Zelda - Princess Mipha

So I'm going to say this early, spoilers. My goodness the spoilers. Plot wise. Like for realsies, I cannot stress this enough, spoilers. Stop yourself from reading forward if secrecy of plot/story is the focal point of interest. You have been warned.

Alrighty there folks, let's talk about Princess Mipha. As you adventure further into Breath of the Wild you will encounter the Zora domain. If for some reason you don't remember them, they are the fish people. And they are a little upset with you, and I'll tell you why.
As Link went to fight Gannon (prior story to starting the game) Zelda's magic fails, the Divine Beasts piloted by the four Champions of Hyrule are infected by Calamity Ganon resulting in the loss of their lives, and basically the only person who was fulfilling their role properly was Link as he proceeded to beat the crap out of everything in order to escape with Princess Zelda. Link gets thrown in a Ressurection Shrine, comes back, and there's your back story. Princess Mipha was one of the Champions of Hyrule who lost their lives. The Zora have not forgotten her loss, and they despise your existence, Champion Hero or not.

Princess Mipha is a shy reserved character with the ability to heal others, which is rare amongst the Zora. Mipha also has a crush on Link. Crush may be an understatement. She loves Link. She also knows Link, our non-verbal hero, is following the path of Zelda as her protector so she can master her magic. She gets that, she understands that, but she still loves him nonetheless. Zoran females tend to weave a suit of Zora armor for the man who captures their heart. Mipha made a set that could not fit a Zora male but instead was carefully sculpted to fit the body of a Hylian, Link. You do end of receiving this armor which increases your swim speed and has the ability when worn to ascend waterfalls while swimming like a salmon on a Red Bull.

As the coming of Ganon was imminent Link was spending time with the Champions ensuring they were strong enough for battle and that were comfortable piloting the Divine Beasts. Mipha, knowing Link from a young age, is scene in a cut scene healing Link from an injury. She tells Link she is happy of her ability so that she can protect him during the upcoming fight with Ganon, and then she will always do her best to shield him from injury.

She also hints that when everything calms down that she and Link should spend some time together. One can easily assume she wanted time post battle for Link's job of Zelda babysitting to taper off so she could attempt to further a relationship with Link herself. She did already weave him a suit of armor that was basically a wedding present. She cares for and protects Link at every opportunity. And she planned on hoping to capitalize on those feelings for the potential of a relationship later. What she did not know was that Ganon would infect her Divine Beast with Calamity, and that an assassin known as Waterblight Ganon would enter the Divine Beast and take her life.

As Link comes across the Zora Domain he encounters the Divine Beast on a rampage, flooding the region. Through many a plot progress device Link boards the Divine Beast. Upon entering he is guided by the voice of Mipha to unlock the main console, and destroy Waterblight Ganon. Upon the destruction of the Calamity within the beast the spirit of Mipha reappears. She tells Link she will always protect him, and that he needn't worry when he goes to fight Calamity Ganon as she and her Divine Beast will do their best to protect him during the battle. She takes the essence of her former life and bundles it into a sphere she gifts to Link, known as Mipha's Grace. With the Mipha's Grace ability upon reaching zero hearts the grace activates and fully heals Link, and gifts a few temporary hearts as well. This is Mipha's final gift to Link she can bestow as he travels and searches before finally having to confront Calamity Ganon himself.

Mipha is, in my opinion, the greatest nerd crush of the entire game. She was a sweet, caring, shy friend who even after her death is still willing to give you everything she has to accomplish the mission, to defeat Ganon. To rescue Princess Zelda, her only real competition for your heart, but also her friend as well. She is such a fantastic character in a game full of fantastic characters. Without plot knowledge she was the first Champion I revisited post the century long nap Link had, and I was blown away by the memories you regain, the animosity of the Zora people that you end of up changing, the story of Mipha is amazing. She was a battle princess, armed with a trident, who bravely entered the fray on her beast to defeat Ganon. She was tricked by Ganon and assassinated, only to linger for your return, guide you, gift you her essence, and re-pilot the beast as a spirit to get her vengeance on Calamity Ganon.

I hope you enjoyed the read. Mipha is by far my favorite of the four Divine Beast story-arcs to complete, and I was happy to share her story with you. Stay tuned for more, and as always feel free to comment any suggestions or mechanics you would like me to explain or discuss.