For fans of The Legend of Zelda series, there are a few iconic characters that immediately spring to mind—Link, Ganon, and of course, Princess Zelda herself. However, Breath of the Wild (BOTW) introduced a fresh and emotionally resonant set of characters that took us by surprise, none more so than Princess Mipha.
In a game filled with incredible relationships and deep storytelling, Mipha’s bond with Link, as well as her tender personality, became a standout for many players. This impact wasn’t just due to her narrative role but also because of the emotional depth that her voice actor, Amelia Gotham, brought to the character. Amelia’s portrayal of Mipha was not just a job; it became a heartfelt connection between herself, the character, and the audience. Today, we’re diving into an interview with Amelia Gotham to explore how she took on this unforgettable role, her journey through the audition process, her approach to voice acting, and her reaction to Mipha’s immense popularity after the game’s release.
The Audition Process: From Hopeful to Humbled
Amelia’s journey into the role of Princess Mipha began with an audition at Formosa Interactive in Los Angeles, California. At the time, she wasn’t as familiar with the Zelda series as many other fans would have been. Her knowledge of the franchise came from playing older versions of the games during her childhood. Little did she know, Breath of the Wild would mark a major turning point in the franchise by being the first fully voiced Zelda game, making her audition even more significant.
Amelia recalls the audition process vividly: “They brought me in along with several others to read for multiple characters. I read for all the female parts and got a callback for Zelda but not Mipha. I would later find out that I did well enough in the first audition that they didn’t require me to read for her again.” One specific moment from the audition stuck with her: “I remember tearing up in the booth—truly touched by the tragedy of Mipha’s story. I wanted the part badly, but, as with everything in the acting world, you can’t get your hopes up. However, when I received the news that I did get it, I was absolutely ecstatic.”
Landing the role was a dream come true for Amelia. She explains how the character’s emotional depth moved her from the very beginning, especially in scenes like one where Mipha speaks tearfully to herself, wishing she could see her father once more. “I remember tearing up in the booth—it was that emotional,” Amelia confesses. “It felt like I was channeling Mipha’s heartache, which made the role all the more special to me.”
A Fresh Approach to Mipha
While many actors take inspiration from previous interpretations of their characters, Amelia’s process was different. Breath of the Wild was the first game in the Zelda series to feature voiced characters, and that gave Amelia a unique opportunity to shape Mipha without the pressure of adhering to past portrayals. She recalls, “I had played old versions of Zelda as a child but was not familiar with how popular the series had become over the years. Since BOTW was the first voiced game in the Zelda franchise, past games did not influence my approach to her. This was great for me because I could invent her as I saw her and not try to copy someone else’s work.”
This freedom to shape Mipha in her own way was crucial in developing the character’s distinctive voice. According to Amelia, much of this was achieved through collaboration with the director, Jamie Mortellaro, and the broader team at Nintendo. “With the help of Jamie, we were able to create Mipha. Although Nintendo deserves credit for her traits, we worked together to bring her to life.”
Despite this creative flexibility, Amelia had to adapt her performance to match the character’s movements and lip sync. The Japanese voice actors had already recorded their lines, and the English dialogue needed to align with the character’s lip movements. “It was challenging to match the pacing of the character’s lips while also giving life to the scene,” says Amelia. “But with the direction of Jamie and the rest of the Nintendo team, I believe we were successful in creating an intriguing character.”
Creating Mipha’s Affection for Link
One of Mipha’s defining traits is her deep affection for Link, which stands out even in a series known for its complex character relationships. Amelia reflects on how this element of Mipha’s character was finalized well before she came on board. “Mipha’s love for Link was established long before I came aboard. Nintendo did an excellent job of creating a loving and lovable character with a very sorrowful story.”
The tenderness in Mipha’s relationship with Link resonated with many players, especially given how rarely such vulnerability is seen in a strong female character in video games. Mipha’s love is not forceful or grandiose; instead, it is quiet, respectful, and deeply emotional. For Amelia, this contrast made playing Mipha an incredibly rewarding experience. She notes, “I think it’s not typical to have a strong female character who is also demure and soft-spoken. I was worried that people wouldn’t understand her, but I was pleased to see the positive response from the majority of players.”
Mipha’s Unexpected Popularity
When Breath of the Wild was released, Mipha quickly became a fan favorite. Her popularity was something that took Amelia by surprise. “I was unsure of how Mipha would be received and hoped that the audience would fall in love with her shy, sweet manner as I had. I think that it’s not typical to have a strong female character that is also demure and soft spoken and I was worried that people wouldn’t understand her,” says Amelia. “But of course, there’s always going to be critics. I was pleased to see the positive response from the majority of players.”
The fans’ love for Mipha has endured, and Amelia has shared that the character’s lasting impact is something she never expected. “I was absolutely shocked by the response. It’s amazing to see how Mipha has become such an iconic part of the Zelda universe. I never thought my performance would resonate with so many people.”
The Challenge of Video Game Voice Acting
Voice acting for video games comes with its own unique set of challenges, and Amelia describes some of the differences between her work on Breath of the Wild and other roles she has played. “With voice-over acting, you can’t rely on your face to provide the audience with information on the character’s emotional state. There’s no slight smile or ‘look of worry’ that you can use. Everything is in the voice,” she explains. Despite this, Amelia admits that she still finds herself making the facial expressions and gestures that would normally accompany her acting, even though the audience can’t see them.
Another challenge unique to video games, especially in Breath of the Wild, is that the actors don’t receive scripts ahead of time. The first time Amelia saw her lines was on the recording day itself. “Some of the lines had to be adjusted on the spot to match the lip flaps of the character,” she recalls. “It was all very dynamic and required flexibility.”
Exploring the Impact of Breath of the Wild
Despite her close connection to Mipha, Amelia has yet to play Breath of the Wild herself. “Do you want to know something kind of funny?” she laughs. “I don’t own any kind of console and haven’t played a video game in years.” While she hasn’t had the chance to experience the game firsthand, she is deeply aware of its cultural significance and how it has touched the hearts of players worldwide.
The emotional depth of Breath of the Wild, paired with Mipha’s gentle but powerful character, has left a lasting mark on the Zelda series. Amelia’s portrayal of Mipha has not only contributed to this but also provided fans with a new way to connect with a beloved franchise.
The Future of Mipha
With the ongoing success of Breath of the Wild and its expansions, fans are eager to know what’s next for Mipha and the other characters introduced in the game. Although Amelia is tight-lipped about any future developments, she remains hopeful that the story of Mipha and her companions will continue to be explored. “At this time, there’s nothing I can share,” she says, but fans are sure to keep hoping for more content involving the beloved character.
As the Zelda franchise continues to evolve, the emotional resonance of characters like Mipha will remain a testament to the power of storytelling in video games. For Amelia Gotham, playing Mipha was more than just voicing a character—it was about creating a legacy for one of the most cherished characters in the Zelda universe.
This version of the article expands on Amelia Gotham’s experience, delves into the challenges and emotional connections she had while voicing Mipha, and provides additional insights into the future of the character, making it a more comprehensive read.
