Most gamers think of Ganon (or Ganondorf) as the mainline Legend of Zelda villain. After all, he's been Link's de facto nemesis since original classic. Unbeknownst to some, though, there exists an older, more malevolent foe in Hyrule.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword features an antagonist known as Demise, or "Bringer of Demise" in Japanese. Though he resembles Ganondorf at first glance, this figure boasts many traits distinguishing him from his successor. These aspects add far more depth to the series' lore, as his roots lie in entwined with the world itself. Because of that, Zelda fans awaiting his return with curiosity and dread.
5 He Shares Stuff With Ganondorf
Upon his defeat in Skyward Sword, Demise declares that his hatred will haunt Link's descendants for all eternity. This implies strong ties to Ganondorf, fueling a fan theory that he and Ganon are one and the same. The dialogue seems to support this line of thinking, at least behind the scenes.
The speech itself is similar to the one that Ganon had lined up in Twilight Princess. Unfortunately, the finished product omitted this monologue, so the creators scooped it off the cutting room floor and gave it to Demise. That's not the only thing these two villains share, though.
Ganondorf seems to pay tribute to the ancient enemy in Hyrule Warriors. That homage comes in the form of his weapons: the Sword of Demise and Trident of Demise. This can support either theory. It could be a case of Ganon offering a nod to the demon who inspired his creation. Alternatively, it might be Demise's reincarnation reclaiming what's his. Whatever the case, why shouldn't Ganon use his predecessor's hand-me-downs?
4 His Weakness
Sometimes, the developers at Nintendo like to have fun in designing their secrets. How odd that they chose to do so with such a foreboding foe, though. When fighting Demise, players realize that he's largely resistant to most attacks. Even the Master Sword has little effect. The tool that trumps him is worthy of a facepalm.
Demise's weakness is a bug net. If Link whips out this harmless instrument, Demise just stares at it. That's not all. His catastrophic attack, Skyward Strike, bounces off the net without so much as a scratch. What a random workaround!
Again, it's not the first time the series has pulled this trick. Ganondorf falls victim to the mighty fishing rod inTwilight Princess. That said, it severely undermines the demonic evil that Demise is meant to emanate.
3 He's Basically The Devil
Demise has been around since the beginning of time. After the three Golden Goddesses shaped the planet, Demise and his monstrous horde emerged from its depths. He seeks to remake the land in his image and corrupt it beyond recognition. He then creates various demons to accomplish his goal. The tale is one of biblical proportions.
It's easy to see Demise as a Satanic figure. The game portrays him as a primordial force of evil who leads to more tangible enemies later in the series. It's not unlike how Morgoth in The Silmarillion predates Sauron in The Lord of the Rings. The former also conflicts with his world's deities during its early days, acting as the author's stand-in for Satan. Demise comes off as a similarly devilish character as a result.
2 He's A Tribal Leader
Demise may have ties to more than just Ganon. He's actually the leader of the Demon Tribe, which fuels his motivation. He wants dominion over the world for not just himself, but also his fellow demons. The Japanese version makes this clearer than the English one. That's also where Demise's influence shows up in other games.
With numerous villains, the Japanese dialogue states that they are members of the Demon Tribe. That's why Demise is one of several characters to have the "Demon Lord" title. Ghirahim holds it Skyward Sword, but Malladus also declares himself as such in Spirit Tracks. However, these guys are just stewards of Demise's throne. Thus, the seemingly individualistic bad guys reveal a more tribal mindset. The fact that the Demon Tribe has endured for thousands of years shows the weight of Demise's reach. It puts the whole series in a new perspective.
1 His Appearance
Here's another facet of the Satanic undertones. Demise looks menacing enough with his charred skin, beastly claws, jagged sword, and flaming hair. He's a creature of nightmares: exactly how one would picture a demon from the Earth's core. That said, this appearance may not be real.
Demise's form is actually fluid. It varies from age to age. Even then, it depends on who's looking. Each person perceives this dark lord differently. What players see simply comes from Link's viewpoint. A random villager could experience something else entirely.
The wall painting in Skyward Sword exemplifies this. It portrays Demise as a shadowy figure with either horns or a horned helmet. Whoever depicted these ancient events had their own idea of the villain's look. By that same logic, any subsequent appearances in the series would likely shift his shape again. He'd exist through the eyes of Link's descendants, so the developers would have cart blanche to alter his design. The Devil has many forms, after all.