Urbosa

Concept and creation

Urbosa was created for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, designed with a more feminine, motherly appearance and slightly less muscular than other Gerudo, possessing both the strength of a warrior and a mother. Cinematic designer Naoki Mori designed a scene where Urbosa saves Princess Zelda from the Yiga and serves as her spiritual mother, describing her as kind, relaxed, and sassy. Mori also wrote Urbosa as wanting to take responsibility for Ganondorf's rise to power in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, part of expanding the series' expansive nature and rich history.

Lead NPC artist Hirohito Shinoda designed her outfit with the idea of a person an ordinary Gerudo would look up to. Urbosa's name was the first finalized during development of Breath of the Wild. As Chief of the Gerudo and pilot of Vah Naboris, she controls lightning. She is related to Riju, the current Gerudo Chief and her direct descendant.

Like other Champions, she has a unique skill used in gameplay. Urbosa has common Gerudo traits: dark skin, red hair, green eyes, and blue lips. She wears a multicolored golden breastplate with shoulder guards, a gold belt with a blue skirt, green high-heels, and several gold jewels. In Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, she appears as Gerudo Chief before being named Gerudo Champion, wearing the Chief's crown and a black skirt with the Gerudo symbol.

She keeps her signature weapon, the Scimitar of the Seven, and Daybreaker shield holstered to her back. She is noted for her tall stature and muscular build. Urbosa is voiced in Japanese by Rei Shimoda and in English by Elizabeth Maxwell.

Appearances

Urbosa appears in Breath of the Wild as one of four Champions alongside Mipha, Revali, and Daruk, tasked with aiding Princess Zelda and Link against Calamity Ganon. In the game's backstory, she commands Vah Naboris, but Calamity Ganon takes control of the Divine Beasts, resulting in her death and the deaths of the other Champions as Link enters a 100-year slumber. After Link awakens, he can tame Vah Naboris and meets Urbosa's spirit, who guides him inside the Divine Beast.

Urbosa plays a major role in the backstory, revealed through cutscenes and her diary entries. She had a special connection with Zelda's mother, the Queen of Hyrule, and offers support to Zelda. Urbosa strongly supports the relationship between Link and Zelda and actively brings them closer. After her death, her spirit appears to encourage Link to destroy Calamity Ganon.

In Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, a prequel set in an alternate timeline created by Terrako time traveling, Urbosa arrives home to Gerudo Town as Master Kohga, disguised as Urbosa, is about to strike down Zelda, only to be electrocuted. Due to her close friendship with Zelda, Urbosa agrees to pilot Vah Naboris against the Calamity. After Zelda and Link gather the other Champions and recover the Master Sword, Zelda voices concern about Link changing, but Urbosa assures her Link is still himself. Urbosa is then dubbed Gerudo Champion and returns to pilot Vah Naboris, battling both the Yiga and the Calamity.

Reception

Urbosa has received generally positive reception, identified as a fan favorite and standout character in Breath of the Wild. Holly Green of Paste Magazine and Rich Meister of Destructoid held her as one of their favorite characters of 2017. Multiple sources, including TheGamer and Game Informer, regarded her as one of the best characters in Breath of the Wild. Destructoid contributor Pixie the Fairy called her a recent favorite, awed by her heroic and fearsome yet gentle, perceptive, and wise nature.

Hussain Almahr of Vice called her amazing while feeling Arabic themes in the Gerudo were not adequately represented. Multiple critics expressed desire to see her in other games, particularly as a newcomer in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Ash Parrish of Kotaku singled out playing as Urbosa as the highlight of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. TheGamer writer Cian Maher wanted to see her get her own game, regarding her as one of his favorite characters in the series. Game Informer writer Liana Ruppert expressed hope Urbosa would appear more in the future.