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Trying to Understand Why LU Warriors Is the Fandom’s Least Favorite Link

A Passerby Reader’s Observation on Linked Universe: Trying to Understand Why LU Warriors Is the Fandom’s Least Favorite Link

I like him. And it baffles me that in several polls, he ranked as the least liked Link? Genuinely, I thought he would rank higher - definitely not last. I’m not upset or disappointed, just so befuddled that I dug up my old Tumblr from its grave and wrote this observation note instead of working. I need to comprehend this curious phenomenon.

I fell into the Linked Universe rabbit hole in 2024, originally looking for LoZ fics that focus on friendship. I was very happy with what I found in the fandom. But then I was alarmed that I couldn’t find LU fans on the platforms I usually haunt. My options were Tumblr and Discord, which basically feel like entering an agora and trying to follow people’s conversations mid-dialogue. (I miss the golden era of webboards so badly.) Nevertheless, I joined those platforms and binge-read a lot of content.

This is my observation, based on my 21-ish years of being in fandoms. No philosophical articulation, no theories or statistics to support the claim. Just hunches and non-educated guesses.

Warriors is the most bishōnen Link. That’s why my first thought, upon being introduced to him through fanfics and Lu comics, was that he must be well-liked. I’ve seen some fans analyze that his unpopularity might stem from his fanon characterization: vain, a womanizer, mean, or a comedic relief side character who only rarely gets a moment to shine.

To me, the closest trope for fanon Warriors is the ‘magnificent bastard’ archetype - someone who seems shallow on the surface but occasionally reveals a sharp mind or surprising badassery. They have layers, but hide behind a pretty face or vain personality. The satisfaction of liking these characters often comes from the delayed gratification of watching them subvert expectations.

I honestly thought that kind of fanon characterization would make him more popular. Seriously.

What a culture shock.

Of course, those archetypes tend to be polarizing. But I assumed he would also be well-loved as well-hated, like other bishōnen forefathers before him like Oikawa, Sanji, or Reigen ,etc.

I suspect age, and perhaps the geopolitical makeup of the fandom, might play a role here? I’m not sure how many Thai fans are in this fandom, but I think if they found LU Warriors, they’d love the life out of him, fanon or canon.

Comic-canon Warriors is neither a womanizer, mean, nor vain. But based on those polls, the fandom at large still seems warming up to his character.

It made me scratch my head with my feet.

Maybe this has nothing to do with fanon or canon characterization? Maybe Warriors simply embodies certain traits or virtues that don’t resonate with most of the fandom, especially compared to the other Links. I suspect this has something to do with a young adult audience's aversion to (perceived) authority figures.

Let’s talk about LU Legend. His popularity makes sense to me. He’s passionately loved and hated. I think a character like Legend resonates with younger audiences, people who feel oppressed by the system, because he’s often portrayed as young but already jaded, snarky, and burdened with trauma. Hurt but defiant; competent and kind but still not give in or become part of the (problematic) system which might make his fans feel both vindicated and empowered. Legend isn’t seen as an authority figure, despite being overqualified for the role (and is seen stepping up in the comic). I think that makes fans feel safer liking him.

Wild, Wind, and Four also don’t come across as authority figures. Wild is especially popular, fitting the hurt-young-protagonist trope/ headcanons well. Unlike Legend, he’s not portrayed as tsundere, so he generates less contradiction and feels more vulnerable (also botw/totk are very popular games).

LU Time and LU Twilight (and even fanon LU Sky, the ‘mother cucco’) look and act like adults but get different treatment than Warriors. Time fits the role of the wise, jaded, disillusioned old man. Fans agree he’s been through a lot. His choice to live a quiet farming life makes him seem like someone who wouldn’t impose order on the younger cast. Fans see him as a source of wisdom the young protagonist can turn to. Meanwhile, Twilight and Sky are often cast as supportive adult allies. They don’t represent authority in a threatening way (maybe a little overbearing.)

LU Warriors, though, does represent authority the most. That’s likely why there are so many headcanons portraying him as authoritative, distrustful, and bossy, making him a convenient antagonist. He looks like an adult. He acts like an adult. Whether or not he’s a victim of the system (knighthood), he chose to stay. And that’s why I think some of his fans empathize with him, myself included.

I believe his character might resonate more with those who have to manage people, give orders, and make decisions their younger selves would have hated them for. Because maturity comes at the price of doing inescapable duties and being disliked. The nuances of life *sigh*

In conclusion, Warriors seems to be an acquired taste. And I can confidently declare I’ve acquired him since the moment I laid eyes on the strings of fanon words that turned him into a vain, pretty boy.

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luke : I……l don’t think so……(you’re handsome)

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father & uncle & I