After three “big” adaptations the Zelda manga reaches some of the lesser-known games for the rest of the run (well, until Twilight Princess, which again I don’t own yet!) starting with Oracle of Seasons. The two Oracle games I knew nothing about until a few years ago when I watched a YouTube video about them, which was then followed by a few more articles and bits when they hit Switch Online last year. While I don’t know if I’ll ever get round to playing them myself let’s see if this Manga re-telling was at least worth my while…
Both Oracle games have Link suddenly teleported to a new world and as such the manga starts the same way, albeit after a framing scene of young Link loving life as a simple Hylian farmer and resenting having to go take a Knight’s Trial because he comes from a long lineage of Hylian protectors. He watches a chick he calls Piyoko hatch before heading out with the bird on his shoulder then his hand glows with the golden triforce mark and suddenly after a flash he wakes up in the land of Holodrum with a sword and shield all left out for him. Link soon spots a travelling group of musicians but also ends up encountering the evil General Onox and gets knocked out, only to wake up with the performers troupe surrounding him. It’s soon revealed that one of the performers, Din, is actually the Oracle of Seasons and Link is taken to a sacred temple only to helplessly watch on as Din is captured by Onox before passing out.
Link is picked out of a crowd. To be fair wearing bright green clothes with those ears does make you stand out…
Link wakes up in a forest and is spoken to by Piyoko, who says his power has begun to awaken, as evidenced by not only being able to talk to the chick but soon talking to the giant sentient tree known as the Great Maku Tree, who gives Link the task of saving Din. On his travels Link meets a talking boxing kangaroo called Ricky who he then teams up with to take on the creature known as Manhandla before the trio meet the fourth member of their party in Maple. She is a friendly, if not bratty, witch who is trying to find the Rod of Seasons only to see Link gifted the item when our protagonist slays the cursed creature hindering the spirits that guard it. She does the whole “I’ll act friendly then steal the rod while they’re distracted” thing that we all know how is going to end. The two bicker as they approach Onox’s castle but when Link helps a kind old woman she reveals herself to be the Twinrova witches in disguise and our heroes plummet into a dark bit and are soon surrounded by monsters…
The story might not but much beyond what I assume the game’s story was, in that it’s just travelling the land, meeting allies (though I believe the animal helpers like Ricky don’t actually talk in the game…) and defeating bosses at the end of dungeons, but once again the really nice artwork keeps things fun, and at only 10 chapters it’s not exactly a lengthy read, even if it’s not particularly an engaging one either.
Overall Thoughts:
Link gets the better of Onox, albeit briefly.
The Oracle of Seasons manga is well drawn and at times fun little story, but said story is extremely weak and without any fun nostalgia to get me over that hurdle I’ll admit that I wasn’t particularly gripped. It’s quite short though, so I can’t say I disliked reading it, just that I doubt I’ll be re-reading it again as there just isn’t much here to sink your teeth into.
As Ricky is hurt trying to protect Link Maple flies off with the Rod of Seasons, leaving our hero in great danger, that is until a large bear rises from the ground who Ricky claims is his friend “Moosh”. The large creature lifts Link, Ricky and Piyoko up to the surface but there they’re met by Onox himself. As the dark knight and Link duel Maple returns with the Rod of Seasons in hand (though seemingly because her broom has a mind of its own, but you know… it was clearly her actual decision whether she wants to admit it or not) and the Rod soon pulls away Onox’s shield, revealing his true dragon-like form. As they do battle things look grim for Link until Piyoko seemingly sacrifices itself to distract the fiend long enough for Link to get the fatal blow.
A celebration short lived…
Everyone mourns the death of the little chick but Din arrives, now free, and reveals Piyoko is not only alive but is now a fully grown chicken, though Link can no long speak to it he’s naturally thrilled. Our hero soon says goodbye to the people (and animals) of Holodrum before being sent back home.
Hogan Reviews 