Eiji Aonuma, the longtime producer of The Legend of Zelda series, has ensured that the hero of time will rise to combat evil since Ocarina of Time. Now Aonuma himself has received a hero’s title, albeit without getting to pick up a cool sword. This week, the French Ministry of Culture invited Hyrule’s caretaker to receive the honors of being knighted.
Hailed by Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard as “a storyteller who always leaves room for the player’s imagination,” Aonuma was given the title of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government. Pégard gave Aonuma his medallion, thanking him for inspiring children of “the whole world to dream.” The Japanese game maker prepared his own statement in French, encouraging fans to “continue this adventure together.”
Eiji Aonuma, réalisateur des derniers Zelda, est devenu ce matin au Ministère de la Culture Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
Il a conclu son discours en français pour son épouse, présente dans la salle : "Merci de m'avoir suivi jusqu'ici, continuons l'aventure ensemble" ♥️ pic.twitter.com/6Z0MbeyQGT
— Chloé Woitier ☕ (@W_Chloe) October 23, 2026
Aonuma began working at Nintendo in 1988, but it was serving as a director on Ocarina of Time that would cement his legacy. He has been an integral part of every mainline Zelda entry since, and even most of the spin-offs. Aonuma usually serves as producer, and has shaped Link’s adventure from the Nintendo 64 era, through Wind Waker, Breath of the Wild and right back to a remake of the game where his own quest began.
The French Ministry of Culture announced Aonuma’s knighthood back in 2023, holding the ceremony just this past week. He is joined in his class by jazz musician Kenny Garrett, actress Richa Chadha and Ranma ½ creator Rumiko Takahashi. Unlike some knighthoods, the distinction can be given to artists regardless of nationality, and often span a diverse array of mediums.
While game developers are less common than other disciplines, they are no strangers at the Ministry. Shigeru Miyamoto himself received the title in 2006 and the illustrious Peter Molyneux just a year later. Earlier this year the Ministry announced their intentions to give the title to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 creators Sandfall Interactive, the first time an entire game studio will be sharing one ribbon.