Another article of ours originally from ZU, detailing the parallels between Anju/Kafei and Link/Zelda.

A Majora’s Mask theory: Parallels in Love

By gliderpilotgirl and Love_of_Zelda


For most players that have played Majora’s Mask, they may have noticed that the world of Termina appears to be a parallel universe in sense, with similar characters with similar situations occurring. Link would come across a Goron leader by the name of Darmani, who though he was not a physical double, was in spirit quite similar to Ocarina of Time’s Darunia, the Sage of Fire. Another parallel was the character of OoT’s ranch girl Malon appeared to be split into two people, a younger version of her named Romani, and an adult version named Cremia. While not exact doubles, these people had eerie similarities to people the hero had already met.

Keeping that in mind, we must discuss the themes of Majora’s Mask. One of the most prominent and dare we say the main theme was friendship, with the plight of the Skull Kid possibly echoing the Hero of Time’s even though they were different people. Both were left alone, feeling abandoned and unable to fit in. But the theme of this theory is love. And when discussing love in MM, one needs to go no farther than the “heart” of the story, a couple named Anju and Kafei. In a cruel twist of fate, Kafei had been changed into a child, and victimized because of it. But he would not give up on his love, and when he completed his quest he returned to her in one of the most touching moments of the game, with our hero looking on.

But several things about this Kafei, who was in a sense a central character with many things in Termina revolving around him, caught our attention, and our theory is that in love, Kafei is the Link of the story.

In looks and situation, Kafei and Link are nothing alike. Kafei is the mayor’s son, and that position makes him likely a man of influence and wealth. Link is a lonely orphan from the forest, one who was hob-nobbing with the Princess until recently but is alone now, having left on a journey. But in the heart, we believe they are the same.

Starting off, the most striking similarity is their situation. Both have been turned into children but that is not who they are inside.

Both Children

We know with Kafei that his transformation was involuntary, a cruel action of the Skull Kid, but we can explore Link’s character and suggest he may not be happy with being a child either. His deeds and life established in OoT as a grown up are gone, erased by time when he was sent back. As Hyrule is at peace, he has lost his purpose as the hero at the outset of MM. The people who knew and trusted him in that future he has never met. Maybe he did again in the three months that preceded his trip to Termina (as the game info says) but we don’t know. It will never be the same undoubtedly. The non-canon manga, while different in some aspects did explore this facet of Link brilliantly, with him expressing sadness and then frustration at one point due to his childlike state. In another parallel in this manga, Link is in a sense given the same “gift” that the Skull Kid received, his heart’s desire. He can be an adult again through the Fierce Deity Mask, but Anju and Kafei fear for his safety, that he may become corrupted as well. Fortunately, unlike the Skull Kid, Link is able to control himself. Anyways, while not non-canon, we feel the manga did explore this well. Back to our original point, Kafei and Link are both turned into children and they are not necessarily happy about it. In fact, we feel this shared plight may have enhanced the bond between the player and the character.

At this point we would like to make a note: this has to do with perception and our interpretation, but when Kafei hands the pendant of memories to Link to take to Anju, this quote is displayed regarding Link:

“Though you may not understand these grown-up matters, you should probably take the pendant to Anju anyways.”

We do not believe this indicates Link is entirely ignorant of romantic feelings, but that he may not understand the specifics of not only courting rituals but what is really going on. In Ocarina of Time, he displayed what can be interpreted as the beginnings of romantic feelings towards Saria, and we know she returned them. Many other fans also feel the interaction between Link and Zelda in the ending of the game, and beginning of Majora’s Mask had feelings of a romantic nature passing between them. They just may be in a nascent stage, and will eventually grow into more. Leading into the next point:

The Love Interest:

Kafei obviously has Anju, and she is anxiously awaiting him. Link has also parted from a girl ( Zelda ) who showed obvious feelings for him, and our perception of the scene atop the Clock Tower indicates he most certainly returned them, but needed to leave anyways for his own personal journey. Nothing is stopping him from returning however. Note these words from Zelda:

“And I believe in my heart that a
day will come when I shall meet
you again...

Until that day comes, please...
Take this...“

At this point, she hands the Ocarina to Link to take on his journey. This quote here effectively states she knows on the inside that he will return. Zelda is a girl of remarkable insight, especially regarding the future. While her actions unknowingly caused the terrible future to occur, in OoT’s events, she was right on the money when it came to perceiving Ganondorf’s intentions. With Link whom she knows so much better, it wouldn’t be too hard to believe she could be right. Link is seen galloping towards the light in the last scene of MM, possibly indicating him exiting the forest and returning to Hyrule. In fact, the prologue of the game leads into the tale as if it is a story, one “held dearly by the Royal Family” indicating he did return to tell the tale, and was likely of great importance to them in the future.

The Memory Factor:

At one point, Kafei hands an object called “the pendant of memories” to Link to convey to Anju. Up until this point, he has worn it around his neck, indicating it may be of particular significance to him. Given its’ “memories” title, it has a connection to his past. His past with Anju is of significance, as it is mentioned later in the reunion as leading into this future of their relationship. Anyways, Kafei has a Pendant of Memories.

Link also has such an object; the Ocarina of Time. While it undoubtedly reminds him of the past in the adventure of OoT, the game makes a special point to tell us it reminds him of Zelda herself.
“You got the Ocarina of Time back! Princess Zelda gave you this
precious instrument.”

“...Suddenly, memories of Princess Zelda come rushing back to you...”

Seen in the info screen:

“This musical instrument is filled with memories of Princess Zelda.”

Lastly, the Song of Time has significance:

“This melody, lingering on the edges of your mind, is a song of
memories of Princess Zelda.”

If this is so, it would not be too much of a stretch to say throughout the game, Link was constantly reminded of her, as both the Ocarina and Song of Time were integral to the adventure. It wasn’t explored upon, but Kafei’s pendant could have a similar function, in being an ever present reminder of Anju.

Two small interesting facts not necessarily related to this point:
Sakon underestimated Kafei based on his childlike appearance and accosted him for his Wedding Mask This led into his mini-adventure, much like the theft of the Ocarina and Epona brought Link to Termina in the first place. That was also the result of some serious under-estimation, in part of the Skull Kid with Link.
A second interesting point is how Tatl reacts to Kafei in two places:

Well...You're just careless. You're like my partner..."

She is remarking on the similarity in actions; the second quote:

I don't like him...But is there a choice? Should we help him?

One would imagine Tatl had similar things to say and thoughts about Link in the beginning, before she knew him and he proved himself a hero. Our point is she reacts the exact same way to both of them, adding to a sense of similarity.
But back to the romantic comparisons, and onto our next point:

The Third Member:

Few love stories are without a third member to create conflict, and the Terminian triangle has one in the character of Cremia, who appears in looks and situation to be the Adult version of Hyrule’s Malon. It is said by her sister Romani that Cremia is avoiding town because of her heartache at being passed over.

“Romani knows...My sister, Cremia, has someone in
town she likes...

But that person will get married the day of the carnival. It's hard
for my sister...Going into town...”

This is obviously Kafei, and Cremia confirms it on the ride to town if you tag along.

“In town...I have a friend. Her name's Anju...Anju...The day after tomorrow is her wedding.”

Leading into this previous statement, Cremia discusses her difficulties in managing the ranch by herself, implying the renewed discussion of her plight has brought back to her thoughts Kafei, who could solve them. Anju’s mother would later say this to Anju in an attempt to reassure her when Anju states her fear that Kafei has run off with Cremia.

“Besides, think about Cremia. She needs strength from a partner and
business support from Madame Aroma. If Kafei really has run off with
Cremia, she'll get both. Please don't be sad. How happy could
you possibly be...marrying a man who runs off when he's about to be married?”

This established Cremia’s possible motives, that her love for Kafei may not be completely based on him as a person, but rather what he can provide for her.
In Ocarina of Time, the “marriage proposal” from Talon to Link was predicated on the same grounds, that Link would come help at the ranch when he grew up In Majora’s Mask, Romani likes Link and after he helps her, even goes so far as to say it’s decided he will come live with them and help out. But he leaves Termina at the end. Our overall point is that like Cremia, Malon back home in Hyrule may be the third member in a triangle with Link and Zelda, but is the one with possibly less pure motives. In that, we mean she is responding to Link as the “knight in shining armor” who can save her and her future, and not necessarily him as Link, the person. In MM, Cremia will give Link an affectionate hug, but it is in it’s nature a reward for the one who played hero, and she is now after the fact recognizing and responding to that and adult within. Does it go any deeper? Given how little she knows of Link as a person, we don’t believe so. She even refers to him as “boy” early in the ride, not even knowing his name. This is much like Malon and Romani choosing not to call Link by name ( which indicates who he really is ), but merely remarking on his outside appearance in their nicknames.

But what about Link? We know he enjoys the hug quite a bit, but how often does he get thanked like that? It’s difficult to tell whether the action or the girl is his focus. Given the lack of notable previous reciprocated romantic interest in Malon in OoT, ( and earlier in Romani and Cremia in MM) our view is that it’s the action.

Also, in the beginning of MM and a good deal of OoT, he showed indications of a deeper relationship with Zelda, like Kafei does with Anju.

The Reunion:

After all the toil of the sidequest, Link and Kafei together will finally recover Kafei’s Wedding Mask and he will go running back to Anju. When Link joins them, he can witness their reunion as they become a couple.
Here is the dialogue:

Anju: “I...I have met you before.

What a familiar scent. Long, long ago...Yes. We were still young.
We made a promise...Didn't we? The masks of the sun and the moon...”

At this point I’d like to restate what Zelda said earlier:

Zelda: “that a day will come when I shall meet you again...” [emphasis ours]

This emphasizes a reunion. Carrying on with more dialogue:

Anju: “We were to exchange them on the day of the Carnival of Time...”

Kafei: “Anju...I'm sorry I was late.”

Anju: “...Welcome home.”

At this point, Kafei practically jumps into Anju’s arms and she embraces him. Tatl comments on Kafei being a child, but like Link, again, his appearance is not who he is.

The statement “Welcome home” also draws our attention, as it seems a little perculiar. Kafei has not really gone anywhere…but Link has.

One would imagine a reunion with Zelda would take a similar course. They may be much younger, and not the engaged adult couple that Anju and Kafei were, but we feel the spirit is the same. Zelda was the one to send him off, the one whom the game implied was special to the hero, as his journey was “personal and secret” yet he did not leave without seeing her. Logically, she’d also be the one to welcome him home. He may apologize for leaving in such an apathetic manner, and we have no doubt she would accept him anyways. Note that Zelda did not ask where he was going initially, merely stated he was leaving and set him free, believing in him and that he had a reason.

This interpretation of the future for Link and Zelda does veer close to the line of fan fiction, but we feel it is valid. Zelda represents home to Link, not only as the face of Hyrule (the ruler and representative) but a home to him personally. In the end of Ocarina of Time, Link is told to go home. Where does he go promptly? He returns to Zelda. We feel that when the Mask Salesman told him to go home, where home is for Link is clear.

In conclusion, Majora’s Mask was a game full of lessons. There were lessons for the hero about friendship through the Skull Kid, lessons in duty through Darmani and Skull Keeta, to lessons in family love through Cremia and Romani’s interaction as sisters. But we feel the lesson taught about love was through Kafei and Anju. Although Link may be too young at the time to truly appreciate it, we feel that the parallel between Anju and Kafei, and our main hero and heroine of the Legend of Zelda series here is clear.

:o

Wow. . . I must admit that I never thought about things this way, but I can totally see what you mean! It's completely true! Holy cow, that actually gives me shivers! :lol:

Y'know, I always figured that the Fierce Diety was the parallel world form of Link, and that the Godess of Time was Zelda, but I like this idea of things a lot! It's well thought out and logical, and it makes great references!

I'm glad you liked it.

I've seen many people say Cremia and Link's reaction to her hug hints the way to his future....but IMO they aren't looking deep enough. Same with Romani.
I personally can't accept that Link would choose of his own volition to permanently leave Zelda for something less..not necessarily that Malon is less, but her relationship with Link was much less profound and lasting.
Kafei and Anju...you know they had something special..Kafei risked everything to reunite with her, and she "waited until the end of the world" for him to return to her..just like Link searching for Zelda and how Zelda waited for 7 years for him return. The feeling is the same IMO.
The game dev's are the ones who made that OoT relationship between them so strong, and made him return to her at the end. I can't see them doing a 180 and suddenly ending it, so I do think that his departure to Termina was temporary.

I agree with you. ^_^ I can't see Link staying away from Hyrule forever. I think at the time of MM he's feeling lost, sad, and confused, not knowing what direction his life is going to take. He goes from an adult hero to a little kid again, and boy does that have to be frustrating to the poor guy. But MM does a great deal to help him feel better about himself and his situation, and send him on his way back to Zelda. XD

Concerning Cremia and the whole hints to the future thing, I think that's just ridiculous. Cremia is an older, pretty girl who has paid attention to him, and that's very flattering. Of course he's going to be a bit swoony- any normal guy would. But that's superficial, more based on the fact that she's a girl rather than she's Cremia, you know? The idea that Link would leave Zelda just because he gets warm and fuzzy for some older girl is just retarded. It's as silly as believing that Kafei would abandon Anju for Cremia!

Comparing Kafie and Anju to Link and Zelda works very well. Also, it suggests that though Link is in the form of a child, some part of him is an adult and longs to be with the Zelda he knew in the future as an adult. Not to say that he doesn't like Zelda as she is now, but you understand what I mean, right? Just as Kafei is in a child's body, but not really a child is the same kind of situation that Link is in. Zelda is also in the same boat as Anju; both are faced with not knowing exactly what has befallen their loved ones, and are forced to wait, relying on memories and their beliefs in them. It's a great parallel!

And I agree with you!
Another prominent theme of MM was Healing. As Link does his stuff, people and lands are healed. Well what if he himself got healed? By helping others and being a part of something bigger than himself again, he's rediscovered his purpose.
I think him "creeping" away from Hyrule was what you said..and that. Loss of purpose...and because he's a hero ( as the prologue said he took his place among legends ) he can't fit in anymore. Which is probably exactly why the relation between him and the Skull Kid was so strong...I believe the Skull Kid is another parallel to Link, but in a different area than love, more in friendship.
But yeah..I do think Link returned to Zelda healed and happy. She was "with him" through memories and Ocarina the whole time, and the only one who really was "outside of time" in a sense along with him. This very personal tale being dear to the Royal Family would make the most sense if he was an ancestor of future royalty. ( Through his marriage to Zelda )

Agreed. And that infatuation ( which is what Link may have felt ) would die quickly, as it has no depth behind it. Link is smarter than that..he wouldn't go that way..even if it's a warm happy home for him, and a diversion from the Hero's life he is destined to follow. I've always seen Cremia/Malon as temptation..( the same for Kafei ) in that he would get everything a lonely person would dream of..a home, family and a quiet life...( and free flattering attention ) but IMO that's not Link is meant for. Zelda may not be able to give him that, and she will always have to think of others before him...but she's a special treasure. He'd be a fool to not see it.

I think I understand...I took the same thing out of OoT...Link fell in love with the passionate, determined Zelda of the future...and when he returned, he knew she'd grow to become that. But that same thing I think is where Malinkers are comparing Cremia..in that she represents Malon in the future. But Link leaves Termina without a backwards glance...and he had all the opportunity as an adult in OoT, and nothing happened with him and Malon. But yeah...my heart aches for how kid Zelda must have felt, seeing Link ride out of there, apathetic in his depression and just out of it. They communicated that through Anju nicely. Imagining their thoughts.." he left me! Does he not care? " Abandonment is the worst thing in the whole world for us girls, IMO. But the Zelda who waited 7 years for him would wait again, and I know that. :)

SQUEE! :D

That was an awesome essay! It was very sweet! *makes note to post an essay focusing on the Zelda-Link-Malon love triangle*

Thanks..( Love_of_Zelda just signed up too but hasn't been in here yet as I can see )

I'm looking forward to seeing yours!

Wow. Very deep in thought... and the best part is--it makes complete sense! ='D

Wow. I'm definately using this against the people who think that it should be CremiaxLink...along with a few more little bits and peices of evidence...This is perfectly done and I look forward to using this for evidence of Zelink and evidence against Cremiaxlink. Ecellent job! :yay:

I find a suprising amount of people completely miss the fact Cremia is in love with Kafei. The scenes that confirm it are somewhat hard to find ( Romani, Day 2, 1800 and Stock Pot Inn, Spare Room wall, Day 2 at 2100ish ) but if you add it all together, it makes sense.

Yep. There are millions of things that you can discover by peicing together facts. Isn't that what people do everyday? So, if you do that for tLoZ, you can find tons of things, like what you did here.