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The Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask is not only my favorite Zelda game, it is my favorite video game of all time. From its release in 2000 I find myself revisiting the game through different phases of my life and always come to the same conclusion: Termina feels like home. Aside from the obvious three day mechanic; the darker tones and visuals of the story are often what steer people away from giving the game a try. But I’d argue that it is because of the bizarre mechanics and uncanny story that this game is able to have such a meaningful message. Within our grief, there is still hope.
The start of our journey begins with Link in search of his dear friend, Navi, last seen ascending through the windows of the Temple of Time with no real explanation. When you consider such a big part of Link’s childhood was being the “boy without a fairy,” it makes sense why this leaves him so distraught. Not to mention Navi is the only one who would remember Link’s acts of heroism; as the rest is left to a future he cannot enjoy himself.
On the opposite side of Link, we have Skull Kid. When we meet him he is already donning Majora’s mask and causing quite a bit of chaos. Knocking Link off of Epona and sending him off to a new world in the form of a sad little Deku; all the while abandoning his own fairy friend. Tatl gives us a glimpse at the boy behind the horrifying mask. A lonely forest child abandoned by his friends. Our hero and our villain are two sides of the same coin.
Termina itself is a land ripe with grief and loss. We face this immediately as we are greeted by the husk of a Deku as we enter this land. In every little corner you’re able to find things from an innocent monkey being framed for kidnapping to a king mourning his fallen kingdom from beyond. And right at the center is Clocktown. Filled with characters who we will see repeat their daily routines and lament their woes over, and over, and over again.
I think it’s important to note the way to get several masks is simply to talk to someone and listen to what they have to say. We are given the Bomber’s Notebook early on by the local gang of boys whose main goal is to be as helpful as possible to those around them. This notebook tracks each person’s schedules and troubles so that we may find out where and how to intervene and assist them. Aside from the obvious Temple crawling and gathering of the Giant’s Song; Link uses his time in Termina to help others. Even in the midst of his own struggles, thrown into an uncanny world; our hero chooses to do good.
Majora’s Mask’s main theme is the Song of Healing. And what a fitting theme it is. For all of the grief Termina and its people hold; Link is able to bring them peace through not only playing the song itself but through other acts of kindness. A place we see this best is with the game’s main masks -the Deku, Goron, and Zora masks. The Happy Mask Salesman teaches us this song, revealing that it comforts the soul of the Deku whose form we had taken. Link uses the song to bring peace to the distraught spirits who then lend him their power. The reason the transformation scenes are so uncomfortable are because in taking their forms Link takes on their pain. He bears their burdens on his already heavy shoulders and chooses to let them rest. In doing so, he is able to help their spirits move on while he comforts their loved ones in their stead.
The Deku Butler remarks that racing with Link brought him comfort as it reminded him of racing with his son; whom we later discover is that very husk we encountered at the start of our journey. The Goron Elder’s son is comforted by the face of Darmani as Link plays his lullaby. And as Link plays Mikau’s guitar, Lulu is able to return from her heartbroken silence to sing along with him. In the midst of sadness and loss, Link brings hope to the mourning and reminds them of their loved ones. He reminds them that they are only a song, only a memory, away.
Even in the Ikana Graveyard, Link is able to bring comfort to the dead. His race with Captain Keeta brings such peace to the fallen leader that he declares the war with the Garo to be over. We’re able to pass this message along to his soldiers by donning the Captain’s Hat. Traveling further into the Ikana Canyon we meet Pamela and her father; a man who has become a deformed Gibdo. Just as all hope seems to be lost and he would attack his own daughter, Link can play the Song of Healing. Upon doing so, Pamela’s father is freed from his monstrous state and the two embrace.
Possibly one of the most satisfying conclusions of all is the reunion of Anju and Kafei. Through a series of carefully played out events, Link is able to bring Kafei back to his bride. Every step of this side quest requires paying attention to the various characters involved and understanding they all have a part in the larger story. Anju and Kafei reunite on the final day within the final hours. They choose to remain in Clocktown together, under the falling moon; keeping their promise to get married on the day of a carnival they aren’t certain they will see. They tell Link, “We shall greet the morning together.” I like to think this could also double as, “We shall greet the mourning together.”
Finally, the Fierce Deity mask. A mask we earn by helping everyone and gathering every mask. We are only able to get this mask by handing over all of the masks to the children of the Moon. The description of the Fierce Deity mask notes that it is all of the hopes and dreams of those in Termina. Despite the darkness, despite the moon falling, this mask remains. Hopes and dreams remain. Link embodies that hope with every small deed and every heroic triumph. From mastering the dungeons’ bosses to helping a man see his pet cuccos grow up before his eyes. Teaching a dead man’s dance to his admirers, saving an old woman from a thief; relieving a devout Postman of his duties so that he may evacuate. All of this lead to this beautiful mask, this beautiful reminder of what Link represents in his kindness.
Upon Majora’s defeat, we are even able to save Skull Kid from his manipulation. We reach the Dawn of a New Day. Skull Kid is able to better understand just why his Giant friends had to leave him, and that they never forgot about him. Even apart, they are friends. The Happy Mask Salesman parts with these words, “Whenever there is a meeting, a parting is sure to follow. However, that parting need not last forever… Whether a parting be forever or merely for a short time… That is up to you.” Those we have lost or drifted from are never as far as we think. We are shown scenes of a healed Termina, its people celebrating the Carnival of Time. Link continues on his search.
To this day I find Majora’s Mask to be a one of a kind game. So many particular things fell into place for this game to be, and you feel so much of the developers emotions through the character dialogue. The result of their efforts is a hauntingly beautiful story about a boy trying to come to terms with his own losses as he faces a child with similar pain. Majora’s Mask reminds us that even as the falling moon looms above, even as we face grief and loss; hope remains. Kindness remains, in ourselves and in those we have shared it with.
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