Translation and Scanlation Complete: All 4 Volumes of Oath of Riruto Now In English!

This was an epic feat: All four volumes of The Legend of Zelda: Oath of Riruto have been translated by the incredible Ammon. Here is the text document with the final translation. He's been working on this for a few years and it's thanks to his dedication that more fans will actually be able to enjoy this work. It's so incredible that we're all finally able to read this.

Another fan, IsThisUserNameGood, posting under the group Jay's Manga, has even typeset the whole thing and has been adding it to MangaDex. That means you can just start reading right now! What an incredible effort, thank you guys so much!

This is an interesting one because it was drawn by Junya Furusawa 古澤純也, (also known as ふ る じ ゅ ん) who was a fan of Dragon Ball, and actually went from fan artist to an artist for the animated Dragon Ball series. 

It was written by Jin Munesue 棟居 whom I honestly don't know a lot about.

This was originally published from 1994-1997, bi-monthly, in Shounen Oh magazine which was published by Kobunsha. 

If you would like to see the original Japanese scans, I have them uploaded to Internet Archive:

February 1, 2022: A full English translation of this, paid for by me and done by the ever wonderful Ammon, can now be found as a word document in the file download list or at this Google Document link

Title: The Legend of Zelda: Oath of Lilto Volume 1
Released on June 30, 1995
ISBN4-334-80270-2

Jan 20, 2023: A full English translation of this, paid for by me and done by the ever wonderful Ammon, can now be found as a word document in the file download list or at this Google Document link

Title: The Legend of Zelda: Oath of Lilto Volume 2
Released on May 10, 1996 by Kobunsha.
ISBN4-334-80317-2

Jan 20, 2023: A full English translation of this, paid for by me and done by the ever wonderful Ammon, can now be found as a word document in the file download list or at this Google Document link

Title: The Legend of Zelda: Oath of Lilto Volume 3
Released on February 10, 1997
ISBN4-334-80362-8

Jan 1, 2024: A full English translation of this, paid for by me and done by the ever wonderful Ammon, can now be found as a word document in the file download list or at this Google Document link

Title: The Legend of Zelda: Oath of Lilto Volume 4
Released on June 5, 1997
ISBN4-334-80379-2

Other Keywords: The Legend of Zelda, Link to th, e Past, Manga, ゼルダの伝説, 神々のトライフォース, ゼルダの伝説: リルトの誓い, Zeruda no Densetsu: Riruto no Chikai, The Oath of Lilto, Zelda, tLoZ, LoZ, aLttP, Lttp, A Link to the Past, The Legend of Zelda, Zeruda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Triforce, The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods, SNES, Super Famicom, 600ppi, RAW, RAWS, scan, scans, high res, high rez, high resolution, Link, Ganon, Princess Zelda, Hyrule, Nintendo, book, videogame, comics, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Furusawa Jun'ya

Scans of A Link to the Past Manga by Noboru Sakaoka and Mario-kun by Hiroshi Takase

This has never been online before. I just 2400dpi scanned & uploaded this 8 page Zelda: Link to the Past 神々のトライフォース manga by Noboru Sakaoka 坂丘のぼる from Shogaku Ninensei, February 1992. Find it here.

shogaku_grade2_1992
This is probably my favorite panel from it:

I have also uploaded 1200dpi RAWS for the Mario (Mario-kun) comic and content (including a cool little pyramid cut-out) by Hiroshi Takase that was in this issue. You can find the zip for that download here.

Other Keywords: Zelda, LoZ, tLoZ, RAW, RAWS, scan, scans, high res, high rez, high resolution, Link, Princess Zelda, Ganon, Triforce, Hyrule, Nintendo, SNES, Super Famicom, videogame, magazine, kids, child, aLttP, Lttp, A Link to the Past, The Legend of Zelda, The Legend of Zelda, ゼルダの伝説, Link to the Past, 神々のトライフォース, Magazine, Art

Scans of the Color Pages of the First Ever Zelda Manga, Hyrule Fantasy by Ran Maru

I never thought I'd even be able to see this, it's that rare. I have found, & 2400dpi scanned, the color pages of the very first issue of the very first Zelda manga ever. They're only in black & white in the collected volume. The color is spectacular.

This is the 1st chapter of the Hyrule Fantasy: The Legend of Zelda manga by Ranmaru from the June 1986 issue of Wanpakku monthly comic magazine. It has several two-color pages. They are all stunning. Find the whole volume, and a link to the English translation, here.

Other Keywords: The Legend of Zelda, Manga, Hyrule Fantasy, Zelda 1, ゼルダの伝説, Magazine, Zelda, LoZ, tLoZ, RAW, RAWS, scan, scans, high res, high rez, high resolution, Link, Princess Zelda, Ganon, Triforce, Hyrule, Nintendo, NES, Famicom, Family Computer, book, videogame, magazine, kids, child, ゲームブック, コミック雑誌

I've only scanned the Zelda section but if you would like scans or photos of any of the other parts of this volume, please let me know at melorasworld@gmail.com. The table of contents is included at the end.

2400dpi Scans of the Two-Tone Pages from the Zelda 2 Manga, Volume 1

This is the Monthly Wanpakku issue for March, 1987. I have only scanned the Zelda manga by Ran Maru but if you need info on anything else in the volume, please let me know.

I've been trying really hard to collect the color pages for these since they are incredibly beautiful works of comic art. I am so happy I was able to get this one, which is also the first chapter that starts the Adventure of Link manga after the first volume of Hyrule Fantasy (Zelda 1) manga. 

Before, because the novel is black and white, I thought the sun was just eclipsed. It's awesome to see a blood red sun or moon here. 

There is a translation for this manga if you would like to read it. You can find everything you need at this link.
 

2400dpi Scans of Shogaku Magazine, Grade 3, May 1986, Zelda Manga Appendix

TRANSLATIONS WANTED! If you would like to translate this, please contact me: melorasworld@gmail.com

I made more 2400dpi scans of Zelda content & manga that has never been online before! This is from a detachable appendix in a children's magazine from 1986. The artist is Yukio Sawada of Mario manga fame. It's pretty short but it has some pretty great art. Also, there's a bonus feature on... TURTLES! Find it here.

Other Keywords: Zelda, LoZ, tLoZ, RAW, RAWS, scan, scans, high res, high rez, high resolution, Link, Princess Zelda, Ganon, Triforce, Hyrule, Nintendo, NES, Famicom, Family Computer, book, videogame, magazine, kids, child, ゲームブック, コミック雑誌, Yukio Sawada 沢田ユキオ / Takahiro Eguchi 江口貴博, The Legend of Zelda, Zelda 1, The Hyrule Fantasy, ゼルダの伝説, Manga, Magazine

The Final Volume of the Twilight Princess Manga is Now Available in English!

 

I'm so excited for this. What a wonderful milestone! The final volume of Zelda: Twilight Princess manga by Akira Himekawa is out in English! (April 11, 2023.) There are 11 volumes total. And this only happened because fans & the artists pushed so hard for it for so long. Please support the amazing artists behind it & show publishers its, once again, worth listening to fans!

Thanks to my good friend, om_nom_berries/Louisa of Indie Zelda, for reminding me this was out today. I thought I pre-ordered it, lol, I guess I didn't. You can find it via VIZMedia through Right Stuf Anime or other bookstores

Here is a link to all 11 volumes on sale at TRS for $6.99 each.

(I have been ordering from then since before there was an internet, they're a great business to purchase through and are responsible for keeping a lot of anime from being lost to time.)

Volume 7 was out of stock with them when I last checked, I'm sure it will be back in stock soon, but you can find it on Amazon for $9.99 if you are in a rush.

I also can't lie: I have a little bit of humbled pride right now. I know I'm only a very tiny drop in the bucket but seeing a Twilight Princess Akira Himekawa manga happen was a big goal of mine & I spent a huge amount of time hyping, writing publishers, & pushing for it to exist. It was one of my big early efforts/campaigns. I'm so happy!

I do feel weird bringing that up though, but then, if I don't: then maybe someone wont realize what they could see come to pass if they push through their doubt. If you want artists to be able to work that you know you would love: Push hard to support them in the eyes of fans & publishers!

Never Before Seen Zelda Manga Scans Trying to Predict what Link to the Past Will Be Like

TRANSLATIONS WANTED! If you would like to translate this, please contact me: melorasworld@gmail.com

Here's a small strategy guide Zelda manga that I just scanned that hasn't been online before! It was drawn by Hiroshi Aizawa, who also actually did work for the official Nintendo Player's guides too! It's pretty cool: it's speculating what Link to the Past will be like after Adventure of Link.

Find all 5 pages here. 

It's from this guide and here is the credit's page.

The title translates to something like "Emergency Report Super Famicom"
Published December 25, 1990, size B6 size, 79 pages, by Keibunsha, Magazine code 63550-53

Never Before Seen 2400dpi Zelda Manga Scans from "The Legend of Zelda Handbook"

TRANSLATIONS WANTED! If you would like to translate this, please contact me: melorasworld@gmail.com

This is actually in a strategy guide but, for now, I only have the 16 pages of manga scanned. Which is absolutely beautiful. The guide is The Legend of Zelda Handbook by Keibunsha.

Find the 2400dpi page scans here.

The manga artist is Matsunori Iwamoto | 岩本松徳 who did artwork for the official Nintendo Player's Guides. Specifically animal and item art that is quite detailed and stunning.

The guide was published by Keibunsha, March 28, 1992, 63552-25 / T1063552250889

The Final Volume of the Twilight Princess Manga Pre-Orders

 

You can now pre-order the English release of the final volume, number 11, of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess by Akira Himekawa. Its set release date appears to be April 11, 2023.

1200dpi scans of Zelda: Perfect Fan Book

The scans are here: https://archive.org/details/zelda_guide_lttp_pfb/page/n1/mode/2up

This is an additional publication that came with the December 20, 1991 issue of Marukatsu Super Famicom (マル勝スーパーファミコン) volume 20. It was published by Kadokawashoten.

It's a guide for first part of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Triforce of the Gods) and the back of the book contains a small manga for each of the first 3 Zelda games. Hyrule Fantasy (Author: Tsukasa Nishino,) The Adventure of Link (Author: Ayumu Takanaga,) and A Link to the Past (Author: Show Honda.) The manga is read in the opposite direction than the front of the book.

They seem to have interview quotes with Miyamoto in it that do confirm a simple little timeline. Like obviously there was one but it's a small fun fact about it: https://twitter.com/makgameadv/status/1620227664715055107

This is also a cool little book because it has even more manga examples of Link with a fairy companion years before the introduction of Navi. The novels, gamebooks, and manga are interesting for reasons like this.

Keywords: The Legend of Zelda, Manga, Magazine, Strategy Guide, Zelda 1, Hyrule Fantasy, ゼルダの伝説, Adventure of Link, リンクの冒険, Link to the Past, 神々のトライフォース, Zelda, tLoZ, LoZ, aLttP, Lttp, A Link to the Past, The Legend of Zelda, SNES, 600ppi, 1200ppi, RAW, RAWS, scan, scans, high res, high rez, high resolution, Link, Ganon, Princess Zelda, Hyrule, Nintendo, book, videogame, Nintendo Power, Strategy Guide, Game Guide, Player's Guide,

 

The Adventure of Link, Volume 1, by Daisuke Shigoto is being translated into English

Last updated January 29, 2023

This is being translated in bursts here: https://www.tumblr.com/shadowlinktheshadow

Please like the posts, the translator is awesome for doing this!!


-- Post 001: 

Cover + Inside page (Images 1 and 2) - "The Legend of Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link Special Technique Guidebook!"


Image 3 - Table of Contents: Prologue ... 5
Northern Castle ... 8
Full Map of Hyrule ... 26
The Lone Cedar Tree ... 28
Town 1: Rauru Village ... 48
Rauru Village Information ... 74 ((<- I think))
Northern Tunnel ... 76
Temple 1 ... 119


Image 4 - "Many years after Link defeated Ganon, Hyrule has yet to see peace. The aftereffects of Ganon have left an impact bigger than expected..."


-- page 6-7 post 002:


Image 1 - Panel 1 : "For my revival I must...I must have Link's blood!"


Panel 2 : "When you drip his blood on my ashes...That is the moment of my revival!"


Image 2 - Panel 1 : "We are fortunate that Link has returned to the land of Hyrule...This is our chance to end him once and for all!"


Panel 2 : "Monsters I have created from evil..."


Panel 3 : "GO! GO KILL LINK!"


--- page 8-9 post 003:

Image 1 - "Northern Castle"


Panel 1 : Impa: "Ohhh..!!"


Panel 2 : Impa: "That mark is the symbol of the Royal Hyrulian crest!!"


Panel 3 : Link: "The 'Royal Hyrulian crest..!?'"


Impa: "That's right, Link."


Image 2 - Panel 1 : Link: "..But why do I..."


Impa: "You are the chosen one. That is why, Link."


Panel 2 : Impa: "As you already know Link...The odd weather has caused many crops not to get harvested and the people of Hyrule are suffering greatly..."


Panel 3 : Impa: "All of this is the will of Ganon."


Panel 4 : Link: "But...Ganon died!" ((I believe Link said this. I am not sure))

-- pages 10-11 post 004:


Image 1 - Panel 1 : Impa: "It is true that you have felled Ganon...Except you only erased his physical form...His soul still exists somewhere."


Panel 2 : Impa: "..And he is causing disaster around Hyrule."


Panel 3 : Link: *....Ganon....!!*


Image 2 - Panel 1 - Impa: "Link, this way."


Link: "..."


Panel 2 : Link: "Ohhh!! So this is the Northern Castle!!"

 

-- post 005:


Image 1 - Panel 1 : Link: "Impa...what is this place!?"


Impa: "You will know in time."


((Bask in his funny face in Panel 3 lmao))


Image 2 - Panel 1 : Impa: "This door is the Door of Unopening. When this door opens is the day Hyrule is on the verge of crisis."


Panel 3 : Impa: "Link, your left hand please."

 

--pages 14-15, Post 006:


Image 1 - Panel 1 : Link: "AH!!"


Panel 3 : Impa: "The door is opening!!"


Image 2 - Panel 2 : Impa: "Please, head inside."

 

--pages 18-19, Post 007:


Image 1 - Panel 2 : Link: "Such a beautiful lady..."


Image 2 - Panel 3 : Impa: "That lady's name is Zelda the First. (You're drooling Link!)" ((Or Zelda 1 I guess. I'm not entirely sure what to call her))


Link: "Huh?"


Panel 4 : Link: "Princess Zelda the First!!"


Panel 5 : Link: "Then what about present Princess Zelda...!!"


Panel 6 : Impa: "A sad story that revolves around the three pieces of the Triforce...That is the Legend of Zelda."


Panel 7 : Link: *The three pieces...!?*


Image 3 - Panel 1 : Impa/Narrator: "A long time ago in the land of Hyrule lived a great King who used the Triforce for greater good."


Panel 2 : Impa/Narrator: "When the King died the Prince was to receive all of his riches...but he was only given two pieces of the Triforce; the Triforce of Wisdom and the Triforce of Power."


Panel 3 : Impa/Narrator: "He set out on a search to find the last piece of the Triforce and was confronted by a sorcerer. The sorcerer claimed that his sister, Zelda the First, was in possession of the key that led to where the last piece was."

-- page 20-21 post 008:

Image 1 - Panel 1 : Impa/Narrator: "The Prince was desperate to find the last piece and kept questioning the Princess, but she never said a word about it."


Panel 2 : Impa/Narrator: "The sorcerer who was getting fed up, started to chant an evil spell on her."


Panel 3 : Impa/Narrator: "The surprised Prince tried to stop the sorcerer, but it was too late..."


Panel 4 : Impa/Narrator: "..For the Princess had already fallen into an endless sleep."


Image 2 - Panel 1 : Impa/Narrator: "The Prince who became full of lament and sorrow, left the Princess inside the Northern Castle." ((I'm going to keep it titled "Northern Castle"))


Panel 2 - Impa: "And to never forget that day, every female that was born in the Hylian Royal Family was named 'Zelda'"


Panel 3 - Link: "So that's the legend..."


Panel 5 : Impa: "Link, take this!!"



-- post 009:

Image 1 - Panel 1 : Impa: "These scrolls and crystals ((They probably mean rupees)) were prepared for the one chosen who meant to be the next great king of Hyrule."


Panel 2 : Impa: "At this time and age, no one can read this scroll, but you who holds the sacred symbol should be able to read it."


Panel 3 : Link: *Ah, she's right!!*


Image 2 - Panel 1 : Link: *"The last piece of the Triforce is the Triforce of Courage...However, only the chosen one is able to use it. The Prince was not qualified for it..."*


Panel 2 : Link/Narrator: *"The King himself hid the Triforce of Courage inside the Great Temple in Death Valley for the chosen one. Six temples with barriers cut-off outsiders and stopped them from getting in."* ((I have questions for the past sentence but it should be pretty accurate))

--post 010

Image 1 - Panel 2 : Impa: "Link, whatever you do, please save Hyrule."


Panel 3 : Link: "Don't worry about it Impa. I will come back here without fail!!"


Image 2 - Panel 1 : Link/Narrator: "And save Princess Zelda!!"


Narrator: "Link repeated this several times inside of his heart, as he left the Northern Castle behind him."

--

Scans of the Lost Color Pages of Ch 1 of the Link's Awakening Manga

I've scanned & uploaded the long-lost 1st chapter color pages, for the amazing Link's Awakening manga by Ataru Cagiva, at 1200dpi. You can find them here: https://archive.org/details/zelda_manga_g-fantasy_1993_12-600… 

Monthly G Fantasy Magazine (月刊Gファンタジ) published by Enix. This is the December 1993 issue No 9

These are the color pages for the first chapter of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (ゼルダの伝説夢を見る島) manga by Ataru Cagiva (かぢば あたる) 

Full volume of manga (+link to scanlations) here: https://archive.org/details/zelda_manga_archive_hoh_cagiva_links_awakening_vol1

 

Russian scanlation & restoration of the 1986 Hyrule Fantasy manga by Ran Maru is complete!

The Russian translation team working on the original Legend of Zelda manga by Ranmaru has finished volume one and it is stunning. It's absolutely worth checking out just to see the amazing restoration job MrSusan1n has done and Olga edited the color pages.

 

English Translation for Oath of Lilto Volume 3!

Ammon is amazing. He has been diligently translating hundreds of pages of this highly requested Zelda manga by the Dragon Ball Z artist Furusawa Junya! The amount and quality of his work is incredible. Please enjoy the newest addition with volume 3!

• Text Translation of Oath of Lilto Volume 1
• 600dpi scans of Vol 1
• Text Translation of Oath of Lilto Volume 2
• 600dpi scans of Vol 2
• Text Translaipon of Oath of Lilto Volume 3
• 600dpi scans of Vol 3
• Volume 4 is not translated yet
• 600dpi scans of Vol 4

Title: The Legend of Zelda: Oath of Lilto Volume 3
ゼルダの伝説: リルトの誓い
Zeruda no Densetsu: Riruto no Chikai


Written by Jin Munesue
Illustrated by Junya Furusawa. "Furusawa Jun'ya" (古澤純也)
Originally published in Shounen oh Comics
Published by Kobunsha.

Archival Scans of Adventure of Link manga by Yuu Mishouzaki

Here are the 600dpi scans posted on archive.org

The Adventure of Link by Yuu Mishouzaki
Published by Takarajimasha, JICC, September 15, 1991
ISBN4-7966-0191-0 / C0079


Find the English translation here.
More info on ZeldaWiki.

Other Keywords: Zelda, LoZ, tLoZ, Zelda II, Zelda 2, Link no Bouken, AoL, 600ppi, RAW, RAWS, scan, scans, high res, high rez, high resolution, Link, Impa, Ganon, Princess Zelda, Hyrule, Nintendo, NES, Famicom, Family Computer, book, videogame, comics,, The Legend of Zelda, Manga, Adventure of Link, ゼルダの伝説, リンクの冒険

Archival Scans of The Legend of Zelda manga by Yuu Mishouzaki

Here are the 600dpi scans posted on archive.org

A manga for the original Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda by Yuu Mishouzaki

Published by Takarajimasha, JICC, September 1989
ISBN-10: 4-88063-627-4
ISBN-13: 978-4-88063-627-6

Find the English translation here.
More info on ZeldaWiki.

Other Keywords:  The Legend of Zelda, Manga, Hyrule Fantasy, Zelda 1, ゼルダの伝説, Zelda, LoZ, tLoZ, 600ppi, RAW, RAWS, scan, scans, high res, high rez, high resolution, Link, Impa, Ganon, Princess Zelda, Hyrule, Nintendo, NES, Famicom, Family Computer, book, videogame, comics,
 

Archival Scans of The People of Kakariko Village Volume 1

Here are the 600dpi scans posted on archive.org

I've started scanning the 26ish volumes of Legend of Zelda 4-Koma and I'm actually going to post large versions of it, which I usually don't do, but it's only because I think the chances of it having a market to be republished are pretty slim. I'm trying to make sure I support publishers but, also, it's a shame something disappears because it's been unavailable for decades so I'm trying to figure out the balance there.

This was scanned by CapCom of The Metroid Database and he has kindly allowed me to post the Zelda section here.

This is a short multi-part manga for The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

火の玉ゲームコミック 1
The People of Kakariko Village
by Akawa Akemi / 阿川あけみ
Published August 1, 1994 by Kobunsha
ISBN 4-334-80235-4 / C9979

I have the other 2 volumes and will upload them later, but we translated volume 3 and it is posted here: https://historyofhyrule.com/publications/manga_random_mini3/index.html

There was apparently supposed to be a volume 4 but it was never completed.

 Any translations will be posted to this Flickr album for now.

I am super sad these never got popular. They're so awesome! I've had small scans of most of the pages on historyofhyrule.com since 2002-2004 and I haven't even seen so much as a meme from them. And they are so meme worthy! Only 1 out of roughly 26 Zelda 4komas have been translated so, if you would like to translate this, even just sections of it, please go ahead and let me know!

If you use these pages please always link back to the main website though, so people can find more information and rare materials, or even help me find more!

Here are examples and info on the other 4koma, they're for the games LttP, LA, OoT, MM, WW, OoA, and OoS. I will be scanning them all in the coming weeks: Here's what you can expect to see.

Keywords: The Legend of Zelda, Link to the Past, ゼルダの伝説, 神々のトライフォース, Zelda, tLoZ, LoZ, aLttP, Lttp, A Link to the Past, The Legend of Zelda, Zeruda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Triforce, The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods, SNES, Super Famicom, 600ppi, RAW, RAWS, scan, scans, high res, high rez, high resolution, Link, Ganon, Princess Zelda, Hyrule, Nintendo, book, videogame, Comics, Manga, LoZ, Nintendo,

2400dpi Archival Scans: I just discovered a lost Hyrule Fantasy poster from 1986 with original art by Ran Maru

I was not expecting to find something like this. Go here for the 2400dpi scans of this bonus poster: both cleaned and edited and raws! This art has never been online before, even as a photo, and it's nearly 35 years old! I've never even found references to it on the Japanese sites I know of that keep track of Zelda publications and merch. I really think it was just completely lost to memory.

This is a promotional poster for The Hyrule Fantasy: The Legend of Zelda found in the December 1986 issue of Wanpakku Comics | わんぱっくコミック 1986年12月号. The art is by Ran Maru | 乱丸 

The zip on archive.org contains 2400dpi scans; both slightly edited and color corrected as well as the RAWS. The pdf for the page reader is just 600dpi jpgs so that it would work better with the archive.org viewer. I spent the morning patching it up and removing the creases, and I also uploaded an image without the logo and and text at the top only because it's a little distracting. The text below the logo says "Illustration ♡ Ran Maru" by the way. 

This manga has a full English translation thanks to Kaialone, which can be found here: historyofhyrule.blogspot.com/2021/09/after-35-years-its-finally-fully.html

There are 4 volumes by Ran Maru: 1 for Hyrule Fantasy and then 3 volumes for Adventure of Link. They top the list for my favorite Zelda manga. Seriously, give them a shot. They get better and better as they go and have so many firsts for the series.

I actually only bought this issue because I saw a mention to one page of Zelda content in the table of contents and I've been telling myself to buy random things just in case. Normally 1 to 2 pages means means a dud, like an advertisement; a poster with just screenshots and official art that we already have. But I'm so excited I chanced it because it reminds me of this other classic poster from Ocarina of Time with all of Ganon's minions on the cliffs surrounding Link. Just replace Watt with Navi (no, really, please.)

The only thing I'm a little disappointed about is, usually, Ranmaru does such a wonderful job with Princess Zelda and, to be honest, she does not look her best here. But traditional illustration is hard and I totally get that it happens.

I do love that Link has blue eyes, and that Zelda has green eyes, like in Breath of the Wild, and that Link is wearing his upgraded blue tunic.

The crystal around his neck connects him telepathically with Zelda, which is also something we see in later games.

The Triforce of Wisdom's color was also red when we first encounter references to the goddesses being defined by colors, in A Link to the Past, before it was changed to blue in Ocarina of time. So it's cool to me that the crystal is red in this and so is the gem in her crown (as well as the implied color of her dress.)

I also love that Link gets a shield upgrade and the cross gets replaced with the Triforce. I believe this poster comes between Hyrule Fantasy (Zelda 1) and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link manga so it makes sense that he has this shield now. Head-canon-wise: I kind of like the idea of a introduced religion being replaced with the people's original, indigenous, religion the further a quest goes on. 

I also like that the sword Link uses here looks at least a little bit more like the Master Sword than most sword art at the time! It's kind of a nice merging of the sword designs, actually.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this long-lost find too!

Oh, and in a scanning first- I stabbed myself through the finger with a 3 cm, 35 year old, rusty staple when I was pulling it out with pliers. These comic magazines are THICC and have giant staples that go all the way through the volume. Normally stapled material is my favorite to break down but, on these big comic issues, they can be really tough to remove!

But I figured I shouldn't miss this opportunity, right?  So "I offer this blood sacrifice to the Gods of Hyrule! Bring me more lost Zelda publications!"  Mwahahaha

We were joking around about it my friend, Max, made this which is now my favorite thing ever:

A pretty memorable day over here in scanner land!

Other Keywords: The Legend of Zelda, Manga, Hyrule Fantasy, Zelda 1, ゼルダの伝説, Art, Zelda, LoZ, tLoZ, RAW, RAWS, scan, scans, ppi, high res, high rez, high resolution, Link, Princess Zelda, Watt, Wattu, Parrot, Triforce, Hyrule, Nintendo, NES, Famicom, Family Computer, videogame, magazine, kids, child, poster ゲームブック, コミック雑誌

Updated: First time ever online: Incredibly rare 16 page Hyrule Fantasy manga/gamebook from 1986

This is being cleaned and edited by MiloScat

UPDATE JULY 18, 2022: Translation Finished! Info: https://miloscat.tumblr.com/post/690164393207562240
Read it here: https://mangadex.org/chapter/87c7319c-f63a-435e-865f-9b684df5d145

Update May 10, 2022: Translation added below.

If anyone wants to make nice scanlations: go for it. I just don't have enough free time right now

Go here for the full set of scans on archive.org 

This is an incredibly rare 16 page Choose Your Own Adventure-esque Manga for the original Legend of Zelda from Shogakukan's magazine for 2nd Graders: The July 1986 issue.

Composition: Makimura Tadashi
Artist: Hikino Shinji

While it's not much of a CYOA, it's still a simple one. Which I think also makes it, speaking technically, possibly the 2nd playable game for the series. The original game was released at the end of February in 1986 and this is roughly 4 months later. The Gamebook, Mirage Castle, would then be the next one I think... I believe that's from August of '86. Anyway, this section of the magazine is meant to introduce, and then walk, 7-8 year olds through how to play the original Legend of Zelda. It's actually more comprehensive in some ways than a lot of our Western guide and tip books. After going through it I thoroughly endorse this way of teaching kids game concepts! I wish I had something like this; I was around the intended age for this when the original game came out and that was more than a little confusing for me to try and figure out on my own.

Also, I think the art is incredibly spot-on and perfect, more so than most things I have seen. (Honestly I am absolutely in love with it, I wish we had a full manga for Hyrule Fantasy in this style.) The little glimpses we get of the enemy design (except the one tektite on the cover, lol) and dungeon entrances and rooms nail it. All the characters are rather perfect too, especially considering we didn't really have official art of Ganon's face! This might be the closest official thing to it at the time and I'm not sure where this would have been seen in Japan because I never saw it in any of the old Japanese publications I've been able to find. (First time I saw it was in Hyrule Graphics/Art and Artifacts) All the unofficial guide art for Ganon seems to be based on the game sprites.

Keep in mind that Nintendo did a lot of publishing through Shogakukan too. In the 80's Nintendo seemed to work more with Tokuma Shoten on official stuff, so I'm not sure how closely they were working with Shogakukan at this time but, at least in the 90's: I know they did the majority of their official guides & this magazine run does seem to enjoy close ties. If anyone knows more about their shared history, please let me know! melorasworld@gmail.com

These were old copies that were scanned and emailed to me by a Japanese fan for the collection here. I can not thank them enough. Without people like them, where would we ever be! Always keep in the back of your mind how many incredible individuals that have done something to help contribute to finding all of this stuff that could have stayed lost. 

So this magazine, and its sister publications for other grade levels, don't seem to have been saved by many people (I'm guessing it would kind of be like finding a Highlights magazine saved anywhere but in a dusty basket at a pediatrician's office) but they are chalked full of original game comics and info. Unfortunately it's really rare to see issues show up. If you know of anyone who is collecting them: please let me know. I would love to get in touch and work together with them on preserving it. Though not comprehensive, there is always a list of what I am looking for in the Wanted section of the Flickr gallery

Other Keywords: The Legend of Zelda, Zelda 1, The Hyrule Fantasy, Gamebook, ゼルダの伝説, Manga, Magazine, Zelda, LoZ, tLoZ, RAW, RAWS, scan, scans, high res, high rez, high resolution, Link, Princess Zelda, Ganon, Triforce, Hyrule, Nintendo, NES, Famicom, Family Computer, book, videogame, magazine, kids, child, book, ゲームブック

Update: Translation!

-Translated for History of Hyrule by Aquamentus

↑ Page 1:

Top right: Family Computer is a trademark of Nintendo. Original story © Nintendo

Famicom Manga: The Legend of Zelda
Cover page: “Go Link! Head to Death Mountain where danger and mysteries await!”

Composition: Makimura Tadashi
Artist: Hikino Shinji

↑ Page 2:

1st Blue Bubble: A long long time ago, Princess Zelda, of a small country in the region of Hyrule, was taken along with the Triforce of Power by the evil King Ganon

Text at bottom of first panel: Triforce of Power
2nd panel, white square 1: The young boy Link, having heard about what happened, set his heart on standing up to Ganon and gathering the 8 pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom that had been separated.

2nd panel, white square 2: However the pieces of the Triforce had been hidden away in 8 mysterious dungeons. The location of Death Mountain, where Princess Zelda is being held captive, was also shrouded in mystery.

Text next to Link: Link
Text under the Triforce: Triforce of Wisdom

Text next to Impa: The Wet Nurse Impa

↑ Page 3:

1st panel, narrator: Starting off Link doesn't have any weapons... 
2nd panel, Link: "Oh, it's a cave, let's look..."
3rd panel, narrator: In the cave was an old man who was allied with Princess Zelda and he gives Link a sword

4th panel, old man: "However this sword is particularly weak and there will be enemies you can't beat with it."

5th panel, old man: You need to hurry and find the white sword and the magical sword, which are hidden somewhere in Hyrule

5th panel, Link: Got it!

(Sword chart:) 

--Regular sword, attack power of 1.

--White sword, attack power of 2.

--Magical sword, attack power of 3.

6th panel, Old man: However, even if you find these swords, if your level isn't high enough, you won’t be able to wield them.
Link: Got it!
7th panel, Old man: Now Link, do you know what you have to do to level up?

Link: ummmm...

--Box: Collect the pieces of the Triforce, Choose A

--Box: Gather Heart Containers, Choose B (The word is like a canteen, like something that holds liquid)
Text at the bottom: Select an option and turn the page.

↑ Page 4: 

Select A: Unfortunately, Link's level doesn't increase with the acquisition of Triforce pieces. Continue onto B

Link: "Oh no"
Select B: Correct! If you collect heart containers Link's level will increase and he will be able to wield the swords. If you get 5 hearts you will be able to wield the white sword. With 12 hearts you will be able to wield the magical sword.

Link:  I did it!

Panel 3, from option B: Link "Oh no, it's an Octorok!!

Panel 4, Link: Darn Octorok!! Take this!

Panel 5,: Link: What? He turned into a rupee?!

Narration: A Rupee is what's used for currency. If you get a lot of them you can buy many kinds of things
Bottom Panel, 6: Link: The dungeons have lots of strong enemies in them so, before I go, I should collect a lot of rupees and equip myself.

Narration: There are many instances where the blue tektites will have rupees. It is also quite easy to gather rupees in dungeons, particularly Level 2.

↑ Page 5:

Panel 1, Link: I've got rupees but... 

Link: where can I buy weapons.
Panel 2, voice: over here, over here!
Panel 3, man: GWAHAHAHA

Panel 4, Merchant: I'm a merchant, what do ya want?

bubble 2, merchant: you can buy other things in other caves but I am having a sale right now
bubble 3, Link: Hmm… What to buy…?

Narrator between panels: among the things you can buy there are some things you really should get: 

--the candle:

--the arrow: [items you will be required to use at some point in a dungeon]

--the bait:

--the blue ring: When hit by an enemy, you’ll only ever take half damage.

Merchant: outside of these 4 items there's one more item that would be very beneficial for you to buy!!

Last panel, Link: Uhh..
Link: huh, I wonder which one?!

Merchant: BWAHAHA

2 options:

--A (head to) : Magical shield

--B: Key for a dungeon door

Text at the bottom: Once you’ve made your choice, go to the next page.

↑ Page 6:

If you answered B: Link says: Crap.

Narrator: It's a sad day for you! You can pick up keys in the dungeons so there's no need to buy them. Proceed to A.

Narration box Answer A: Great job!! The magical shield can repel enemy attacks, tt's a very handy item!

Link: Ah

Box: Zora

3rd panel: Box: Moblin

Link: AH!

Link: That smarts! They got me from behind!!

4th panel, Narrator: If all of Link's hearts turn white, Link dies

Link: I've been hit by a bunch of enemies and I'm running out of hearts!!
5th panel: I'm not getting a lot of hearts out of this... (shows a rupee and bomb being dropped by enemies)

6th panel: Link: Oh! A fountain, if I drink the water, maybe my vigor will be restored!

Enemies: Stop right there!

↑ Page 7:

Fairy: Oh Link, I'm glad you've come. 

Fairy: I'm going to fill all of your heart containers for you (using the same canteen word, like they're a physical object that can be filled with heart)

Link: Ah! It's a fairy!!

Panel 2, Link: Yeah! My hearts are full

Panel 3, Fairy: Please remember this fountain where I am....

Fairy: If your hearts decrease you can come by anytime

Panel 4, Link: YEAH!!

Panel 5, Narrator: Besides fairies, the medicine that the old women sell can also be used to fill your hearts

Old woman: If you bring me a letter from the old man I'll sell these to you

-- Red potion.

--Blue Potion.

Panel 6, Narrator: Of particular note is the red potion, which you can use twice. With that, even if you're in a pinch in a dungeon or something, you can finish it without having to exit the dungeon each time you want to heal.

Link: Alright I'm going to buy it !!

↑ Page 8:

Panel 1: Link: The only thing left for me to prepare is to make sure I’ve got a full count of bombs so that I can make paths by destroying the dungeon walls. Once I've done that I can head to the labyrinths! Let's Go!!
Narrator: Blue moblins often carry bombs
Panel 2: Route to Level 1

Panel 3, Link: Let's challenge the labyrinth!
Panel 4, box: Entrance to the Labyrinth

Panel 5, Box: Dungeon Level 1

Narrator: Once you've entered a dungeon, try to find the map and compass as soon as possible

Panel 6, Link: Ah! There it is, the map
--MAP

--Gel

↑ Page 9:

Panel 1, Link: I also found the compass!!

Panel 2, box: Full map of level 1

text top: The room with the Triforce in it.

text side: The compass will tell you where the room with the Triforce is

Panel 3: Link: Alright, let's hurry to the room with the Triforce

Panel 4: Whoa, what the heck! Oh no!

Box: It's a trap

Panel 5, Link: Keh!

Last panel, Link: There's some stairs leading down but there's blocks in the way!!

↑ Page 10:

Link: Ah, this block moves!!

Panel 2, Link: I did it!

Link: There was a treasure in the room beneath the previous room, and it was the bow!
Panel 3, Narrator: Besides the bow, you can also find the wooden boomerang in Level 1.

Narrator: Each dungeon has at least one, but possibly more, treasures hidden away so search realllll hard for them!

Panel 4, Link: Alright! It’s time to head for the room with the Triforce!

Box: Aquamentus

Panel 5, Link: WHOA! This must be the monster defending the triforce!

↑ Page 11:

Link: Khyaa! If I stab Aquamentus enough times, I’m sure to beat him!
Narrator: Just like this there's always a monster guarding the triforce, with each having a distinct way to defeat them.
Panel 2: Once you defeat the beast a heart container will appear so make sure to not forget it!

Panel 3, Link: I did it! I finally got a triforce piece!!
Panel 4, Link: What? I'm above ground
Narrator: Once you take the triforce you're automatically taken outside of the dungeon

Panel 5, narrator: If you blow a hole in the side of a great boulder somewhere, you can get another heart container.

Narrator: Do your best to get a heart container from this place and then find the White Sword. Once you do, battles will become much easier.

Link: Alright, next is level 2!!

Narrator: Level 2 is quite far east (to the right) of level one, within a forest

↑ Page 12:

Box: Dungeon Level 2

Narrator: Level 2's treasure is a magical boomerang. It can fly much further than the wooden boomerang

Panel 2, narrator: The beast defending the triforce is dodongo

Panel 3, Link: Whoa!

Panel 4, Link: I’ll beat that dodongo by using my bombs!

In Red, Link: Ready and…
Narrator: Once Link has gotten the 2nd triforce piece he heads directly to level 3

Panel 8, Box: Dungeon Level 3

Narrator: Do your best to get a heart container from this place and then find the White Sword. Once you do, battles will become much easier.
Box: Manhandla

↑ Page 13: Level 4 is in a lake. You can get the raft in level 3, so just use that to head out from the dock/pier
--raft

Panel 2, Box: Dungeon Level 4

Bottom Box: Gleeok

Narrator: Make sure to get Level 4’s treasure: the ladder
Link: Whoa this guy's pretty tough!
Panel 3, Narrator: You can find level 5 if you keep going up, up, up in the lost mountains

Panel 4: For Level 6, you can take a shortcut through the Lost Woods by walking as pictured below.

Panel 5, Link: Aha! What’s that in front of the grave....
Sword: Make sure to get the Magical Sword from an old man in the graveyard along the way to level 6 after you exit the forest

↑ Page 14:

box: Dungeon level 5

Link: I found the flute... but what can I use it on?

Panel 3, Link: Whoa, my magical sword is ineffective!

Box: Digdogger

Panel 4, Link: Whoa!

Panel 5, Link: Oh no, at this rate I'll be beaten!

Panel 6, Link: Oh that's right, digdogger is weak to sound, so I’ll use that item I got!
Panel 7, Link: I did it!

Panel 8, box: Dungeon level 6

Box: Goohma
Link: Oh whoa the magical sword is ineffective against this guy too!

Link: Huh? It seems to keep opening and closing its eye. That's gotta be the weak point!

↑ Page 15:

Link: I did it!

Panel 2, box: Dungeon 7, Dungeon 8

Link: I did it! <3

Panel 3, Link: Level 7 and 8 have monsters that are the same as the ones I previously encountered, so I cleared them out quickly... but the dungeon layouts are so complex I'm using up all my bombs~~~

Panel 4, box: Level 9, Death mountain

Link: So you've shown your face, Ganon, prepare yourself!!

↑ Page 16:

Link: Yahhh!

Link: hyaaa!

Panel 2, Link: Oh this is bad! Ganon seems impervious to my attacks!

Panel 3, Link: WHOA

Panel 4, Link: I'll drink the Water of Life!!
Panel 5, Link: Power up!

Link: Prepare yourself Ganon!!
Panel 6, Ganon: Uwargh! I'm defeated~~~!!

Panel 7, Link: I did it! I've recovered the Triforce of Power!

↑ Page 17:

Panel 1, Link: Ah! Princess Zelda, you're okay!!
Zelda: Thank you Link, you saved me
Panel 2: And just like that Link defeated the evil King Ganon and took up the Triforce of Power
--Triforce over Link: Power

--Triforce over Zelda: Wisdom

and was able to save the Princess Zelda

THE END

Panel 3: The August issue Famicom manga is Star Soldier- look forward to it!