Comparing Legends

Sometimes, when I’m bored, I like to pick a couple fandoms and try to imagine how they would fit together. Sometimes they work out, and sometimes they don’t, but all in all it’s an amusing distraction.There are times, however, where I find weird similarities between fandoms that aren’t readily apparent, unless you look for them. Such is the case between the Legend of Zelda and Sailor Moon.I know it may sound a little weird, but let me shoot out a little summary for you:

In both series’, the Hero (Link, Tuxedo Mask) initially start off searching for a Mysterious Object (the Triforce, the Ginzuishou) with which to give to the Princess (Zelda, Sailor Moon). The Princess and her Followers (Sages/Maidens, Sailor Senshi) are beset by the Villain (Agahnim/Ganondorf/Majora/Vaati/Zant, Queen Beryl/Prince Dimande/Pharaoh 90/Queen Nehellenia/Sailor Galaxia), who may or may not be the minion of an even greater evil (Ganon, Chaos). The Villain is, more often than not, after either world domination or destruction, and the Hero, Princess and Followers are the only ones who can stop this from happening.While the Hero is more of a physical fighter, the Princess and her Followers are able to use some kind of mystic power (magic, Sailor Crystals). The Princess is often helped by a Guide (Impa, Luna), while the Hero mostly goes it alone. The Hero is brave beyond compare, and willingly throws himself into the fight against the Villain, while the Princess, with her kind heart, fights for the sake of her people.When the final battle comes, the situation seems completely hopeless, and the Villain has all but won. But in a last ditch effort, the Hero, Princess and her Followers unite together and together they are able to stop the Villain and restore peace.

And that’s just a general, overall comparison. There are other, little similarities hidden around all over each.

For instance, both Zelda and Tuxedo Mask took on an Arabic alter ego (Sheik, the Moonlight Knight [who happened to look like a sheik]). Link and Tuxedo Mask are both orphaned at a young age. Wisdom is associated with water and the colour blue (Naryu, Sailor Mercury), Courage is associated with air (and the woods, by proxy) and the colour green (Farore, Sailor Jupiter), while Power is associated by fire and the colour red (Din, Sailor Mars). An incredibly powerful sword (the Master Sword, the Holy Blade) falls into the hands of the good guys, and it usually has to be restored to its full power by some means, and it is used to deliver the killing blow to the Villain. The Guide often fluctuates in age (Impa as an old lady in most games, while much younger in OoT, and Luna dubbed as an old lady in the American dub, while much younger in the original Japanese). Both feature a mystical kingdom (Hyrule, the Silver Millennium), which is, along with the Mysterious Object, what the Villain is after. The Villain also always seems that power will win the day, but the good guys prevail by combining powers and/or abilities. There is also an insufferably cute child who favours one colour over others (Saria and her green, Chibiusa and her pink). Woodwinds, harps and violins are prevalent instruments (Zelda and Link use an ocarina while Ali uses a flute. Sheik, Medli/Laruto and Sailor Mercury play harps of some sort. Markar/Fado and Sailor Neptune use violins). And both Zelda and Sailor Moon have blonde hair, blue eyes, a fair complexion, and more power and determination than what the Villain initially expects.

So, as you can see, these two fandoms have a fair bit in common. And, while I don’t actually see a Zelda/Sailor Moon crossover being written, finding those similarities was kinda fun :P