Okay, let's be real for a second. I've been living in Hyrule for what feels like forever now, and while Tears of the Kingdom is an absolute masterpiece—I mean, the building mechanics alone had me hooked for weeks—there's this little itch I can't scratch. The world is bursting with life, but some of the folks you meet... they just vanish! Like, poof, gone after one quest. It's 2026, and I'm still thinking about them. So, grab a cup of Lon Lon Milk, and let's chat about the characters who deserved way more screen time. They had so much potential, you know?
First up, my absolute favorite newbie: Penn. This Rito reporter for the Lucky Clover Gazette? Adorable. He swoops in with his 'Soar Long!' catchphrase and this burning desire to report the truth. I saw him as the spiritual successor to Kass from Breath of the Wild, and I was ready for a whole musical side-quest arc with him. But here's the thing... after you finish his string of Side Adventures, he just... flies off. You can't even find him for a chat later! And the guy was literally investigating Ganondorf's creepy Zelda illusions. Hello? Major plot thread! They could have done so much more with him. It's a shame, really.
Then there's Pikango. My guy! The wandering artist from the first game was such a vibe. I was so excited to see what landscapes he'd be painting in the sequel. And he is there... but barely. He pops up in a couple of side quests and that's it. The concept of a traveling painter documenting a post-Upheaval Hyrule? The storytelling potential is massive. He could have been our window into how regular people see the changes, you feel me? Instead, it feels like he got a serious demotion.
Speaking of returning faces, let's talk about Hudson & Rhondson. This power couple—a Hylian and a Gerudo—whose love story we helped start! They're back, and they have a daughter now, which is the cutest thing. They're central to the 'Mattison's Independence' side adventure, which is sweet, but... come on. In a game where the big bad is a Gerudo king sowing discord, this couple is literal living proof that unity between tribes is possible. They could have been a beacon of hope, a symbol of what Link is fighting for. But nope, mostly just concerned with their kid's first flight to Tarrey Town. A missed opportunity, if you ask me.
Now, Tauro is a weird one. Leader of the Zonai Survey Team, cool design, super enthusiastic personality... he even gets a full Character Profile! But what does he actually do? He helps you poke around a few ruins and then... that's kind of it. It honestly feels like they had bigger plans for him—maybe as a guide to the Zonai lore—but it all got cut. He's all setup with no payoff, which is a bummer.
Here's a glow-up story: Meeshy. From a totally forgettable NPC in Breath of the Wild to a fashion-forward adventurer in Tears! Thanks to Cece's trends, she's out here giving Link tips on where to find cool clothes. This transformation is so fun and unexpected! But why stop there? I wanted to see her journey. How did she go from a regular townsperson to a confident explorer? A few more encounters with her could have fleshed out this awesome little arc.
This one stings a bit. Teba. The Rito warrior, father of the new Sage Tulin. All the other Champion descendants stepped up as Sages, but Teba? He's just... sidelined. He has barely any lines, and he was already the least developed of the bunch in the first game. They had a chance to give him a redemption arc, maybe a story about passing the torch with pride. Instead, he's practically a background character. It doesn't sit right with me.
The memory characters are a whole other level of 'what if.' Take Queen Sonia. Zelda's ancestor, wife of the first king, a Time Sage herself... and she's in, like, three memories before Ganondorf... you know. She feels less like a person and more like a plot device to explain Zelda's powers and motivate Rauru. She had such a serene, powerful presence. I would have loved to see her ruling, using her powers, being a leader—not just a tragic figure in the past.
And finally, the big one: Ganondorf himself.
Let me tell you, this is one of the coolest, most intimidating versions of him ever. That design? Chef's kiss. But in the present-day story? He's a mummy under the castle for 95% of the game. He wakes up, and we fight him. That's it. Where's the menace? Where's the psychological warfare? Imagine him haunting Link's journey, appearing in illusions, taunting him. Having a few confrontations before the final battle would have made that climax so much more personal and epic. He's a fantastic villain stuck in the past (literally).
So yeah, that's my little rant. Don't get me wrong, I adore this game. But part of loving something is seeing where it could shine even brighter. These characters had the spark—the unique designs, the interesting hooks—but they never really got to catch fire. Here's hoping that in the next adventure (whenever that may be!), some of these faces get the spotlight they deserve. Hyrule's heart is its people, after all.
Who did you wish you saw more of? Spill the tea! ☕