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King Harkinian is a recurring character in The Legend of Zelda series.[1] In all his appearances, he is a King of Hyrule and father of Princess Zelda. He appears in The Legend of Zelda TV series, The Legend of Zelda comics by Valiant Comics, and the video games The Faces of Evil and The Wand of Gamelon for the Philips CD-i.[1]
Biography
The Legend of Zelda TV Series
King Harkinian makes an appearance in The Legend of Zelda TV series. In the show, he is depicted to be a tall, rotund king bearing a snow white beard and a gold crown. Personality-wise, he is a benevolent and charismatic King of Hyrule, wishing to build his citizens a waterpark that they can all enjoy.[2] Deeply loved and cared by his daughter, the king seems to have trouble remembering certain things,[3][4][5] and is somewhat dimwitted as a father. However, he is still loyal to his country and also refuses to willingly give up the Triforce of Wisdom to Ganon, even though he fears of the Underworld ruler.[6]
King Harkinian often gives Link tips on wooing his daughter, Princess Zelda, such as in "Sing for the Unicorn", where he tells Link to give Zelda flowers in order to have a better chance of getting a kiss from her.[7] The king only appears in four episodes out of the twelve: "The White Knight", "Sing for the Unicorn", "That Sinking Feeling", and "Fairies in the Spring." In all of his episode appearances, he only plays a small role, in which two of those he gets kidnapped, prompting Link and Princess Zelda to rescue him.[8][9]
The Legend of Zelda (Valiant Comics)
King Harkinian in the comic
In the The Legend of Zelda comics by Valiant Comics published by Valiant Comics, King Harkinian's appearance is similar to that of The Legend of Zelda TV series. He only appears in "Missing in Action" and Queen of Hearts, and plays a rather minor role. He lives in North Palace with his daughter, Princess Zelda, and he seems to be good friends with Seline, the queen of the neighboring kingdom of Calatia.[10]
In Missing in Action, King Harkinian is the one that informs Link that Zelda has left Hyrule with the Triforce of Wisdom to keep it safe from Ganon's clutches, and he urges the young hero to find her and bring her back.[11] In Queen of Hearts, Queen Seline goes to North Palace and meets up with King Harkinian after 16 years, where the two of them spend most of the day together catching up.[12]
The Faces of Evil
King Harkinian makes a short appearance in The Faces of Evil. He tells Link that he should be happier with the kingdom's peacefulness, after the young hero complains of his boredom.[13] When Gwonam arrives to inform the King that the island of Koridai has been seized by Ganon's minions, he readily offers their help, but Gwonam states that only Link can defeat Ganon according to a prophecy.
The Wand of Gamelon
King Harkinian plays a much bigger role in The Wand of Gamelon. He announces that Gamelon and its ruler, Duke Onkled, are under attack by the evil forces of Ganon, and plans to go to aid Onkled.[1] Zelda objects out of concern for his safety, but Harkinian reassures her that he will take the Triforce of Courage to protect him. He orders that Link be sent if he does not return in a month. Despite Impa's Triforce of Wisdom promising that the King would safely return, he fails to do so, and Link is sent to search for him. After months of no word back from either of them, Zelda decides to go to Gamelon with Impa to find them. It is later revealed that Onkled betrayed King Harkinian and Ganon had him captured.[14] Zelda manages to free her father after defeating Ganon. King Harkinian orders that Onkled "scrub all the floors in Hyrule" as punishment. The group then decide to have a celebratory feast after Link appears.
Gallery
King Harkinian in The Legend of Zelda TV Series
King Harkinian in The Faces of Evil
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Your father, King Harkinian, sailed to assist the Duke months ago and then disappeared." (The Wand of Gamelon manual, pg. 3)
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- ↑ "Seline...? Seline! It's been...SIXTEEN YEARS! You haven't changed a bit! No...you're even more beautiful!" (The Legend of Zelda, Valiant Comics, pg. 3)
- ↑ "My daughter Zelda has taken the Triforce of Wisdom and left Hyrule forever! Zelda said that the only way to keep the Triforce of Wisdom safe from Ganon is for her to take it far away and never return! [...] I could not stop her! [...] You must find her and convince her to return, Link!" (The Legend of Zelda, Valiant Comics, pg. 2 [Missing in Action])
- ↑ "Oh...can't that wait, darling? I'm spending the day with Seline. It's been sixteen years, you know! So much to catch up on!" (The Legend of Zelda, Valiant Comics, pg. 3)
- ↑ "My boy, this peace is what all true warriors strive for!" — King Harkinian (The Faces of Evil)
- ↑ "Duke Onkled betrayed the King!" — Lord Kiro (The Wand of Gamelon)