It’s no secret that the JRPG genre has seen a pretty wonderful rise in popularity in recent years thanks to games like NieR: Automata and Persona 5. The genre is known for having long games, a deep cast of characters, and having in-depth battle systems. It’s no surprise that fans love to talk about characters from their favorite game’s especially when there is romantic tension involved.
There are a lot of couples in JRPGs, but some just stand out to fans a bit more than others. Below are some of the best couples in the genre, what games they are from, and why fans love them so much.
10 2B and 9S
NieR: Automata took players into the age of androids, where two characters named 2B and 9S found themselves in a heartbreaking loop of tragedy. Despite their dark fates, the two grew to care for each other, and even though they never officially got together, fans love the hints of caring the two showed.
NieR showed that a subtle relationship is just as powerful as one where the main characters kiss.
9 Haku and Kuon
Haku and Kuon come from the games Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception and Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth. The two characters do officially get together in the game, but it was a slow burn that built itself up before the two finally kissed in the sequel, which sent fans of the series over the moon with happiness.
The characters are a bit hard to describe without spoiling the series, but their story focuses on love overcoming distance.
8 Albedo and Polka
Albedo and Polka come from Eternal Sonata, a game that revolved around the composer Chopin. In the game, Polka is able to use magic, which means that she is sickly in their world. Albedo is an orphan who meets up with her, and they travel together to confront the king about a dangerous medicine known as mineral powder.
Albedo ends up falling for Polka over the journey and trying to stop her from dying in the end.
7 Tidus and Yuna
Tidus and Yuna of Final Fantasy are one of the most well-known couples in gaming. Tidus is a boy who ends up in the future, and Yuna is a girl who makes him her guardian. The two go on an adventure together and slowly begin learning more about each other and the world around them.
Players can probably recognize them from the famous scene where they kiss in a spring of water.
6 Haseo and Atoli
The .Hack games are known for being huge multi-game RPGs. Haseo and Atoli come from the .Hack//G.U. trilogy, where Haseo is a man on a path of revenge and Atoli wants the game to be a peaceful place. The two clash at first due to their different ideals, but eventually, Atoli softens his heart.
By the third game, Atoli ends up becoming the most important person in Haseo’s life, despite the fact his past love is brought back.
5 Joker and Kasumi
Persona 5 divided the fandom on who Joker was supposed to date, but when Royal came along, the game heavily pushed him towards Kasumi. The two spend a lot of time together, and their events are pretty intimate in comparison to many of the other confidants like Ann.
Many players agree that the chemistry between the two feels the most natural out of the cast as well.
4 Estelle and Joshua
Estelle and Joshua are main characters in Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. The pair are childhood friends who come to the realization that they are in love with each other. Joshua realizes his feeling first, while Estelle spends a good part of the game’s not realizing her feelings towards him.
The two’s slow-growing relationship and the realization of their feelings make them a popular go-to couple for the genre.
3 Sora and Kairi
Sora and Kairi are another couple that is well-known through the gaming community. The pair may not officially be together yet, but the small signs of affection they show each other over the course of the series have captivated the hearts of romance-loving fans since the Kingdom Hearts series released on Playstation 2.
When Sora and Kairi finally reunite, fans can only hope that they are treated to a kiss or a wedding for the long wait.
2 Arnice and Lilysse
Nights of Azure is one of the few games that depict a lesbian relationship between its characters. Arnice and Lilysse are two loves who find themselves working together in a land of eternal night. Lilysse is set to be sacrificed to save the world and Arnice is determined not to let that happen.
The girls share several tender moments together and are shown sharing the same room in the game.
1 Yuri and Alice
Yuri and Alice come from the popular but hard-to-find Playstation 2 game Shadow Hearts. The two are known for being one of the most tragic couples in the genre due to the fate of Alice at the end of the first game, and the effects are shown by Yuri in the sequel as his personality changes.
The two shared a brief but powerful love that broke fans’ hearts all across the world and is often compared to Aerith’s death.
