Takaya Imamura Sees Miyamoto’s Puppet Theater Influence in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake

Takaya Imamura sees a familiar influence behind The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake’s divisive character designs. The former Nintendo artist believes the look, particularly the new Link model, reflects Shigeru Miyamoto’s long-known affection for puppet theater. Nintendo’s September 8 gameplay reveal established the remake’s refreshed visual direction and triggered debate over Young Link’s design, as detailed in the remake’s initial visual reveal, before Imamura responded on September 9.

Imamura spent 32 years at Nintendo, where he designed the Star Fox characters and helped give The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask its distinctive dark visual identity. His history with Miyamoto gives the observation some useful context. In an English translation of his post, Imamura wrote, “Looking at this model, I felt that… Mr. Miyamoto’s love of puppet shows really comes through here, too.”

今回のモデルを見て感じたのは……ここにも宮本さんの「人形劇好き」がしっかり表れている気がする❗️ https://t.co/ENPmW2Pavc

— 今村孝矢 / Takaya Imamura (@ima_1966) September 8, 2026

The comparison points more toward marionettes than the rounded, Muppet-like character designs associated with Star Fox. The remake’s Link model has a staged, doll-like quality that makes Imamura’s reading easier to understand, even if the comment remains his interpretation rather than an official explanation of the art direction.

Ayer con el anuncio de Zelda, salieron un montón de personas a corregir el estilo de direccion de arte para "mejorarlo" Takaya Imamura, quien trabajó en Nintendo por más de 32+ años, revela que el arte está influenciado por las 人形劇 Ningyogeki (Marionetas Japonesas) pic.twitter.com/UXEoAOw2Rg

— Drechin🌟🌸🌻 (@drechin_) September 9, 2026

Imamura’s own work provides another connection. The original Star Fox was marketed with puppets, while the franchise’s newer visual treatments have also prompted debate from fans. Ocarina of Time Remake is now drawing a similar reaction, although its style appears to be reaching for Japanese marionette theater instead of copying Star Fox’s approach.

Nintendo has scheduled the remake for an exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 launch on November 5, 2026, after showing its first gameplay on September 8. That gives players time to sit with the new designs before the remake arrives, and Imamura’s comment adds another way to read what Nintendo is doing with its version of Hyrule.

Do you see Miyamoto’s puppet theater influence in the remake’s art style? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.