Impa is a caretaker to Princess Zelda. There are many incarnations of the character named Impa throughout the Zelda series, just as there are multiple incarnations of Link and Zelda. As with Link and Zelda, all incarnations of Impa share certain personality traits.

The original Impa (appearing in The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link instruction manuals, but not in the actual games) is portrayed as an old woman who calls for Link to save Zelda from Ganon and his henchmen. The Impa from The Legend of Zelda is also supposed to be the same Impa who appears in the Philips spin-off Zelda: Wand of Gamelon. The voice of Impa in Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon is Eve Karpf.

The Impa of Ocarina of Time is a Sheikah, and the guardian of Princess Zelda, as well as being a descendent of the tribe that founded Kakariko Village. It is later revealed that she is in fact the Sage of Shadow, one of the Seven Sages. Impa is also a main character in Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages.