Building relationships and finding love can be a fun component of games like Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, and even though getting married is not a requirement like it was in some previous titles, this game mechanic is a wonderful way to reveal more of the story. As relationships get stronger, these key NPCs share more of their struggles and backstory with the hero, often through fully voiced cutscenes. Although these stories don't always directly impact the main narrative of the game, they help make the world more immersive and can teach deeper lore.

Whether you choose to play as the male or female protagonist in the game, players are free to find love with any of the available eight bachelors or eight bachelorettes, as well as build up friendships with them and other NPCs. These relationship levels are increased through daily interactions, which can include activities such as eating a meal together, visiting the waterfall for a swim, or giving gifts. Just be careful, as not all characters enjoy every activity.

Naturally, every person will have a personal opinion on who their favorite bachelorette is, and none of these options are bad. This list was put together using from online polls as well as my experience when playing the game for ScreenRant's review of Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma.

8 Kanata Is The Representative Of All The Gods

The Prestigious God Of Light And The Heavens

Among the available singles in Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma are several of the gods that play important roles in the story of the game. This includes the official representative for the gods, Kanata, the Prestigious God of Light and the Heavens. She is wise and serious, exuding an air of authority in many of her dealings with mortals and gods alike. Her storyline takes on a very serious part of the overarching narrative, but she is still perfectly romanceable.

As the player's relationship with Kanata grows, she shows more of her playful and whimsical side. She may have a stern and serious facade, but underneath she is imaginative and loving, which gives her a depth that is well-crafted and immersive. It may take a while to break through her walls, but then a fulfilling romance can blossom.

7 Clarice Brings Conflict And Danger With Her

The Deadly Beauty, And Tough Soldier

Clarice is a beautiful bachelorette, with beauty even being part of her game-given title. However, she is also one of the hardest stories to witness and a deeply complex character. On the surface, Clarice is a tough soldier with an iron will, always ready for combat. When added to the player's party, she is an asset while fighting monsters in the wild, and having her battle alongside the player is an easy way to help level up their relationship.

Besides her striking good looks and proficiency as a strong warrior, she brings a complexity to the story that may not appeal to all players when looking for romance in the game. Yet, her story full of hardships and conflict can be deeply moving and shows again the depth that some of these characters hide behind their pretty faces.

6 Pilika Loves And Respects All Nature

The Huntress Who Honors All Life (Only Available With DLC)

Pilika is a hunter from the northern part of this Japanese setting of Azuma. She is a quiet character, focused more on nature than people, and holds a deep love and respect for all living creatures. Her hunting skills are truly incredible, and putting her in the party makes for a skilled ally in combat. Yet, she is not fond of killing, and her hunting is shaped by the way she views the world around her. She is a reserved, quiet bachelorette, with a sweet personality behind those vivid purple eyes.

Sadly, the romance storyline for Pilika is only available to players who have the "Seasons of Love" DLC installed. Without that, she is merely a regular NPC who can be befriended but nothing more. As a marriage option, she is perfect for players who are looking for a thoughtful and nature-loving companion.

5 Hina Is A Sensitive Soul, With A Nurturing Nature

The Mysterious Archaeologist

Hina is the cheerful pink-haired companion of Mauro, showing up along with Mauro on his skyship while tracking a vicious black dragon. She, like Mauro, sticks around Spring village and explores some of the other villages, despite this limiting her in her profession as an archaeologist. Hina has a strong desire to help everyone and is a cheerful and sensitive bachelorette. However, this sensitive nature makes it a bit more difficult to romance her than one might expect from her seemingly carefree attitude, as it is easy to hurt her feelings.

There is a bit of mystery surrounding Hina, and she has a sweet backstory that is revealed as the protagonist strengthens their relationship. And despite traveling with Mauro, she is still available for romance, with no connection beyond friendship with the adventurous skyship pilot.

4 Matsuri Is Loud And Energetic, And Great In Combat

The Boisterous God Of Summer And Swords

For those players who find sweet and quiet to be a bit boring in their bacherlorettes, Matsuri is quite the opposite of that. The Boisterous God of Summer and Swords has a loud and active personality. Like the hot days of summer, she is energetic and has a bit of a carefree attitude despite the cataclysmic events of the world around her. She is skilled in the sword, but not always the best at thinking before acting, particularly when acting in violence.

She is quick to anger, but just as quick to bounce back to warmth and cheer. She seems to approach most everything in her life with fervor and ion, which will undoubtedly transfer to any romance as well. Matsuri may be a bit of a handful as a romantic partner, but will add a lot of energy and excitement to any kind of relationship.

3 Iroha Makes The Best Django Around

The Cheerful Teahouse Proprietress

The first romance candidate the player meets in Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is the charming and cheerful Iroha. She immediately gives the feeling of being a best friend to the player, despite not knowing them long, and is kind and happy. Everyone in town knows Iroha and her little sister as a foundation of Spring village. Iroha runs the local tea shop, where she is known for making the best djangos, and constantly looks for ways to revitalize the town and bring people back. Her love of the village and community is inspiring and it's hard not to root for her.

Building a relationship with Iroha may not be as boisterous as Matsuri or complex as Clarice, but romancing Iroha could be one of the most loving and rewarding options in the game. She is kind and comionate, while still having an extrovert-fueled energy alongside her goals for the village, making her storylines very fun to see.

2 Kaguya Is The Option For Female Protagonist, Or Potential Love

The Wanding Hero, Only Available If The Male Protagonist Is Played

Kaguya is only in the game as an NPC if players have chosen to experience the adventure as the male protagonist. Otherwise, if the female protagonist is chosen at the beginning of the game, Kaguya will become the main protagonist and the male counterpart, Subaru, fills the NPC role. Both can be considered the wandering hero, as both can become the hero of Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma.

Kaguya was a childhood friend of the protagonist, having come from the same village in the northern part of Azuma. They shared a very close friendship at one time, making her an obvious choice for a romantic partner. Kaguya is the representation of pure goodness in the game, loving animals and flowers and having a strong dislike of any unfairness or evil.

1 Ulalaka Is A Stunning Beauty With A Cute Naïveté

The Peaceful God Of Spring And Mirth

Ulalaka is obviously a well-endowed and beautiful character, but her beauty goes beyond her outward appearance. The God of Spring and Mirth, she is an extremely caring, joyful, calming woman. She wants nothing more than to spread happiness wherever she goes, which unfortunately seems to backfire more than she would like. She struggles to understand that the village doesn't want a god to jump in and solve every problem for them, which makes her storyline even more charming.

As the first god that players meet in the game, she shows an incredible amount of growth as a character throughout the game. Whether becoming best friends or romancing Ulalaka, her story is one of the best in Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma.