Richard Buchanan

"My prayer... my brother... I wanted to see your face... once more." — Richard Buchanan in "Jura the Tenth Saint"

Richard Buchanan
Japanese	リチャード・ブキャナン
Rōmaji	Richādo Bukyanan
Alias	Hoteye of the Heavenly Eyes
Characteristics
Race	Human
Gender	Male
Hair Color	Orange
Eye Color	Blue
Professional Status
Affiliation	Crime Sorcière
Previous Affiliation	Oración Seis Tower of Heaven
Occupation	Independent Mage
Previous Occupation	Dark Mage Slave
Previous Team	Allied Forces
Base of Operations	Oración Seis Guild (formerly)
Personal Status
Status	Active
Relatives	Wally Buchanan (Younger Brother)
Magic
Magic	Earth Magic Eye Magic (Heaven's Eye)
Debuts
Manga Debut	Chapter 134
Anime Debut	Episode 34
Game Debut	Fairy Tail Gekitotsu! Kardia Daiseidou
Portrayal
Japanese Voice	Kazuya Ichijō
English Voice	Chris Cason

Richard Buchanan (リチャード・ブキャナン Richādo Bukyanan), formerly known by the codename Hoteye (ホットアイ Hottoai), is a former member of the Oración Seis, a Dark Guild composed of highly powerful Mages whose goal is to find Nirvana, a destructive power that was sealed away long ago. After his release from prison, he joined Crime Sorcière per Jellal's request to help him take down Zeref. He is the elder brother of Wally Buchanan.

Appearance

The tallest member of Oración Seis, Richard is a large and imposing man whose appearance is peculiar in the fact that he looks both quite feminine and, most curiously, has a body consisting of geometrical forms with sharp angles, not possessing rounded parts. What this stems from is unknown, as Richard, unlike his brother, hasn't displayed the use of Polygon Magic. He has long, wavy and flowing orange hair reaching down below his shoulders, bright blue eyes with long eyelashes, a prominent, flat nose and full, red feminine lips. His large forehead tops his eyes directly, due to the seeming lack of eyebrows. His massive torso and arms look even more massive if compared to his head, relatively small in comparison, and to his thin legs.

Richard's outfit consists of a loose black shirt, with light sleeves adorned by a series of dark merged rhombuses, a large, white collar closed on the front going down to cover his shoulders and a sash tied around his waist, visible under it, and simple light pants tucked inside light boots, with the parts circling his calves being reminiscent of leg warmers. Circling Richard's neck is a large necklace made of brown beads, which has a pendant hanging from it, this taking the shape of an eye flanked by two small, wing-like protrusions. Richard is almost always shown carrying around a book in his right hand, whose light cover bears, inside a rectangular part with angles curving inwards, a large, dark letter "J".

Seven years after his imprisonment, Richard has undergone small changes; although he still wears the same outfit, his hair has grown thicker and he also dons a pointed mustache.

Personality

Richard's evil personality

Richard seems to have an obsession with money, as well as a habit of ending his sentences with "Right?" or "Exactly!", and tends to preach out his own personal anecdotes about money and riches to anyone within his vicinity, even in circumstances where it is obviously unnecessary, much to the chagrin of those present to hear him, including his own comrades. He is almost always holding a book close to him, which has the Jewel symbol on it, a possible reference to his obsession with money. Richard believed in the ideology that only the rich are the ones that come out on top.

In his youth, Richard was originally quite humble and kind young man, being thankful for what he had despite living in poverty. Upon losing his brother and joining the Oración Seis, he begins to view that money is all that matters. However, he is still shown to have some form of genuine selfless care in him, and his desire to obtain money primarily comes from his hopes that it will grant him the resources to find his brother someday, dedicating his prayer to him.

After the effects of Nirvana, however, his personality changes drastically, and he becomes much kinder with his desires changing as well. He gives up on his obsession with money and becomes a person full of love and goodness, waiting for his comrades to also learn the value of love. He also adopts Jura's ideology of one with the strongest conviction will prevail. He sets a new goal for himself, which is to find his only brother, Wally.

History

Richard and his brother Wally Buchanan lost their parents at a very young age and lived on cultivating potatoes, this proved difficulty as the land was barren and too solid for almost anything to grow. One day a single potato was able to sprout and the two split it in half to share. They were presumably captured by the cult of Zeref and forced to become slaves of the Tower of Heaven.

Synopsis

Oración Seis arc

Hoteye with other members of Oración Seis

He, along with the other Oración Seis members, promptly defeat the alliance of Fairy Tail, Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and Cait Shelter, on their first meeting. Brain later assigns him to look for Nirvana along with Angel and Cobra.

Hoteye after Nirvana changes his personality

Hoteye later runs into Jura Neekis, and they fight using their respective Earth-based Magic. They stop fighting when they spot a pillar of light coming from Nirvana's unsealing, with Jura being conflicted between fleeing to investigate Nirvana and defeating Hoteye. Before he can decide, Hoteye's personality suddenly switches due to the effects of Nirvana's unsealing, which results in a sweet persona with no aggression coming to the surface, much to Jura's confusion and bewilderment. Nirvana changes his alignment from evil to good due to his previous ambiguity, and so Hoteye proceeds to reveal that searching for his lost younger brother led to his obsession with money, as he believes it to be the only means of finding him. Hoteye then happily hugs Jura and declares his wish to stop his comrades, the Oración Seis, from going on with their evil ways and teach them "the beauty of love". The two then climb up one of Nirvana's legs when its second stage is activated.

Hoteye defeated by Midnight

They soon encounter Lucy and Gray, and Hoteye explains to them that Nirvana was originally used to keep the power of Light and Dark in check and its creators never intended it to be used as Magic. Before he could elaborate, Midnight attacks after realizing Hoteye's defection. Hoteye, however, saves the group from the attack and decides to face Midnight while the group proceeds ahead. Hoteye's unique eyesight gives him an advantage over Midnight, allowing Hoteye to overwhelm the younger Mage. However, this victory is short-lived as his opponent proves to be an illusion since Midnight defeated Hoteye using the same lacerating ability that felled Eve Tearm and Ren Akatsuki. As Hoteye falls, he states that his prayer was to see his brother for one last time.

Hoteye cries when he discovers that Wally is alive

Later, after recovering Hoteye saves both Natsu and Jellal from Nirvana before it collapses on itself. In the aftermath of the battle, Hoteye is arrested by the newly reformed Magic Council, and he accepts this as repentance for his past sins. Before being taken away, Jura tells him he will take his quest of finding his brother for him and asks what his name is, and Hoteye responds that his name is Wally Buchanan. Erza, recognizing the name, describes her encounter with Wally, a fellow former slave; Wally is safe and well, and the last time she heard from him, he was traveling around the continent. Hoteye falls to his knees and breaks into tears, thanking them for the good news. He is then formally arrested and led away by Lahar and the Magic Council Detention Corps Division 4.

Tartaros arc

Hoteye released from prison

Seven years later, Hoteye is released from prison thanks to Cobra and comments on how their love has been received. He then watches with a shocked expression, alongside the rest of his guildmates, as Cobra viciously assaults Brain. As the rest of his guild discusses what to do next, as they are finally free, Hoteye reveals his desire to see his brother, but Cobra stops them, informing them all of their first job's arrival, as Jellal and Meredy approach them.

As Jellal approaches the Oración Seis and Hoteye's fellows start to attack Jellal, he states that he no longer wishes to fight, leaving Angel to wonder if he is still under the influence of Nirvana. Hoteye explains to her that this is his true personality, which ends up with him being berated by his comrades when he mentions that he will gladly submit to Jellal's will, though he is, surprisingly, backed up by Midnight, who tells them all that they can do whatever they wish with their freedom, and that "Richard" is no different. He then watches as Racer, Cobra and Angel fight Jellal. He listens as Midnight explains to Jellal that they are finally free after all this time they spent as pawns, but Jellal replies that they cannot be called free while remaining in the darkness, and that he shall be their liberator, something that he will achieve by defeating them. Hoteye then watches as Jellal is interrupted and fatally wounded by Zero.

Hoteye quickly sees, however, that Zero's killing of Jellal is but an illusion; Jellal reappears before the Oración Seis, breaking through Midnight's visual trickery. Hoteye then watches as Jellal quickly defeats the four fighting Mages with Grand Chariot and Sema, noting that Jellal's Heavenly Body Magic is extremely fearsome. However, when Hoteye hears that Jellal wishes not to return them to prison or kill them, but rather have them join his guild, Hoteye's eyes go wide in shock.

Note: His appearance in the following occurs only in the anime and does not constitute canon material.

Click "show" to read the plot arc. 

After the battle with Jellal, Richard walks alongside Jellal and Meredy, commenting on the affection she shows for Jellal, with Meredy adamantly denying. Later as the Mages recoup, Richard again comments the Crime Sorcière Mages relationship, earning a shrug from Meredy and a laugh from Jellal.

Richard follows Jellal to the others

A while later, Richard stays with Jellal and Meredy as he gives relief but caution to Meredy when he describes Jellal's blinded sight and wounded body from his battle against four of the Oración Seis members. Later after Rustyrose departs, Richard comes to the other Dark Mages with Jellal, who declares they journey to Tartaros to stop the Demons from reaching Zeref. Richard asks if he can go in his current condition, with Jellal stating he has no choice. Macbeth declines, as they can't break the non-aggression pact established by the Dark Guilds. Jellal travels anyway, mentioning that they'll meet again one day.

Richard and the other Oración Seis members are seen walking in wasteland, as Jellal describes Richard's prayer to Meredy of him wanting to find his younger brother. Later the Mages save Jellal from Rustyrose's attack, with all of them agreeing to follow the former and take down Zeref.

Along their journey to Magnolia, Richard and the others follow Jellal in a hurry amidst the Dragons destroying the Faces.

Richard watches over Jellal's conversation with Erza

Eventually, the group decides to tag along with Jellal and join Crime Sorcière, paying a visit to Magnolia, where Richard witnesses the love behind Jellal's words of support to Erza. They turn to leave, keeping in mind that their sole objective is to bring down Zeref and cease his evil deeds.

Alvarez arc

Richard and his comrades arrive in the north, at Zonia, to assist in the war against the Alvarez Empire; Richard corrects Macbeth that they are now Crime Sorcière when the latter comments that the time to display the full power of Oración has come. Before he and his comrades can do anything, however, Richard is caught in the light of Irene Belserion's Universe One and is warped to a new location.

Richard eventually makes his way to the Fairy Tail Guild's new location and engages in battle with August of the Spriggan 12, alongside the other members of Crime Sorcière, bar Meredy and Sorano. August easily overpowers the group of five, wherein Richard is the only member soundly knocked out. After a short while, his comrades follow suit, and he lays with them, still unconscious.

Magic and Abilities

Earth Magic (土系各種魔法 Tsuchi Kei Kakushu Mahō): Richard possess strong Earth Magic, which he employs as the main component of his fighting style.

Liquid Ground being used

• Liquid Ground (リキッドグラウンド Rikiddo Guraundo): Richard's exclusive form of Earth Magic, which allows him to soften or liquefy the ground, subsequently manipulating it at his will; something which, according to Richard himself, is the radical opposite to Jura Neekis' own form of Earth Magic, which allows him to make the ground hard. His main form of offense consists of turning large portions of ground below the target liquid, subsequently raising them in "waves" to envelop and crash foes, with the ground somehow acting like quicksand. Through the use of this Magic alone, he's been capable of taking on several enemies at once, giving them trouble and preventing them from attacking as they struggle not to sink. Other forms of combat include sending the liquefied ground at the enemies in a tsunami-like assault; Richard's liquefied ground has shown to possess enough blunt power to make large buildings crumble into pieces. Such softening power isn't focused only on offense, and has other avenues for usage, with Richard being capable, for instance, of making the ground cave in by liquefying it, generating holes that can serve as shelters for him or his allies. Richard can also employ it to nullify other earth-based attacks, as demonstrated when he liquefied Jura Neekis' rock pillars, which were sent flying at him, in midair, making them fall harmlessly to the ground. In addition, Richard has proven himself capable of using Liquid Ground as a means of transportation, traveling through the ground after liquefying it; in such state, he can carry passengers with him without causing them any harm. Richard appears to control such Magic through the use of hand gestures which he performs, with a recurring one being extending his hand towards the opponents with all fingers bent except the index and middle finger, which are kept diagonally stretched, creating a "V" shape; sometimes, before extending his arm, Richard places his stretched fingers on his face, just below his eyes, seemingly in reference to his codename or in order to employ his exclusive Heaven's Eye.

Eye Magic (眼の魔法 Me no Mahō): Richard possesses an exclusive form of Eye Magic: Heaven's Eye.

Richard using his Heaven's Eye

• Heaven's Eye (天眼 Tengen): As his codename and epithet imply, Richard's Eye Magic allows him to see over long distances and even through solid objects, as shown when he could pinpoint Midnight's location while the latter was hiding inside a building. He often combines it with his Earth magic, first tracking down the opponents with Heaven's Eye and subsequently striking them with Liquid Ground. This combination was effective enough for him to momentarily keep the upper hand against Midnight, the self-proclaimed strongest Mage in Oración Seis, aside from Zero.

Enhanced Reflexes: Richard is shown to have rapid and accurate reactions, as seen when he instantly liquefied the ground under his companions, saving them from Midnight's slicing attack.

Appearances in Other Media

Video Games

Hoteye appears as a playable character in the DS Game, Fairy Tail Gekitotsu! Kardia Daiseidou, upon being unlocked.

Fairy Tail Gekitotsu! Kardia Daiseidou

Hoteye's render in Gekitotsu! Kardia Daiseidou

In the video-game Fairy Tail Gekitotsu! Kardia Daiseidou, Hoteye is a playable character. In this game, Hoteye possesses the following moves:

• Main: Pillar Ground (ピラーグラウン Pirā Guraundo)
• Sub 1: Mud Shoot (土の弾 Maddo Shūto)
• Sub 2: Heaven's Eye (天眼 Tengen)
• Sub 3: Mud Coating (マッドコーティング Maddo Kōtingu)
• Super: Liquid Ground (リキッドグラウンド Rikiddo Guraundo)

Fairy Tail Zeref Awakens

Hoteye appears as a mini-boss in the PSP Game, Fairy Tail Zeref Awakens.

Trivia

Original concept art for Richard

• The original codename for Richard was supposed to be "Mister Eye" rather than Hoteye.
• According to Richard, the head of Jura Neekis resembles a potato, which he used to eat with his brother Wally.
  • This is further expanded in the anime, where in their childhood, only a single potato grew from their whole garden due to the ground being too solid.

Quotes

• (To Jura Neekis) "I was desperate to find the younger brother I lost. I thought that if I only had the money, I would be able to find him, but now I see that was all a mistake!"

• (To Jura Neekis) "Let us stop Brain and the others in the name of love!"

• (To himself) "My prayer... my brother... I wanted to see your face... once more."

Battles & Events

Battles	Events
Allied Forces vs. Oración Seis Jura Neekis vs. Hoteye Hoteye vs. Midnight Crime Sorcière vs. August	Liberation of the Oración Seis