Ganondorf

The Great Demon King who possesses the Triforce of Power

A powerful enemy seeking to dominate Hyrule, the main antagonist of the Legend of Zelda series. He has two forms: the human form Ganondorf and the monster form Ganon.

Quotes

  • “Those who possess power should become rulers.”
  • “My name is Ganondorf! King of Hyrule, are you prepared?”
  • “This Hyrule is mine. No one will interfere!”
  • “I will pierce everything with my power!”
  • “I merely burn with the endless flames of revenge.”

Trivia

  • The model for human Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time is actor Christopher Lambert.
  • In the Super Smash Bros. series, he reuses Captain Falcon's animations but is implemented as a power-focused character.
  • In Hyrule Warriors, elements like lightning manipulation and long hair design are added.
  • From Ocarina of Time onward, he appears as human Ganondorf in many works, with Ganon as his transformed monster form.
  • From Breath of the Wild onward, Ganon's form is an otherworldly eight-legged monster, and in the latest Tears of the Kingdom, he transforms into a black dragon.

Alternate names

Ganon Great Demon King Ganondorf Demon King Ganon Demon Thief

Tags

The Legend of Zelda Ganondorf Demon King Triforce Hyrule Villain Gerudo Beast Ganon

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Profile

Species
Human (Gerudo)
Gender
Male
Birthday
unknown

Appearance

Overall appearance
A large, muscular man with brown skin and reddish-brown long hair. He exudes dignity and terror as a symbol of great evil imbued with dark magical power.
Height
Approximately 200cm (estimated)
Weight
Has a heavy presence, but specific value unknown
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Red
Distinguishing features
  • Brown skin
  • Reddish-brown long hair
  • Wound pierced by a sword in the chest (Twilight Princess version)
Iconic items
  • Triforce of Power
  • Greatsword
  • Trident
  • Magic-infused fists
  • Dark flames
  • Cloak

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Ambitious
Detailed personality
As the king of the Gerudo tribe, he possesses immense power and ambition, with a ruthless personality that mercilessly crushes and dominates even the weak through force. Cunning, he wields sorcery and illusions, and is a tactical strategist. He has an indomitable will that burns with a thirst for revenge over long ages.
Keywords
  • Ambitious
  • Ruthless
  • Cunning
  • Vengeful
  • Powerful sorcerer
  • Swordsmanship master
  • Overwhelming power
Motto
Power rules over everything
Talents
  • Superhuman physical ability
  • Immense magical power
  • Deception through illusions
  • Spatial teleportation
  • Levitation
  • Cloning technique
Skills
  • Swordsmanship (dual wielding and greatswords)
  • Transformation into beast form
  • Army command and leadership
  • Strategic thinking
  • Lightning magic
Motivation
Complete domination of Hyrule and acquisition of absolute power through seizing the Triforce
Habits
Somewhat verbose with an arrogant tone of speech. In combat, displays bold movements such as firing magic projectiles while flying.
Disliked situations
Defeat, Restrictions, Sealing

History

Backstory
Born into the Gerudo tribe's lineage of noble thieves, he was chosen as king as the male born once every 100 years. However, rebelling against the justice of noble thievery, he sought immense power and harbored ambitions to dominate his tribe and all of Hyrule. He obtained the Triforce of Power in Hyrule Kingdom's sacred place and reigned as Demon King Ganon, but is repeatedly defeated by Link, destined to cycles of sealing and revival. He stands as the final boss across many timelines.
Debut date
February 21, 1986
Work title
The Legend of Zelda
Media type
Game

First appearance as human form in Ocarina of Time

Significant event
First appearance as human form in Ocarina of Time
Description
The first appearance of human Ganondorf, who sought to dominate Hyrule as a powerful demon king.

Transformation into Beast Ganon

Significant event
Transformation into Beast Ganon
Description
At the brink of death, the Triforce of Power runs rampant, transforming him into the monstrous Beast Ganon.

Exile to the Twilight Realm in Twilight Princess

Significant event
Exile to the Twilight Realm in Twilight Princess
Description
Escaping execution by the sages, he is banished to the Twilight Realm but plots to dominate it.

Revival as Calamity in Breath of the Wild

Significant event
Revival as Calamity in Breath of the Wild
Description
Sealed in Hyrule Castle for a century, he revives and drives Hyrule to near destruction.

Revival via Secret Stones in Tears of the Kingdom

Significant event
Revival via Secret Stones in Tears of the Kingdom
Description
Revives from a mummified state, consumes Secret Stones and transforms into a black dragon, but is defeated by Link and others.

Relationships

Zant

Puppet

To dominate the Twilight Realm, he borrowed Ganondorf's power and was manipulated as a puppet.

Ghirahim

Ally

In Hyrule Warriors, he became a subordinate, protected Ganon, and fought alongside.

Gerudo Tribe

Gerudo Tribe: leader

Beast Army

Beast Army: leader

Media appearances

The Legend of Zelda

Game / Antagonist

1986

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Game / Antagonist

1998

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Game / Antagonist

2002

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Game / Antagonist

2006

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Game / Antagonist

2017

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Game / Antagonist

2023

Super Smash Bros. series

Game / Playable character

2001-

The Legend of Zelda (TV Anime)

Anime / Antagonist

1989

Hyrule Warriors

Game / Playable character

2014

Cadence of Hyrule

Game / Antagonist

2019

Voice cast and creators

Seiji Katō

Voice actor
Seiji Katō
Language
Japanese
Version or series
BS The Legend of Zelda

Takaomi Nagae

Voice actor
Takaomi Nagae
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Ocarina of Time, Super Smash Bros. Melee, The Wind Waker, Four Swords+
Notes
Mainly voices human Ganondorf

Hirotoshi Miyata

Voice actor
Hirotoshi Miyata
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Twilight Princess, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS

Haruaki Ogino

Voice actor
Haruaki Ogino
Language
Japanese
Version or series
A Link to the Past 2 (Yuga-Ganon)

Taiten Kusunoki

Voice actor
Taiten Kusunoki
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Hyrule Warriors

Kōsuke Takaguchi

Voice actor
Kōsuke Takaguchi
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Tears of the Kingdom

Len Carlson

Voice actor
Len Carlson
Language
English
Version or series
The Legend of Zelda (TV Anime)

Mark Berry

Voice actor
Mark Berry
Language
English
Version or series
Link: The Faces of Evil and Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon

Matthew Mercer

Voice actor
Matthew Mercer
Language
English
Version or series
Tears of the Kingdom

Shigeru Miyamoto

Creator name
Shigeru Miyamoto
Role
Original author

Nintendo

Creator name
Nintendo
Role
Animation Studio

Related goods

Ganondorf Figure

Item name
Ganondorf Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Super Smash Bros. Ganondorf amiibo

Item name
Super Smash Bros. Ganondorf amiibo
Category
Accessory
Availability
Regular

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