Ganon, Ganondorf, Calamity Ganon — however you call him, there's no denying he's one of the coolest, most powerful, and most popular villains in video game history. But while Ganon’s been a mainstay in Zelda games since the very beginning, there’s still a whole lot we don’t know about him. Sure, he's a Gerudo, uses dark magic, possesses the Triforce of Power, and can turn himself into various forms, but there’s an awful lot concerning the King of Evil’s backstory that is still a mystery
While his appearance and skillset differs with each game, a common theme in The Legend of Zelda is that Ganon is actively seeking the Triforce, an artifact that gives the user the ability to make any wish come true. Whether he's in his regular form or the shape of a demonic boar, Ganon is not one to be trifled with. The following Ganon fan theories run the gamut from wild to plausible; some definitely hold more weight, while others open up a virtual rabbit hole into Zelda lore.
Which theories do you think are the most realistic? Ganon already has an interesting history, and these theories make him even more intriguing.
In 'Breath of the Wild', Demise's Curse Is Malice, Not Ganon
Photo: Nintendo
Redditor /u/Evanecent_Lightt points out that it's a common theory that Ganon is the reincarnation of Demise throughout The Legend of Zelda series. However, this fan theory states that in actuality, Malice is the reincarnation. Ganon simply operates under the influence of Demise.
Ganondorf is a powerful man true, but he's also just a man (infused with the power of the Tri-force of power though.) his Malice & hatred towards the world shouldn't emanate from his body and manifest in such dramatic material forms right? Unless the Malice wasn't a product of Ganondorf... Maybe it's instead the manifestation of Demise.
139 votes
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157 VOTES
There Are Multiple Ganons You Fight Throughout The Series
Photo: Nintendo
One theory that's remained persistent over the years and brought up once again by Redditor /u/gnarwhale471 is that there are multiple Ganons out there. This would explain why Ganon has died numerous times throughout the series but comes back. It would also explain away some contradictions within Ganon's backstory over the years. There are actually several of them out there.
157 votes
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163 VOTES
Ganon Was The Hero From 10,000 Years Ago
Photo: Nintendo
We know part of Breath of the Wild's canon is that there was a hero 10,000 years ago who saved Hyrule, and his image has been placed on a tapestry. Many gamers, including Redditor /u/Nexma26, believe this hero is Ganon. There's an uncanny resemblance, such as the fact the hero from long ago has fiery red hair and wears a blue Champion's Tunic. Citing the Zelda wiki, this Redditor dives even deeper:
10,000 years before the events of Breath of the Wild, an incarnation of the Hero united with an incarnation of the Princess, the four Divine Beasts and numerous Guardians to seal Calamity Ganon away beneath Hyrule Castle. This incarnation of the hero apparently has 'fiery red hair and wearing a light blue Champion's Tunic like the one his successor wears in the distant future' obviously a different design from the Link we are all familiar with.
163 votes
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98 VOTES
Link's Wish in 'ALttP 'Allows Him To Beat Ganon
Photo: Nintendo
Redditor /u/watties12 suggests the reason Link was able to beat Ganon in A Link to the Past is due to the wish he makes. He wishes to undo all of the negative effects Ganon inadvertently made to the past, and this allows him to claim victory. This also creates the second split in time, which would explain why The Legend of Zelda timeline doesn't always make the clearest of sense.
98 votes
5
117 VOTES
The Age Of Ganon Is Coming to An End
Photo: Nintendo
Redditor /u/glitchedmatt wrote how it's likely there's going to be a new big bad going forward in The Legend of Zelda series. After all, it's odd that Demise would only have one reincarnation in Ganon. It's possible that in future games, Demise will reincarnate as something else entirely, giving you a dangerous new foe to combat.
117 votes
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128 VOTES
The Royal Family Were The Ones Who Wiped Out The Gerudo
Photo: Nintendo
Redditor /u/hylianbarista offers a different theory for why the Gerudo tribe died out. It's possible the royal family captured Ganon, which caused an all-out civil war in the kingdom. The royal family were able to hold the tribe back, but fearing one of them could become the next Ganon, they killed them all.
