Fan-Made Zelda: Breath of the Wild Anime Short Showcases Artistic Passion Ahead of Official Zelda Movie

Fan-created content has long played a pivotal role in celebrating and expanding the worlds of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises.

A striking recent example emerged in January, when animation students from the 2023 Chungkang Animation School 2nd Grade unveiled a visually captivating anime-style opening for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Uploaded to YouTube as part of their thesis film project, the fan-made short runs for approximately two and a half minutes and highlights the continued admiration for Nintendo’s flagship adventure series. Backed by the popular Japanese pop single “RGB” from Yoasobi, the animated sequence vividly brings to life Link, Princess Zelda, the four champions, and numerous familiar faces including the formidable Guardians.

The film demonstrates a deft understanding of anime visual language, capturing motion, emotion, and action sequences in a style that resonates with fans of both the Zelda series and Japanese animation.

The creators specifically include a statement clarifying that their animated work is strictly non-commercial, created by fans to pay homage to Nintendo and the music’s original artists: "This animation is a non-commercial creation made by fans.

All rights belong to Nintendo Co., Ltd.

and Yoasobi.

We do not claim ownership of any copyrights, and this video was created to honor the original creators and their work.

If there are any issues, please feel free to contact us." Projects like this reflect the enduring draw of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, originally released on the Nintendo Switch in March 2017.

The title has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, earning its place among the best-selling games in Nintendo history and inspiring a deeply engaged international community of artists and creators. Nintendo, however, has a mixed history with fan projects.

While non-commercial efforts such as this anime opening are typically tolerated, others have met with intervention.

For instance, the company recently issued a takedown of the live-action Zelda fan film 'Lost in Hyrule' after the creators began fundraising via Kickstarter.

Nintendo’s approach aligns with its strict copyright enforcement policy to protect its intellectual properties, especially as it invests directly in officially licensed projects. Currently, Nintendo is working closely with Sony to develop an official live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda.

Although a definitive release date has yet to be announced, the involvement of Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo’s legendary game designer, signals a high-profile production.

Directing the movie is Wes Ball, known for his work on the Maze Runner series.

Ball has expressed his creative vision for the film, stating he hopes to evoke the feel of a “live-action Miyazaki movie,” referencing the acclaimed Studio Ghibli co-founder and renowned animations like Spirited Away and Castle in the Sky. While no plans for an official Zelda anime series have been confirmed, fan creations like the Chungkang Animation School project underscore the appetite for more diverse adaptations of Nintendo’s lore-rich universe.

As fans await further updates on the live-action film, artistic tributes continue to keep the spirit of Hyrule alive across digital platforms.

Zelda Breath of the Wild Nintendo Chungkang Animation School Zelda: Breath of the Wild