This list contains spoilers!
Summary
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma features deep bonds beyond friendship, including 16 romance options for players to explore.
- Some romance options like Clarice and Kurama require completing parts of the main story, while others like Pilika and Cuilang are DLC exclusive.
- Players can form romantic relationships with various characters, each with unique backgrounds and quests, offering diverse and engaging storylines.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is the latest title in the Rune Factory franchise. As a spin-off from the original set of games, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma does its best to create an RPG simulator title that hooks players into exploring the world and interacting with the characters within it. When players aren't building their villages or completing the main story of this title, there is an assortment of characters to bond with.
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These bonds go deeper than friendship in Guardians of Azuma, as players can romance one of 16 bachelors and bachelorettes, no matter which protagonist they have chosen. Each character has their own interesting story for the player to uncover as they spend time with each one. With so many romances available, this is every romance in Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, ranked.
16 Clarice
A Villainous Romance Option For Players
- Birthday: Winter 13th
- Loves: Fur (L), Wooly Pancakes, Spring Herald, Felicity Cake
Starting with a bachelorette, Clarice is an exciting option for any player who wishes to create their own enemies-to-lovers arc in Guardians of Azuma. Although Clarice at points may appear cold and collected, her love of the adorable Floofy monsters is something that will pull at any player's heartstrings.
Unlike many of the other romance options in Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, Clarice cannot be romanced until players have completely finished the main story of this RPG title, due to her being the main villain and boss of the game. However, those who are willing to wait so long to begin a romance are sure to find Clarice a fascinating option, as they can finally get deeper into the character than just the mysterious organization she represents.
15 Mauro
Become The Adventurers' Special Treasure
- Birthday: Summer 18th
- Loves: Amber, Ruby, Emerald, Amethyst
Mauro may be a little too much for some players due to his over-the-top personality, which also leaves some in-game characters, such as Hisui, finding him to be rather stressful to deal with, and yet she somehow is always getting dragged into his ideas.
As said, the player is no different as they work alongside Mauro during his bonding quests to find the treasure he has always been looking for, as well as learning about why he has always yearned to become a treasure hunter. Players who are looking for a man who is attuned to his feelings may fall for Mauro, who is easily brought to tears at several moments of the story, which apparently runs in the family.
14 Matsuri
The Skilled And Powerful God Of Summer And Swords
- Birthday: Summer 1st
- Loves: Hibiscus, Animitsu Fruit Jelly, Animitsu Festive Jelly, Animitsu Cream Jelly
Bachelors aren't the only hyperactive romance options for players, as some women can be just as much of a handful, as seen with the God of Summer, Matsuri. Although she means well, Matsuri has a tendency to jump into action or do things without thinking them through.
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When romancing Matsuri, it is up to the player to cool down this fiery God while also reassuring her that her lively and direct approaches aren't a bad thing. Not to mention that, as the God of Swords, she is also a brilliant option for taking into battle, meaning players are sure to bond with her even outside of Matsuri's quests.
13 Kurama
Encourage This Shut-In To Get Out Some More
- Birthday: Autumn 12th
- Loves: Fruit Sandwich, Victory Stones, Bear Mochi, Wings at Rest
While many of the other Gods in Guardians of Azuma are very welcoming to the Earth Dancer, as well as being more than willing to help save the lands, Kurama, the God of Autumn, wishes to just be left alone. Even after being dragged out of hibernation, Kurama is shown to be quite the introverted option and likes to keep to himself at home.
However, Kurama is also a big lover of games, which is something the player will use to bond with him throughout his quests, as he talks about his joy in all sorts of games and teaches the player the rules of them. Not to mention that, with the aid of the player, Kurama finally starts interacting with the people of Autumn village more, where he uses these games to teach life lessons.
12 Pilika
A Quiet Huntress With Respect For All Life
- Birthday: Winter 10th
- Loves: Nature's Bounty, Honey Toast, Honey Flan, Golden Salmon Meuniere
Those who have a deep respect for nature will likely get on well with Pilika. This huntress from the north of Azuma has arrived in Winter Village, hunting down the evil God that destroyed her home. However, even when hunting this beast, Pilika is shown to have a deep respect for the Circle of Life, as she will only take a life for food or to protect herself.
It should, however, be noted that Pilika is only available as a romance option to those who have purchased the Seasons of Love DLC. Otherwise, Pilika is simply a regular NPC that doesn't have any bond quests, other than the moments she is interacted with when completing the main story of the title.
11 Cuilang
Help Him Master His Feelings Through Romance
- Birthday: Autumn 28th
- Loves: Iron, Copper, Silver, Gold
Like Pilika, Cuilang is another NPC in Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma that players can only romance if they have the Seasons of Love DLC. Cuilang is relied upon by everyone in the Autumn Village, as this Puppet Master is unable to say no to helping others, as he believes his life's purpose is to aid those around him, especially during times of turmoil, as seen within the events of Guardians of Azuma.
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Cuilang struggles to show his emotions, which is something that is touched upon constantly in his bond quests, as the player helps him discover what he wants to do and how he feels, instead of just helping others. Not to mention teaching him what love is.
10 Kai
Find Out What's Behind The Mask
- Birthday: Autumn 20th
- Loves: Meat Skewers, Onigiri, Hellfire Dango, Grilled Pike
Although Kai may be God of the Underworld and leader of the Oni, that doesn't mean he's a bad person. If anything, Kai is the complete opposite, with him constantly being found on an afternoon drinking the hours away, or healing a headache in the morning from the partying he did the night before.
Players meet Kai early when making it to the Autumn Village, but won't be able to start befriending him until much later. At this point, players will learn that the somewhat unnerving Kai is quite the thoughtful person underneath that tough exterior, who just wants to see Oni and Humans get along once more, with those who persist in romancing him finally seeing under the mask.
9 Kanata
A Serious God With A Much Softer Side To Show
- Birthday: Summer 14th
- Loves: Feast of the Heavens, Orochi Killer
As the leader of the Gods, as well as being the God of Light and the Heavens, Kanata has a serious role among her peers. This can make her at first seem like quite the serious character that may not be any fun to romance.
Stripping away her title and getting to know Kanata as a person reveals that this stoic woman has a creative and somewhat playful side that the player will need to bribe out of her with plenty of gifts. It's just a shame that players don't get to encounter this sooner, as Kanata is one of the characters that players aren't introduced to until much later in the story, as the final God they recruit. Even with this in mind, players with patience will certainly find Kanata's romance worth it.
8 Subaru
A Protagonist Or A Romance Option
- Birthday: Summer 3rd
- Loves: Fisherman's Rice Bowl, Plum Blossom Sushi Roll
One of the interesting mechanics in Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is that the player character doesn't choose to be the protagonist; they become somewhat of an antagonist for the long duration of the title. When playing as Kaguya, Subaru becomes the rider of the Black Dragon.
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Without giving too many spoilers, eventually the player is given the option to save Subaru, which turns him into a romance option for the player. The story between the two protagonists is quite a sweet one, with Subaru being a great safe option for players who are unsure who they should romance, especially due to them growing up as childhood friends.
7 Kaguya
The Other Protagonist And Alternative Romance
- Birthday: Spring 11th
- Loves: Fancy Seafood Hot Pot, Plum Blossom Onigiri
As is expected, if Subaru can be a romance option, then so can Kaguya if players decide to play as Subaru instead. For similar reasons to the other protagonist, Kaguya is a safe option for players that are unsure who to romance, with the second protagonist being a great fit when connected to the main story.
She is also recruited to the team like Subaru was, but there are some differences between them. Not only do Subaru and Kaguya have different birthdays when a romance option, they also both have different preferences when it comes to gifts.