TOTK Characters I NEED in Future Zelda Games!

OMG, can we talk about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for a hot sec? Like, it’s 2026 now and I’m still not over the absolute slayage of those character arcs. The Zelda franchise has always been iconic for shuffling its archetypes across timelines—think of it as a multiverse of masks where a new Link or Zelda gets to vibe with familiar spirits. But TOTK? It went full-on chef’s kiss and introduced a squad of fresh faces that I’m low-key obsessed with. So, here’s the tea on 10 characters who absolutely MUST pop up in future Zelda games. Bookmark this, gamers—this is my no-skip list.

10 Hestu: The Korok King of Vibes 🌱

First up, our leafy BFF Hestu. Can I just say, his shimmy-shake in BOTW and TOTK lives rent-free in my head? Giving Hestu a recurring slot is a no-brainer. Koroks are a staple in most Zelda titles, so there’s always room for him to tweak his dance moves and upgrade my inventory. Even if the whole Korok Seed hunt gets a rework (pls Nintendo, mercy), Hestu could pivot to being a wise forest guardian or a Korok elder dishing out quirky lore. Imagine a new game where he pops up with a fresh set of maracas and a side quest that’s giving pastoral realness—I’d die. The comedic timing, the adorable clumsiness—it’s a whole mood. Plus, seeing his growth from a lost little seed collector to a confident leader in a sequel? That’s the character development I live for. Hestu, never change, babes.

9 Pikango: The OG Travel Influencer 🎨

Okay, Pikango is the unsung hero of my open-world adventures. This nomadic painter materializes in the most unhinged locations across Hyrule, easel in hand, literally painting clues to hidden gems. In a 2026 gaming landscape where open worlds are getting even more massive, we NEED a guide like Pikango as a recurring beacon. He’s not just a quest marker; he’s an artisan. Future games could have him dish out photo-seeking side adventures—like, “Snap a pic of this sunrise,” and bam, you unlock a new region. His gentle artist vibe is the perfect counterbalance to Link’s silent chaos energy. Every time I spotted one of his canvases, I knew a mini-journey was about to begin. Low-key, I’d love a spin-off where Pikango curates a Hyrule art gallery. Totally vogue.

8 Robbie: The Dapper Tech Daddy 🔬

Robbie’s whole aesthetic? A mad scientist with a punk-rock edge and a heart of gold. The Sheikah Slate-obsessed genius has been serving looks since BOTW, and in TOTK, diving into the Depths gave him a whole new frontier. Since Zelda games run on gadget-based progression, it’s a literal no-brainer to have Robbie helm that archetype permanently. The man’s lab coats are immaculate, his goggles are futuristic, and his energy is unmatched. In a 2026 sequel, he could be the one decoding ancient Zonai tech or crafting new bombs. Honestly, watching him geek out over ruins is adorable. Plus, his dynamic with other characters—like his wife, Jerrin—adds a wholesome layer. Future games could even explore a younger Robbie, or an older, wiser version dispensing cryptic hints. I’m just saying, the gadget meta is secure in his capable, slightly erratic hands.

7 King Rauru: The GOAT Founder 👑

Let me spill some serious tea. TOTK’s Rauru is a revelation—the literal first king of Hyrule, a Zonai legend with a tragically limited screen time. Gone too soon is an understatement. We only saw him in the tutorial and fragmented Dragon Tear memories, which is a crime because his altruistic, stoic regality is exactly the energy I need from a foundational mythos. A future game—especially a prequel set during Hyrule’s founding—could explore his courtship with Queen Sonia, the political struggles, and his ultimate sacrifice. His ethereal goat-dragon design? The height of fantasy fashion. I’m manifesting a 2027 prequel where you play as a champion during Rauru’s reign, helping him seal ancient evils. His potential as a recurring spiritual guide or a wise historical hologram is massive. More Rauru lore, please, I’m literally begging.

6 Riju: The Electrifying Gerudo Boss ⚡

Riju’s character arc is everything. In BOTW, she was a baby chief grappling with imposter syndrome. By TOTK, she’s a storm-slinging Sage of Lightning leading her people with fierce confidence. Her transition from a nervous kid patting a sand seal to a warrior queen riding lightning is a masterclass. I’m fully invested in seeing a future version of Riju. Maybe as a wisened elder chief, or a timeless sage popping up whenever lightning magic is required. The Gerudo have always been iconic, but Riju’s youthful perspective and capable leadership make her a standout. In a new game, she could be a mentor to a new Gerudo warrior, or a key general in a massive battle. The dual scimitars and the sage avatar? Totally badass. Her cameo potential is literally golden.

5 Tauro: The Hot Academia Scholar 📜

Guys, the internet lost its mind over Tauro’s character design for a reason. He’s only stationed in Kakariko Village for a heartbeat, researching those mysterious Ring Ruins, but his rugged-glasses-and-ruins-professor look took over my Tumblr feed. To have him as a recurring researcher in a 2026 title would be cultural reset material. I can picture him teaming up with Purah and Robbie to form Hyrule’s first artifact-hunting dream team, or being the star of a new ruin-deciphering minigame. He has such a niche but necessary role—grounding the ancient mysteries. Expand his part, Nintendo! Let him travel to different excavation sites, perhaps even offering cryptic clues in an ancient language. The narrative depth he could bring if he discovered a dark secret about Hyrule’s foundations? Immaculate.

4 Hudson & Rhondson: Hyrule’s Power Builders 💞

I ship Hudson and Rhondson so hard it hurts. The Hudson Construction quest line in BOTW gave us a dollhouse-building fantasy, and then TOTK turned it into a matchmaking sim where we found him a wife—the fierce Gerudo tailor, Rhondson. They’re the ultimate cottagecore-slash-industrial power couple. Future Zelda games often involve rebuilding towns or unlocking new facilities, so Hudson’s crew is a perfect fit. Imagine Rhondson customizing your paraglider fabric or stitching special armor sets while Hudson builds a brand-new village in a sequel. Having their daughter, Mattison, grow up and take over the family business could be a heartwarming quest. Their presence brings a cozy, domestic stability to chaotic Hyrule, and that’s a vibe I need in every game. They’re the literal foundation.

3 Sidon: The Dazzling Zora King 🤴

My bestie Sidon. The iconic smile, the boundless enthusiasm, the unwavering belief in Link—it’s giving golden retriever with a trident. His coronation in TOTK as Zora King was a full-circle moment, and frankly, he’s too luminous not to return. Since the Zora appear in most eras, Sidon could reincarnate as a devoted warrior, a prince, or even a sage spirit swimming alongside you. His cheerful camaraderie and raw power make any scene he’s in instantly brighter. In a future underwater-heavy map, having King Sidon as a diving companion would be revolutionary. Imagine duo water-bending attacks. His ability to inspire those around him is what makes him a natural leader. I’d be stoked to see a legendary “Sidon the Defiant” statue in a future game referencing his heroics.

2 Purah: The Anti-Aging Icon 🔧

Director Purah is that girl. Her chaotic gadget-master energy combined with her accidental de-aging experiments is a comedy goldmine. She’s already the face of Lookout Landing, upgrading your Purah Pad, but her role could expand astronomically. In a 2027 game, she could finally perfect her age-reversal tech and appear as a snarky toddler genius, or accidentally blast herself into a futuristic era. As the lore-keeper of ancient Sheikah and Zonai tech, she’s essential for contextualizing dungeons. She could become the new Impa-like elder in a distant timeline, dropping sassy, science-backed wisdom. Her interactions with Robbie are hilarious sibling-esque bickering, so keeping them as a traveling scientist duo would be a win. More of Purah fixing a cannon while roasting your outfit choices? Yes, please.

1 Queen Sonia: The Ethereal First Hero ✨

And my number one MUST-RETURN queen—literally—is Queen Sonia. Sonya’s existence in TOTK was utterly ethereal, yet tragically brief, locked entirely in flashbacks. Her connection to time magic, her gentle unification of Hyrule, and her sacrificial loyalty to Zelda scream untapped potential. A prequel starring Sonia as the first hero would be groundbreaking. We saw her subtle power and grace; I want to see her wield her time powers in full combat, navigating the politics of a nascent kingdom with Rauru. Her design is stunning, her demeanor calm yet commanding. Even as a recurring mystical spirit, she could guide future Link incarnations. Not exploring her story further would be a massive L for Nintendo. She’s the secret lore weapon the series needs. Give me a duo campaign with her and a young Rauru, and I’ll pre-order instantly.

So yeah, the future of Hyrule is bright, but it’s these familiar faces that’ll keep me hooked. Whether we get a sequel, prequel, or a totally fresh timeline, weaving in Hestu’s dances or Purah’s gizmos will make the journey feel like home. Until the next Direct drops, a girl can dream. Which TOTK character lives in your head rent-free? Let’s chat in the comments!