can be unlocked and played on Bridge of Eldin while brawling (though the song's name was renamed "Midna's Lament" in the game). She also appears as two Trophies. Like her two stickers, one trophy depicts her riding Wolf Link. The other is of Midna alone.
Trophy Information
| Game | Image | Description | How to Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | File:Midna Trophy.png | A mysterious masked being. Midna was a princess in the Twilight Realm who was transformed into an imp by Zant. Midna's personality is characterized by a sharp tongue and a tendency to act on whims. Midna pairs with Link to save the world. She also possesses powerful magic skills, such as the ability to warp through space. | Random |
Sticker Information
| Name | Image | Artwork from | Effect in The Subspace Emissary | Usable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midna & Wolf Link | File:Midna and Wolf Link Sticker.png | Twilight Princess | [Leg] - Attack +26 | This sticker is usable by Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, and Toon Link |
| Midna | File:Midna Sticker.png | Twilight Princess | Dizzy Time –50 | All |
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
Midna appears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U as an Assist Trophy. When summoned, she attacks opponents with her hair in arm form.
Future Games With Midna
On an interview with Game Informer, Eiji Aonuma was asked if Midna would return for another game. Aonuma stated: "Because of the way Twilight Princess ended, I don’t see her making a reappearance, but who knows? If we hear enough voices for her to come back, how can we not?".[40]
There is a growing fanbase dedicated to the return of Midna in a future game, known as Want Midna Back (WMB). This initiative has already launched several projects including a WMB CD, a mass email, made WMB shirts available for purchase over the internet, commissioned Midna figurines to be sent to Nintendo, and even has an official website at http://www.wantmidnaback.com .
Due to recent information and Aonuma's hints, it may have been confirmed that Midna will never make an appearance again. Aonuma has hinted: "How you think of the way "Twilight Princess" ended is up to your imagination, but it stands quite obvious about her and her future."[citation needed]
Trivia
- Midna has a tendency to say the phrase, "see you later," throughout the game, usually when leaving right before a Light Spirit comes to talk to Link. Ironically, although she says the phrase in a whimsical tone, when she returns to the Twilight Realm, the phrase is said in a more melancholic way, as neither Link nor Zelda will be able to see her anymore because of the Mirror's permanent rupture.
- The name Midna may come from the word "midnight" as midona (the romaji for her Japanese name) is the beginning of the romaji for how the Japanese would pronounce midnight: midonaito.
- In 2006, Nintendo Power magazine's readers voted Midna "best new [video game] character."[41][42]
- In the Wii version, Midna's right eye is covered by the Fused Shadow, but in the GameCube version (as well as promotional images), her left eye is covered. This is because during development, the entire game had to be mirrored to make Link fit with the Wii's general right-handed controls (Link is traditionally left-handed). Because of this, the markings covering her body are also reversed in the two versions.
- At one point in the game Midna hums part of her theme song.[43] Part of the theme song is also played at the end of the Twilight Princess intro sequence.
- When Link is in Wolf form but doesn't have Midna riding on his back, his shadow's appearance indicates that she is still riding him. If Link is in front of a mirror (such as the one in Link's basement), or anything reflective (like the ice in the Snowpeak Ruins) Midna will have no reflection, possibly because she is a shadow being.
- One thing questioned about Midna's appearance in her primary form is the fragment of the Fused Shadows on her head, which features an eye closely resembling the eyes on Majora's Mask, insinuating that the Fused Shadows and maybe even the Twili had something to do with Majora.
- Midna's true form has some characteristics shared with Veran as she is depicted on official artworks in her Sorceress of Shadows form.
Gallery
The following is a gallery regrouping all of the currently hosted images of Midna.
- See also: Link's Partners
Template:Refbar
 Names in Other Regions 
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| Language | Name | Meaning | |
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Japanese | Template:Japanese | Midna |
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FrenchEU | Midona | |
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German | Midna | |
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Italian | Midna | |
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Do you now understand what I am? I'm a descendant of the tribe that was banished to the Twilight Realm!" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "And I only cared about returning our world to normal... I didn't care what happened to the world of light, not at all." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "But after witnessing the selfless lengths that Princess Zelda and you have gone to... Your sacrifices... I now know, in the bottom of my heart, that I must save this world, too. There is no other way." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "What do you think happened to the magic wielders who tried to rule the Sacred Realm? They were banished. They were chased across the sacred lands of Hyrule and driven into another realm by the goddesses." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "It was another world entirely... The antithesis of Hyrule, where the sun shines bright. Eventually, most came to call it the Twilight Realm, and from it, none could return to the world of light..." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ Template:Cite book
- ↑ "But would they acknowledge me as their king? No! And as such, I was denied the magic powers befitting our ruler." — Zant (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "As a ruler who fled her people, I'm hardly qualified to forgive you. In our world, we've long believed that the Hero would appear as a divine beast. That's why when I found you, I thought I could use you, Link." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "But in exchange for my help, you have to do EXACTLY as I say!" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Poor thing, he has no idea where this is or what's happened... So, don't you think you should explain to him what you've managed to do? You owe him that much... ...Twilight Princess! Eee hee!" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "I guess a promise is a promise, so I'll let you go back to where you first tumbled into twilight... But...are you really sure you should be going back? Are you sure you aren't forgetting anything important? Eee hee! Do you want to save them? Well, in that case, little Midna would be happy to help you! But... Well, you'd have to be my servant...and like a servant, you'd have to do exactly as I say!" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Eee hee hee! Well done! That's...what I was looking for. That's a Fused Shadow. It's what the light spirit called dark power... There's a total of three Fused Shadows. I think the other light spirits have the rest... If you want to know exactly what Fused Shadows are... Well, maybe I'll tell you if you find the other two." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Remember what Faron the light spirit said... He said you would need the Fused Shadows to defeat the dark overlord Zant and save the world..." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "And that, Midna, is why... I need you. Not just for me, but for all of our people... Lend me your power. So be it... I will return you to the light world you covet!" — Zant (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Link, hero chosen by the goddesses... Go to the princess locked away in the castle." — A Light Spirit (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Please... Please tell me... How do we break...the curse on this one? This...is the one... You need him...to save your world! That's why... Princess... Please...You must help Link..." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Princess... I have one last request... Can you tell him...where to find the Mirror of Twilight?" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Despite your mortal injuries, you act in our stead... These dark times are the result of our deeds, yet it is you who have reaped the penalty. Accept this now, Midna. I pass it to you..." — Princess Zelda (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ Template:Cite book
- ↑ "Hey, but listen, Link... I've got a little favor to ask... Would you mind coming with me to find something called the Mirror of Twilight? It's hidden somewhere in Hyrule... Yes, the Mirror of Twilight... Our last potential link to Zant!" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive our carelessness... O Twilight Princess." — The Sages (TwP)
- ↑ "Midna... Foolish Twilight Princess... The curse on you cannot be broken... It was placed on you by the magic of my god! The power you held as leader of the Twili will never return!" — Zant (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "I... I used just a fraction of the power that's in me now... I did THAT using only a fraction of my ancestors' magic?!" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Thank you... Well, the princess spoke truly: as long as that mirror's around, we could meet again... Link...I...See you later..." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Tell me...Do you ever feel a strange sadness as dusk falls? They say it's the only time when our world intersects with theirs... ...The only time we can feel the lingering regrets of spirits who have left our world. That is why loneliness always pervades the hour of twilight..." — Rusl (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "I'll use my power to take you to the location of the open portal... Pick where you want to go." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "When most people enter the twilight, they can't come out this easily. You'd better be grateful!" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "I want to keep a low profile, so I'll hide in your shadow when you're human, but I can change you whenever." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Do you mind if I continue to hide as your shadow while you're in human form?" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "You just hold down [B] and I'll expand an energy field, so enclose all the enemies within it and release!" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Press and hold [B] and I'll put up a dark energy field... You trap all of these guys inside of it and then release the button!" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Only the true leader of the Twili can utterly destroy the Mirror of Twilight...so Zant could merely break it into pieces." — The Sages (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Zant could only break the Mirror of Twilight into shards... He couldn't utterly shatter it." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Only the true ruler of the Twili can destroy the Mirror of Twilight." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Fine... Link... You can... You can get to the woods...on your own, right?" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "But Zant will never be my king! I have nothing but scorn for his supposed strength. Not that your Zelda is much better..." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "It still appalls me that this world of light is controlled by that princess. A carefree youth, a life of luxury. How does that teach duty?" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Say nothing, Midna... Your heart and mine were as one, however briefly..." — Princess Zelda (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Light and shadow can't mix, as we all know." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ Interview on Land of the Legend (link dead as of Oct 2008, Wayback Machine link)
- ↑ Nintendo Power Awards 2006, results at wiinintendo.net
- ↑ Nintendo Power 2006 Game of the Year Awards at The Desert Colossus
- ↑ Midna hums her own theme (YouTube video)