Here we are in 2026, three glorious years after The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom crash-landed into our lives and rewired our definition of "climbing a mountain." Even now, with Hyrule’s skies quiet and new adventures on our Switches, I still catch myself humming that gentle stable theme. So when I stumbled upon a dusty Famitsu survey from way back in 2023 asking fans who their favorite character was, it felt like finding a hearty truffle in a forgotten cave—savory, nostalgic, and just a little bit hilarious. Let’s dig in and see if Link’s still top dog, or if Tulin’s gust has finally blown them all away.

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First, the game itself is a masterpiece in character building. From the stoic sages to the bubbly Koroks, TotK gave us a roster that felt like a dysfunctional family reunion—with way more gliders. The survey, conducted by Famitsu and shared via Nintendo Everything, gathered a modest but passionate 1,290 votes. Not exactly the 18 million players who bought the game, but hey, it’s the thought that counts. And the big reveal? 💥 Zelda snagged the top spot with a solid 657 votes. That’s right, the princess knocked her own champion off the pedestal—even though she spent half the game as a luminous dragon munching on time-shift stones. I’ll admit, I cheered. Finally, my girl gets the limelight (and a cute bob cut, which probably earned her 200 of those votes alone).

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Link settled for second place with 515 votes. Don’t get me wrong—I adore our silent, cooking-obsessed hero. But in a world where he’s been the default face of the franchise since the 80s, seeing him play second fiddle feels refreshingly human. Maybe voters were just tired of watching him smash swords against rocks. Next up, Tulin flapped into third at 239 votes. That little Rito warrior stole hearts—and probably a few snacks—with his adorable head-scratching animation and that devastating gust ability that made overworld travel a breeze (pun intended). Sidon, the fish-husband everyone still thirsts after, swam into fourth with 220 votes. Yes, his grin could power all the Zonai devices in Hyrule, but did he really deserve to beat Riju? The young Gerudo chief took fifth with 168 votes, and I’m convinced her sand-seal surfing swagger should’ve placed her higher. She literally commands lightning! That’s cooler than a shark-toothed smile any day.

The bottom half of the top ten is a colorful mix. Purah, the eternally youthful Sheikah scientist who somehow made glasses look cooler than the Master Sword, squeezed into sixth with 161 votes. Rauru—the zonai daddy with the glowing arm and tragic backstory—earned seventh with 138 votes, tied with Mineru, the serene spirit sage who got the same number (and probably would’ve ranked higher if she’d stayed a badass robot longer). Ganondorf, the king of muscles and malice, languished in eighth with a mere 95 votes. Absolute disrespect for a man who turned into a dragon just to ruin your Sunday afternoon.

And then, at tenth, with 66 precious votes… Addison. Yes, Addison. The stable-obsessed, sign-holding NPC who glued himself to the ground with a passive-aggressive “Please help” look. I’m not mad—I’m impressed. The meme potential alone carried him over Master Kohga (who must be fuming in a subterranean Yiga hideout), Paya, and even the entire Korok species. Speaking of which, Koroks being snubbed is cosmic karma for all those “I need to reach my friend” seed quests. 🌱

Here’s the full rundown, in case you want to tape it to your refrigerator:

Rank Character Votes
1 Zelda 657
2 Link 515
3 Tulin 239
4 Sidon 220
5 Riju 168
6 Purah 161
7 Rauru 138
8 Ganondorf 95
9 Mineru 138
10 Addison 66

The survey wasn’t all about character crushes, though. Fans also voted on the Best Field, and a resounding 58% picked good old Hyrule surface. Sure, the Sky Islands had epic views and the Depths turned into a nightmarish mushroom trip, but nothing beats galloping through green fields while Koroks taunt you from treetops. As for the Enemy That Left the Biggest Impression, Gloom Spawn took home the creepy crown with 252 votes. Those wriggling, hand-shaped nightmares scarred a generation of players—especially when they first spawned in a dark tunnel and your controller went flying. Honestly, they deserve a therapy fund.

Now, 1,290 votes is like a drop in a Lanayru Bay. The game sold over 18 million copies, so this poll represents roughly 0.007% of the player base. But sometimes, a small sample can mirror the larger heart of the community. In 2026, as we glance at our dusty Tears of the Kingdom cartridges and wait for the next chapter (Nintendo, spare a crumb of news, please), these rankings still spark joy and debate. I mean, Addison beating Ganondorf? That’s the magic of Hyrule right there—where a sign-obsessed dork can outshine the Demon King. Until the next survey drops, I’ll be here, helping Addison with his final signpost, because even after all these years, he still needs me. 🪧

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