Former Nintendo artist Takaya Imamura recently discussed the new character designs for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remaster. He believes the design carries a distinct puppet-like style, possibly reflecting Shigeru Miyamoto's affection for puppet theater.
Takaya Imamura stated that upon seeing this character model, he felt "Mr. Miyamoto's love for puppetry is clearly reflected here." Imamura worked with Shigeru Miyamoto for decades and is well-acquainted with his interests and hobbies.
The comparison images sparking discussion place the remastered Link alongside puppets from the 2009 NHK broadcast of The Three Musketeers. Due to similarities in facial contours, features, and overall stylistic design, speculation has arisen that the new character design may have been inspired by the television puppets.
The puppets featured in the program The Three Musketeers were created by Bunta Inoue. However, there is currently no evidence confirming that these puppets served as the direct design source for the remaster; comparisons merely indicate similarities in visual style between the two sets of designs.
It remains unclear to what extent Shigeru Miyamoto was directly involved in the development of this remaster. What is confirmed is his deep involvement in the creation of the original The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, whose design serves as the foundation for the characters and scenes in this remaster.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remaster is scheduled for release on November 5, 2026, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series. A themed console and Pro Controller will launch on October 29, with two new amiibo figures set to be released in 2027.