Jabun

Water Spirit redirects here. For the Boss referred to as Water Spirit in pre-release materials, see Morpha.

Jabun is a major character in The Wind Waker.^[3] He is thought to be a descendant of Lord Jabu-Jabu.^[4]

Biography

Jabun is a giant fish known as the Water Spirit who used to live at Greatfish Isle. Ganondorf went to his island to destroy it and presumably kill Jabun, but Jabun sensed him coming and fled to a cave hidden in Outset Island.^[2] Like Valoo, he can only speak Ancient Hylian. Knowing of his whereabouts and seeking the third pearl, the King of Red Lions and Link, the Hero of Winds, sailed to his new home. Although Jabun at first hesitated to hand over Nayru's Pearl to one who had no connection to the legendary Hero of Time, the Water Spirit relented and gave the final pearl to Link, leaving it up to the gods to test the true courage of the young hero.^{[5] [6][7]}

Since Jabun only speaks Ancient Hylian, Link is not able to understand him (though the player can in the Second Quest as it becomes translated). Jabun even calls the King of Red Lions by his title of King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, but Link himself is unaware of this statement.^[8] He also was aware of Princess Zelda (from Ocarina of Time)'s descendant's existence, though not necessarily her true identity, as he asked the King of Red Lions if he has found her^[9] and he confirmed it^[10] with Jabun requesting to protect her from Ganondorf before leaving,^[11] though Link himself didn't understand the conversation between them.

Trivia

• Jabun's theme is a remix of the music played Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly in Ocarina of Time.
• Despite having lived on Greatfish Isle, his Figurine is placed in the room of Outset Island characters, as he moves and stays there during the rest of the game.
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker — Prima's Official Strategy Guide by Prima Games states that Jabun was once known as Jabu-Jabu.^[12] Given Hyrule Historia's claim that Jabun is more likely a descendant and not actually the character from Ocarina of Time, this is not thought to be canon.
• Jabun has slight resemblance to the Angler Fish boss from Link's Awakening.
• Inside the files of The Wind Waker are two audio clips of a screaming noise Jabun was originally intended to make, implying himself in agonizing distress. While they are never used in connection to him in the final game, a sped-up version of the latter is instead heard after obtaining the Triforce Chart onboard the Ghost Ship.^[13]
  • The sped-up eerie scream is also used for The Minish Cap when Vaati, its main antagonist, opens the Bound Chest.
• Within the code of The Minish Cap, three unused panes of Stained Glass exist; one of them depicts Jabun.

Nomenclature

Gallery

• 
  Link meeting with Jabun in The Wind Waker
• 
  A Legendary Pictograph featuring Jabun from The Wind Waker
• 
  A Legendary Pictograph featuring Jabun from The Wind Waker HD
• 
  An unused pane of Stained Glass depicting Jabun in the code of The Minish Cap

References