Nintendo identified Tomomi Sano as the first female director in The Legend of Zelda series when it profiled the making of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. Sano directed the project from Nintendo’s side, while Satoshi Terada directed from Grezzo’s side; Eiji Aonuma was the series producer. The milestone is specific to the Zelda series, not a claim about the games industry as a whole.
Tomomi Sano’s role on Echoes of Wisdom
In Nintendo’s September 23, 2024 Ask the Developer interview, Sano said, “I was the director for this title from Nintendo’s side.” Nintendo also described her as the first female director of the Zelda series.
Sano’s director work included managing and coordinating production, suggesting adjustments, and checking that the gameplay Grezzo developed fit the Zelda series. Her previous credits included Zelda remakes such as Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora’s Mask 3D, Link’s Awakening and Twilight Princess HD, as well as games in the Mario & Luigi series. She said her main role before Echoes of Wisdom had been supporting a director.
How Nintendo and Grezzo shared direction
The project brought Nintendo together with Grezzo, the studio behind earlier Zelda remakes, to make a brand-new game in the series. Sano was Nintendo’s director; Terada was Grezzo’s director; Aonuma served as series producer. These are distinct roles within the collaboration, rather than competing claims about a single director.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
Nintendo’s UK interview chapter, also published September 23, 2024, discusses the collaboration and Sano’s work overseeing how the game aligned with Zelda. Nintendo announced the game’s launch date as September 26, 2024.
Why Zelda became the protagonist
Echoes of Wisdom is a top-down Nintendo Switch adventure in which rifts appear across Hyrule, swallowing people, objects and Link. Zelda sets out with Tri and uses the Tri Rod to create “echoes”—copies of objects and monsters—that help her solve traversal problems and fight.
Rank #2
- Save the Kingdom of Hyrule - this time as Princess Zelda - in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom for Nintendo Switch
- In this new installment of The Legend of Zelda range, it's up to Zelda and her wisdom to save the kingdom of Hyrule. Its inhabitants disappear into strange cracks - and with them a very specific sword fighter.
- Step into the role of Princess Zelda and save Hyrule from a mysterious force. Use their wisdom and tri rod to solve puzzles and defeat enemies.
- Creativity is the key to success: discover the power of Tri-Stab and create imitations of objects and creatures, so-called echoes. Use these echoes to overcome obstacles and take over in battle.
- Beautifully designed world full of secrets and captivating story full of adventures.
The developers initially considered Link as the protagonist. They said his familiar sword-and-shield combat risked drawing attention away from the Echoes system, which is built around copying and using objects and monsters. Zelda suited that mechanic, while the rifts and threat to Hyrule gave her a reason to leave the castle and take action. Nintendo’s Australia interview chapter, published September 25, 2024, recounts that design discussion.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the milestone means
Nintendo’s account makes Sano’s appointment a milestone within the Zelda series: she directed from Nintendo’s side on a mainline game starring Zelda, while the project also had a director at its development partner. The interview credits her production coordination and series-fit oversight alongside the game’s central design choice to put Zelda—and the Echoes mechanic—at its center.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Best Value
![Legend of Zelda Echoes of Wisdom with Photocard Korean Edition [English Support] for Nintendo Switch](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51qO+QRZsFL._SL160_.jpg)
- This is Korean Version released in Korea. Region free title so you can play it on your Switch.
- Korean Edition supports Multi language Subtitles: English, Korean, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese
- Korean Version Exclusive Gift: Lanticular Photocard
Rank #4
![Legend of Zelda Echoes of Wisdom with Steelbook Korean Edition [English Support] for Nintendo Switch](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51VctepeDGL._SL160_.jpg)
- This is Korean Version released in Korea. Region free title so you can play it on your Switch.
- Korean Edition supports Multi language Subtitles: English, Korean, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese
- Korean Version Exclusive Gift: SCANAVO SteelBook Included for Switch Game Card.
Rank #3
- Save the kingdom of Hyrule, this time with the wisdom of Princess Zelda! The people of Hyrule are being swallowed by strange crevices that have arisen, with a certain swordsman among the missing. Now it's up to Princess Zelda to save her kingdom in a new story from The Legend of Zelda !
- Team up with Tri and use the power of Tri's scepter to create "echoes", which are copies of objects found in the environment. Then recreate these echoes whenever you want to solve puzzles and defeat enemies.
- Create echoes like blocks of water to reach new heights, bridge old beds, throw rocks at enemies, or find your own creative combination of echoes to do everything your own way. You can even create monster echoes to fight alongside you in combat!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
