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Template:Character Impa (インパ, Inpa) is a character seen frequently throughout the The Legend of Zelda series. Typically, Impa is an older woman who serves the Royal Family of Hyrule. She always appears to know much about the legends and secrets entrusted to the Royal Family. Impa also serves as a nursemaid and/or bodyguard to Princess Zelda and often offers guidance to Link. While she was part of the story of the very first game and of its sequel, she did not appear within the canonic games until Ocarina of Time.

In both The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link, Impa was depicted as a Hylian. That is, she has the characteristic pointy ears. However in Ocarina of Time, she was reintroduced as a Sheikah,[1] one of the many races that made their first appearances in that same game. The typical traits of a Sheikah seem to be pointy ears and red eyes. These traits are also present in her Oracle games incarnation, implying that Impa also is a Sheikah. This new consistency and the relative small difference between a Sheikah and a Hylian opens the possibility that by retcon, the Impa of the first two games is a Sheikah as well. Of course, this does not have to be true, as several other recurring characters belonging to one of the human races have switched to a different one in certain incarnations.

Appearances

The Legend of Zelda

File:ImpaLinkTLOZ.jpg

Impa telling her story.

When Hyrule was under attack in The Legend of Zelda by Ganon's forces, Princess Zelda ordered her old nursemaid Impa to secretly flee and find the one who could save them. Ganon soon found out and sent his men after Impa. Though she managed to stay out of their reach for a long time, she was eventually captured. However, she was saved by a strange boy who managed to chase away Ganon's henchmen. Knowing that this was the one she had been looking for, Impa told him the whole story and asked him to go save Princess Zelda.[2]

The Adventure of Link

File:AoL pg4.jpg

Impa observing Link's Triforce insignia.

Several seasons passed since Ganon was defeated and Impa had resumed her normal duties. One day, Link came to her because he worries about a strange mark that had appeared on his hand.[3] When Impa saw the mark, she was initially startled, but quickly regained her composure. She then took Link to a door in North Castle that only the members of her family knew how to open. In the room behind the door lay a princess of Hyrule from ancient times and before Link could ask any questions, Impa told the princess' story.[4] When she was done telling, she picked up six crystals and a scroll lying on a stand next to the altar and gave them to Link. She explained that these items were handed down in her family for generations[5] while waiting for the one who was chosen by destiny to save the princess.[6] She implored Link to follow his destiny and save the princess, to which he agreed.[7]

Ocarina of Time

File:Impa.png
Impa from Ocarina of Time
File:Impa.jpg

Impa from Ocarina of Time.

Impa was born and raised in Kakariko Village,[8] the village of the Sheikah.[9] She was selected as Princess Zelda's attendant and likely left her village around that time, giving it to the people of other races.[10] Though Hyrule Castle became her new home,[11] she still kept a watching eye over Kakariko though,[12] but most of her attention went to the young princess. Until Link came along, Impa was the only one who believed her visions.

Link met Impa for the first time in Hyrule Castle, where she taught him Zelda's Lullaby.[13] She then helped him leave the castle.[14] Outside, she advised Link to head to Death Mountain to find the next Spiritual Stone[8] and returned to the princess. Unfortunately, while Link was searching for the remaining Spiritual Stones, Ganondorf attacked Hyrule Castle. Impa took Princess Zelda and fled the castle with her.[15] She only barely managed to escape Ganondorf and stayed into hiding with the princess for seven years. It is likely that she was the one who raised Zelda during those years and taught her what she had to know to pass off as a Sheikah. Impa also kept protecting Kakariko Village to her best effort.[16]

When Zelda was old enough to take care of herself, Impa started focusing on her old village again. An old evil that had plagued Kakariko Village in the past and that was locked up by Impa, had returned. Impa went to the Shadow Temple in order to lock the creature up again. When Link went to Kakariko Village after his seven year slumber, Sheik greeted him and told him about Impa.[17] Link followed Impa into the Shadow Temple and was able to kill the creature, awakening Impa as the Sage of Shadows. As her new duty as a Sage prevented her from being at Princess Zelda's side, her final words to Link were a request to protect the princess on her behalf.[18] Before leaving, Link received the Shadow Medallion from her.[19]

When Link defeated Ganon, Impa and the other Sages bundled their powers to seal away Ganon. During the ending, she could be seen overlooking a celebrating Hyrule on Death Mountain with the other Sages.

Oracle of Ages

Impa is the trusted nursemaid of Princess Zelda in Oracle of Ages. Impa, sent by Zelda to bring Nayru back to Hyrule for protection, meets Link when she finds she cannot move a large rock with the Mark of the Hero upon it: Link moves this with ease. However, Veran, Sorceress of Shadow, had possessed Impa. Veran transfers herself into Nayru, leaving Impa's body. After Nayru is kidnapped, she puts all her trust in Link to save Labrynna.

Oracle of Seasons

Impa is the trusted nursemaid of Princess Zelda in Oracle of Seasons, and she has been sent to bring the Oracle of Seasons away from the dangers that threaten her in Holodrum, and take her back to Hyrule. After Din is captured by Onox, she puts all her trust into Link, as he bears the mark of a Hylian hero.

The Wind Waker

File:ImpaTWW.png
Impa's window.

While Impa did not appear in The Wind Waker, one of the stained glass windows in Hyrule Castle's basement depicted her, along with the other sages from Ocarina of Time.

Twilight Princess

No character named Impa appears in Twilight Princess, but the character Impaz was a reference to her, and an implied descendant.

Non-canon Appearances

Oracle of Ages manga

In the Oracle of Ages manga, Impa is shown to possess almost superhuman strength, being able to carry a cow over her head with relative ease, despite it annoying her greatly.

The Shadow Prince

In The Shadow Prince, Impa appears once again serving as Princess Zelda's nursemaid, portrayed as an elderly woman. She plays a major role in the game since it is through her wise words that Link is able to discover Charles's true identity. She is first introduced in the book when Link and Charles are having the archery match. Just as Link is choosing the arrow that he will use for the match, Impa walks towards him and tells him to use the Green Arrow that she puts in his hand, saying it is enchanted with magic.[20] After the Green Arrow lands way off the bulls-eye, Impa warns the young hero that Charles is in possession of strong magic.[21]

Throughout the book, Link often goes to Impa for advice to consult about his next step. At one point, Impa suggests to him that he should have patience and not defy Charles before he learns of his true identity. She then sends him off to the Water Town of Saria to retrieve the Mirror of Truth and gives the young hero the Golden Whistle in case he may need it, the former being the item that will ultimately help lead to Charles's defeat.[22][23]

Gallery

References

  1. "They say that Princess Zelda's nanny is actually one of the Sheikah, who many thought had died out." — Gossip Stone (Ocarina of Time)
  2. The Legend of Zelda Manual; Page 3-4
  3. The Adventure of Link Manual; Page 3-4
  4. The Adventure of Link Manual; Page 5-6
  5. The Adventure of Link Manual; Page 7-8
  6. The Adventure of Link Manual; Page 9-10
  7. The Adventure of Link Manual; Page 11-12
  8. 8.0 8.1 "You brave lad... We must protect this beautiful land of Hyrule! Take a good look at that mountain. That is Death Mountain, home of the Gorons. They hold the Spiritual Stone of Fire. At the foot of Death Mountain you will find my village, Kakariko. That is where I was born and raised. You should talk to some of the villagers there before you go up Death Mountain. The song I just taught you has some mysterious power. Only Royal Family members are allowed to learn this song. Remember, it will help to prove your connection with the Royal Family. The Princess is waiting for you to return to the castle with the stones. All right. We're counting on you!" — Impa (Ocarina of Time)
  9. "This used to be the great Impa's house, but she doesn't live here any longer. It is now open to all villagers. You are free to go on in. This village used to be a Sheikah village, but the great Impa opened it to everyone." — Soldier in Kakariko Village (Ocarina of Time)
  10. "Hello there, son. Zelda's attendant, the great Impa, opened this village to the common people. We have only a small population now, but someday this place will be as lively as Hyrule Castle Town! Oh, yes! It will! Climb up the stairs at the north end of the village to find the trail that leads up Death Mountain. But you need the King's permission to actually go up the mountain." — Soldier in Kakariko Village (Ocarina of Time)
  11. "Have you heard the legend of the "Shadow Folk"? They are the Sheikah...the shadows of the Hylians. They say they swore allegiance to the King of Hyrule and guarded the Royal Family. But with the long peace, no one has seen a Sheikah around here for a long time. However... I heard there is one Sheikah woman living in the castle..." — A man in Hyrule Castle Town (Ocarina of Time)
  12. "I am the boss of the carpenters that Impa hired to improve this village and make it into a true city! But young men these days don't have any ambition... Do you know what I mean, kid? My workers are just running aimlessly around the village, and they're not making any progress at all... Even my own son doesn't have a job, and he just wanders around all day! They're all worthless, I tell you!!" — [Mutoh (Carpenter) (Mutoh]], Ocarina of Time)
  13. "I am Impa of the Sheikahs. I am responsible for protecting Princess Zelda. Everything is exactly as the Princess foretold. You are a courageous boy... You are heading out on a big, new adventure, aren't you? My role in the Princess's dream was to teach a melody to the one from the forest. This is an ancient melody passed down by the Royal Family. I have played this song for Princess Zelda as a lullaby ever since she was a baby... There is mysterious power in these notes. Now listen carefully... Memorize this song..." — Impa (Ocarina of Time)
  14. "If the castle soldiers find you, there will be trouble. Let me lead you out of the castle." — Impa (Ocarina of Time)
  15. "The one riding on the white horse holding the little girl... Wasn't that a legendary Sheikah?" — A man in Hyrule Castle Town (Ocarina of Time).
  16. "This is the great Impa's house! The great Impa has gone to the graveyard to seal up the humongous creature there. Since Ganondorf appeared, many monsters have been sighted around here. Only the great Impa has kept peace in our village. You have to remember that, young man! Oh well. Speaking of the great Impa, she hasn't come back yet. I wonder what happened to her?" — A man in Kakariko Village (Ocarina of Time)
  17. "Looks like you're coming around... Link... A terrible thing has happened! The evil shadow spirit has been released! Impa, the leader of Kakariko Village, had sealed the evil shadow spirit in the bottom of the well.... But the force of the evil spirit got so strong, the seal of the well broke, and it escaped into the world!! I believe Impa has gone to the Shadow Temple to seal it up again, but...she will be in danger without any help! Link! Impa is one of the six Sages. Destroy the evil shadow spirit and save Impa! There is an entrance to the Shadow Temple beneath the graveyard behind this village. The only thing I can do for you is teach you the melody that will lead you to the Shadow Temple... This is the melody that will draw you into the infinite darkness that absorbs even time... Listen to this, the Nocturne of Shadow!! Let me take care of the village! I'm counting on you, Link!" — Sheik (Ocarina of Time)
  18. "The boy with the noble Zelda's Ocarina...As I expected, you have come. I am Impa, one of the Sheikah. I am Princess Zelda's caretaker, and I am also the Sage who guards the Shadow Temple. We Sheikah have served the royalty of Hyrule from generation to generation as attendants. However... On that day seven years ago, Ganondorf suddenly attacked... and Hyrule Castle surrendered after a short time. Ganondorf's target was one of the keys to the Sacred Realm...the hidden treasure of the Royal Family... The Ocarina of Time! My duty bound me to take Zelda out of Ganondorf's reach. When last I saw you, as we made our escape from the castle, you were just a lad... Now I see that you have become a fine hero... There's nothing to worry about... The Princess is safe now. Soon, you'll meet Princess Zelda face-to-face, and she will explain everything... That is when we, the six Wise Ones, will seal up the Evil King and return peace to Hyrule. I have to stay here... You go to Princess Zelda's side and protect her on my behalf. Now I put my power, which should be helpful to you, into this Medallion!" — Impa (Ocarina of Time)
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