Ganon

This article is about Ganondorf's alternate form. For the character and the The Legend of Zelda boss, see Ganondorf and Gannon.

Ganon
Artwork of Ganon from Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons
First appearance	The Legend of Zelda (1987)
Appears in	The Legend of Zelda The Adventure of Link A Link to the Past Link's Awakening Ocarina of Time Oracle of Ages Oracle of Seasons The Wind Waker Four Swords Adventures Twilight Princess A Link Between Worlds Breath of the Wild
Title(s)	Demon King King of Darkness King of Evil Prince of Darkness Dark Beast The Calamity Calamitous One Great Calamity Scourge of Hyrule Castle (Hyrule Warriors/Legends) Dark Ruler
Gender	Male
Homeland	Hyrule
Kindred	Malice (creation/toxic essence) Spoiler: Fireblight Ganon (creation/phantom) Spoiler: Thunderblight Ganon (creation/phantom) Spoiler: Waterblight Ganon (creation/phantom) Spoiler: Windblight Ganon (creation/phantom)
Race	Gerudo (formerly) Demon
Alternate form(s)	Spoiler: Yuga Ganon Calamity Ganon (incomplete form) Spoiler: Dark Beast Ganon (berserker form)
Alternate form of	Ganondorf (true form) Spoiler: Agahnim (alter-ego)
Affiliation(s)	Spoiler: Scourges of the Divine Beasts (creations/minions) Spoiler: Yiga Clan (sworn followers)

"Ganon... this beast was once of the Gerudo... Once human. He was called Ganondorf! King of Darkness, ancient demon reborn."

— Princess Zelda

Ganon (ガノン, Ganon^?, ) is the alternate form of Ganondorf, the King of Evil, and the primary antagonist of the Legend of Zelda series. Though Ganon always resembles a boar, his exact form and the method he uses to assume it varies between appearances. The possessor of the Triforce of Power, he has astonishing magical and physical powers, including what seems to be near-immortality. Ganon tends to be portrayed as the personification of evil, as opposed to Link, who personifies benevolence.

Appearances

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.

The Legend of Zelda

Gannon, the Prince of Darkness, invades Hyrule with his evil army, seizes the Triforce of Power, and attempts to gather the scattered pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom. He imprisons Princess Zelda and keeps her in his lair at Death Mountain, but is killed and reduced to ashes by Link when the hero strikes him with a Silver Arrow.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Ganon on the Game Over screen in The Adventure of Link

Ganon is dead after Link's last encounter with him. His minions aim to resurrect him by killing Link and mixing his blood with their master's ashes. If Link dies, his blood is used to resurrect Ganon. In non-Japanese versions of the game, Ganon appears as a shadow on the Game Over screen and laughs.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Ganondorf Dragmire, the Prince of Thieves, was one of many adventurers who traveled from the Light World to the Sacred Realm to claim the Triforce. Obtaining the power of the Triforce, he made a wish to control the Sacred Realm, transforming the realm into the Dark World and himself into a pig/boar-form, both of which reflected his corrupt, wicked heart and his greedy nature.

Styling himself as Ganon, King of Evil, he sought to conquer the Light World as well. Ganon attacked Hyrule with his monstrous armies, but was defeated by the Knights of Hyrule and sealed in the Dark World by the Seven Wise Men. Unable to leave the Dark World, Ganon created an avatar that would later be known as Agahnim. Through Agahnim, Ganon betrayed the King of Hyrule after having earned his trust, and took over the country. Now in control of the kingdom, Agahnim seeks to break the seal on the Sacred Realm to allow Ganon to escape it. Link confronts Agahnim in Hyrule Castle and defeats him, but Agahnim manages to retreat to the Dark World while trapping Link there as well.

In the Dark World, Link storms Ganon's Tower and defeats Agahnim once again. Ganon leaves Agahnim's body and flees with the hero in pursuit. Link subsequently battles Ganon in the Pyramid, defeating the Evil King with Silver Arrows. With Ganon's ultimate defeat, the Dark World returns to its former beauty as the Sacred Realm, and Link claims the Triforce, using it to wish all of Ganon's evil deeds undone.

According to the Hyrule Historia, this Ganon is the one revived by Koume and Kotake at the end of the Oracle subseries. Likewise, the same book stated that the Ganon in this game was the result of a timeline where Ganondorf defeated Link in their final battle in Ocarina of Time. It is also stated that after his defeat, his resentment and evil thoughts of Link travelled through time and space, manifesting into the Shadow Links in A Link Between Worlds.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Ganon himself does not actually appear in Link's Awakening, but he is briefly mentioned in the instruction booklet concerning the backstory of the game. It states that Ganon had been defeated, but the people of Hyrule worried that other evils may materialize themselves from his ashes. Also, the final Nightmare takes on a Ganon form whose attack pattern and appearance is similar to the Ganon fought in A Link to the Past.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Ganon first appears in his human form, Ganondorf. He is a Gerudo male known as 'The King of Thieves'. Unbeknownst to the King of Hyrule, Ganondorf is trying to obtain the Triforce; Princess Zelda suspected his plan, thanks to a vision she had in a dream, and decides to try and thwart him with the help of Link.

At the end of Link's quest, he faces Ganondorf and defeats him. Ganondorf causes his own castle to collapse on Link and Princess Zelda. The two manage to escape the castle seconds before it finally collapses, and then hear a noise in the ruins. When Link investigates the sounds, Ganondorf appears, showing the Triforce of Power's glow and transforming into Ganon for the final battle.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons

Ganon is deceased during most of the events of these games. Koume and Kotake plot to revive him using the Flames of the Dark Rites, which they light by causing havoc in Labrynna and Holodrum, and capturing Princess Zelda. By sacrificing Zelda, the ritual would be complete and Ganon would be revived. However, Link arrives before the ritual is complete and defeats the two witches. They are then forced to sacrifice themselves instead of Zelda, resurrecting Ganon, but only as a mindless, raging beast.

According to the Hyrule Historia, the circumstances behind Ganon's death prior to the events of the game were from Link and Ganon's final battle in A Link to the Past indicating he was killed by the Silver Arrow.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Ganon depicted in the prologue of The Wind Waker

Ganon briefly appears in the prologue of the game, which reveals he had escaped from the Sacred Realm after being defeated by the Hero of Time. A hero never rose to vanquish him, so the gods destroyed Ganon's gains by flooding the land and turning it into the Great Sea, using the Master Sword as a seal on his magic. Powerless, Ganon returns to his Ganondorf form and quietly escapes into the Light World.

Ganon itself does not appear in the main game; however, Ganondorf takes on the form of Puppet Ganon, a giant, wooden, puppet-like version of Ganon. He is held onto the ceiling by ropes and takes on the form of a boar, spider, and Moldorm. Like Ganon from Ocarina of Time, his tail is a weak spot.

Another depiction of the Ganon form can be seen on the stained glass windows in the Hyrule Castle basement where Link finds the Master Sword. The center window shows the Seven Sages sealing Ganon away at the end of the climactic battle in Ocarina of Time.

Even though Ganondorf does not appear in the game in his Ganon form, Ganondorf is often referred to by the name "Ganon" in the English version of the game.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

Ganondorf is not apparently the enemy at first; however, when Link arrives at the Lost Woods, he finds that the Deku there have become his loyal followers, revealing his presence to Link. More is revealed about Ganon in the next area, the Desert of Doubt. Ganondorf was a member of the Gerudo tribe there, but had been shunned by his people after he broke their laws and traveled to the sacred Pyramid in his quest for power. He took the Trident from the Pyramid and was transformed into Ganon by the weapon's evil magic.

After Link defeats Vaati in the Palace of Winds, the Tower of Winds starts to crumble, and Link and Zelda travel down the tower back to Hyrule. However, Ganon had secretly witnessed the battle, and was disgusted at Vaati's lack of power at the hands of the Four Sword. In addition, he also was enraged at the four Links for stopping him from absorbing more power, and felt that his trident will defeat them, with or without the Four Sword, before his shadowy mass leaves the crumbling palace. They are stopped by Ganon, who was also causing the collapse of the tower of winds. After sealing a weakening Zelda away, Ganon reveals himself and faces Link in battle. After Ganon is defeated, he is sealed within the Four Sword.

Due to the Triforce of Power not playing a role in his transformation, it is implied that this Ganon and Ganondorf are a different incarnation from the one seen in other games. Alternatively, Ganon ended up reincarnating into Ganondorf and regained his Ganon form through the Trident.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Having been defeated by Link while possessing Princess Zelda, Ganondorf appears to be defeated, and Zelda's soul is returned to her body. After a brief reunion, Ganondorf suddenly transforms into his beast form; Ganon. He erects a magical barrier to prevent Zelda from intervening and attacks Link, who utilizes his own beast form to defeat Ganon. Ganon appears more reckless in this appearance, quickly destroying most of the Throne Room where the battle is fought. His most prominent ability in this appearance is his use of Twilight Portals. Shortly after this defeat, Ganon's body is immolated with green flames, until the same flames also take the form of Ganondorf's spirit. Midna then teleports Link and Princess Zelda out of the castle in an act of self-sacrifice in order to attempt to take down Ganondorf with the Fused Shadow.

An interesting point is that while other games that feature Ganon have him serve as the final boss, in this game Ganon serves as an intermediate boss instead, with Ganondorf serving as the final boss. This is also the first time Ganon is depicted as a quadruped rather than a biped.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Although Ganon himself does not appear in the game, he is briefly hinted at: After Demise is vanquished by Link, Demise states that his hatred will reincarnate itself and attack in a cycle of no end, hinting that Ganon, and by extension, Ganondorf, is the reincarnation and personification of Demise's hatred. This is strongly also implied in Breath of the Wild as Ganon is said to go through a cycle of resurrection and Calamity Ganon was in the middle of resurrecting himself when he was interrupted by Link. This would also explain Ganondorf's power before he obtained the Triforce of Power as he was strong enough to curse even deities such as the Great Deku Tree and Lord Jabu-Jabu.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Artwork of Ganon from A Link Between Worlds.

Ganon appears in Link's dreams early in the game. He is later revived by Yuga in Lorule via the portraits of the Seven Sages, and proceeded to join with Ganon, as both Yuga and Princess Hilda needed his Triforce of Power to restore Lorule from collapse. As he is about to strike down Link, Hilda appears and restrains him, Hilda then sends Link on a quest to gain the Triforce of Courage.

Yuga Ganon later fights Link after Hilda orders Yuga Ganon to retrieve the Triforce of Courage from him, though he secretly plans on taking it for himself in order to become a godly being. After being defeated by Link once, Yuga Ganon absorbs the Triforce of Wisdom from Hilda. Despite this, Yuga and Ganon are defeated and destroyed.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Calamity Ganon

"The source of the darkness that has appeared time and again throughout Hyrule's history. It's been called many names, from "Great King of Evil" to "Calamity." Hibernating within a cocoon, it attempted to regenerate a physical form after Link awoke but was forced to confront him in an incomplete state."

— Hyrule Compendium

Calamity Ganon

Ten thousand years before the events of the story, Ganon transformed into a monstrous creature of pure Malice known as Calamity Ganon. He ravaged Hyrule before being sealed away by the Hero wielding the blade that seals darkness, and by the princess with divine powers, with the help of Sheikah clan technology: an army of autonomous Guardians and four Divine Beasts that are commanded by four Champions. However after Ganon was sealed, the people began to fear the potential misuse of Sheikah technology and the Sheikah became outcasts for a time. Some Sheikah, angered by their people's mistreatment, broke away and formed the Yiga Clan who swore to serve Calamity Ganon. However the rest of the Sheikah heeded the people's fears and buried their technology to be used only in the event of Ganon's return. However as a result much information was lost over time to the point ancient technology researchers were needed to study the technology in order to utilize it.

Around one hundred years prior to the events of Breath of the Wild, it was foretold that the return of Calamity Ganon was inevitable. King Rhoam decided to re-enact their ancestors' plan and excavate the Guardians and Divine Beasts. Though the current Link was already an accomplished knight and could even wield the Master Sword, Zelda struggled to awaken her sealing powers which strained her relationship with her father. Zelda devoted most of her free time to assisting the Sheikah researchers believing the ancient technology had an important purpose to fulfil in combating Ganon's return, though her father initially dismissed her research and insisted she focus on her awakening sealing powers which would be needed to seal Ganon. Meanwhile the Yiga Clan seeing the Princess as a threat to Ganon, attempted to assassinate Zelda, though it was foiled by Link whom King Rhoam had appointed Captain of her Royal Guard detail to act as her personal bodyguard.

Calamity Ganon's origins as Ganondorf were known to the Gerudo Champion Urbosa whom possessed a deep seeded hatred of Ganon as she deeply resented Ganon's deep connections to the Gerudo due to all the tragedy and destruction the villain had caused over the ages and that Ganondorf once used the Gerudo people to commit many crimes on his behalf until an uprising led by Nabooru, another Gerudo legend, whom Urbosa deeply respected and where the inspiration for Van Naboris' name originated from. Due to this, the champion felt a sense of responsibility owed to her people to destroy the Calamity and show the world that the Gerudo no longer have any allegiance or tolerance for such an evil considering Ganon's relation to the Gerudo a stain on the honor of her people. The Gerudo even reject thievery becoming a mostly law abiding people and had switched to an economy based on trade with other races. Princess Zelda briefly mentions Ganon's origins as well when speaking to her fellow Champions about Ganon's history.

However, as the Champions were making preparations for battle, Ganon reappeared and created four phantom embodiments of himself representing the elements of fire, water, thunder, and wind. These phantoms killed the four Champions and took control of the Divine Beasts, and Calamity Ganon took control of the Guardians. In the aftermath, Link was mortally wounded and placed in the Shrine of Resurrection to recover, while Zelda used her power to partially seal Calamity Ganon in Hyrule Castle. For a while, Zelda's seal contained Calamity Ganon allowing the rest of Hyrule to recover during the Age of Burning Fields.

Additionally Hyrule Castle was safe enough for people like Misko and Parcy to actually enter and explore the abandoned Hyrule Castle looking for treasure and other value objects though doing so was still potentially dangerous and most people avoided the castle, with Misko and Parcy being the few brave souls that managed to do so and survive. Misko would even steal an entire collection of historical Armor from the castle. However according to Parcy, the castle eventually became too dangerous to approach.

Robbie's Memoirs reveals that Zelda's seal eventually weakened over time allowing Ganon's influence to spread causing much of Central Hyrule around the castle to become a no man's land patrolled by corrupted Guardians. Additionally Ganon's corrupted Guardians continued to prowl throughout Hyrule even annihilating what remained of Hyrule's armed forces at the Akkala Citadel leaving Link the only surviving Knight of Hyrule. One even threatened Zora's Domain only to be defeated by King Dorephan who threw it down a ravine.

The corrupted Divine Beasts remain dormant until Link awakens, as Ganon's influence causes them to cause disasters throughout the land, including Vah Ruta creating endless storms over and around Zora's Domain to destroy the East Reservoir Lake and cause a massive flood to destroy the area and drown significant portions of the land, Vah Rudania rampaging Death Mountain and causing volcanic eruptions that threatened Goron City and the entire region, Vah Naboris initiating sand and lightening storms within the Gerudo desert and threatening Gerudo Town, and Veh Medoh patrolling the skies and threatening Rito village.

In the events of Breath of the Wild, Calamity Ganon is only barely contained by Zelda's power. He controls the Guardians and Divine Beasts, which causes the seal to weaken, and he has spread deadly Malice throughout Hyrule. He also resurrects deceased Bokoblins, Moblins, Lizalfos, Hinox, and horses as Stalkoblins, Stalmoblins, Stalizalfos, Stalnox, and Stalhorses at night. Additionally, Calamity Ganon can create "Silver" variants of Bokoblins, Moblins, Lizalfos, and Lynels as Link progresses and slays his underlings. Additionally some of his malice pools grow mouths that produce Cursed Bokoblins, Cursed Moblin, and Cursed Lizalfos giving the monsters a pitiful form of life after death.

During an celestial event called a Blood Moon, Calamity Ganon's power reaches its peak at midnight allowing him to resurrect slain monsters, Guardians, and Yiga Clansmen thus giving him essentially an army that can be revived every Blood Moon though he cannot revive the Scourges of the Divine Beasts and does not bother reviving Master Kohga as the Yiga Clan becomes more determined to kill Link in order to avenge his death. Zelda warns Link every Blood Moon as her seal is unable to restrain Calamity Ganon's peak power. Upon sensing Link's awakening, Calamity Ganon cocoons himself in Malice and attempts to reincarnate summoning the Scourges of the Divine Beasts to protect him from Link.

Though Link is initially weakened and amnesiac, King Rhoam's spirit takes the form of the Old Man and guides him to Shrines which contain Sheikah Monks that serve the goddess Hylia whom have been enshrined to test Hylia's Hero Chosen by the Master Sword to prepare him to confront Calamity Ganon and fulfill his destiny. King Rhoam eventually reveals his true form and gives Link the task to "Destroy Ganon" though directs him to "Seek Out Impa" first. Link reunites with Impa who explains Calamity Ganon's history and informs him of Zelda's request that he "Free the Divine Beasts" before confronting Ganon.

In addition to Impa, Link is aided by her elder sister Purah and the male Sheikah Robbie whom have been working to develop technology to help Link combat Calamity Ganon. Purah upgrades his Runes while Robbie provides Link with Ancient Soldier Gear designed to combat Guardians as freeing them from Ganon's control is next to impossible. Purah and Impa also help Link find a way to restore his lost memories using pictures taken by Zelda using the Camera Rune. Purah's assistant Symin describes Ganon as "the infinite evil that has plagued Hyrule throughout time".

The Yiga Clan lead by Kohga tries to thwart and eliminate Link stealing the Thunder Helm from Gerudo Town to prevent Link from accessing Vah Naboris, forces ex-clansman Dorian to steal the Sheikah Heirloom to prevent Link from accessing the Lakna Rokee Shrine, and disguise themselves as travelers to catch Link off guard. Meanwhile, Ganon continues to try and reincarnate himself, Link defeats Kogha and Ganon's Scourges, freeing the spirits of his fellow Champions Mipha, Urbosa, Daruk, and Revali whom take control of their respective Divine Beast.

Link also manages to recover the Master Sword which has been under the protection of the Great Deku Tree and Koroks since Zelda entrusted it to them before sealing herself and Calamity Ganon in Hyrule Castle. However the sword tests Link to ensure he is strong enough to wield it and the Great Deku Tree warns Link not to over rely on its sacred power. When in the presence of corrupted Guardians, the Scourges of the Divine Beasts, or within Hyrule Castle which Ganon's power permeates throughout, the Master Sword true power glows, representing the True Master Sword which increases it power and durability making it an effective weapon against them. Link journeys through Hyrule Castle and confronts Calamity Ganon within the Castle's Sanctum and interrupts him before he can reincarnate.

Dark Beast Ganon

Dark Beast Ganon

After Link interrupts and defeats Calamity Ganon, Ganon's spirit is unwilling to accept defeat and reconstitutes into Dark Beast Ganon, only to be defeated once more when Link uses the Bow of Light. Zelda then uses the power of the complete Triforce to destroy Ganon.

Spoiler warning: Spoilers end here.

Other appearances

Subseries warning: This article or section contains information on a subseries within the Legend of Zelda series and should be considered part of its own separate canon.

BS The Legend of Zelda

Being a remake of the original The Legend of Zelda, Ganon naturally appears as the final boss of the game that the Hero of Light can fight in Week Four. Unlike in the original game, Ganon's sprite features a trident however, he does not actively use it in battle.

BS The Legend of Zelda: Ancient Stone Tablets

As a direct sequel to A Link to the Past, Ganon initially appears to be dead in this game. However, the hero eventually learns that Ganon's evil lingers in Ganon's Tower. Upon confronting him, Ganon reveals that he was the one that brought the hero to Hyrule in order to steal the mysterious power that lies within the hero and use it to resurrect himself. After a long and difficult battle, the hero is successfully able to seal away the remains of Ganon using the Silver Arrows.

Hyrule Warriors series

Ganon appears as a Giant Boss in Hyrule Warriors and is known by the title Dark Beast. In Legend Mode, he is the final boss of the game, appearing after the Hyrulean Forces defeats Ganondorf in the final chapter. In Adventure Mode, he appears in the final scenario as the Dark Ruler, summoned by Cia as a last-ditch effort to overcome her enemies. In both cases, the heroes must defeat Ganon to reclaim the Triforce and undo the evil brought upon their world.

In battle, Ganon initially wields powers of other giant bosses, which can be disabled with the same weapons used against their inspirations:

• When Ganon hovers in the air, surrounded by a vortex of darkness, he will breath fire like Argorok. After attacking, his tail will glow blue - use the Hookshot on it to pull Ganon down from the sky. In Ganon's Fury, this attack is a Boss Attack Item called Burning Breath.
• When Ganon raises his right hand and gathers orange energy in his palm, he will launch a large fireball similar to one of King Dodongo's attacks. Throwing a bomb at his hand before the fireball is charged will interrupt the attack and damage Ganon. In Ganon's Fury, this attack is a Boss Attack Item called Fireball.
• When Ganon reveals a red, Gohma-like eye on his left bracer and gathers blue energy, he will fire a large orb of electricity at his foes. After firing, the eye turns blue - shoot it with the Bow to damage Ganon. In Ganon's Fury, this attack is a Boss Attack Item called Ganon Bomb.
• When Ganon braces both hands against the ground, his shoulder spikes will open up and fire a barrage of spikes in front of him. Like Manhandla before him, this attack can be negated by throwing the Boomerang at Ganon's "mouths" before they close up. Unlike his other "boss" attacks, this one will require two hits to permanently disable it. In Ganon's Fury, this attack is a Boss Attack Item called Fury Horn.

Each time one of these attacks is negated, part of Ganon's body will show damage - his tail and right tusk will break off, his bracers will be damaged, and his shoulder spikes will be reduced to stumps. He will no longer use the corresponding attack when each part is destroyed.

After losing all of his "boss" attacks, Ganon will begin using new moves, including beams and waves of dark energy and brutal physical attacks. Zelda (or Ruto if the player is using Zelda or Sheik as their character) will provide Light Arrows to use against the Demon Beast - fire them when his forehead glows purple to stun him and expose his weak spot (Note: it is possible to do this with the standard Bow before receiving the Light Arrows and when fighting Ganon outside of the main story). While stunned, pummel Ganon as much as possible until he gets back up - the length of his stun time depends on how many allied commanders are still on the battlefield - and repeat the process until he finally falls.

Ganon using his King of Evil Trident against The Imprisoned in Ganon's Fury challenge mode

Outside of the main story and Adventure Mode, Ganon is also playable in the DLC Challenge Mode, Ganon's Fury which is part of the Boss Pack DLC. Defeating other Bosses allows Ganon to obtain Boss Attack Items that act as Ganon's own set of unique items that allow him to use the attacks of the bosses he defeats. Like most playable characters can perform combos, a special attack, Focus Spirit, and a powerful Focus Spirit Attack. He uses his Trident during his weak point attacks and as part of his Focus Spirit Attack. However unlike other playable characters he is larger and capable of making Bosses flinch when he attacks them due to being of similar size. Ganondorf can also summon a shadow of Ganon to attack during certain attacks in his Great Swords moveset and can also partially transform his arms into shadowy version of his Ganon form's claws.

In Hyrule Warriors Legends, Ganon returns as a boss and plays much the same role as in Hyrule Warriors, though he is no longer playable due to the absence of challenge mode. However Ganondorf can use Ganon's King of Evil Trident as his Level 2 Trident. His Trident moveset also allows him to transform his arms like his Great Sword moveset. As part of the A Link Between Worlds DLC, Yuga can also summon Ganon's King of Evil Trident from paintings as part of his Picture Frame moveset (a reference to his Yuga-Ganon form from A Link Between Worlds).

As part of the A Link Between Worlds DLC, there are two unlockable Fairy Clothing options called Dark Beast Top and Dark Beast Skirt which are based on the clothing and armor worn by Ganon in The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.

Aside from his role as a boss, and as a playable character in the case of the challenge mode in Hyrule Warriors, Ganon also briefly appears as a shadowy mass during Ganondorf's victory pose when the Great Swords weapon set is equipped.

Subseries warning: Subseries information ends here.

Non-canonical appearances

Non-canon warning: This article or section contains non-canonical information that is not considered to be an official part of the Legend of Zelda series and should not be considered part of the overall storyline.

The Legend of Zelda: Mystical Seed of Courage

Ganon was set to appear in the unreleased game Mystical Seed of Courage. In the game he would kidnap Princess Zelda and split the Triforce of Power into eight parts. It is also possible he would be responsible for sending the Rod of Seasons along with its hiding place in Hyrule Castle to another dimension.

The Legend of Zelda animated series

Ganon from the animated series.

Ganon is the main villain of the series. He is depicted as a powerful magical boar-being who holds the Triforce of Power. Ganon constantly plots to steal the Triforce of Wisdom from Hyrule, but his attempts are always thwarted by Link and Princess Zelda. Ganon's lair lies outside of Hyrule, inside of which is the Evil Jar, a magic jar used to transport enemies back to his lair just before they are killed; this also applies to Ganon, who is saved by the jar a number of times himself. Ganon is shown to be infatuated with Princess Zelda, saying he wants to make her his queen, and at one point attempting to brainwash her into marrying him, before being thwarted by Link.

Molblin's Magic Spear

Ganon appears as an antagonist in this book. In Death Mountain, he uses a crystal ball to watch Link as the hero makes his way through Hyrule.

The Crystal Trap

Ganon appears as the main antagonist of this book. He first confronts Link and Zelda in Midoro Palace where he uses a magic scroll to encase the Triforce pieces in magic crystals. Link is also trapped because of this spell because the Triforce of Courage is in his heart. Ganon spares Zelda giving her twenty four hours to free Link. Due to the nature of the book several endings include Ganon killing Zelda and successfully obtaining the Triforce of Wisdom.

The Shadow Prince

Ganon again appears as the main antagonist in this book. Under the guise of Charles of Moria he infiltrates the North Castle in an attempt to steal the Triforce of Wisdom. Due to the nature of the book several endings include Ganon killing Link and successfully obtaining the Triforce of Wisdom. The book portrays Ganon's true form as a hooded skeleton.

The Legend of Zelda (Comics)

Ganon is the antagonist of the Legend of Zelda comics by Valiant.

Link: The Faces of Evil

Ganon is the main antagonist of this game. He takes over the far-off island of Koridai and kidnaps Princess Zelda when Link leaves Hyrule. During his travels Link discovers a mystical object known as the Book of Koridai which seemingly has the power to imprison Ganon. Link finally reaches Ganon, who attempts to recruit Link with the promise of great power and the threat of murder, but Link turns down his offer by imprisoning him in the Book of Koridai.

Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon

Ganon once again serves as the main antagonist of this game. He allies himself with Duke Onkled, the cousin of King Harkinian. He then imprisons both King Harkinian and Link when they investigate the land of Gamelon, leaving Princess Zelda and Impa as the only people able to stop him. Zelda eventually defeats him using the Wand of Gamelon and the Magic Lantern.

Zelda's Adventure

Ganon in Zelda's Adventure

In this game Ganon kidnaps Link, and unleashed his rule over the land of Tolemac. Princess Zelda sets out to save the young adventurer, and learns from the astronomer Gaspra that she must first collect the seven celestial signs before she can conquer the dark king and bring Tolemac to an Age of Lightness.

Super Smash Bros. series

Ganon in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Ganon in his Twilight Princess incarnation appears as the Final Smash of Ganondorf in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. The Final Smash consists of him stamping the ground, burying and stunning, all in a line and lunging at the players in front of him for a large amount of damage. Ganon also appears in his Ocarina of Time incarnation in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, also as the Final Smash for Ganondorf. Aside from this, it also acts as one of the bosses for the game's story mode World of Light. Despite the appearance of Ganon being derived from his Ocarina of Time incarnation, the music for the boss fight against him uses the Calamity Ganon theme from Breath of the Wild. Defeating Ganon in the story mode will reward the player with its spirit.

Non-canon warning: Non-canonical information ends here.

Personality

In general, Ganon was the embodiment of evil, and as such had several negative personality traits such as arrogance, hatred, and rage.

In most of his appearances, he is usually reduced to being a primal beast in mindset, either due to a botched resurrection (in the case of the Oracle games and to a lesser extent his Calamity Ganon form in Breath of the Wild), or due to undergoing a massive surge of power or forced transformation that reduces his more calculating aspect to his personality (as was the case in Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, and his Dark Beast Ganon form in Breath of the Wild.). The few exceptions to this were in A Link to the Past, which had Ganon being lucid enough to orchestrate the events of the game via his alter ego Agahnim as well as overall retaining the personality of his former self Ganondorf; and Four Swords Adventures, where he managed to retain largely the same personality traits as Ganondorf after wielding the Dark Trident, and to a certain extent in Hyrule Warriors, where he retained some of Ganondorf's personality, such as his grudgingly giving his opponents credit for managing to deal significant damage to him before being defeated.

Calamity Ganon retained some vestiges of Ganondorf's cunning as shown by his corruption of the Divine Beasts and Guardians which had contributed to his previous defeat and would resurrect those that served him blindly such as the Yiga Clan though their leader Kohga unresurrected as his death at Link's hands made the Yiga Clan vengeful and determined to exterminate Link. He also seemed to influence the monsters to create camps around important areas such as various Sheikah Towers and the Temple of Time while having Guardians patrol areas such as Central Hyrule and the Akkala Citadel Ruins in a strategic fashion knowing Link might be drawn to those places. He also utilizes Malice pools to block paths and to spawn cursed enemies. He used the Scourges of the Divine Beasts as bodyguards to protect himself from Link should he dare to enter Hyrule Castle forcing Link to free the Divine Beasts in order to eliminate his Scourges one at a time.

Powers and Abilities

Ganon's abilities vary to some extent during his various appearances, although what is consistent is his immense durability and his being capable of destructive magical attacks.

In the original Zelda, he was capable of flinging fireballs at his enemies and was also capable of invisibility, although being struck by a sword is enough to render him temporarily visible.

In A Link to the Past, it is implied that Ganon is capable of brainwashing people, creating duplicates, and generating multi-magic blasts that cannot be parried and lightning bolts via his avatar Agahnim. In addition, he also had at least some degree of transformation abilities, as evidenced by his transformation into a bat shortly after Agahnim was defeated for the final time. His physical strength was such that he could also effortlessly smash through the top of the Pyramid of Power's top as well as have level connected portions of his room near his wall just by jumping. He was also capable of teleportation as well as summoning Fire Keese, both via his Trident and in person, and was also able to cloak himself via darkness, although lighting the room will temporarily stun him. In BS The Legend of Zelda: Ancient Stone Tablets, he largely had the same abilities as in A Link to the Past, although his physical strength was toned down to the extent that him jumping does not cause parts of the floor to be destroyed (it is heavily implied that this was because he was still recovering from his earlier defeat).

In Ocarina of Time, Ganon was capable of dual-wielding two swords, and swinging any of his swords had enough strength to completely shatter the ruined portions of what was his castle, and was even capable initially of knocking the Master Sword away from Link. It is also implied that he was capable of meteorological effects to a certain extent, as a thunderstorm occurred just after his transformation, and when rising he causes the area to go dark.

In the Oracle subseries, Ganon was capable of teleportation, firing fireballs of various frequencies and sizes, causing quakes after charging up an attack, using his Trident to launch multiple fireballs, and reality warping.

In Four Swords Adventures, Ganon was shown to utilize teleportation as well as firing various spells, including lightning that would send anyone into the Dark World when it hit. He also seemed to demonstrate at least some reality warping as well, as evidenced by him warping the room slightly before throwing the Trident.

In Twilight Princess, he was shown to utilize Twilight portals to warp around the area, and his charges were powerful enough to nearly destroy the entire throne room.

Although Ganon himself does not demonstrate any abilities in A Link Between Worlds, Yuga-Ganon does utilize a few abilities similar to that of Ganon such as teleportation, wielding the trident, and to a certain extent Dead Man's Volley spells. He was also shown to disapparate and cause fireballs to descend from the sky.

In Breath of the Wild, Calamity Ganon retains his cunning as he corrupts the Divine Beasts and Guardians that lead to his defeat in the past. This action resulted in the Great Calamity and turned the weapons once used to combat him against his enemies. He retains his ability to resurrect deceased enemies either restoring them to life completely at the peak of his power during a Blood Moon or as alive creatures at night. His Malice can also give Bokoblin, Moblin, and Lizalfos skulls a more pitiful form of life after death though they retain little vestiges of their former selves. He can also empower them to create powerful variants turning even Bokoblins into a serious threat. He also retains Ganondorf's ability to create artificial phantoms creating four Scourges which each embody an element Fire, Electricity, Water, and Wind each of whom were strong enough to kill the four Champions that piloted the Divine Beasts. These Scourges also acted as Calamity Ganon's bodyguards while he was trying to reincarnate after sensing Link had awoken. However he cannot resurrect his Scourges and slaying them frees the Divine Beast they control. However his control over the corrupted Guardians is so strong that Guardian researcher Robbie gave up on trying to free them entirely and shifted his focus to creating weapons for combating them, though Ganon was unable to corrupt the Guardian Scouts contained in Shrines to test Link making them the only uncorrupted Guardians. Owing to him using massive amounts of his power to transform as one last effort against Link, Ganon was capable of using massive energy beams that were potent enough to release gusts in the aftermath, and also was capable of generating meterological effects such as rainfall as well as an atmosphere similar to the Blood Moon late into the battle. Zelda implies as Ganon was reforming himself that, should he not be stopped, he will cause huge amounts of destruction that surpass even the calamity he had been responsible for a century prior.

Attributes

Physical Appearance

As noted above, Ganon's physical appearance varies between each game, although in general, he appears as a boar-like demon.

In the first Zelda, he possessed blue colored skin, a red shirt with a skull brooch on the front, and red boots. However, when stunned, his skin turns red. Unlike in other appearances, however, Ganon noticeably lacks tusks in his sprite, although artwork for the game does depict him with tusks.

In A Link to the Past, he wore brown and red robes with a skull necklace, as well as spiked red shoulder pads and a red cape with a gold diamond pattern near the shoulder blades, and also possessing clawed tridactyl feet (quadactyl feet in his artwork).

In Ocarina of Time, owing to his transforming directly from Ganondorf via the Triforce of Power, he wore the remnants of his human form's armor, and possessed bestial hooves, claws, green fur, and horns at the top of his head. His hair also grew even longer to form an almost mane-like appearance, and he grew a green tail. He also had glowing eyes.

In the Oracle games, Ganon largely had a similar appearance to in A Link to the Past, although he now possessed cloved hoofs instead of tridactyl feet, red eyes, a skull belt, and his shoulder pads now had curved horns, as well as a cloth ornament on top of his head. In his artwork, he also possessed what resembled brass knuckles on his left hand. Although the limited color palette in the game depicted him as having only shades of blue, white, and black, in the artwork he possessed red sclera and green pupils, and his armor had red with yellow linings for his cape, as well as brown with some purple linings for the main ensemble.

In Four Swords Adventures, his appearance was largely similar to that in the Oracle games, only his shoulder pads were now smoother, his cape and shoulder pads were colored purple, he possessed gold wrist rings, and he had a green under armor near his chest plate.

In Twilight Princess, Ganon, unlike most incarnations, was depicted as quadrupedal with quintdactyl paws, as well as possessing a red mane, making him look fairly lion-like as well as boar like. In addition, the white scar Ganondorf received from his botched execution was stretched into a long gash across the chest.

In A Link Between Worlds, Ganon largely resembled his appearance in the Oracle games, although he also possessed spiked wrist ornaments similar to Bowser's cuffs in the Mario games.

In Hyrule Warriors, Ganon, like above, was depicted as quadrupedal, although he was capable of being bipedal to a certain degree. Similar to his appearance in Twilight Princess, he also had a red mane. He possessed four pairs of tusks, two of which were massive, comparable to an Elephant or Wooly Mammoth, and also had curved horns jutting out of his shoulder blades. He also had clawed hands and feet, and possessed red hair on his front paws, as well as two golden gauntlets on his forearms. He also possessed a blue hide.

In Breath of the Wild, Ganon, owing to being made up of pure concentrated malice by that point, appeared as a purple boar with purple flames resembling a mane or beard. He also was depicted as quadrupedal, and also had eyes appear on various parts of his body (which were implied to be due to Zelda forcing him to expose his weak points from within).

Gallery

Artwork of Link and Ganon from The Legend of Zelda

Ganon on the Game Over screen from The Adventure of Link

Artwork of Ganon from A Link to the Past

Artwork of Ganon imprisoned by the Seal of the Sages in A Link to the Past

Artwork of Link's battle with Ganon in A Link to the Past

Artwork of Ganon from Ocarina of Time

Stained-glass window depicting Ganon from The Wind Waker

Puppet Ganon from The Wind Waker

Ganon before merging with Yuga in A Link Between Worlds

Yuga after merging with Ganon in A Link Between Worlds

Ganondorf's Final Smash, Beast Ganon from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U

Beast Ganon's Final Smash Trophy from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U

Dark Beast Ganon in his Battle intro cutscene from Hyrule Warriors

Link confronting Ganon in the Liberation of the Triforce cutscene from Hyrule Warriors

Ganon defeat & resealed by the power of the Triforce in the climatic cutscene of Liberation of the Triforce from Hyrule Warriors

Concept Artwork of Ganon from Hyrule Warriors