Facts About The Legend Of Zelda’s Great Deku Tree - July 2024

Facts About The Legend Of Zelda's Great Deku Tree

Highlights

The Great Deku Tree is a significant but often overlooked character in the Legend of Zelda franchise.
His name “Deku” refers to a plain wooden doll in Japanese, tying into his identity as a guardian.
From appearing in Hyrule Warriors to getting his own LEGO set, the Great Deku Tree stays relevant.

As a longtime fan of The Legend of Zelda series, I’ve been fortunate enough to witness the evolution of its beloved characters over the years. And among them all, The Great Deku Tree holds a special place in my heart.

I’ve been a huge fan of The Legend of Zelda series for years, and I can’t help but notice how some characters seem to outshine others due to the game’s extensive history. While Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf are undoubtedly iconic figures, there are other remarkable characters that don’t get the recognition they deserve. For me, The Great Deku Tree is one of those overlooked gems.

In the game “Ocarina of Time,” The Great Deku Tree makes his debut as a wise protector of Hyrule’s forests and its people. Despite being beloved by many fans, there are intriguing details about this talking tree that even long-term fans might not know.

1 The Meaning Behind His Name

Why Is He The Great “Deku” Tree?

Facts About The Legend Of Zelda's Great Deku Tree

As a gamer, I can’t help but reflect on my first encounter with the enigmatic term “Deku” in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This intriguing word left many of us puzzled as we came across various creatures and entities bearing this name, like the Deku Scrubs, Deku Babas, and the iconic Great Deku Tree. The frequency of its use in the game fueled our curiosity, leading us to ponder its meaning and significance.

In Japanese culture, “Deku” holds various meanings, but here it signifies a simple wooden doll. Consequently, it’s fitting to name woodland creatures in Hyrule with this term. Among these beings, The Great Deku Tree stands out as the largest and most significant one.

2 The Deku Tree Sprout Appears In The Wind Waker

It’s The Same Tree In Both Games

As a gamer, I remember the shock when I first encountered The Great Deku Tree in Ocarina of Time. His initial appearance was marred by tragedy as he perished at the start due to Ganondorf’s curse. But as I progressed through the game, I discovered something bittersweet: a new Deku Tree Sprout had already begun growing in Kokiri Forest in his place.

In The Wind Waker, which is set hundreds of years after Ocarina of Time, the representation of The Great Deku Tree is none other than the very same tiny sapling encountered in Ocarina of Time. For decades, this theory was widely speculated among fans. However, it was ultimately verified as true by The Legend of Zelda: Encyclopedia, making it a heartwarming revelation that he lived much longer than his predecessor.

3 His Underlings Have Completely Changed

The Switch From Kokiri To Koroks

In the beginning, The Great Deku Tree played a significant role in guarding over Kokiri Forest and its inhabitants, the child-like Kokiri beings. Yet, starting from “The Wind Waker” game onwards, the Kokiri people were replaced by the Koroks in every subsequent encounter with The Great Deku Tree. The Koroks are small wooden creatures, each having leaves for faces.

In the beginning, I found it a bit surprising when The Great Deku Tree’s beloved apprentices were swapped out for the Koroks in “The Wind Waker.” But after learning about their backstory in that game, I came to understand that the Kokiri transformed into the Koroks following the Great Flood. Essentially, they represent a new form of the same race. Although “Breath of the Wild” and “Tears of the Kingdom” seem to take place in a separate timeline, it’s an intriguing possibility that the Koroks in those games share some connection to their Kokiri ancestors.

4 Breath Of The Wild Marked His Long-awaited Comeback

He Didn’t Appear In Over 14 Years

The Great Deku Tree gained significant recognition in a short period, leading him to make an appearance in “The Wind Waker” a few years later. However, following this, he became absent from the primary Zelda series instalments. It appeared as though he was destined to join the ranks of other Legend of Zelda characters whose presence is limited to only one or two appearances before being forgotten over time.

In “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” the game served as a refreshing update with familiar elements from past titles. Notably, The Great Deku Tree and his Korok companions made a welcome return. These wise and sentient trees played significant roles in the game and were once again featured in its sequel, “Tears of the Kingdom.” As a result, The Great Deku Tree holds a cherished place in the hearts of current fans.

5 He Is A Weapon In Hyrule Warriors

He Was A Big Part Of Lana’s Arsenal

Prior to “Breath of the Wild,” The Great Deku Tree made a significant appearance only in the 2014 action game, “Hyrule Warriors.” In this title, which pays tribute to the entire series, numerous playable characters hail from almost every earlier installment. Regrettably, however, The Great Deku Tree was reduced to being a component of one of the weapons.

When Lana enters the fray with the Deku Spear, a horde of Deku Tree Sprouts join her in combat. Moreover, she has the ability to summon the mighty Great Deku Tree, unleashing a powerful attack capable of defeating numerous enemies. This minor addition was an enjoyable surprise and the most significant utilization of this cherished character in over ten years.

6 His Few Appearances In Top-Down Legend Of Zelda Games

A 3D Character That Was Brought Into The 2D Realm

Transitioning from 2D to 3D brought about a significant shift in the development of “The Legend of Zelda” series for Nintendo. This leap allowed for the creation of numerous intriguing characters that would have been scarcely possible in two dimensions. Many fans may be unaware, but The Great Deku Tree is among these innovations and has predominantly featured in 3D adventures with complete camera control, contrastingly making rare appearances in the traditional top-down style games.

An intriguing deviation from the norm is Cadence of Hyrule, a rhythmic spin-off created by the same minds behind Crypt of the NecroDancer. Previously, The Great Deku Tree had only made an appearance in this unconventional format. However, the latest teaser trailer for Echoes of Wisdom unveiled that this iconic tree will be included in the game, marking its debut in a top-down Legend of Zelda title developed by Nintendo.

7 He Will Have His Own LEGO Set

He’s Both A Character And A Location

In recent times, Nintendo has explored the realm of LEGO building sets, drawing from their extensive collection of intellectual properties. Predictably, they initiated this venture with a Mario-themed set. However, exciting news surfaced that Nintendo is teaming up with LEGO once more to unveil an official Legend of Zelda set. The first sneak peek unveiled The Great Deku Tree.

Using The Great Deku Tree as the inspiration for the new LEGO set is an ingenious choice given its dual role as a character and location in the Legend of Zelda series. This set promises to deliver two beloved versions of the tree, one from “Ocarina of Time” and another from “Breath of the Wild.” Additionally, it will include charming references and homages that longtime fans of the franchise are sure to recognize.

8 The Weirdest Version Of The Great Deku Tree

He Also Appeared In One Of Tingle’s Bizarre Spin-Off Games

The Great Deku Tree is an ancient and wise character who often acts as a protector and guide for Link and various other Zelda series characters. This role makes sense for why he’s not always present in every game, as his archetype may not fit perfectly with each title’s storyline. However, a slight disruption to this notion emerges when considering that he also appeared in one of the more eccentric Zelda games.

In the game “Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland,” The Great Deku Tree and his successor play significant roles, with the tree itself serving as a dungeon and ultimately meeting its end. This represents a humorous twist on its earlier role in “Ocarina of Time.” The tree’s new appearance is also strikingly different, featuring a muscular and intimidating design that contrasts sharply with its previous depictions as an old and sagely tree.

2024-07-16 13:34