The 7 Most Ariana Grande-Coded Nintendo Characters
Pop stars and video game icons aren’t as far apart as they seem. Both draw their power from presence – that gravity that makes it impossible to look away. When I think of Nintendo characters who feel Ariana Grande-coded, a few names rise above the rest. Not because they sing, most of them don’t, but because they balance softness with strength and always manage to look good doing it.
So let’s shine a light on them:
Eevee – Pokémon
Maybe it’s the most obvious choice on this list — Ariana literally had an Eevee tattoo before getting it lasered off in 2024 — but the connection fits too well to ignore. Eevee embodies the kind of versatility that defines Ariana’s career. From the sweetness of Yours Truly to the confidence of Dangerous Woman, she shifts styles with ease while staying unmistakably herself. Eevee mirrors that perfectly: cute, approachable, universally adored, and able to evolve into any of its eight forms (nine with Gigantamax). Each feels distinct yet authentic to its core. That ability to change lanes without losing identity is what makes both Eevee and Ariana icons.
Zelda – The Legend of Zelda
Zelda is quite literally royalty, and Ariana has been pop royalty for over a decade. Carrying the Triforce of Wisdom, Zelda embodies the same sharp mind and poise that define Ariana’s reign as a pop princess. Whether she is Glinda on the silver screen or preparing to tour the music of Eternal Sunshine, she knows how to command attention without ever forcing it. Even when Zelda steps into the role of Sheik, it reflects the idea that sometimes only you can save yourself, something Ariana has shown us time and again. What makes both figures stand out is the composure underneath, an elegance that does not bend even when the whole world is watching.
Rosalina – Super Mario Galaxy
Rosalina feels less like a supporting character and more like a celestial presence, gliding through her universe with calm authority and beauty so striking it unsettles even the legacy characters. Ariana carries that same glow. There is a quiet power in how she holds herself, radiant but never hurried, always just out of reach until the moment she decides to step forward. Rosalina guides her Lumas with a steady hand, and Ariana guides her stardom with the same poise. What makes them alike is the balance of distance and warmth. These two luminous figures don’t need constant visibility to remain unforgettable. After all, both of them are getting movies in the next six months!
Kirby – Kirby series
Not just because they share the same lung capacity, Kirby is the classic bait-and-switch. Pink, plush, and adorable, yet secretly one of the strongest characters in Nintendo’s entire universe. Ariana carries the same energy. Petite, soft-spoken, often playful in interviews, she can still unleash a belt that shakes an arena. Her turn as Glinda is the perfect harmony of Ariana and Kirby: sweetness on the outside, overwhelming force underneath. Kirby’s copy ability is Ariana’s genre-hopping — R&B, EDM, trap, disco-house, whatever lane she chooses, it becomes hers. Cuteness may be the entry point, but raw power is the legacy.
Isabelle – Animal Crossing
Isabelle is Nintendo’s sweetheart, always cheerful and polite, but she is also the quiet force that keeps everything in order. Ariana played a similar role on the Wicked soundtrack. She was not only Glinda on screen but also took part in the vocal production, shaping how the performances were arranged and recorded. It was meticulous work that most people will never see, yet it is the reason the songs feel seamless and alive. Isabelle manages her village with the same steady touch, making sure every detail is in place while never losing her warmth. Both show that true influence often works in the background, turning effort into ease.
Samus Aran – Metroid
Sure, part of the connection might be the ponytail, but Samus is the clearest embodiment of Ariana’s baddie side. Ariana may not be talking about her “cookie” or her “juice” anymore, and she hasn’t told Kiyomi to get in here in 2025 (though it’s not too late, Ariana), but real fans know that energy is still there, waiting. Samus shifts between heavy armor and sleek catsuits without hesitation, just as Ariana moves from look to look with the same confidence. The armor protects, but it isn’t the whole story. The glamour dazzles, but it isn’t a weakness. Ariana’s career thrives on that balance. Like Samus, she proves that strength and style are not opposites but two sides of the same icon.
Hilda – Fire Emblem
Hilda is known for being laid back, leaning on others when she can, and then revealing a level of skill that no one saw coming. Ariana, while no one would call her lazy, carries a similar spark. She jokes, she teases, she lets people underestimate her, but the results always speak louder than the setup. A single note can silence doubt, and a single project can change the conversation. Even without an Album of the Year nomination — still the most glaring snub in decades — her talent is undeniable. Other artists may compete in many ways, but vocally she stands apart, and vocal ability does not lie. Just like Hilda turning the tide of battle, Ariana makes her impact when it counts, and underestimating either is a mistake you won’t make twice.
Taken together, these characters sketch a portrait of Ariana Grande’s embodiment. Eevee’s versatility, Zelda’s wisdom, Rosalina’s radiance, Kirby’s hidden strength, Isabelle’s precision, Samus’s duality, and Hilda’s impact all reflect different sides of a career that has never been one-dimensional. Ariana has been called a pop princess, a diva, a powerhouse, and an icon, but the truth is she carries all of those roles at once. Like Nintendo’s greatest characters, she is instantly recognizable and impossible to ignore.
These icons hold pieces of her, proof that Ariana’s presence is so expansive it resonates even in worlds of fiction.
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