- "Salutations! You wouldn't know by the look of me, but I used to live in the castle! My servants went berserk and I was forced to flee to my villa... So, you want the key to Ukuku Prairie, do you? I may be able to help you... Let's make... a deal, shall we? I want you to retrieve the Golden Leaf I left behind in the castle when I fled..."
- — Richard
Richard is a character from The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. He is a noble swordsman who resides on Koholint Island.
Biography[]
Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.
Richard once owned and lived in Kanalet Castle, but his servants rebelled against him and he was driven out of his castle, leaving behind his prized Golden Leaves. Richard built his own house south of Kanalet Castle in an area known as Pothole Field.
Eventually, Richard meets the hero Link, who is on a quest to awaken the Wind Fish. Richard tells him that in order to enter Key Cavern, the third dungeon, he needs a key to unlock the entrance. Richard explains to Link about his unfortunate situation and the loss of his Golden Leaves. He promises Link the key in exchange for the successful retrieval of his leaves. Link travels to Kanalet Castle and successfully gathers the five leaves from Richard's treacherous guards. Richard thanks Link and shows him a passageway to the Pothole Field behind his house. Link finds his way through the field and unearths the Slime Key.
Spoiler warning: Spoilers end here.
Origin[]
Richard is originally a character from a Japan-only Game Boy game titled Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru (translated as For the Frog the Bell Tolls), which the game engine for Link's Awakening was based on. In that game, he is the Prince of the Custard Kingdom who is the childhood friend and rival of that game's main protagonist.
The music played in his villa is a remixed version of the Japanese title's main theme, and the frogs found hopping about his villa are a reference to the gameplay of his own game. Notably, said game's score was composed by Kazumi Totaka, whose short composition known as "Totaka's Song" makes cameo appearances in many games. It is indeed heard in Richard's villa if Link lingers there for a few minutes.
Non-Canon References[]
Non-canon warning: This article or section contains non-canonical information that is not considered to be an official part of the Legend of Zelda series and should not be considered part of the overall storyline.
Hyrule Warriors Legends[]
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Promotional Render of Ghirahim in his Standard Outfit (Koholint) from Hyrule Warriors Legends
As part of the Link's Awakening DLC, Ghirahim's Standard Outfit (Koholint) is Richard Recolor of his Standard Outfit. His outfit appears as two Fairy Clothing options for Companion Fairies, the Prince's Cape and Prince's Trousers.
Non-canon warning: Non-canonical information ends here.
Gallery[]
.png "Prince Richard (Link's Awakening 4koma Manga).png (205 KB)")