There have been plenty of rumours and mumblings over the past few years suggesting that The Legend of Zelda might end up getting its very own TV series – remember the live-action Netflix show that was going to be like a friendlier Game of Thrones? – but no such thing has materialised. That live-action project was reportedly canned by Nintendo after it leaked, seemingly putting the gaming giant off the idea of TV adaptations entirely, but things have changed since then.
Fast forward to the present day and we know that Mario's getting his own movie in 2022, and Nintendo's opened up about the fact that it's already looking into more animations beyond that; could Zelda finally get the animated treatment fans have been waiting for?
Well, the folks over at Zelda Dungeon have sat down with Powerhouse Animation's David Howe, Editor on the current Castlevania animated series airing on Netflix, to chat about how a Zelda adaptation might work. Perhaps the most important question for now is whether the prospect of a Zelda show is even likely – here's what Howe had to say:
"Well I think there’s precedent for it…I personally own a couple copies of the Ocarina of Time manga, so they’ve already adapted it into a serialized manga format…and I think if something works in a manga format then it would work in an anime. And then there’s also the world building."
Thankfully, should the opportunity arise, it seems there are plenty of experienced folk out there who'd love to work on such a project.
"I know for me personally and probably for some people I’ve talked to as well, whenever the rumors of a live-action Zelda Netflix show came up, obviously we were pumped; but at the same time we were always like–I feel like this would work better as an anime.
"I don’t want to speak for my co-workers, but if you look around the office at Powerhouse Animation, we’re all nerds. We’re all huge fans of Zelda and Metroid…I feel like anyone would chomp at the bit to make a show like this."
You can read the full interview here if you're interested; Howe reveals that his dream Zelda anime would "be for adults... taking it seriously and giving the characters and the world the respect they deserve".
What about you? Do you think The Legend of Zelda deserves its own show or movie? What would you want from such a thing? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Thanks to Davis for the tip!
[source zeldadungeon.net]
Comments 64
The manga versions of Zelda are great and they give Link good characterization. If they adapted the manga series I think it would turn out really well.
If they were going to do it then it should be based on a classic game in the same vein as the Castlevania series. No point doing one of the more cinematic games.
It already exists. It's called Fan-made Zelda hent--
@nessisonett Exactly this. If they gave so much life to Castlevania 3, they should do Zelda 2 or something.
I’d rather find somebody who is champing at the bit, but yeah, I’d watch it.
...Ok, but will Link talk at all?
insert "Well, Excuse me, Princess" gif here
It has potential but idk
I might watch a Zelda anime. I don't watch regular anime because of all the crap they put in there, but a clean Zelda one? I'd be up for it. Probably.
Fun fact, the idiom is champing at the bit but hardly anyone uses it correctly. Maybe it's not that fun, but it's still a fact regardless.
I have to disagree with the a Zelda series being for adults. I get he draws the line at an R rating. But it should be something I could sit down and watch with my kids. And that can be accomplished and not be the old Saturday morning version and be taken seriously. There's tons of examples of animated series that walks the line of being fun and enjoyable for both adults and kids, but respects their intelligence and time they're investing at the same time
I absolutely do agree a serialized series serves Zelda better than a movie would. Though I think a movie could be done in some fashion
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Hot take, but I'd actually want to watch a Zelda series that had nothing to do with Link, and focused more on the mythos of Hyrule, and the actual Legend of Zelda. Link can be the deus ex machina that saves the day in the end.
There's potential for almost everything in this world, but It's also easy to produce garbage,..
The twilight princess manga series is still going and has a decent amount of books under its belt. They could definitely start there.
If they do make an anime, they should make Link a silent protagonist, or one of few words, unless the dialogue is actually well-written, and the voice actor isn't jarringly bad.
Frankly though, I would take really anything at this point as long is its well executed.
Wasn’t there a rumor of Nintendo letting someone make a Zelda series around two years ago, but then they pulled the plug as soon as news of that leaked?
Made it seem like Nintendo reacts to the digital age like a wild animal reacts to something unknown: they run away rather than trying to understand things. Which, to be fair, is how they deal with most other things lol.
No, please no. Dear whatever-lives-out-there-in-the-universe NO. CDI Link and Zelda were bad enough and we all know how corny 80s Zelda show was. Besides, Netflix is horrible with adaptations like Deathnote and soon Cowboy Bebop.
Therefore... please no!!!!
Well excuuuUUUuuse me, Baka-san!
Please, let this be true. I don't care if Link talks.
Considering how they butchered Castlevania lore, and how Netflix continues to completely disregard common sense in adapting everything they touch, I say leave us our pleasant memories of the original Zelda cartoon which will look like Shakespeare compared to what we would get in the current year.
@UmbreonsPapa
What examples do you have in mind? I don't disagree, but the fans of Zelda have gotta be averaging close to 30 these days. So going too kid friendly could have a lot of backlash.
Stop sitting on all this stuff that people want Nintendo. You need to spoil us. Just do it!
@Classic603 Sorry I realize you weren't asking me but one that springs to my mind would have to be the Avatar series. The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra walk that line perfectly, where absolutely any age can watch and enjoy.
@_Dan
Oh good example, for sure
No good. Legend of Zelda titles don't really have a narrative that's gonna work well in a show format. Link doesn't speak. He doesn't really have much personality himself. And to be honest, even though Zelda does talk, she doesn't have much personality either. She's got some development in BOTW but that's all.
I don't really think Zelda would make for a good anime.
Something like Xenoblade however? Or Final Fantasy or Octopath traveller or Fire Emblem? Now those are games that would make great anime!
@Ulanda You do realize those live action adaptations don't magically mean an animated one would be terrible right? You're not making any sense.
@Heavyarms55 I must respectfully disagree. A show format would allow for a fleshing out of Zelda and for Link. Link doesn't need to speak in order to be fleshed out. Facial expression and action can be used to define him in a show format if him being mute, or silent by choice is an issue.
It could also work by giving Link a flat character arc, where he, or possibly he and Zelda are the ones who affect change in others rather than others affecting change in them.
It's best not to be narrow-minded when thinking of things like this. Plus, it makes it more fun to think about that way. Nobody had faith in the Sonic Movie, yet it turned being a half-decent movie along with Detective Pikachu.
I think it's about time we try giving things a shot with franchises like Zelda.
I would love a show done in the botw art style.
Maybe one about everybody just getting by post-calamity Ganon, with the odd reference to Zelda and Link.
Or maybe an anthology show about different characters with interlocking stories?
Or a whole series of Tingle.
Just as long as it isn't R I'd be so game!
@UmbreonsPapa Totally agree with you! It should be more Avatar: the last airbender or Korra and less game of thrones or Castlevania.
So in other words, they're just waiting for Nintendo to give them the green light.
Playing Age of Calamity, i LOVED seeing the small character traits that Link was able to show (being a glutton, never backing down from a challenge (from friends or enemies), etc)
The anime reveal for Palutena was awesome! Seeing Pit and Link duke it out was great!
I also agree that Zelda will work better as an anime than a live action. For adults thought...I don't know. I think it will work better for young adults and up. It can be just your good amount of blood here and there, but not too bloody. Same goes for Metroid and Fire Emblem
Imagine how miserable this would be but I guess it would the typical 3D Zelda experience before BOTW where a huge chunk of it is spent listening to endless dialogue that constantly interrupts the flow of action.
@Classic603 also wanna chip in with Gravity Falls. I’m a 25 year old man and that show completely hooked me with its genuinely witty script and a surprisingly great plot with unexpected twists and brilliant characters. And that show was on Disney Xd!
Over the Garden Wall also stuck out as a show with silly childish humour that really landed and some surprisingly dark and genuinely scary imagery.
Just two off the top of my head
@MajorasLapdog
I'll have to look into those, never watched either haha. But I do have a random LoFi cover of Gravity Falls Intro song I enjoy
I’d love to see a tone of Nintendo’s IP’s in animated form, these guys however, I don’t think I’d want these guys to handle Zelda. Metroid however, yes please! An origin story based on the manga would be good. Though I hope they don’t ruin things by wanting to “flesh out characters” too much if they do get shows/movies.
This reminds me, I still need to watch the Castlevania anime.
I’d much rather animation. A few years ago people here were too excited about game of thrones and wanted a real life version. I think that would have bombed. The reason sonic the movie worked was because sonic looked like sonic. The reason the Mario movie flopped was because it looked nothing like Mario. The reason the illumination Mario movie will work is because it’s the 3d Mario models. The reason animated Zelda could work is because their already is pictures in our minds of what Zelda looks like as a cartoon.
I'd take a Zelda, Metroid, F-Zero, or Starfox cartoon for what it's worth.
@MajorasLapdog @GamingTelescope @_Dan Thank you for the responses. Those were the exact series I had in mind.
Keep those Castlevania Netflix people away from Zelda. They made Castlevania boring, which is hard to do.
@HotGoomba ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
@UmbreonsPapa Was going to say exactly that, a Zelda series should never be “for adults.” Pixar movies are generally a good example of entertainment that appeals to all age groups. There is no reason a Zelda show can’t be family friendly and great.
I cannot put into words how much this needs to never happen, and if it did, Netflix should be the last company on the planet to develop it. These articles about these non-event quotes are partly to blame in making such a thing a current year nightmare reality. Please stop doing the "Netflix-Zelda" thing. There are plenty of other Nintendo IPs to crudely post-9/11 westernize.
Yes Please. Zelda has shown so much potential, along with other IPs like Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing, and Kid Icarus. Which have had OVA's and shorts but not fully realized works.
If given to the right animators, writers and directors who care along with some supervision. Then they could shine. If Kirby or F Zero could get anime, so could the Properties mentioned above.
I still say this would be awesome with one stipulation. It would have to be Genndy Tartakovsky. If it was his project, awesome. Anyone else? Most likely awful
@Desrever That would be a potentially very interesting premise.
My hot take: Maybe the main focus could be on that of someone employee by the Hylian Royal family - maybe Zelda's seamstress or maid or something - basically, someone who has a uniquely intimate view of the important things happening in Hyrule but who, at the same time, is viewed as a nobody; an anonymous and "unimportant" servant who's name is mostly unknown even to her regal employers.
Essentially nameless (and mostly treated as such) and having no direct power or influence over the ongoing fight against Ganon, it wouldn't matter to her. She would still humbly perform her duties, never asking for more than what she would expect of someone in her position.
But, who knows, maybe at some point in time, as Zelda is forced into an ever deeper state of isolation (to protect her from Ganon), maybe this shy and unassuming character could become an unlikely friend of Zelda's.
By providing the princess with the emotional support that, in her now increasingly sheltered life in an increasingly prison-like castle, hidden away from Ganon (and to an extent, even Link), the seamstress proves to be instrumental in helping Zelda to gain what she feels that in she's lost: the simple joy of friendship.
And maybe in that way, Zelda's shy, nameless servant-turned-friend could play as big role in helping to frame the unfolding events of the world - and even if her deeds should go unsung, we will at least have known of them, for we've seen the world through her eyes.
You know...that sort of thing.
Of course, on paper, it sounds cheesy (and very well could be), but in the right hands, I think something like that would be pure gold.
At the very least, it might at least make for a good 2 or 3 episode mid season story arc - something which on the surface would seem disconnected from the main story but later on could prove to be very important to whatever happens finale. Or not. Unfortunately, we'll likely never know.
@3RedTriangles I kind of agree. I could barely stand Castlevania, and the Witcher in my opinion, was an absolute trainwreck of an adaptation.
So, unless it was handled by a respected Japanese animation studio, I'm pretty sure that any such Zelda adaptation would likewise suck - and even then, just by virtue of it being a "Netflix Original", it would probably still suck.
@Andy_Witmyer A Studio Ghibli-ish take would be nice.
@_Dan Those shows are so fantastic, if Zelda got that treatment it'd be ecstatic.
@MegaVel91 I know the original version and if someone makes an adaptation of it, no matter if animated or real, and I dislike it, that is my opinion. And if I say that Netfix is horrible at making adaptations, that is also my opinion. Like it or not, that is your problem, not mine.
@Ulanda -and you're being aggressively defensive for little reason. Are you alright? Seriously? That's an overreaction.
Considering Nintendo is going all in with Universal I would think they’d get first dibs on adapting.
@MegaVel91 how am I overreacting or aggressive? Dramatic maybe, but not aggro lol I just dislike Netflix adaptations, that is all
I would rather have a completely new story but Akira Himekawa's TP manga would make a great anime. Still going but so far there's enough for a full season.
@HotGoomba Ha! Good one. 👍
@Classic603 Sooo you want an animated Zelda to have Mortal Kombat levels of gore, forced cussing, awkward sex scenes and
writing that screams Pre-Teen's First Fanfic? You do know Nintendo owns it and wouldn't let these people anywhere near Zelda right?Castlevania Animated has potential, but its like they wanted it to be more like cult classic Heavy Metal and failed in very confusing ways.
The original Zelda may be cheesy and its plots cliché, but at least the writers could write.
@LexKitteh I started the Twilight Princess manga in middle school bc it's library had it and it was amazing.
@Tempestryke
Dude take a breath. Nowhere did I say I wanted ANY of that. I was meaning more the opposite, that if they go too kid friendly it could alienate the older fan base. I don't want TV-MA Zelda, but I don't want Dragon Tales: Zelda Edition.
So don't use my comment to prop up your random and janky Castlevania hate
What about an animated Splatoon series?
i'd watch a ghibli zelda movie/series with a maturity level similar to korra. i don't remember that shows rating but i feel like it was somewhere between tv-pg and tv-14.
@Heavyarms55 Wind Wake, Spirit Tracks and Skyward Sword versions of them do.
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