Nintendo is giving The Legend of Zelda franchise another major moment in 2026 with the announcement of an official companion book tied to Tears of the Kingdom. Scheduled for release in October 2026, the hardcover publication arrives as the series celebrates its 40th anniversary and expands the lore behind one of Nintendo's most successful games.
Titled The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Secrets of the Zonai, the 424-page book serves as an in-depth companion to the 2023 adventure. It explores the history of the mysterious Zonai civilization while offering fans a closer look at the game's world, artwork, and development process.
According to official details, the book features around 50 pages of character illustrations, promotional artwork, and concept art, followed by hundreds of pages dedicated to behind-the-scenes development materials, production sketches, and commentary from the creative team. It also includes an extensive section covering the lore and history of Hyrule's ancient civilization.
Longtime Zelda developers Eiji Aonuma, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, and Satoru Takizawa contributed to the project, helping ensure the information presented aligns with the game's official canon. Their involvement makes the book a valuable resource for fans interested in the creative process behind Tears of the Kingdom.
The release also coincides with Nintendo's broader celebration of the franchise. In addition to the upcoming companion book, Nintendo has confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will return for Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, introducing the classic adventure to a new generation of players.
With new games, anniversary celebrations, and expanded lore arriving throughout the year, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years for The Legend of Zelda since the launch of Tears of the Kingdom. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, October's official release offers another opportunity to explore the world of Hyrule beyond the games themselves.
