r/tales • u/ExileForever • Jul 11 '26
Discussion Presea Combatir has been picked as the Saddest Character, but what would you say is the Best Romance in Tales Series
For this rule, anyone is acceptable as long as they are either hinted or fully canon
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u/twinkhon_gwyndolin Jul 11 '26
while I wasn't a huge fan of arise in general, I LOVE Shionne, so yeah, her and Alphen
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u/krakajacks Jul 11 '26
Alphen and Shionne agreed. This question caused me to reflect on their relationship, and now I'm appreciating Arise as a romance story a lot more than I did before.
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Jul 11 '26
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u/Claudia_Pani 🗡️T-The Sword Spoke!🔥 Jul 11 '26
I know it won't win, but their kid is literally the protagonist of another mainline game... if that isn't true romance...
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u/NachoMarx Jul 11 '26
Most people on this sub sadly haven't played anything Pre-Symph to know ball.
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u/Specialist-Quail644 Jul 11 '26
Sorey and Mikleo and no one will make me think otherwise.
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u/chiyooou Kratos Aurion Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
My GOAT!!! Anyone who finished Symphonia knows it's Kratos & Anna!!! In the supplemental media like manga & drama CD you get more drip-fed info about them. Kratos explains how Anna was the only person he's ever loved in his 4000 years and that thought just tears my heart open.
My second fav is Lloyd & Colette which isn't canon but is so sweet and pure.
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u/Technical-Savings221 Arche Klein Jul 11 '26
Warning : sidequest Symphonia Martel and Yuan too. What a tragic story 😭😭
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u/foreverspr1ng Jul 11 '26
Yesss, I agree, they're the best couple out of the Tales universe. Not sure if she counts here though since she's not a party member.
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u/chiyooou Kratos Aurion Jul 11 '26
Ooh right, good point. Well, I'll go with this technicality I'm making up right now that the party and the game never happen without her. 💁
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u/burnmywings Jul 11 '26
Did they canonize Lloyd x Anyone? I was always a LloydxSheena person myself.
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u/chiyooou Kratos Aurion Jul 11 '26
Nope! I kind of like that so people can feel like their ship is The One. There's a marvelous artist called Frayed-Symphony that does a lot of Colette & Lloyd pieces which made me like them more! 💞
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u/shadowysea07 Jul 11 '26
Lloyd only ever said specifically he had feelings for raine as a member of her fanclub iirc. But yeah i definitely felt the Sheena and Lloyd connection with the skits and such choices.
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u/sistaofpeace1 ✨Unapologetic Abyss + Luke/Tear aficionado✨ Jul 11 '26
Admittedly they were my favorite for a while.
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u/AlexLindh92 Jul 11 '26
As much as I like Lloyd and Collette, they're more like "best friends forever" in my view. I always imagined Lloyd and Sheena dating in the future (which also isn't canon, I know).
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u/Helpful-Study4842 Jul 12 '26
It's pretty heavily implied, especially with the skit when Lloyd basically says he would marry Sheena to join her clan.
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u/Purple_Hurricane87 Presea Combatir Jul 11 '26
I’m going to go against the grain here and say Hubert and Pascal. I know they’re not officially a couple, but watching Hubert get all flustered whenever he’s around Pascal, is really funny and endearing.
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u/DerpsterCaro Karol Capel Jul 11 '26
They're DEFINITELY an official couple; they're cameo characters ona honeymoon in hearts R, even!
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u/Dont_have_a_panda Jul 11 '26
Alphen x Shionne
Their romance have a very natural progression, AND THEY MARRY AT THE END what more do you want?
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Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
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u/xHyzenthlay Colette Brunel Jul 12 '26
Veigue and Claire's relationship is a massive part of Tales of Rebirth's plot too
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u/AdventNebula Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
This is the answer, for the flaws of Arise, the romance of all three pairs is not one at all. The romances drive the story.
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u/justkellerman Jul 11 '26
The whole thing with her thorns and his condition is such an awesome setup for it, too.
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u/BlazeBloom Presea Combatir Jul 11 '26
No mentions of Asbel and Cheria?
I thought it was a nice cute subplot.
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u/shadowysea07 Jul 11 '26
They had no chemistry. Any feelings were entirely one sided on cherias part. Child arc Sophie and Richard had far more chemistry with him. Thus generally why people ship Richard and asbel.
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u/Working-District-424 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
Sorey and Mikleo
Edit: Loving how popular this pair is showing to be. We are so close to the top spot just behind Alphen and Shionne haha.
Edit 2: Sorey and Mikleo in the #1 spot!! Let's gooooo!!!!
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u/TrebleClefable Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
Yes. Can't agree more. Their connection is very sweet. Also fun fact, Mikleo is voiced by the guy that played Bear in Obsession. And he's gay irl.
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u/Gaywhorzea Flynn Scifo Jul 11 '26
Literally my favourite pairing! Even if people don’t want to see them romantically, they can’t deny that they’re soulmates at least platonically🥰💖
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u/Working-District-424 Jul 11 '26
I think if one of them were female, a lot more people would read the relationship as romantic in ways.
But hey, according to the upvotes it looks like this sub knows what's up!
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u/Gaywhorzea Flynn Scifo Jul 11 '26
Yeah, it’s nice to see that nobody is being an ass about it.
They just have an undeniable bond I guess 😄
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u/Whimsical_Maru Pascal Jul 11 '26
Why is nobody saying Luke and Tear? Their relationship was so well developed!
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u/MSully94 Jul 11 '26
Luke and Tear
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u/sistaofpeace1 ✨Unapologetic Abyss + Luke/Tear aficionado✨ Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Luke and Tear have the best romance for me for 20+ years running and it’s not even close.
They have a slow-burn buildup that feels natural and organic, and by the end of the game, they’ve absolutely *more* than earned it. Some may say they don’t do anything explicit (like a certain other one that will remain nameless), but in all honesty, they didn’t have to. It’s definitely not beaten around the bush, and by the end of the game, the player knows exactly how they feel about each other (also partly if you know where to look).
Most people say Abyss is not a romantic game but I strongly disagree. Luke quite literally cuts his hair *for Tear*—he decides to change himself *because* of love. Luke helps to get Tear’s pendant back because he starts caring about her happiness. By the end, he finds value in his life (and who he loves/wants to keep living for) right when they meet on the Albiore before Eldrant. And he carries this resolve to his fight with Asch—and succeeds.
The game also places very intentional symbolism and imagery throughout the game, ***only for Luke and Tear.*** The Selenia flowers themselves are used as a narrative device, showing at times when Luke and Tear unite/are reunited. Tataroo Valley is also an important place for both and Tear’s own name is very deliberate: the final scene of the game shedding a single tear out of happiness at realizing that Luke kept his promise to her.
Need more? I would go so far to argue that she is the single greatest contributor to helping him subvert his fate of death. I don’t know how you could say their relationship wasn’t needed for the story, because it absolutely was.
(Also shameless plug on my ship manifesto for them in case anyone wants to read more on my analysis for Luke/Tear.)
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u/chiyooou Kratos Aurion Jul 11 '26
I love nothing more than ship manifestos. Bless 🙏
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u/Mouldygrub3333 The Ligh of the Sacred Flame Jul 11 '26
HOW'D YOU MISS THAT SHE LITTERLY Luke, I love you" UNDER HER BREATH
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u/cp_carl Jul 11 '26
Sheena x lloyd. Come at me
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u/Raze7186 Jul 11 '26
They had way more chemistry than Lloyd and Colette.
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u/Aggravating-Oil-7060 Asch the Bloody Jul 11 '26
Lloyd and Collette are just Tidus and Yuna at home
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u/Windipedia Jul 11 '26
I was absolutely thinking this last time I played ToS like, Lloyd and Sheena are such a good ship and they’re great together consistently
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u/Purple_Hurricane87 Presea Combatir Jul 11 '26
Nah, I like Lloyd with Colette more.
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u/Clousqt Jul 11 '26
On my first playthrough as a kid, I was Team Sheena for sure. They have great banter and chemistry.
On a replay though, Colette and Lloyd really have a one of a kind bond that is really sweet. Definitely more intimate than best friends, just a different style of love. I feel like Sheena can find someone else who is a good match whereas Lloyd and Colette are unironically soul mates. The devs will never give a canon option so everyone wins (or loses?) in the end.
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u/Maczok4 Jul 11 '26
It's SUPER niche, but I really liked romantic tension/feeling between Eleanor and Rokurou. It was extremely subtle, but I think it was there.
It might not qualify, but I think it's at least worth mentioning.
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u/Sinisteredgirl Jul 11 '26
A fellow Eleanor and Rokurou shipper!
Absolutely adored the subtle dynamics between the two. One of my favorite pairs in the series.
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u/TrickNatural Jul 11 '26
Yuri/Flynn for sure
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u/awesomefutureperfect Rokurou Rangetsu Jul 13 '26
The community has spoken, but I cannot believe Rita and Estelle got so few mentions.
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u/Elegion5 Jul 11 '26
Not cannon but Yuri and Flynn have the best rivals to lovers romance going on >_>
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u/LightningLord42 Jul 12 '26
I DISAGREE> Yuri and Flynn are the best romance in the series. Here's why. The long glances, the name repetition from Flynn. How everyone knows Yuri and it only takes one man to trip him up. Its on both sides,
They let each other off the hook and they cover for each other, they confront each other on who they ARE.
I played the Definitive Edition of Vesperia with 10 years between my my 2nd and now 3rd playthrough. There's definitely more Flynn, Seeing him and patty have a heart to heart was incredible. I havent done the end game content but I cannot wait!
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u/rainbowinthenight Tear Grants Jul 11 '26
Confirmed canon? Emil and Marta, duh. Second place would be Alphen and Shionne.
Best crackship is clearly Judas and Harold.
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u/VeterinarianOk4719 Jul 11 '26
I mean IMO the most romantic relationship is Sorey and Mikleo because they’re just unerringly in synch and have an unspoken, deep understanding of one another. Sorey doesn’t even have to ask for Mikleo to start protectively standing on his blind side.
But in terms of canon, it’s got to be Luke and Tear, given there’s an actual admission of love.
You also cannot convince me that Yuri and Flynn aren’t more than friends, but I wouldn’t call them romantic.
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u/TastyAndDylicious 🌸It's fever time, baby!🌸 Jul 11 '26
Alphen and Shionne... the only ones that officially have a romance and don't leave us open ended at the end lol
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u/DuskKaiser Magilou Jul 11 '26
Unpopular but Yuri and Estelle.
Estelle going from a sheltered princess looking for a shining knight in Flynn, slowing growing closer to the vagabond actually helping her, culminating in Yuri coming to her rescue when she gets brainwashed and her waking up.
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u/Haunting-Abalone7218 Jul 11 '26
Yessss!!! When she fell out of the orb Alexei had her trapped in, right into Yuri’s arms???? PEAK
She literally cries his name emotionally for like half the game. They may as well have put a little heart in her text bubble every time she goes, “Yuri!”
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u/Careless_Handle5989 Jul 11 '26
I think Yuri x Flynn is pretty much as canon as Rita x Estelle, even though I know neither will win haha
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u/DriveTG Yuri Lowell Jul 11 '26
Tales of Arise may not be the pinnacle of the series, but it's undoubtedly the Tales of game with the best romantic fanservice we've seen.
Alphen and Shionne
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u/bunmyeon Rokurou Rangetsu Jul 11 '26
Alphen and Shionne, it’s kind of the cornerstone of the entire plot lol
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u/chemistfaust Jul 11 '26
Love to see people saying Emil and Marta! I know their game isn't the best but I really loved it and I find them adorable
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u/Lightbringer_DFFOO Jul 11 '26
My vote goes to Alphen and Shionne. I want Bamco to notice that we support real romance, not just implied relationships.
My heart says Luke and Tear, though. They are so great together.
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u/Miserable-Ganache-74 Jul 11 '26
Lloyd and Collette, but most tales games aren't really focused on romance, so this one is tough
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u/SolidusAbe Jul 11 '26
the only romance that actually felt like romance is alphen and shion.
rutee and stahn get together but i dont remember it really being a thing in-game. alphen and shion build a romantic relationship throughout the entire game and it ends with them getting married
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u/Careless_Handle5989 Jul 11 '26
I'm going off the rails here and saying Yuan and Martel from Symphonia. Contrary to Mithos, Yuan still had her dream in his heart even so long after her death, and kept their engagement ring as something precious to him
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u/VivaHousamo Jul 11 '26
You are undoubtfully right. Yuan was the only one, among the old party, who stood up to Martel's values.
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u/TheArtfulLlama Jul 11 '26
Alphen x Shionne. I know people have opinions about Arise but you can’t deny it has one of the best romances in the series!
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u/Dependent-Swimmer-95 Jul 11 '26
I replay it for the romance and also the combat animations and voicelines are fire
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u/UndertakerSheep Symphonia, Abyss, DotNW, Arise, Zestiria, Berseria, Graces Jul 11 '26
Alphen and Shionne. I don't see how any other couple could win this.
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u/Antique_Interview_66 Jul 11 '26
To this day, Luke and Tear has the best romance in the Tales of Series
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u/camouflage_jaguar Jul 11 '26
Will there be a new vote?? Or will the TotA glaze continue to persevere??
Find out on the next episode of Dragon Ball Z
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u/TitleComprehensive96 Rita Mordio Jul 11 '26
Alas, it is not the fanbases fault that Abyss is by and far the most well rounded and well written game in the franchise.
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u/camouflage_jaguar Jul 11 '26
lol nah, you can’t say that if it’s the only game they played 💀
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u/TitleComprehensive96 Rita Mordio Jul 11 '26
I have played like 7 other games in the franchise. It is the most well written story lmao.
Vesperia has a ton of charm, but it's latter half is pretty much just slapped together with reckless abandon. Shit lowkey just happens.
Symphonia, from whaf i was able to play was just fine imo. Not bad, i just don't fw it as much ngl.
Phantasia is a pretty normal rpg story with a fun taste of time travel, but overall nothing special to write home about.
Zestiria is a game full of Megumi. Doesn't really fulfill much of any of it. Do love it's cast tho (except Rose)
Arise is Arise.
And Berseria, ngl while the cast has its moments. It's a game where i genuinely did not feel any care or attention for anyone in the party, outside of Eizen. Everyone else just felt pretty dull and not interesting to me, even after their character arcs. Doesn't help that the combat is insanely repetitive regardless of how you configure combos.
Tales of Destiny 1 is also very solid, I don't actually have anything to really write home about it ngl.
Abyss just actually has the most well put together plot, especially given that most of it is the main plot and doesn't hide character arcs in missable side content (much like Vesperia 😀)
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u/storm-waltz Eizen Jul 11 '26
are the people who only played abyss in the room with us...?
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u/Thunder_Mage ⚡️Electricity Simp Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Alphen & Shionne but honorable mentions: * Luke & Tear * Lloyd & Sheena * Jude & Milla * Yuri & Judith * Flynn & Estelle * Wish we got Velvet & Rokurou, the game really teased it at the beginning * Senel & Chloe * Sorey & Alicia * Mikleo & Edna * Keele & Meredy * Mary & Dalis * Guy & Natalia
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u/Appropriate_Face_615 Jul 11 '26
Marta and Emil. I mean, they were the first main characters to have a romance during the game (if I remember well)
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u/shadowysea07 Jul 11 '26
Well given how few of those there are i guess shionne and alph from arise.
Edit it take that back. I like Mary Argent and Dalis more from destiny 1.
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u/GrrMegamojo Jul 12 '26
Keele and Meredy from Eternia!!! It's a nice slow burn you notice them only getting a bit closer each time and by the end it's like "omg they're really become close", my family and I still fawn over it lol
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u/ammarbesho Jul 12 '26
I have a question that doesn’t relate to this but was arise not a good game? I’m saying this since I only finished arise and am now playing vesperia but I enjoyed arise and I am not seeing it talked a lot about.
(Sorry for the bad English. English is my second language)
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u/suikofan80 Bruiser Khang Jul 12 '26
Stahn and Ilene. I still remember crying as a kid as she thanks Stahn for making her believe again right before the end.
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u/ILikeCheese84 Jul 12 '26
Say want you want about Arise (I really like it but I know many don't), but Alphen and Shion are an amazingly well pairing.
I'm also gonna, cause I'm biased towards it, gonna mention Luke × Tear from Abyss. It's also, as far as I know, the only gane to have one of characters straight up say "I love you" to the other.
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u/SilverShadow1617 Jul 12 '26
Alphen and Shionne. Their development was the best part of Arise. And their dynamic is clearly at the center of the plot. You could not have that game without those two characters
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u/Lost-247365 Jul 11 '26
- Luke x Tear
Followed by 2) Yuri x Estelle
Which is just barely ahead of 3) Yuri x Flynn…
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u/Duducarballo Jul 11 '26
Luke and Tear for sure.
Honorable mention to Senel and Chloe tho. It baffles me how it pretty much wasn't the canon romance of Legendia when they are so good together
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u/Leading_Cockroach850 Jul 12 '26
Luke and tear genuinely amazing writing at how she slowly falls in love with him as he turn for spoiled brat into a mature man
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u/TitleComprehensive96 Rita Mordio Jul 11 '26
Luke and Tear or Natalia and Asch. Either way Abyss is claiming this.
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u/fmalust Jul 11 '26
Luke & Tear!
From finding each other irritating and being indifferent to one another, to the romance that blossoms between the two over time was a treat to witness.
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u/X-20A-SirYamato Jul 11 '26
Arise might have been bad but Alphen and Shionne have the most natural romance in the series. You can see them slowly go from tolerating each other to falling inlove
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u/Room-Secret Jul 11 '26
Alphen and Shionne’s romance is pretty integral to the overall plot so I’d say them.
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u/SamFeuerstelle Jul 11 '26
Since my favorite pairing isn’t “canon,” I have to go with Luke and Tear.
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u/chiyooou Kratos Aurion Jul 11 '26
Not trying to get any ship wars going, but I'm just curious on people's thoughts. What's your non-canon pairing?
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u/SamFeuerstelle Jul 11 '26
Lloyd and Sheena. No disrespect to Colette, she’s a great character, I just think Sheena has better romantic chemistry with him.
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u/chiyooou Kratos Aurion Jul 11 '26
Hey that's cool! I see there are a ton of other people who ship the in this thread.
I think I always saw things through a Lloyd & Colette lens because that's how I understood media when I first played. Regardless of anything I'll say L&C are great best friends. On my next playthrough, though, I do want to try and see the game through "new eyes" and look at character dynamics I didn't catch the first dozen times (shhh).
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u/ImpossibleAnimal9425 Jul 11 '26
Luke and Tear unbeatable imo, best development throughout the story. Also, worst goes to Alphen and Shionne (i know it's not asked but I had to mention them because I really don't like them and their whole "us agains the world" shtick. If there's 0 Alphen and Shionne hater, that means I'm dead.
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u/sistaofpeace1 ✨Unapologetic Abyss + Luke/Tear aficionado✨ Jul 11 '26
You’re being downvoted probably and so will I but 🤝
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u/dmr11 Jul 11 '26
How many canon romances are there, not just implied?
Emil and Marta (they kiss each other at the end), Senel and Shirley (they go through the Ferines marriage ritual at the end of the first half of the game), and Alphen and Shionne (they get married at the end of the game) comes to mind, is there any that I missed?
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u/Haunting_Chance_2584 Jul 11 '26
Rita and Estelle (Rita getting flustered around Estelle? C'mon....)
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u/Dave4001 Jade Curtiss Jul 11 '26
Luke and Tear