[AA16] Pretend [Animated]

[ARTSY APRIL 2016] DAY 14 - PRETEND

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Let me state right off the bat that I basically hardcore regret using this style for this prompt, but too late now to be honest lmao.

This is Link / the Hero of Time from The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, in all of his forms! (Hylian / Deku / Goron / Zora / Fierce Deity (Oni)) Majora’s Mask is my second favorite storyline, but was a longstanding all-time top favorite for more than half of my lifetime, and is thus really nostalgic / meaningful to me. It’s also one of the extremely few stories that actually influenced my mindset / set of interests / etc., so this game literally shaped who I ended up becoming! This version of Link specifically also happens to be my favorite from the entire series. I really love the Zelda franchise a lot, but Majora’s Mask will probably always be my top favorite. (Like honestly Majora’s Mask is literally made of perfection and I don’t think Nintendo’s ever going to be able to out-do this masterpiece.)

So the way this fits the theme though - Link basically assumes the roles / identities of several prominent members of other races, such as the Deku Butler’s son, Darmani, and Mikau. So in a way he literally “pretends” to be them. (Personally to me it comes off more as they’re being assumptive due to the fact he looks very similar - but not exact - to these individuals due to possessing their bodies and all and Link just never bothers to correct them on this rather than him purposely trying to be super deceptive BUT this is something of a slight tangent.)

I was originally going to have them holding the masks that allow them to transform, but it kind of wouldn’t make sense for them to be holding the mask if they’re literally already in that form? So I went with the boss remains instead, even if Twinmold doesn’t quite align with the Fierce Deity / Oni Link. Oh well. I went with the original design on some of these and the 3DS remake version for some of the others so I apologize if it seems slightly inconsistent or something.

Also: Hylian Link is holding the Mask of Truth. I find it really interesting that a lot of the 3DS official promotional artwork has him holding this mask. Majora’s Mask is like, literally the most symbolical storyline I’ve ever seen, so the way I personally interpret it is that this is his real / true form, since he dons so many forms in this game that aren’t really his own / this fits in with the Pretend theme / prompt quite well.

(PLUS DOES ANYONE REMEMBER HE BASICALLY STEALS A ROOM KEY FROM A GORON WHOSE NAME IS “LINK” / PRETENDS TO BE THAT GUY? Link why. The poor goron just chills outside when you do that. Lmao omg.)

Fun question for you all: which form of Link’s from Majora’s Mask is your personal favorite? I don’t think I can really name a favorite myself, but I will say that Darmani’s Song of Healing scene is SO HEARTFELT HIDLJ<KFJGBSJDH.

Time Taken: 6 hrs 36 mins