Tarin

This article is about Tarin in his Human form. For his transformation, see Raccoon.

Tarin is a character in Link's Awakening.

Names in the American English canon

Name	Tarin
Appearance(s)	Link's Awakening^[1] Link's Awakening DX^[1] Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch^[4]

Names in the American English canon
Name	Appearance(s)
Tarin	Link's Awakening^[1] Link's Awakening DX^[1] Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch^[4]

For terminology in other regions, see § Nomenclature below.

Biography

Link's Awakening

Link's Awakening instruction booklet

Tarin

Tarin is Marin's father. He bumbles a bit but is kind-hearted. He loves mushrooms and often goes to the forest in search of some for his dinner.

Tarin lives in Mabe Village with his daughter Marin.^[5] Despite being a bit clumsy,^[1] he is a kind-hearted person.^[6] He enjoys eating Toadstools and often goes into the Mysterious Forest to gather some for his meals.^[6]

*Link's Awakening* for Nintendo Switch
Tarin picking a Toadstool in the Mysterious Forest

When Link wakes up in their House after being shipwrecked on Koholint Island, Tarin prevents him from leaving until Link takes back his Shield.^[7]^[8] If Link talks to him again, he will say that something else, his Sword, has washed up on the beach.^[9] If Link tries to open the cabinet inside their House while Tarin is present, he will scold him.^[10] After Link retrieves his Sword, Tarin goes to the Mysterious Forest to pickup Toadstools, and is transformed into a Raccoon after biting into one.^[11] In his Raccoon form, he uses his magic to enchant the Forest, creating the Looping Path, preventing Link from reaching the Treasure Chest containing the Tail Key.^[12] Link can turn him back into a Human by sprinkling Magic Powder on his nose, but Tarin says he has no recollection of what happened to him and thinks it was a dream.^[11]

After being turned back into a Human, Tarin can then be found sleeping inside his House. He can later be found eating some Bananas inside his House after Link clears the Bottle Grotto, and recommends he visits Sale's House o' Bananas on Toronbo Shores if he wants to get some.^[13] After the Key Cavern is completed, Tarin is found standing next to an Honeycomb in Ukuku Prairie. He asks Link for a Stick to knock down the hive,^[14] if Link gives him one, Tarin pokes at the Hive and is subsequently chased off by a swarm of Bees. Link can then pick up the remaining Honeycomb. Afterwards, he tells Link that he has lost his taste for honey.^[15]

In the ending scene, Tarin can be seen picking Sleepy Toadstools in the Mysterious Forest.

Other Appearances

Link's Awakening (Fujiaka)

Non-Canon Information

The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.

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Link's Awakening (Cagiva)

Non-Canon Information

The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.

*Link's Awakening* (Cagiva)
Tarin leaving his House

In the Link's Awakening manga by Ataru Cagiva, Tarin is Marin's father, with whom he lives. After the shipwreck, Link wakes up inside their House. After hearing Link's story, Tarin invites him to stay for dinner. While at Toronbo Shores, Marin tells Link that Tarin has not returned from the Mysterious Forest. Once there, Link finds Tarin being attacked by a Boarblin. After being saved, Tarin returns to his home.

In volume 2, Tarin gives permission to Marin to leave Koholint Island with Link; however, they fail to make it out of it. Tarin is last seen singing the "Ballad of the Wind Fish" as Link plays it one last time to wake the Wind Fish.

Trivia

In an Ocarina of Time developer's interview, script writer Toru Osawa said that Talon and Malon from Ocarina of Time are based on Tarin and Marin. It was intended that players who have played Link's Awakening would recognize the reference.^[3]
Tarin is intentionally similar to Mario from the Mario series. Both sport a similar look, an affinity for Mushrooms, and both transform into a Raccoon.^[2]

Nomenclature

The name "Tarin" name may be a corruption of "Mario", replacing the first and last letters. It is also similar to his daughter Marin's name, replacing just the first letter.

Names in Other Regions
Language	Names	Meanings
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland English^BRBritish	Tarin ^{(LANSLink's Awakening (Nintendo Switch))}^[16]
Japan Japanese	タリン (Tarin) ^{(LALink's Awakening \| LADXLink's Awakening DX \| LANSLink's Awakening (Nintendo Switch))}^[17]	Same as English.
The People's Republic of China Chinese^SISimplified	塔林 (Tǎlín) ^{(LANSLink's Awakening (Nintendo Switch))}
The Republic of ChinaThe Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of ChinaThe Macao Special Administrative Region of China Chinese^{TRTraditional}	塔林 (Tǎlín) ^{(LANSLink's Awakening (Nintendo Switch))}
The French Republic French^EUEuropean	Tarkin ^{(LALink's Awakening \| LADXLink's Awakening DX)}^[18]^[18]
The Federal Republic of Germany German	Tarin ^{(LALink's Awakening \| LADXLink's Awakening DX \| LANSLink's Awakening (Nintendo Switch))}^[19]^[20]
The Italian Republic Italian	Tarin ^{(LALink's Awakening \| LADXLink's Awakening DX \| LANSLink's Awakening (Nintendo Switch))}^[21]^[22]^[21]
This table was generated from Zelda Wiki's translation data.

Gallery

Link's Awakening
Artwork of Tarin from Der offizielle Nintendo Spieleberater The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening by Nintendo of Europe
Link's Awakening DX
Tarin sleeping
Link's Awakening DX
Tarin inside his House
Link's Awakening DX
Tarin, Marin, and Link in front of the Weathercock
Link's Awakening DX
Tarin as a Raccoon
Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch
Tarin inside his House
Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch
Concept artwork of Tarin as a Raccoon

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 232^{(LALink's Awakening | LADXLink's Awakening DX)}
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 "I remember that we made Link’s Awakening in a really peculiar frame of mind. We began in the free spirit of an afterschool club, so the contents are quite unrestrained. If you look at it, you can tell. Characters similar to Mario and Luigi appear and Yoshi Dolls appear, too." —Takashi Tezuka (Iwata Asks - Zelda Handheld History (2. Kirby and Chomps in Zelda).)
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 "A father and daughter named Marin and Tarin that were introduced in Link's Awakening for Game Boy also appeared in this Zelda game. We're hoping that people who've played the Zelda series from the very beginning will recognize them. If you wonder 'is this a reference to then?' we'll be happy.「夢を見る島」（ＧＢ版）のときに出てきた、タリンとマリンという父親と女の子の、元になる親子も今回登場しますし、前からゼルダシリーズをやってくれているひとにわかってもらえるといいなあ、と思っています。これってひょっとしたら、あのときのあれかなって、考えてもらえたら、ぼくらも嬉しい。（スクリプトディレクター・大澤　徹さん）" —Toru Osawa (Ocarina of Time Developers Interview.)
↑ Tarin — N/A (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)
↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 233^{(LALink's Awakening | LADXLink's Awakening DX)}
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 TARIN
Tarin is Marin's father. He bumbles a bit but is kindhearted. He loves mushrooms and often goes to the forest in search of some for his dinner. (Link's Awakening manual, pg. 28)
↑ Whoa, boy! Where ya off to in such a hurry? Set a spell—I got somethin' ta tell ya! — Tarin (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)
↑ Well, LinkAppears in-game as the player's chosen name., ya finally snapped out of it... Name's Tarin. Hope yer feelin' better... What? How did I know your name? You think it's weird, eh? Well, I saw it on back of this shield! — Tarin (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)
↑ Oh, yeah... Some other stuff like this washed up on the beach... If'n you go look, watch out for monsters! Ever since you showed up, LinkAppears in-game as the player's chosen name., I've seen 'em all over the place! — Tarin (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)
↑ Hey! What are ya doin' in my chest?! Where'd you learn ta do such a thing?! — Tarin (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)
↑ ^11.0 ^11.1 The last thing I kin remember was bitin' into a big juicy toad-stool... Then, I had the darndest dream... I was a raccoon! Yeah, sounds strange, but it sure was fun! — Tarin (Link's Awakening DX)
↑ Heh heh heh ho! You're goin' ta be lost, thanks to me! Heh heh! — Raccoon (Link's Awakening DX)
↑ I was hungry somethin' fierce so I went and got bananas at the beach... Link, if you want some, you should go and get some! — Tarin (Link's Awakening DX)
↑ Oh?! Link , I see ya have a nice stick... Can I borrow it for a second? — Tarin (Link's Awakening DX)
↑ Unnnngh! Owwwww! ... ... ... ... I've sure lost my taste for honey! — Tarin (Link's Awakening DX)
↑ Artbook, Nintendo Co., Ltd., pg. 12
↑ Hyrule Encyclopedia, Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co., Ltd., pg. 231
↑ ^18.0 ^18.1 Encyclopedia, Les Éditions Soleil, pg. 233
↑ Encyclopedia, TOKYOPOP, pg. 233
↑ Endlich bist Du wieder auf den Beinen, LinkAppears in-game as the player's chosen name.… Heiße übrigens Tarin... Bist Du okay? Was? Woher ich Deinen Namen weiß?? Der steht auf der Rückseite von diesem Schild… Hier! — Tarin (Link's Awakening, German version)
↑ ^21.0 ^21.1 Enciclopedia di Hyrule, Magazzini Salani, pg. 232
↑ Tarin — N/A (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch, Italian version)

[E_232-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 232^{(LALink's Awakening | LADXLink's Awakening DX)}

[Takashi_Tezuka-2] 2.0 ^2.1 "I remember that we made Link’s Awakening in a really peculiar frame of mind. We began in the free spirit of an afterschool club, so the contents are quite unrestrained. If you look at it, you can tell. Characters similar to Mario and Luigi appear and Yoshi Dolls appear, too." —Takashi Tezuka (Iwata Asks - Zelda Handheld History (2. Kirby and Chomps in Zelda).)

[OoT_Toru_Osawa-3] 3.0 ^3.1 "A father and daughter named Marin and Tarin that were introduced in Link's Awakening for Game Boy also appeared in this Zelda game. We're hoping that people who've played the Zelda series from the very beginning will recognize them. If you wonder 'is this a reference to then?' we'll be happy.「夢を見る島」（ＧＢ版）のときに出てきた、タリンとマリンという父親と女の子の、元になる親子も今回登場しますし、前からゼルダシリーズをやってくれているひとにわかってもらえるといいなあ、と思っています。これってひょっとしたら、あのときのあれかなって、考えてもらえたら、ぼくらも嬉しい。（スクリプトディレクター・大澤　徹さん）" —Toru Osawa (Ocarina of Time Developers Interview.)

[LA_N/A-4] Tarin — N/A (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)

[E_233-5] Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 233^{(LALink's Awakening | LADXLink's Awakening DX)}

[LA_Manual_28-6] 6.0 ^6.1 TARIN
Tarin is Marin's father. He bumbles a bit but is kindhearted. He loves mushrooms and often goes to the forest in search of some for his dinner. (Link's Awakening manual, pg. 28)

[LA_Tarin-7] Whoa, boy! Where ya off to in such a hurry? Set a spell—I got somethin' ta tell ya! — Tarin (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)

[LA_Tarin_2-8] Well, LinkAppears in-game as the player's chosen name., ya finally snapped out of it... Name's Tarin. Hope yer feelin' better... What? How did I know your name? You think it's weird, eh? Well, I saw it on back of this shield! — Tarin (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)

[LA_Tarin_3-9] Oh, yeah... Some other stuff like this washed up on the beach... If'n you go look, watch out for monsters! Ever since you showed up, LinkAppears in-game as the player's chosen name., I've seen 'em all over the place! — Tarin (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)

[LA_Tarin_8-10] Hey! What are ya doin' in my chest?! Where'd you learn ta do such a thing?! — Tarin (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)

[LA_Tarin_4-11] 11.0 ^11.1 The last thing I kin remember was bitin' into a big juicy toad-stool... Then, I had the darndest dream... I was a raccoon! Yeah, sounds strange, but it sure was fun! — Tarin (Link's Awakening DX)

[LA_Raccoon-12] Heh heh heh ho! You're goin' ta be lost, thanks to me! Heh heh! — Raccoon (Link's Awakening DX)

[LA_Tarin_5-13] I was hungry somethin' fierce so I went and got bananas at the beach... Link, if you want some, you should go and get some! — Tarin (Link's Awakening DX)

[LA_Tarin_6-14] Oh?! Link , I see ya have a nice stick... Can I borrow it for a second? — Tarin (Link's Awakening DX)

[LA_Tarin_7-15] Unnnngh! Owwwww! ... ... ... ... I've sure lost my taste for honey! — Tarin (Link's Awakening DX)

[nomenclature-ref-1-16] Artbook, Nintendo Co., Ltd., pg. 12

[nomenclature-ref-2-17] Hyrule Encyclopedia, Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co., Ltd., pg. 231

[nomenclature-ref-3-18] 18.0 ^18.1 Encyclopedia, Les Éditions Soleil, pg. 233

[nomenclature-ref-4-19] Encyclopedia, TOKYOPOP, pg. 233

[nomenclature-ref-5-20] Endlich bist Du wieder auf den Beinen, LinkAppears in-game as the player's chosen name.… Heiße übrigens Tarin... Bist Du okay? Was? Woher ich Deinen Namen weiß?? Der steht auf der Rückseite von diesem Schild… Hier! — Tarin (Link's Awakening, German version)

[nomenclature-ref-6-21] 21.0 ^21.1 Enciclopedia di Hyrule, Magazzini Salani, pg. 232

[nomenclature-ref-7-22] Tarin — N/A (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch, Italian version)

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Tarin

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