Impa, the Enigmatic Sheikah, Sage of Shadow

[Hexaped]

Oh! How can I see this blade? Anyway, because Impa and Sheik did not use any techniques, rather than throwing Deku nuts, that assumption is irrelevant. Mr. Sakurai would have had to make up everything regardless. So Deku nuts and unknown Shiekah things were the only two connectors between Impa and Shiek. Not enough to warrant cloneyness, people! Impa had a different body type, was the Sage of Shadow, and rode a horse.
But, I think, if Mr. Sakurai only had OoT to go by, he may have made them clones. But only due to possible time restraints and the Shiekah relation. There are too many differences between these two to assume automatic cloneyness.

 

[AquaDork1]

Impa should at least be an assist trophy.
She's too awesome to not be included somehow.

 

[Hexaped]

Oh, OK Sonicguy726. I wish I remembered that. But Impa's body type defies the ninja archetype. This could convince Mr. Sakurai to make unique moves. And since he did not give Sheik anything specifically Shiekah-related, Impa could have a moveset based on Shiekah stuff like Gossip stones and the Lens of Truth.

 

[Kind Dedede]

Ganondorf has slightly more reason to be included over toon link, but yeah it is pretty pathetic to say the least. Still believe Impa and Ganon were cheated

 

[Hexaped]

Wait, Sonicguy726. Where in the TLoZ games is it stated that the Sheikah are ninjas or related to ninjas?

 

[Speculator]

But now she's the only known non-Link Zelda character to be officially playable. Kafei doesn't count.

You're forgetting someone.

 

[andimidna]

Every time somebody says Impa has been passed up I go and check the pic of the day for an Impa assist trophy, and there never is one. I was advocating for a unique Impa and sheiks return all along, and in surprised people still have that "1 Sheikah only" mindset. It's not like there's a limit of ninjas, Greninja wasn't passed up because of Sheik. There is a lack of magic-based characters. And a bunch of sword characters has never been a problem in a fighting game, has it? I mean, when I checked the update today for some "Impa deconfirmation" I saw a returning sword fighter. (IKE HYPE)

To me, Impa has always been unlikely but her chances have only risen. I never thought the theory that she'd replace anybody actually held any weight. And she has only become more and more relevant/recurring/popular since smash 4 speculation started.

PS... It looks like Gamexplain likes Impa

You're forgetting someone.

I meant in a Zelda game.

 

[Gallowglass]

This just appeared on Nintendo Facebook Page showing screenshots from Hyrule Warriors.

 

[andimidna]

This just appeared on Nintendo Facebook Page showing screenshots from Hyrule Warriors.

Ah, I saw that in Gamexplain's discussion and had no idea where it came from, thanks.

 

[chronomantic]

Water swords? I mean how cool is that. Greninja who? Now I'm really excited to play Hyrule Warriors.

 

[Shorts]

Now Impa is worth including.

 

[Steelia]

Man, Impa looks simply stunning. Even if she doesn't make it into Smash, at least she'll be playable in Hyrule Warriors. More hyped for her recent reveal in that game than Ike

 

[Gallowglass]

Found more pics. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/8yAfhMHGxHAyS8paJmVjQVK0mI9BUl-G

More awesome pics of Impa and a couple of new characters.

 

[Sonicguy726]

Water swords? Impa as greninja clone confirmed

 

[Kind Dedede]

Makes me happy that I was supporting Impa before all the HW pics started flooding out. People laughed at the idea, but she deserves her chance. Truly unique character with an Alt costumes being HW/OoT/SS

 

[greenluigiman2]

Makes me happy that I was supporting Impa before all the HW pics started flooding out. People laughed at the idea, but she deserves her chance. Truly unique character with an Alt costumes being HW/OoT/SS

Me too

 

[Ryu Myuutsu]

Now Impa is looking like a solid choice for a newcomer. I've never been against her inclusion but previous suggestions saying that Sheik would get the boot in exchange for her were really silly.

 

[Sonicguy726]

Makes me happy that I was supporting Impa before all the HW pics started flooding out. People laughed at the idea, but she deserves her chance. Truly unique character with an Alt costumes being HW/OoT/SS

Now I feel bad that I gave up on her after sheik was revealed

 

[Diddy Kong]

Impa being hyped on Nintendo's official site?

She'll be in. One day. No doubt anymore!

Hyrule Warriors (and a Wii U) are now must-haves!

 

[Kind Dedede]

One thing to remember is that Impa is being hyped because of Team Ninja and not Nintendo themselves. Hopefully they'll actually look into her more than they have been since she does deserve the same respect as the rest of the Zelda cast.

 

[Autumn ♫]

One thing to remember is that Impa is being hyped because of Team Ninja and not Nintendo themselves. Hopefully they'll actually look into her more than they have been since she does deserve the same respect as the rest of the Zelda cast.

If she continues growing in importance like she is now, then I'll most likely support her next, unless Vaati isn't in this Smash and he continues to have appearences.

 

[Kind Dedede]

If she continues growing in importance like she is now, then I'll most likely support her next, unless Vaati isn't in this Smash and he continues to have appearences.

I did like his games but never cared too much for Vaati really. Then again I'm a skull kid supporter so I may be already talking out my butt

 

[Frostwraith]

Her Hyrule Warriors appearance only furthers my reasoning on how she shouldn't replace Sheik. Always hated the idea of Impa being a Sheik replacement, much like the idea of Chrom replacing Ike.

This said, I don't think she will appear in this Smash, unless as a possible DLC, but if Impa continues to make more fighting capable appearances in the future, she might be a possibility for future Smash games.

 

[GM_3826]

At this point, I feel that Impa is about as important as all the Marin expies. You know, Malon, Aryll, (Otherwise known as Meriru, with an association with seagulls,) Ilia...
Actually, scratch that last one. Ilia sucked.
But anyways, she's played a part in quite a few games, and she has many expies/incarnations. The problem is, she's still not as big as Link, Zelda, or Ganondorf. And she's still nowhere near story important in any game, while Marin despite having no expies appear since Ilia, was a rather important character in Link's Awakening. Despite this, Impa is being hyped up so much that her appearing in another Smash Bros. is actually somewhat plausible. The thing is, if you go along with my theory that Super Smash Bros. is actually raising the limit to 6 (Due to the lack of ability to change forms, which effectively gave the Pokemon franchise 6 characters,) a new Zelda character may be appearing soon...

 

[Hexaped]

Hmmm. I wonder why they gave Impa water blades instead of shadow blades. She was the Sage of Shadow. Anyway, does anyone know if the Sheikah are ever officially called nnjas, or compared to ninjas?

 

[GM_3826]

Hmmm. I wonder why they gave Impa water blades instead of shadow blades. She was the Sage of Shadow. Anyway, does anyone know if the Sheikah are ever officially called nnjas, or compared to ninjas?

Considering the Zelda Wiki doesn't even mention that they're like ninjas... Doubt it.

 

[HylianHeroBigBoss]

Hmmm. I wonder why they gave Impa water blades instead of shadow blades. She was the Sage of Shadow. Anyway, does anyone know if the Sheikah are ever officially called nnjas, or compared to ninjas?

Well i can assume its because only the impa from OOT was the sage of shadow, it hasnt ever been said if other impa's passed on that rite throughout the games.

 

[Pacack]

Well i can assume its because only the impa from OOT was the sage of shadow, it hasnt ever been said if other impa's passed on that rite throughout the games.

It's reasonable that descendents of that Impa would inherit the Sage of Shadow title. So the Impa from a Link Between Worlds is probably the Sage of Shadow (although she may be unaware of that.)

 

[Kind Dedede]

Hmmm. I wonder why they gave Impa water blades instead of shadow blades. She was the Sage of Shadow. Anyway, does anyone know if the Sheikah are ever officially called nnjas, or compared to ninjas?

I was saddened with that too. Kind of seems like they didn't bother going to far in depth with her character history. Then again, if this is non canon than who the hell cares right

 

[TeenGirlSquad]

I meant in a Zelda game.

Isn't Zelda herself playable in Spirit Tracks?

 

[andimidna]

Isn't Zelda herself playable in Spirit Tracks?

http://zeldawiki.org/Playable_Secondary_Characters

Well there's a difference between being controlled and being an official playable character...

But there have been a few characters that the player could control throughout certain pieces in some Zelda games. So, kind of yes.

I thought he was referring to Tingle's games. That's why I said that.

 

[Hexaped]

You are most likely correct, HylianHeroBigBoss. Since this Impa resembles OoT Impa, I suppose I expected some shadow techniques. I should have remembered that, due to the composite designs and the nature of the game, the characters in HW are probably meant to be representations, rather than canonical.

 

[Diddy Kong]

Her Hyrule Warriors appearance only furthers my reasoning on how she shouldn't replace Sheik. Always hated the idea of Impa being a Sheik replacement, much like the idea of Chrom replacing Ike.

This said, I don't think she will appear in this Smash, unless as a possible DLC, but if Impa continues to make more fighting capable appearances in the future, she might be a possibility for future Smash games.

She's still easily the most likely Zelda newcomer, and also the most unique possibility. Honestly, if there's gonna be a Zelda newcomer this time it'll be her.

 

[Kind Dedede]

Ganon would be the only other pick for truly unique, but would really screw the series over having two of each character in the game.

 

[Diddy Kong]

New pic of Impa's weapon, the gaint two handed sword:

Never would've really expected Impa would translate to Smash as a power-based character but... Now, she seems even a better addition than ever!

Even if Ganondorf will never have his sword, Impa would make up for it! And in a way, that's the best thing that could ever happen to the Zelda cast!

 

[Erotic&Heretic]

Wait, is that a biggoron sword, Hyrule Warriors style?
That's definitely the Goron symbol on it.

 

[andimidna]

She's still easily the most likely Zelda newcomer

Hmm... Still? :/

and also the most unique possibility.

Because of a new sword? :/

Honestly, if there's gonna be a Zelda newcomer this time it'll be her.

Ehh... I don't think anybody thinks that but you.

Wait, is that a biggoron sword, Hyrule Warriors style?
That's definitely the Goron symbol on it.

That actually makes sense :0

I see some other similarities too.

 

[Hexaped]

It is a surprising idea for Impa to use a Goron-forged weapon.
It would be more surprising, and canonically curious, if this is the Biggoron's sword.
Thanks for realizing and sharing this possibility, Erotic&Heretic.

 

[JaidynReiman]

Her Hyrule Warriors appearance only furthers my reasoning on how she shouldn't replace Sheik. Always hated the idea of Impa being a Sheik replacement, much like the idea of Chrom replacing Ike.

This said, I don't think she will appear in this Smash, unless as a possible DLC, but if Impa continues to make more fighting capable appearances in the future, she might be a possibility for future Smash games.

Yeah, totally agreed.


Frankly, I think Impa is definitely the next-best choice for a Zelda newcomer. At this point, though, I don't think Impa will get in... but I DEFINITELY support Impa for making it into Smash Bros. eventually, and I never got the whole notion of why Impa would instantly be a clone of Sheik.

I don't necessarily think if she was added to Smash Bros. she should use that huge massive sword from Hyrule Warriors, but Hyrule Warriors does prove that Impa wouldn't be a clone of Sheik. And it should be noted that, technically, we don't have any two-handed fighting characters in Smash Bros. either. Not that I think Impa would get in because of this, but its an interesting note.

Honestly, at this point, I don't expect a Zelda newcomer, but if any Zelda newcomer is added it really should be Impa.

 

[Kind Dedede]

Impa could replace Tink for a proper sword user