The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was an ambitious launch title for the Nintendo Switch. The game allows players the freedom to explore the open world of Hyrule without being limited to the main objectives. As a result, Breath of the Wild is the franchise's most expansive entry, featuring over 200 different characters.
Most of the fun of Breath of the Wild can come from players finding and interacting with all the different NPCs. Some of them are integral to the game's story, while others merely exist to flesh out the game's world. These characters discovered throughout Hyrule, however, will certainly tug at players' heartstrings.
8 Paya
Paya is the granddaughter of Impa, one of Link's closest allies in the game. Link first encounters Impa in Kakariko Village after awakening from his hundred-year slumber. There, Link can also encounter Paya, who when initially approached, will cower in fear of social interaction despite her willingness to help Link.
By completing side quests and continuing to interact with Paya, Link can discover more about this Sheikah girl. Eventually, Link can visit at night and peek inside Paya's diary, where it's revealed that Paya is in love with Link. However, Paya understands that Link's mind is on Zelda, despite her desire to be with him.
7 Kass's Teacher
Kass is a recurring figure in Breath of the Wild, appearing in many locations throughout Hyrule. This traveling minstrel will play Link songs that contain clues to uncover hidden secrets or Shrines. Occasionally, Kass will also serenade Link with songs that recount the history of Hyrule and Calamity Ganon.
When spoken to, Kass will also mention he once had a teacher, who never actually appears in-game. Apparently, Kass's teacher was a Sheikah who fell in love with Princess Zelda, though his affections were never returned. Maybe in the sequel to Breath of the Wild, players will learn more about this heartbreaking character.
6 Ralera
Ralera is a Hylian woman who Link can encounter in Hateno Village. She's often found sitting at the base of a tree. Through conversation, she remarks how much she adores the breeze in Hateno Village. Her life seems to be very peaceful, though inside she's hiding a much deeper sadness that Link can discover.
Ralera will eventually reveal to Link that she originates from Lurelin Village, a fishing village near the Bridge of Hylia. Though she loves Hateno Village, she deeply misses her hometown, having moved away with her husband, Rhodes. She even mentions that she has not spoken to her family since moving away from Lurelin.
5 Mimos
Link can encounter Mimos on Ebon Mountain in Hyrule. He is in search of a body of water called Sweetheart's Pond, which is actually located on Tuft Mountain not far away. However, Mimos has ended up near a pond at the top of Ebon Mountain, which, contrasting to Sweetheart's Pond, is shaped like a broken heart.
When Link talks to Mimos, the man states that he came to this pond in search of his soulmate. Unfortunately, they did not show, perhaps because Mimos went to the wrong pond. After Link points him in the right direction, Mimos heads off, though it's never confirmed whether he finds the love of his life there.
4 Koko & Cottla
Link can find two little girls, Koko and Cottla, in Kakariko Village. When speaking to Cottla, the girl will tell Link that she's playing hide-and-seek with her mother, inviting Link to join her. However, if Link speaks to her sister, Koko, he learns that Cottla's playtime has a dark backstory that Cottla is unaware of.
When interacting with Koko, the little girl will tell Link that their mother has passed away. However, their father, Dorian, has failed to accept this, leading to Cottla's belief that she's still alive. It's quite a tragic story for this Sheikah family, though it's at least comforting to know that Koko is confronting grief with maturity past her age.
3 Monkton
Monkton is an old man who Link can find in Snowfield Stable in the Tabantha Tundra. If Link obliges, Monkton will tell him about his childhood friends, Harry and Mary. Unfortunately, Harry went missing after Monkton dared him to enter the North Lomei Labyrinth, while Mary slipped and fell down a cliff in Tanagar Canyon.
While this is one of the most tragic stories an NPC will tell Link in Breath of the Wild, it comes with a lesson about grief. Monkton tells Link that he overcame the loss of his friends by raising their two descendants. It's then revealed that these descendants are actually horses, as were Harry and Mary.
2 Mipha
As one of the Four Champions, Mipha is incredibly important to the main story of Breath of the Wild. The Zora Princess was recruited by Link and Zelda a hundred years ago, piloting the Divine Beast Vah Ruta against Calamity Ganon. Unfortuntately, Mipha and the other Champions were each killed by Ganon.
However, flashbacks reveal the truly emotional story behind Mipha's death. Link discovers that Mipha was in love with him, despite the knight's loyalty to Princess Zelda. Nevertheless, she crafted the Zora Armor specifially for Link, and heals his wounds, swearing to protect him until the day she dies.
1 Zelda
It makes sense that the titular character of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is also the story's most complex and emotional one. Although Zelda doesn't appear in-person until the ending, Link can view flashbacks of her from a hundred years prior. Zelda's diary is also found in Hyrule Castle, providing more context to the character.
In the Captured Memory found near the Bottomless Swamp, Link and Zelda recover from their failed battle against Calamity Ganon. Believing the loss of their ancient technology and Champions is her fault, Zelda breaks down crying in Link's arms. It's a tragic moment that's uncharacteristic of the princess's other appearances.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 releases in spring 2023 for Nintendo Switch.
