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[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

GPS Reads Ghirahim’s Trope Page

I like TV tropes for the most part, but they seem to have a habit of bullying my comfort character. As far as I understand, TV tropes is meant to be informal but mostly objective. But I feel like Ghirahim’s character trope list just… isn’t. So in this post, I’m going to go through all the tropes they listed for him, and what I think about them. So yeah, there’s a reason there’s a read more on this post, It'll be a long one. Also be warned, I will likely be very nitpicky and complain about the slightest details. Because this is very important to me. Here we go:

Agent Peacock: Yeah this one tracks.

Ambiguously gay: Sigh. I have no problem with people interpreting Ghirahim as gay. But assuming that every femboy is gay is getting old.

Arch-Enemy: Yes, this one is true too, but they’re putting words into Ghirahim’s mouth here. I really don’t think LInk’s race has anything to do with it. If I had trained for centuries and then was beaten again and again by someone who hadn’t even finished knight school, I’d be pretty perturbed, too. That wouldn’t make me racist.

Attack It’s Weak Point: Yes, that does happen. … And it’s awful to watch.

Ax-Crazy: No. I already did a whole post on why he’s not, check it out if you’re curious, I always appreciate engagement.

Badass Cape: Hell yeah!

Badass Finger Snap: Hell yeah!

Bad Boss: I’m willing to cut this one slack because I can understand why plenty of people interpret it this way, but the thing is, we don’t know if Ghirahim always treats the monsters this way. It could be that he was saying this out of building anger and exhaustion from constantly working. Plus, he said ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ during his first cut scene, so he does consider them to be a part of the team and more than just living weapons. More than Demise would, to them or him. And also, even if he was going to kill them, it could be because if Demise learned that they failed, he would do much worse. … Crap, now I’m sad.

The Bad Guy Wins: He does manage to bring back Demise in the end. And this is a bad thing, don’t get me wrong, but you have to admire how he never gave up when literally the whole universe was against him and managed to win. Just imagine if he went to such lengths for you. Maybe then you will understand just why he is my comfort character?/lh

Bare-Handed Blade Block: Yeah, and it’s freaking awesome! His fighting style is so cool, squee, I love him!/qp

Beware The Silly Ones: I don’t disagree with the trope itself, but the description. Ghirahim is not a narcissist. Real narcissists don’t just brag on themselves like that, they’re much more subtle and insidious than that. They certainly don’t lose it with one loss either, and definitely never admit that they have character flaws or something is their fault, all of which Ghirahim does.

BFS: Yes, he has and is a big sword and I want to give him hiltpats. And I spent over a hundred dollars to buy a replicaof his blade to do just that. I am so financiallyresponsible.

Big Bad: Yes, he can be considered the main antagonist, no arguments here.

Bitch Slap: He does, and it’s hilarious. And also merciful, because there are so much worse things he could have done to Link…

Black Magic: Okay, no. Now you’re just being petty. Yes, he has magic and he is a demon and the antagonist. But that does not make the magic itself evil. His magic is cool and beautiful, and I will not tolerate this slander!

Blank White Eyes: Yes, and since eyes are the windows to the soul, I headcanon that this represents his autonomy being stripped away by Demise.

Blatant Lies: Okay, yes. I do understand this interpretation. But I don’t believe this is the case. I believe that Ghirahim genuinely did intend not to kill Link, but due to being infected by malice, which I believe him to be because the markings on his face resemble silver monsters from BOTW, he was unable to stop himself once he had started. In fact, I also believe this is why he took so long to put away his sword and turn around, because he was resisting the urge to just run Link through then and there. And he told Link he would beat him within an inch of his life after promising not to murder him both because it's something a villain would do/what Demise would want him to say, but also he had to make sure Link understood that even though he was trying to be kind, Ghirahim is not a safe person to be around, and Link has to keep his guard up and take the threat he poses seriously, despite his theatrical nature.

Blood Knight: Oh, for god’s sake. These people are determined to see everything Ghirahim does in the worst light, aren’t they? He doesn’t enjoy brutalizing weaker opponents. He literally alludes to this several times in his dialogue! (For example when he says he thinks corperal punishment is a bit harsh.) And he doesn’t harm a single being that doesn’t get in the way of his mission!

Blood Lust: Okay, yes. This one is true, but I don’t believe that’s all there is to it. I’ve made posts before about how I believe Ghirahim’s tongue is his way of gathering information, like his own form of dowsing. He wouldn’t have a long tongue like that if it didn’t serve some sort of purpose, you know?

Blow You Away: Yeah, he makes tornados. Not really related, but I imagine him just spinning around and around faster and faster until he gets dizzy in order to make one, and it makes me giggle.

Bond Villain Stupidity: I’ve made many a post before about how I believe this is deliberate on Ghirahim’s part, as some part of him does not want his abuser to return, though he doesn’t want to admit it to himself. Also, you called my boy stupid! How dare!

Boss Banter: Yes he does, but he also gives you tips on how to do better. Not very nicely worded tips, but still.

Boss Remix: Yes, and it’s awesome. I love his music. It always makes me smile just to hear it.

Boss Subtitles: Yes. Not much else to say about this one.

Braggart Boss: Yeah, well, someone has to brag on him. Nobody else does.

Breaking the fourth wall: It’s not actually his theme, it’s a unique melody. But I understand why because that song is actually kinda challenging to hum.

Broken Armor Boss Battle; Yes, and it’s absolutely brutal. I guess people don’t usually notice that thought because they’re busy trying to win. And most people don’t notice Ghirahim’s pain because he’s so good at making light of it and playing the villain.

Camp: He is, and it’s awesome.

Catch And Return: Yup.

Catch Phrase Insult: Yeah, he calls link boy. And you want to know who else calls link that? Demise. Who’s to say he didn’t learn it from experience?

Character Ticks: Not just ticks, stimming! My cute lil neurodivergent boy./qp

Chrome Champion: Yes. And I headcanon that his silver form is this, too. His skin is full of tiny metal filings to make it tougher, thus its coloring. And his bones are pure black metal, and they are what makes up his armor in his dark form.

Contrasting Sequel Antagonist: Yes, and I think it’s very clever.

Cool Sword: It’s about time you said something nice about Ghirahim! Yes, he is, and Demise never deserved him.

Crucified Hero Shot: Yes. And it’s absolutely horrific. I don’t understand how people just gloss over it. Even TV Tropes calls it one of the most nightmarish moments in all of Zelda. Now just imagine if the game showed blood in it… But no, no, no, no, no you did not say that he doesn’t seem to mind! For god’s sake, just listening to that laughter, you can tell that it’s not a happy sound! And the facial expression he makes, you can tell he is trying not to scream. God, this makes me angry…

Dark Is Evil: …

Deal With The Devil: Yes, he does. Demise never would have done so, and I think that Ghirahim knew damn well link would not accept it. But it was all he could think of doing to avoid harming him any further.

Death Glare: Ghirahim’s face is always pretty./qp

Demon Lord: I made a whole oneshot about this.

De-Terminator: Sure, but claiming that Ghirahim loves pain and violence again like that interpretation of his character is the only possible one.

Die Laughing: Forcefully converts him back into a sword does not begin to describe the absolute depravity of that moment.

Dissonant Serenity: He is trying to be calm. But there’s only so much he can do as a permanently adolescent (he was meant to be physically the same age as Link, stated officially by Nintendo) who is stressed, sleep-deprived, and has centuries of trauma and abuse under his sash.

The Dragon: Not just that, a slave.

Dragon In Chief: Sigh. Ghirahim does not terrorize the surface world. He only attacks those who directly oppose him, and leaves everyone else well enough alone.

Drama Queen: He is, and people irl should do well to learn how to know and say how they feel as well as he does. Not that his coping mechanisms are one hundred percent healthy, of course not. But I still find the way that he is so in touch with his emotions to be admirable.

Dual Boss: Sadly, no. Ghirahim was reduced to nothing but a sword with no autonomy who is repeatedly struck by lightning. He isn’t allowed to really help at all, which, I think, was a big part of Demise’s downfall. Demise is a cakewalk on his own, but imagine if he allowed Ghirahim to fight by his side?

Dual Wielding: My guy’s got a lot of swords. Every one of them is cool.

Dub Name Change: His name is spelled Grahim in Spanish, which I would have said was smart, but my iPad keeps autocorrecting it to Graham.

Dub Personality Change: I find this to be really interesting. It makes me wonder how I would have interpreted him had I been Japanese. Knowing me and how big of a fangirl I am, I’d probably still end up adoring him just as much.

Evil Cannot Comprehend Good: There you go, contradicting yourself again. You say that Ghirahim is a ruthless sadist, right? So, why is it that everyone before Link ran or hid, and not slain by him? Ghirahim can teleport and sense presences, not to mention create diamond barriers, and even without that, is just freaking fast! If he wanted to kill some random human, there would be no escaping for them.

Evil Counterpart: Yes, he’s the counterpart to Fi, i headcanon that they are siblings, moving on.

Evil Is Hammy: Yes, he is a ham and the antagonist.

Evil Overlord: I’m starting to think that we need more nuance names for tropes related to antagonists.

Evil Tastes Good: I’m not even going to bother with this one, since it’s clear the tropers have made up their minds about what Ghirahim’s actions mean. Never mind the fact he is not human and doesn’t even have any reproductive organs to speak of, we find him sexy, so surely that can only mean that everything he does is sexual./s

Evil Weapon: Yes, this is the role he was made to play.

Expository Pronoun: This is actually interesting information that I appreciate learning.

Facial Markings: Yes, they call them markings and don’t just assume it’s makeup! And he has bags under his eyes, a clear sign of sleep deprivation. And if you’ve read my blog before, you already know where I think that scar-like marking in his between transformations came from…

False Reassurance; I already covered my opinion on this earlier.

Family Unfriendly Death: Good, they pointed this out, at least. Thank you TV Tropes for not always glossing over Ghirahim’s pain.

Fangs Are EviL: Okay, this is just petty. Small aside, I headcanon that he has fangs in his silver form too, like a kitten, but he never lets Link see them because they aren’t very intimidating.

Fantasy Counterpart Religion: Yeah, I see the resemblance.

Fashionable Asymmetry: Yet another of Ghirahim’s delightful little quirks.

Fatal Flaw: Yes, and he admits it. Not something a narcissist would do.

Faux Affably Evil: I already explained my thoughts on this earlier.

Feels No Pain: No. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. This is completely false. Do people really not see it? Laughter isn’t always a happy thing, and he has a unique hit animation that no other Zelda enemy has, for god’s sake! He clearly feels pain!

The Fighting narcissist: Oh for god’s sake…

Flaming Devil: Okay, yes, I see how this trope applies.

Flaying Alive: Yes, and I will say it again, it does hurt him! He screams the entire time while he’s fully transforming.

Flechette Storm: Yes, and it’s completely badass.

Foe Romance Subtext: I’m fine with people interpreting it that way and I understand the thought process, but I personally do not. No judgment whatsoever to those who do, it’s just not how I choose to see it.

Foil: Yes, all that is true.

For Doom The Bell Toles: Okay, now this is starting to seem kind of funny. “Ghirahim is evil! With his evil powers and evil music. He probably brushes his evil teeth with an evil toothbrush, spread with evil toothpaste. Did we mention that he’s evil?”

Glamour Failure: As his mental state deteriorates during the game, so too does his body. And it’s sad. He tries to make himself feel better about it by bragging about it, but I personally believe he prefers the silver form more. That is his real true form. He doesn’t even feel he’s allowed to call himself a demon anymore, but what Demise wants from him: a weapon without mercy.

The Gloves Come Off: Yes, but I don’t think he makes them disintegrate, he just puts them into his inventory.

Good Old Fisticuffs: Yes. Not much else to say.

Grayscale of Evil: Here we go again…

Hammy Villain, Serious Hero: Link? Serious? Pfffffff!

Happy Dance: Yes, and it is adorable.

Hair Trigger Temper: Yeah, he can be very emotional at times. That’s what happens when you bottle things up and are never given the opportunity to learn how to express them in a healthy way. Not saying that the way he does express them is good; many things that he says to Link are incredibly messed up. But he does try to stay calm, with admittedly not a lot of success at times.

Heart Light: Yes, his gem is his heart and it glows. It’s pretty.

The Heavy: Sure, not much else to say.

The Hero’s Journey: Yes, it does match the trope, and again, I think that it has to be admired to an extent. Don’t agree with the wording of the return, but I think I’ve made my stance on that clear.

Hoist By His Own Petard: Again, I believe his hypocrisy of telegraphing attacks was very purposeful.

Hot Blooded: Yes.

Impaled With Extreme Prejudice: Yes. And it’s all hard for me to watch.

Impossibly Cool Clothes: Yes, they are cool. I bet they’re extremely silky and soft to the touch, too.

Inferiority superiority Complex: Oh my god, they actually said it! They weren’t very nice when they described it, but it makes me hopeful to see that the tropers aren’t completely blind.

It’s all About Me: Yes, I see how this trope applies, but holy crap are these descriptions biased.

Just Between You And Me: Yes, this is Ghirahim desperately confiding with Link because he literally has no one else he could talk to.

Justified Tutorial: Yes, Ghirahim teaches you how to fight him. Not Fi, Ghirahim is the one who says it. And you will have to yank my belief that this is significant out of my cold, dead hands.

Just Toying With Them: …

Kick The dog: Okay, I get it. You don’t like Ghirahim and insist on seeing every one of his actions in the worst light possible. I remember why I always steer clear of this article now.

Knight of Cerebus: Oh, come on. You mean to tell me you find him terrifying? Yeah, I get it he’s a demon and says some pretty extreme stuff at times, but come on! He has big, brown puppy dog eyes. Smh

Large Ham: Yes and I love him for it./qp

Last Second Chance: I didn’t think I would have to write that I’d covered something before this much. I understand they need to list all tropes that apply, but still.

Laughably Evil: Yes, Ghirahim is a dorky goofball and a theater kid through and through. (I’m just going to ignore the bloodthirsty nature remark)

Laughing Mad: No, it is not safe to say that he wanted it to happen, not at all!

Left The Background Music On: I headcanon that Ghirahim plays piano and enjoys playing his themes a lot and just vibing to them.

Lean and Mean: Scrawny? Really? Okay, now you’re just being petty.

Leaning On The Fourth Wall: Yes, his text box at the end does resemble Fi’s and I think that was a very cool attention to detail there.

Leg Focus: Yeah, that happens.

Leitmotif: Yes, I understand his theme was meant to be sinister, but since Ghirahim is so near and dear to my heart, I mostly just hear the whimsical part whenever I listen to it.

Licking The Blade: went over this earlier.

Lightening Bruiser: There, you see? He is fast! He could have obliterated Link on the spot if he wanted to.

Living Weapon: Yeah, he is, with all the horror to go with it.

Loves The Sound Of Screaming: Sigh. If I recall, he describes the sound of screaming as "shrill." Shrill is not usually an adjectiveused to describe sounds that are pleasant to the listener.

Made Of Iron: Yeah, he’s metal, but I think it’s something a lot stronger and more durable than iron.

Make Wrong What Once Went Right: Yeah, and can we talk about what a power move this is? The fact that Demise literally met his namesake, but he didn’t give up.

Magic Knight: Hell yeah!

Maniac Tongue: So many people treat the tongue thing as if it is the worst crime imaginable.

Mask of Sanity: Personally interpret it as a mask of INsanity, but you can’t expect Ghirahim to be completely stable considering who his master is, and what he’s like. And that’s just what happened in front of Link, I shudder to think of what Demise possibly could have done behind closed doors…

Master Swordsman: Yes, he is.

Mau The Demon King: I’m not familiar with the trope, so I won’t comment.

Meaningful Name: This is interesting stuff.

Melee Disarming: He does, and it’s super cool.

Milking The Giant Cow: The name of this trope makes me snigger. And it’s true.

Mirror Character: Yes. (Not commenting on the description.)

Misanthrope Supreme: Okay, this trope is just plain wrong and is putting words into Ghirahim’s mouth again.

Monster Clown: Yeah, I see that.

Mood Swinger: Yeah, his emotions can be very volatile.

Motifs: He loves his diamonds.

Mouth of Sauron: Yeah, he is.

Mr. Fanservice: Yes he’s pretty, yes he wears form fitting clothing, but that’s the only redeeming quality that many people see in him, and I find that really disheartening.

My Defense Need Not Protect Me Forever: He does technically win, but at what cost?

Narcissist: Going on about how beautiful and perfect you are does not automatically mean that you are a narcissist.

Nested Ownership: A sword that uses swords.

Nigh-Invulnerability: His dark form is tough, but ever notice that he no longer teleports or makes diamonds when he’s in it?

Not Worth Killing: Yet another moment where Ghirahim shows mercy, but TV Tropes is insistent on interpreting everything in the worst possible light.

Ominous Latin Chanting: Sadly, this trope is also not quite right. There are no words in the final boss theme, Latin or otherwise. It’s just singing. I think he deserves some cool Latin lyrics, though.

Ominous Pipe Organ: played by a real organ too, as all of Skyward Sword was played by a live orchestra.

One-Handed Zweihander: I did not know that his big sword was called that. Cool fun fact.

One Winged Angel: Yeah, true.

Our Demons Are Different: In the best way.

Overly Long Tongue: For a human, maybe, but it’s perfectly ordinary for him.

Practically Joker: … No.

Pre-Final Boss: I’d argue that he’s the actual final boss since he poses a challenge, unlike pushover Demise.

Psycho Knife Nut: He has a lot of knives, yes.

Psycho Supporter: What can I even say that I haven’t said already?

Rank Scales With Ass Kicking: Haha, no, Ghirahim is clearly the stronger and more competent one here.

Really Seven Hundred Years Old: Physically and mentally around the age of Link. Chronologically older.

Recurring Boss: Link fights him three times.

Red Baron: Sort of?

Red Oni, Blue Oni: Literally, with Fi. Also, my autocorrect kept trying to change Oni to onion. Ghirahim is an onion confirmed. He has layers.

Red Right Hand: I don’t care if his ears were designed this way to make his hair easier to animate; it’s in the game, so it’s canon to me.

Ring-Out Boss: Link must knock him off the platforms, which he tells him how to do, by the way.

Sadist: For god’s sake! How many times do I have to… let’s just move on.

Disturbing Threats: that he never falls through on. I’m not saying they are okay things to say, absolutely not. I’m just saying that all factors have to be taken account for, which this page does not.

Scary Black Man: I don’t think I have to explain this one for you to understand the problems with it.

Serrated Blade of Pain: Yes, it’s like that, but I don’t think he had a say in what his sword form looks like.

Sissy Villain: If you didn’t believe me before when I told you that TV Tropes likes to bully Ghirahim, maybe you do now?

Smug Snake: He has to be confident, his position demands it.

The Sociopath: False.

Spontaneous Weapon Creation: More like spontaneous weapon summoning, but it’s not his favorite kind of magic. It’s clearly the diamonds! Do you people have eyes? I’m blind, and even I understand that! (Yeah, I’m done being polite)

Starter Villain Stays: We still didn’t get enough time with him in my opinion, but I know if they tried to bring him back, the haters would riot.

Suave Sabre: Just going to ignore the part where you say subverted.

Suddenly Shouting: Yes Ghirahim, feel your feelings!

Suspiciously Similar Substitute: What are you saying? Ghirahim’s completely original and unique. You’re just trying to pad out the tropes list with something that isn’t mocking, aren’t you? (I do see the resemblances.)

Tactical Suicide Boss: Ooh, did you just almost admit that Ghirie was being merciful?

Talking Weapon: He’s a sword that can talk, like Fi.

Tennis Boss: Yeah, you can deflect his daggers, which is pretty badass.

That Makes Me Feel angry: Like I said before, Ghirahim can identify how he feels and express that. We need more of that in our society.

Throwing Your Sword always Works: Oh my god, they accidentally said that Link can pick it up instead of Ghirahim, that made me chuckle. Typo or Freudian slip?

To The Pain: But he never follows through.

Uncertain Doom: We don’t know whether he’s dead or not, but I’m thinking that he isn’t since his sword form disappears and Demise looks surprised when it happens. Ghirahim does leave his abuser in the end. But it’s hard to say what happens to him after. (I’m working on a fic about it.)

Undying Loyalty: Yes, but I feel that some of it is from abuse/Stockholm Syndrome. But imagine if you were the person who earned that loyalty? If that’s the extent he goes for someone who is terrible to him, think of what he would do for someone who is genuinely kind to him? (Oh shut up TV Tropes, it’s not his only positive trait.)

Unskilled, But Strong: The slander! Here’s an idea, what if he’s doing it on purpose? Like he could be deadly fast and not telegraph his attacks, but he doesn’t because he’s more focused on putting on a show and playing the villain, and actually giving Link a fair fight.

Variable Mix: The drums start when he draws his sword. It’s a cool detail.

Villain Teleportation: You heard it here, folks. If someone on the opposing side has any sort of power, regardless of what that power is, it’s automatically evil./s But at least they have the decency to admit that it’s cool.

Villainous Breakdown: Yeah, because narcissists totally let one loss shake them and can admit their faults. Seems totally legit./s

Wake-Up Call Boss: Yes, and it’s awesome.

Weapon Grip Failure: He chooses to leave not because he loses his sword, but because he senses that Zelda is no longer there. And come to think of it, why would she linger right behind the door that long when she must have known Ghirahim and link were there; Ghirahim was not trying to be quiet or subtle at the time. Her Manipulation of the both of them was really obvious since the beginning, and the sad thing is, it worked. She nudged Ghirahim into acting as the worst version of himself, and it worked so well that even out of universe, so many people hate him.

We Have Reserves: I talked about this earlier.

What The Hell Are You?: Yes, and it’s a pretty cool moment. Probably where the idea that Ghirahim is racist comes from, though.

White and Red and Eerie All Over: If you say so. I think he’s pretty./qp

White Hair, Black Heart: His heart is red, actually.

Why Won’t You Die?: That’s what I ask myself about the massive amounts of Ghirahim hate.

Would Hit A Girl: Say what you want about Ghirahim, but he isn’t sexist. Positive discrimination is still discrimination. I’m not saying that what he did to Impa and Zelda was okay, but still.

You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Oh, for fuck’s sake! How many times do I have to say that just because he laughs, that does not mean he was fine with it! Ghirahim is not the one who truly has no emotional awareness here.

Your Princess Is In Another Castle: Not much to say, except this is the last one, thank God.

I’m a little embarrassed about the amount of time I spent on this. Hopefully, you all got something out of it, if only the introduction of another idea. If you took the time to read this entire thing, I truly appreciate it. May your hearts be positively filled with rainbows!

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

GPS here, here's my two scents on this.

Personally, with my own interpretation and headcanons, I don't see this as funny. I see it as a tragedy.

Ghirahim was the villain in Link's story, yes. But he is also a victim. Between the lines of camp and villainous tropes, there are clear signs that speak of trauma and abuse. Demise treats Ghirahim like an object. We see this as when he is revived, he instantly robs Ghirahim of any and all autonomy that he had, and by extension any chance of victory. Demise is a sadistic brute who relies solely on force, fear, and dominance of others to win. Where as Ghirahim clearly trained hard to perfect his craft. And he makes it a point to make every battle with him as fair as possible even though Link is the one destined to destroy him. He claims to lack mercy, but that is a complete and utter lie. Because if he didn't have mercy, he would have ran Link through at Skyview when he first saw him, instead of putting away his sword and talking to him.

I believe that Demise relied mostly on Ghirahim for his past victories. His ideas, his strategy, his strength. But while doing so, he made Ghirahim believe that Demise is the only reason that he could ever be worth something, could ever make anything of himself. This is why Ghirahim is so desperate to have him back, there is some genuine loyalty yes, but it's also because Demise is all he has. All he has ever been allowed to have. There is no one else in the world that Ghirahim feels he can have a place in, because they all fear him, or hate him, or both.

As for Ghirahim playing with Link, I don't think that's true. While I see why people think that, I think that's just what Ghirahim wants to make us, and also himself, believe. I think that some part of Ghirahim, if only subconsciously wants Link to win. He wants to be free from his abusive master even though he doesn't think it could ever be possible or that he could have anything or anyone else better. Because he believes himself to be what everyone tells him, directly or indirectly: an evil, sadistic, irredeemable monster. But his true desires keep slipping out, he keeps telling Link what to do to win. A tortured soul hiding behind villainous tropes.

I have a lot of feels about this boy, can you tell?/lh

When I played Skyward Sword, the final battle with Ghirahim was, and still is, the toughest boss battle I’ve ever done. I was sweating and just about feeling like I couldn’t win when I finally beat him.

Then came Demise. Who was very epic. But.. too easy after Ghirahim.

I don’t think it bothered me at the time because I got the hard boss battle that made me feel accomplished, and Demise really made a cool final battle. But over time it just gets more amusing. Ghirahim spent the entire game trying to revive his master, this massive legend of an old god, just to have his nemesis swat him like a fly. His nemesis who he might have accidentally trained by playing with him.

There are layers here and they all make it funnier to me.

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

This goes out to not just fans of Ghirahim, but also to anyone who has an interpretation of a character that goes against the majority of the fandom: you are valid.

If it brings you joy and happiness, if it doesn't cause harm to anyone else, by all means. Portray your blorbos however you want. At the end of the day, the number one rule of fandom is to have fun and express yourself. And you shouldn't let the opinions of others get in the way of expanding your creativity and sharing your ideas.

When I first started to hyperfixate on Ghirahim as a blorbo and a comfort character, I was really nervous and self conscious about it. Sometimes I still am. I felt like I was one of the only ones in the world to see him the way that I did, and I would never meet anyone else who would agree with me on that. But when I got the courage to start writing fics and share my opinion, I was pleasantly surprised at the reception I got. What I'm learning the more I participate in fandoms is that, there are a lot of people out in the great wide world of the interweb. And odds are, among all of those people, someone is going to agree with you, or at the very least like your interpretations and ideas.

But those ideas will never be out there to catch on if no one expresses them. So, when you're ready, please do share your perspective.

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

Hi there! How are you all doing? I'm still here, and still (queerplatonically) gushing over Ghirahim as per usual. I just wanted to make a post to reassure everyone that I'm still here, and still on my mission to defend best boy. ♦️

ADSB is still being worked on. I got a little sidetracked with other fandoms but no way is that fic abandoned. And I have something else that I'd like to share with you all in the meantime.

Yes the song itself was brought to life with AI, but the lyrics were my own making and oh, did they take so many tries and generations to get right. I'm still not completely satisfied, but I think for the most part I got the vibe down I was going for, and a sort of run through of the canon events of Skyward Sword with my own interpretation of Ghirahim and some headcanons thrown in there as well. I'd be happy to know what you think of it.

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

Yes, yes, these people get me!

Another trope I forgot to mention that I love are traumatized characters experiencing love for the first time and not knowing how to cope with it. I just eat that shit up

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

I was rewatching the amazing dub video by Anath Jackson again, and I just had an epiphany about one of Ghirahim's lines that I've never thought of before!

When he introduces himself to Link, he says: "I am the demon lord that presides over this land you look down upon." And when you first listen/read that, it sounds like Ghirahim's talking about how since Link lives in the sky, he looks down upon the Surface. But what if there's also a deeper meaning? What if Ghirahim is also subtly admitting that he is fully aware of people's negative opinions of him, that most people look down upon him?

He gets insulted left and right in canon. Faron talks badly about him to Link, who knows what she actually said to his face during their encounter? And the parella blatantly call him a weirdo. It's not that hard to assume that other surface dwellers carry similar sentiments.

And come to think of it, Skyloftians don't actually look down on the Surface because the cloud barrier was in the way, and Ghirahim surely knew that since he had to make a big tornado to get past it.

Classic Ghirahim, really. Showing vulnerability and then quickly covering it up, disguising it as something else.

Of course I'm reading deeply into this, we only get like six encounters with best boy, so you best believe I'ma analyze the hell out of all of them!/lh

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

This. This right here, this person gets it. The video has since been unlisted, but this deserves attention.

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

We need to talk about Koloktos.

How do you defeat it? You stab the gem.

What does it do the more you hit it? It hugs itself, smiles, and then giggles (laughs) when it dies.

Who do we know that does very similar things? Who. Brought. It. To. Life? Possibly even built it?

Ghirahim. Ghirahim. GHIRAHIM.

The parallels are insane and cannot be ignored. My boy practically created a real life representation of his pain for all to see. How has no one else pointed this out?

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

Ever notice how whimsical and lighthearted Ghirahim's bossfight theme is? I bet if you played it for someone who wasn't familiar with SS and didn't tell them the context, they'd never guess what the song was actually meant for.

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

I look at Ghirahim, and I see a battered but unbroken soul, who is so blatantly and unapologetically himself.

I look at Ghirahim, and I see someone with so many big emotions, and no very good outlets to deal with them.

I look at Ghirahim, and I see someone so desperate and eager to please, but is bound physically and emotionally to the wrong person with no one ever bothering to reach out, because they already deam him to be a lost cause.

I look at Ghirahim, and I see his attempts, subconscious or otherwise to break away from that terrible cycle, but with nothing to pull himself up on, he just keeps sliding back.

I look at Ghirahim and I see myself.

Facets of my own personality, my own need to be validated for who I am and what I believe, reflected back at me in a diamond encrusted mirror. But unlike me, he has the confidence to go out there and demand it without shame. I'm not saying that's the healthiest way to go about it, but I do wish I could learn to be more like him when it comes to expressing myself. He can just say how he feels and what he wants without even hesitating. Even to his destined enemy. How could I not love him for that?

And how could I not be upset by the way he's treated? When I know it's very possible that I could also be treated the same way, for simply being myself?

Ghirahim is so much more than just a fictional character to me. He has touched me in a way that not many of my blorbos have. He's made me know myself even better, and motivates me to be better to myself. To not bury my less conventional traits and reach out to find like minded people. By defending Ghirahim, I'm also defending myself.

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

Hyrule Warriors absolutely butchered Ghirahim's character. It's like whoever wrote him there didn't even play Skyward Sword, and just looked at the wiki, and what people on the internet said about him, and wrote him based on that. All his depth, all his redeeming qualities, all the little subtle details were just gone and he was completely flanderized into a shallow caricature of what he used to be.

Ghirahim would not work with Ganondorf as easily as portrayed in HW. He has too much loyalty (both authentic and stockholm) to ever trade masters without a fight. Nor would he ever willingly ally himself with someone like Zant.

In Ss, Ghirahim doesn't even talk about fighting til Link makes the first aggressive move. In HW? Completely different story.

I've thought a lot about why Nintendo would do something like that to my boy, and I think I finally see the reason. They saw the reception that he got in SS, and not wanting to lose fans (aka profit) they leaned into the (incorrect) interpretations of the internet haters. They saw how most people took his character at face value and decided to just roll with it to not cause backlash. Their only saving grace is that HW isn't canon, but even then the fanbase treats it like it is characterization wise a lot.

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

Everyone thinks the purple and white on Ghirahim's face is makeup. I used to think that too. But then, then, silver monsters from botw came along. Never looked at Ghirahim the same way after I saw the resemblance pointed out in a fanfic...

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

A lot of people seem to think that Ghirahim is full of himself, and on the surface I can see why. But looking deeper than face value, I don't believe that to be the case. What's going on with this boy is a lot sadder than that.

I'll start by saying this: name one character in the game who's ever said anything genuinely positive about Ghirahim, besides Ghirahim himself. Can't think of any, huh? Exactly. Even the assist trophy description in Smash seems to take a jab at him. This poor boy has to brag on himself, because no one else will. Not even Demise, the one he constantly worked his butt off to resurrect doesn't even say a word to him when he succeeds in his mission when the whole world was literally against him.

Exhibit B: After his second boss fight in the Fire Sanctuary, Ghirahim completely loses it. If he were truly as self-assured and egotistical as he acts, I don't think he would have reacted that way. He would have been able to simply shrug the defeat off as shere dumb luck on Link's part, or come up with some other excuse. But he doesn't. One defeat, one mistake is enough to cause him to break for a moment. Which sadly makes sense, since Demise doesn't seem like the kind of person to tolerate any sort of missteps...

TLDR: Ghirahim is not egotistical, he actually has a major inferiority superiority conplex.

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

I put my general sadness and frustration with life into writing this out. Please give it a read, but mind the trigger warnings in the notes and stay safe.

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

There's a really interesting pattern having to do with when Ghirahim makes diamonds and when he doesn't. Like he makes them when he teleports around and in his platforms and barriers but diamonds never have anything to do with things that are directly harmful to Link and others.

To further emphasise this, when Ghirahim vanishes his sword in his first cutscene, it fades away in a puff of diamond smoke. But when he summons it again later in the battle, it's just there again with no diamonds.

When he's in dark form, he doesn't teleport or make diamonds at all.

Another time diamonds appear are in his hit animation which seems more involuntary. I have a screenshot of it but I don't want a repeat of last time I tried to post one. Actually his hit animation is very unique. He's the only enemy in Skyward Sword, possibly even the entire Zelda franchise, to flinch away like that when he's hit. I don't know how people see that and believe he enjoys pain, or that he hasn't been abused.

But I'm getting off topic, the point I'm trying to make is that diamonds are Ghirahim's safe space/comfort object/magical stim and I'll protect this neurodivergent demon boy with my life though I know damn well he can protect himself. But everyone needs support sometimes.

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

I've been told that the screenshot is blurry, I'm sorry about that. I have the og vid here:

If you can't see it, go to 4:37 and you should be able to see it then. Sorry guys.

Guys! I have it! The screenshot I was talking about in an earlier post, I got my friend to send it to me! This is a blink and you’ll miss it moment but it’s in the game! Look! Look at him! Look at his face!

Look at those big sad eyes! Poor, poor Ghirie!

[ghirahimprotectionsquad]

You can't really see his face?;;

Yeah, I've been told. Sorry, I'm blind, I didn't know. The pic looked fine on my phone I think, but it got blurred when I uploaded it. Do you have any advice on how I could fix it?