The Legend of Zelda is a popular video game known to have several recurring characters, whether they appear as allies or enemies. By far, the most famous is Ganon or Ganondorf, the recurring antagonist of the series. However, there is a subtle difference between the two characters, although they represent the same figure and intentions throughout the game.
Ganon vs Ganondorf
The main difference between Ganon and Ganondorf is that Ganon is a monster and is portrayed as evil and has a pig-like appearance. On the other hand, Ganondorf is its humanoid form and the host of the monster as well. However, they are both evil and have the same intentions of destroying Hyrule.
Ganon is a fictional character in The Legend of Zelda series. He is often seen as the antagonist in the series; however, he intends to do what he thinks is right. He is commonly known as the King of Evil and the Prince of Darkness. He is the reincarnation of Demise and seeks to destroy Hyrule.
Ganondorf is the name of a well-known video game character of the Legend of Zelda, specifically in Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. Ganon is a reincarnation of Ganondorf in the Four Swords Game. Originally a minion of the goddesses, Ganondorf sought to conquer the world and create a land filled with wicked monsters.
Comparison Table Between Ganon and Ganondorf
| Parameters of Comparison | Ganon | Ganondorf |
| First Appeared in | Ganon first appeared in 2D comics of Legends of Zelda. | Ganondorf first appeared in the video game Legends of Zelda. |
| Appearance | Ganon is the name of the gigantic pig-like beast that Link fights throughout the Legend of Zelda video game series. | Ganondorf is the name of the evil, Gerudo man that is Ganon’s host. |
| Reincarnation | Ganon is the name of an evil species of monsters in Legends of Zelda. | Ganondorf is the human form of Ganon. |
| Strength | Ganon is not as strong as Ganondorf. | Ganondorf is stronger than Ganon. |
| Character Story | He is the king of Gerudo. | He is a thief of Gerudo. |
What is Ganon?
Ganon is a fictional character in Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda series. He is the King of the Gerudo, who is generally depicted as a large, anthropomorphic pig. Ganon made his first appearance as the primary antagonist in the original The Legend of Zelda game and has since been featured in almost every subsequent game in the series.
Ganon has been voiced by several different voice actors in his various appearances, initially being performed by Akira Sasanuma in the Japanese versions of Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, and Ichirō Nagai in all subsequent games up until Breath of the Wild.
In the English versions, he was first voiced by Len Carlson in Ocarina of Time and has also been voiced by Bill Rogers, Liam Neeson, and Daran Norris. Ganon appears as a tall, fiery boar in the form of a pig-like Alp with a red coat and a long, pointy tail. Ganon is the archenemy of the Zelda series, along with his minions known as the Ganon’s Minions.
He is the final boss in Super Smash Bros. Melee, the main antagonist in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and has appeared as the final boss in other Zelda games as well. His main goal is to obtain all three pieces of the Triforce and rule over Hyrule.
What is Ganondorf?
Ganondorf is one of the most popular characters in the Zelda series. He is a power-hungry warlock who was a Gerudo thief who was banished to the desert where he became the King of Thieves. He is known to be very charismatic and is able how to talk his way out of almost any situation.
He is also known to be very ruthless and cunning. He is one of the few who can balance between the light and the dark forces of the Triforce. Ganon, also known as Ganondorf in his humanoid form, is the main antagonist in the Legend of Zelda franchise, who is the reincarnation of the Demon King Demise.
Ganondorf is the only character who has been in every game in The Legend of Zelda series, which is an achievement surpassed only by Link and Princess Zelda. Due to this, he is widely considered to be the most significant villain in the series. His appearance consists of a large, bulky build with green skin, a prominent chin, and an unusual cowlick.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was the first game in which Ganondorf was voiced with a thunderous, rough voice by the late Akirō Ōtsuka. This incarnation of Ganondorf has since been voiced by Kōji Ishii in all The Legend of Zelda games since. In Melee and Brawl, Ganondorf was voiced by Hiroaki Hirata, who would later go on to voice King Dedede in the Kirby series.
Main Differences Between Ganon and Ganondorf
- Ganon is the name of a demonic pig creature in the lore, while Ganondorf is the name of an evil man who took on the identity of the Demon King.
- A Link to the Past marked Ganondorf’s first appearance in a 2D game, and he was the main antagonist of the game. Ganon made his first appearance in 1989 in the game The Legend of Zelda and was the final boss of the game.
- In terms of strength in comparison to Ganon, Ganondorf is stronger.
- Ganondorf is the name of the character from the Legend of Zelda with a more developed backstory, personality, and role than the character Ganon, whose name is only used when referring to the character’s species.
- Ganondorf is not the original, intended host body of Ganon, but he uses his powers to possess the body of Ganondorf.
Conclusion
It’s a common mistake to confuse Ganon and Ganondorf as the same character. They are not the same at all. First off, Ganondorf is the human form, while Ganon is the alternate form. They are both characters in the Legend of Zelda series. Ganondorf is the king of the Gerudo people who uses their magic to turn into Ganon, a giant pig-like monster.
In essence, Ganon and Ganondorf are the same characters, but they have different names. Since they are the same guy, they have mostly the same attacks. They both have the same sword and shield combo. They both have the fire sword attack and the lightning sword attack.
References
- https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/asu/f/Pilkington_Laney_2020_Honors%20Thesis.pdf
- https://twvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/gdconarrative/09/Justin_Biller_2009.pdf