With The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild considered a massive success, it's no surprise many fans fell in love with the new characters seen within the game. Urbosa, Champion of the Gerudo and pilot of the Divine Beast Vah Naboris, is a major standout amongst the colorful denizens of Hyrule. Her popularity even landed her a role in the spin-off title Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, and plenty of fans look forward to learning more in Breath of the Wild's sequel.
Like most Zelda characters, there's more to Urbosa than what players see when she's onscreen. Through external media, flashbacks, and her own diary entries, different facets of Urbosa's personality come to light.
She's The Director's Favorite
In a behind-the-scenes featurette on Breath of the Wild, game director Hidemaro Fujibayashi mentions a few noteworthy things about Urbosa. When discussing favorite characters, Fujibayashi mentions that he has a particular soft spot for Urbosa. He also lets slip that her name was the first to be finalized during the development of the game.
It's little wonder that Fujibayashi adores Urbosa so much; she's one of the most likable characters in Breath of the Wild and the game does an excellent job in fleshing her out. Having a seal of approval from the game's own director only adds to Urbosa's impressive list of achievements.
She Was Friends With Zelda's Mother
Throughout cutscenes and entries from Urbosa's diary, it's revealed that Urbosa had a special connection with Zelda's mother, the queen of Hyrule. Even before the birth of the young princess, the two were extremely close friends, and Urbosa even attended the queen's funeral after her passing. She calls Zelda by the nickname 'little bird', a term of endearment first used by the late queen.
Urbosa's friendship with the queen is reflected in the support she offers Zelda, as though she feels obligated to look after her in her mother's stead. Zelda, in turn, confides in Urbosa about her worries with the burden placed on her, only strengthening the maternal instincts Urbosa feels.
She Resents Ganondorf's Legacy As A Gerudo
As a Champion of the Gerudo, Urbosa's primary goal is to help repel the threat known as Calamity Ganon from Hyrule. Dialogue from Urbosa, however, establishes that her anger towards Ganon is a lot more personal than appears. One of Ganon's many previous forms was that of Ganondorf, the only Gerudo man born in 100 years. His legacy hangs over the heads of the Gerudo as a black mark, something that Urbosa greatly resents him for.
Her determination to see Ganon answer for this legacy is so great that not even death can stop Urbosa from achieving her goals. Urbosa's spirit encourages Link to do what she couldn't in seeking and destroying Ganon before she can move on and rest eternally.
She's A Zelink Shipper
When Link is first assigned to be Zelda's bodyguard, Urbosa greatly supports the two of them, even as Zelda initially shows resistance towards Link. Like many an avid fan who ships Zelda and Link, Urbosa constantly encourages Zelda to open up to Link; likewise, she confides in Link about Zelda's worries and helps him get closer to her. Urbosa's efforts come to fruition in the Champion's Ballad DLC, when Zelda, Link, and the Champions take a group photo.
This photo has Zelda and Link pushed close together and Urbosa looking on with approval. Her sly smile and teasing glance greatly resembles that of a shipper who's just found evidence of their favorite pairing possibly becoming canon.
Her People Didn't Want Her Piloting Vah Naboris
On page 4 of her diary, Urbosa documents the day that Hyrule recruited her to pilot Vah Naboris. While she herself did not hesitate a second before stepping up to the challenge, her people responded to the news with a lot more trepidation than one would expect. According to Urbosa, the other Gerudo apparently feared for her life and pleaded with her to turn down the offer, stating that it was too dangerous.
This account puts a more nuanced light on Urbosa as a chieftain, showing that she will do whatever it takes to protect her people. Even if they do not agree with Urbosa or understand her choices, she's willing to risk her life it is means doing the right thing.
She Mothers Riju In Age Of Calamity
Through a series of unexpected events, Urbosa meets up with Riju, her successor, during the events of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. While most would be a little shocked to meet the person who inherits their Divine Weapon, Urbosa takes the situation in stride and grows fond of the young Chieftain. She becomes a mother figure to Riju, offering her words of encouragement and showing concern when she pushes herself too hard.
In the original Breath of the Wild, players witnessed countless moments where Urbosa takes on a motherly role for Link, Zelda, and the other Champions. Extending that to Riju is a sign of the immense trust Urbosa has in her abilities and the gratitude she shares for Riju's timely arrival.
She Shares A Voice With RWBY's Winter Schnee
Players with sharp ears may notice that Urbosa's voice sounds a little familiar. That's because she's voiced by Elizabeth Maxwell, a popular anime voice actress known for her low voice. Maxwell is best known in fandom from the show RWBY, where she voices Winter Schnee.
A graceful yet serious fighter, Winter is the big sister of main character Weiss Schnee and a mentor for many of the main characters, just as how disciplined warrior Urbosa serves as a mentor for Zelda. The two characters have plenty of similarities with one another; clearly, Elizabeth Maxwell is experienced in playing sisterly or motherly characters such as these two.
Her Divine Beast's Theme Has A Hidden Message
It is common knowledge that the Divine Beast themes in Breath of the Wild make use of morse code as part of the song; most notably, the signals for 'Search and Destroy' and 'SOS' are common motifs representing the Champions struggling and ultimately failing to repel Calamity Ganon's forces. Vah Naboris' theme also contains these motifs, albeit they are quieter than in the other Divine Beast melodies.
As a powerful warrior, Urbosa would have been the first major target of Calamity Ganon's forces. The faint SOS signal points to the heartbreaking scenario that she was quickly overwhelmed before a distress signal could even reach the others.
She Has A Silly Side
A huge part of Breath of the Wild involves Link collecting memories of his past life, and one of these memories provides insight into a previously unexplored aspect of Urbosa. The memory in question shows a heartfelt conversation between Link and Urbosa as Zelda naps peacefully on her lap; towards the end, however, Urbosa wakes up Zelda with an unorthodox use of her powers.
Despite her reputation as a powerful and awe-inspiring warrior, Urbosa demonstrates a secret playful side in how she pranks a very startled Zelda. She's not above laughing over Zelda's confusion and enjoying herself in a moment of brief respite from the Calamity.
She Taught Link How To Enter Gerudo Town
Page 6 of Urbosa's diary highlights a tense moment in Link and Zelda's relationship where Zelda goes to Gerudo Town to avoid Link. When Urbosa learns of the situation, she teaches Link how to enter Gerudo Town without being thrown out for being a man; presumably, she is referring to the Gerudo Set Link can wear to gain entry.
Despite being fully aware of the rules about 'voe' in Gerudo Town, Urbosa shows she's willing to bend the rules in order to help Link and Zelda overcome their differences. It's a surprising nuance to Urbosa's character that players would not expect otherwise.