Mastering Romance in Rise of the Ronin
Rise of the Ronin isn’t just about steel and loyalty; it also weaves in a deep bond system that lets you form romantic relationships with key historical figures. If you’re looking to explore every rise of the ronin romance option, you’ve come to the right place. This guide explains how to raise favor, trigger Veiled Vows, and complete Bond Missions so you can experience all the heartfelt moments the game has to offer.
Whether you’re aiming for a single partner or want to develop multiple rise of the ronin romance storylines simultaneously, understanding the game’s mechanics is essential. Let’s dive into the three main ways to increase favor with romanceable characters.
How to Increase Favor with Romanceable Characters
Favor works like a standard bond meter, but for characters you can eventually enter a Veiled Vow with. There are three reliable methods to boost it:
- Choose the right dialogue options. Whenever you chat with a character, pick responses that align with their views. Flirty or affectionate replies give an extra boost.
- Complete Bond Missions. Each romanceable character has unique quests linked to their personal story. Finishing these yields large favor gains.
- Give preferred gifts. Every character has a list of items they love. Deliver these at their base or invite them to your Longhouse, but note that you can’t spam gifts—the game will tell you to wait.
| Method | How It Works | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue choices | Agree with the character; pick the “flirty” option when available. | Watch for pop‑ups that say you’re expected somewhere – those trigger special scenes (exclamation mark dialogue). |
| Bond Missions | Accept and complete the character’s personal quest. | These missions often appear as you progress the story and raise the bond cap. |
| Gift giving | Hand over a character’s favorite item at their location or Longhouse. | Don’t spam – wait for the “come back later” hint to reset. |
Tip: When you see a gold banner saying “it seems that you two have something important to discuss,” visit that character immediately. This signals that the favor threshold for a Veiled Vow has been met.
Understanding Veiled Vows
A Veiled Vow is the game’s equivalent of a romantic commitment. Once a character’s favor meter is full, the gold banner appears. Find the character and select the dialogue option with an exclamation mark (something like “I want to take our relationship further”). After the conversation, the bond screen will show a flower icon next to that character.
You can enter multiple Veiled Vows at the same time, but if you want to break things off with someone, talk to them again and choose the “I need to talk” option. This lets you return the relationship to a platonic state without permanently losing access to future favors.
Complete List of Romanceable Characters
Here’s every confirmed character you can form a Veiled Vow with in the current game. Click or scroll to their detailed section below for gifts, Bond Missions, and unique scenes.
| Character | Favored Gifts (Examples) | Key Bond Missions |
|---|---|---|
| Ryoma Sakamoto | Imported Beer, Milk Chocolate, European Dandy’s Kit | The Men from Tosa, The Ties That Bind |
| Shinsaku Takasugi | Japanese Poetry Anthology, Treasured Sake, Landmark Ukiyo‑e | Try Your Luck, Where There’s a Will |
| Kogoro Katsura | Treasured Sake, Imported Beer, Premium Whiskey | The Seed of Doubt, A Fragile Alliance |
| Ine Kusumoto | Milk Chocolate, Yew Koboku | Fruit from Distant Shores, Ine’s Worries |
| Genzui Kusaka | Imported Beer, Traditional Daruma | The Way of the Warrior, At the End of the Charge |
| Taka Murayama | Japanese Photo Album, Face Powder and Brush | Encroaching Shadows, A Light in the Darkness |
| Soji Okita | Azuki Bean Confection | The Supreme Swordsman, A Moment of Brilliance |
| Princess Atsuko | Face Powder and Brush, Yew Koboku | Ideals and Reality |
| Sana Chiba | Azuki Bean Confection, Yew Koboku, Metal Training Club | Turmoil of the Heart, A Tempest Calmed |
| Matthew Perry | (No specific gifts listed in sources) | (No Bond Missions listed) |
| Fumi Sugi | Yew Koboku, Milk Chocolate | Last Wishes |
| Ernest Satow | Japanese Poetry Anthology, Japanese Photo Album, Landmark Ukiyo‑e | A Priceless Treasure, The Beauty of Friendship |
| Usugumo Dayu | Japanese Poetry Anthology, Face Powder and Brush, Temari Ball | N/A (bond via cat collection) |
Ryoma Sakamoto
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Favored Gifts | Imported Beer, Milk Chocolate, European Dandy’s Kit |
| Bond Missions | The Men from Tosa, The Two Apprentices, A House Divided, The Ties That Bind, Crossroads of Dawn |
| Unique Scenes | “Family Values,” “The Ties That Bind Ryoma” |
Ryoma is one of the most prominent characters in the game. Prioritize completing his Bond Missions and hand him his favorite imported beer whenever you visit.
Shinsaku Takasugi
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Favored Gifts | Japanese Poetry Anthology, Treasured Sake, Landmark Ukiyo‑e |
| Bond Missions | Try Your Luck, Something to Believe In, Where There’s a Will, The Spice of Life |
| Unique Scenes | “A Change of Tune,” “I’ll Walk My Own Path,” “Better and Brighter” |
Shinsaku enjoys literary gifts and sake. His Bond Missions often involve risk and reward, so be prepared for some tough choices.
Kogoro Katsura
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Favored Gifts | Treasured Sake, Imported Beer, Premium Whiskey |
| Bond Missions | The Seed of Doubt, A Fragile Alliance |
| Unique Scenes | “After All Is Said and Done” |
Kogoro’s story is shorter but still rewarding. A toast with premium whiskey will quickly earn his favor.
Ine Kusumoto
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Favored Gifts | Milk Chocolate, Yew Koboku |
| Bond Missions | Fruit from Distant Shores, Ine’s Worries |
| Unique Scenes | “A Doctor’s Duty,” “Another Side of Ine” |
Ine has a gentle personality. She appreciates sweets and rare medicinal herbs like Yew Koboku.
Other Notable Characters
- Genzui Kusaka: Loves Imported Beer and Traditional Daruma dolls. Bond Missions: The Way of the Warrior, Terms of the Deal, At the End of the Charge, A Fresh Start. Scenes: “A Teacher’s Greatest Joy,” “Easy Living.”
- Taka Murayama: Gift preferences are Japanese Photo Album and Face Powder and Brush. Missions: Encroaching Shadows, A Light in the Darkness. Scene: “Windows to the Soul.”
- Soji Okita: Favors Azuki Bean Confection. Missions: The Supreme Swordsman, A Moment of Brilliance. Scene: “Those Whom Okita Treasures.”
- Princess Atsuko: Likes Face Powder and Brush, Yew Koboku. Mission: Ideals and Reality. Scenes: “Personal Matters,” “Princess Atsuko’s Ire.”
- Sana Chiba: Accepts Azuki Bean Confection, Yew Koboku, Metal Training Club. Missions: Turmoil of the Heart, A Tempest Calmed. Scene: “I must know!”
- Matthew Perry: No detailed gift list or missions were found in game sources; community reports suggest his romance path may be purely dialogue‑driven.
- Fumi Sugi: Enjoys Yew Koboku and Milk Chocolate. Bond Mission: Last Wishes.
- Ernest Satow: Likes Japanese Poetry Anthology, Japanese Photo Album, Landmark Ukiyo‑e. Missions: A Priceless Treasure, The Beauty of Friendship. Scene: “Satow’s Collection.”
- Usugumo Dayu: Unique path – collect cats across the world to increase her bond. Gifts include Japanese Poetry Anthology, Face Powder and Brush, Temari Ball. Scene: “The Meaning of ‘Usugumo’.”
For a deeper dive into the world of Rise of the Ronin, visit the official Team Ninja website for updates and additional lore.
Tips for Maximizing Bond Levels
- Rotate your gift‑giving. After giving a character a favorite item, the game will indicate they need time before accepting another. Use this window to focus on other romance targets or progress main story quests.
- Always follow exclamation‑marked dialogue. Those lead to unique scenes that often lock in major favor increases and advance the relationship.
- Complete Bond Missions early. Some missions become unavailable after certain story milestones, so prioritize them if you want to romance that character.
- You can maintain multiple Veiled Vows. There’s no penalty for having more than one partner, though story scenes may feel slightly different depending on your choices.
- Prepare gifts in advance. Resources specific to certain items (like Imported Beer) can be found by exploring towns, buying from merchants, or completing side activities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rise of the Ronin Romance
Can I romance multiple characters in one playthrough?
Yes. You can enter Veiled Vows with several characters simultaneously. The game doesn’t lock you into a single path unless you deliberately end a relationship.
How do I know when I’ve maxed out favor?
A gold banner will appear on your screen saying “it seems that you two have something important to discuss.” This indicates you’re ready to propose a Veiled Vow.
Are there any missable romance options in Rise of the Ronin?
A few Bond Missions are tied to specific chapters. If you advance too far, certain quests may become unavailable, potentially locking you out of that character’s rise of the ronin romance path. Always check your bond menu regularly.
What happens if I break a Veiled Vow?
You can end the relationship by selecting the “I need to talk” dialogue with the exclamation mark. The character will revert to a friendly status, and you can later start a new romance with them or someone else without permanent penalties.
Do romances affect the main story?
While the core narrative remains the same, your relationships influence certain dialogue options and side stories, giving you a more personalized experience.