TheLegend of Zeldagames have introduced fans to dozens of excellent companions and rivals throughout the years, but few have stood out as well as the Yiga clan introduced inBreath of the Wild. After their return inTears of the Kingdom, it would be foolish for Nintendo to leave the group behind, and one minorZeldacharacter could be the perfect bridge for the Yiga to gain even more importance in theLegend of Zeldaseries.
Given their status as a common, simple to defeat enemy inTears of the KingdomandBreath of the Wild, it’s almost surprising that fans have grown so fond of the Yiga clan. But between their comical incompetence, strange affinity for bananas, and surprisingly poignant lore, there’s lots to love about these new antagonists. Their role in the story of both games as minor antagonists who are trying to assist Ganon from the sidelines, along with their presence in those games’ version of Hyrule for thousands of years, makes them prime candidates to reappear in future games. If theYiga clan returns in anotherZeldagamethough, they would need a new champion, someone capable of rivaling Link, and a surprising recurring character of the series might fit the bill. Just as Zelda adopts the moniker of Sheik to assist the Sheikah inOcarina of Time, the Yiga could gain new power in the form of a villainous mirror of Sheik’s character.
How a Yiga Sheik Could Revitalize the Fan-Favorite Character
As strange as it may sound, an evil version of Sheik could be the best thing to happen to both the Yiga Clan and the version of Sheik that fans are familiar with. After their appearance inOcarina of Time,Sheik only appears in one otherZeldagame. Ever since their debut, fans have appreciated the mysterious powers of the character, but most of the love for Sheik may come from theSmash Bros.games, where they actually make more appearances than in their native series. So, a game revolving around Sheik’s Yiga doppelgänger would serve to thrust them back into the spotlight.
What Game Could Star the Yiga Clan
Part of what makes the Yiga clan a great candidate to return is the fact that its members and customs can evolve and last throughout time until Link is born again to defeat them. As such, the Yiga don’t need a starring role to be impactful, but they could hold the weight of one if it were thrust upon them. In the past, leaks have suggested thatNintendo considered a spin-off game starring Sheik. In a game about the warrior who serves the Sheikah tribe, the Yiga clan, as their polar opposite, would make a perfect opposing force. And, with Sheik as a protagonist, a character who serves the Yiga in the same way could act as a natural rival or even main antagonist.
The Yiga / Sheikah Conflict
Unlike the Yiga clan, the Sheikah have been a major race in Hyrule since some of the earliest games in the series. Most notably, almost all versions of Princess Zelda have a Sheikah advisor, Impa, who has been a powerful ally to Link in many of his games. Although Impa is usually one of few Sheikah involved in the series’ lore,Breath of the Wildintroduced moreexcellent Sheikah charactersthan any other game in the series, giving players characters like Purra, Paya, and Master Kohga to name a few. These games showcase the untold power that the Sheikah tribe possesses, expanding the world of Hyrule by touching on the importance of cultures other than the Hylians.
As sworn protectors of Link, Zelda, and the royal family, the Sheikah tribe’s power is typically used for good, but the Yiga clan has turned that on its head. As an offshoot of the Sheikah people, the Yiga clan possesses all the same power, but uses it to try and stop Link from defeating Ganon.The importance of the Sheikahand fierce rivalry with the Yiga clan makes for the perfect backdrop to a newLegend of Zeldagame, and hopefully players will get to see it in the future.
