Persona 4: Every Possible Romance, Ranked

One of the aspects that consistently draws players back to the Persona series is the classic, lifelike sensation that we have come to know and love. Persona 4 Golden fully embodies this sentiment. You assume the role of Yu Narukami, a teenager who, while spending a year away from home, gains access to the Midnight Channel, and the dating aspect feels completely organic.

The dating sim aspect of the Persona titles provides you with the opportunity to date one (or more - we won't reveal it) of the available singles in Inaba. Meet these ladies at Yasogami High, form some friendships, and select your favorite among the romantic options in Persona 4.

Updated on August 31, 2023 by Gabrielle Castania: With the release of Persona 4 Golden for modern consoles earlier in 2023 and the renewed buzz it has generated worldwide, we wanted to revisit our ranking of the best romantic options in Persona 4 and expand it a bit. In addition to new connections, we have expanded our list to ensure that we also include the finest romantic options from Persona 4 Golden.

8 Yumi Ozawa

Arcana	Sun (conditional)
Romance Unlocks At	Rank 10

One aspect that seemed to persist in older Persona titles was the need to choose between one character or another to represent an Arcana, thereby denying access to the other character until replaying the game. The cultural clubs you can join at Yasogami High align with this theme, with Yumi being your social connection in the Drama Club.

Her social connection is rather tragic, as you observe her navigating her family life and some complicated emotions. Naturally, we want to assist Yumi, but it somehow feels like she already has enough to deal with without us. Additionally, unlocking her romantic option only in the final scene of her social connection leaves something to be desired overall.

7 Ayane Matsunaga

Arcana	Sun (conditional)
Romance Unlocks At	Rank 8

The alternative choice for your Sun Arcana in P4G is Ayane Matsunaga, who takes on the role instead of Yumi if you decide to join the Music Club instead of the Drama Club. She is a very shy classmate who blossoms through her relationship with Yu, regardless of her inherent nature.

What keeps Ayane so low on our list is that her entire social connection feels completely platonic until the conversation to determine her nature. Unlike the other girls, there are no signs of romantic interest before they become your girlfriend, but that's not the case with Ayane. It also doesn't help that she looks almost as young as our adopted sister...

6 Naoto Shirogane

Arcana	Fortune
Romance Unlocks At	Rank 8

Naoto appears to be an intriguing choice for your protagonist, considering how strongly her romantic connection with Kanji is established throughout the game. Although it is never explicitly stated that they end up together, it still feels odd to "steal" someone who feels like our friend's girlfriend.

Furthermore, the romance with Naoto is only initiated at her eighth rank, which is quite late in a social connection where we have little time to work on it before the endgame begins. Naoto is a great detective and a reliable friend, but perhaps that is the realm where she fits best with Yu.

5 Chie Satonaka

Arcana	Chariot
Romance Unlocks At	Rank 9

The spirited little fireball who propels the investigation team forward with her enthusiasm and humor is widely regarded online as the "best girl" of the game, and we have to agree - she is adorable!

However, with Chie, it's another social connection where it doesn't feel like her bond with Yu is at the forefront. Of course, she's here to hang out and dutifully accompanies the group on new investigations, but Chie's social connection, even as it becomes more romantic, still feels a bit too much like a friendship.

4 Yukiko Amagi

Arcana	Priestess
Romance Unlocks At	Rank 9

The stunning heiress of the legendary Amagi Inn, a central attraction in Inaba, Yukiko is one of the first friends that Yu gains when he attends Yasogami High. The game's first dungeon revolves explicitly around rescuing her, so she doesn't feel like someone waiting for a "knight in shining armor."

And it's definitely sweet to free her from such a feeling! By defeating her in battle, you break her spell and help her choose the path for her future on her own terms. And if Yu happens to become a "knight in shining armor" later on, who are we to stand in the way of fate?

3 Ai Ebihara

Arcana	Moon
Romance Unlocks At	Rank 8 (false romance flag at rank 6)

We know - this choice may be somewhat controversial because Ai can be a bit challenging, to say the least. From the beginning of her social connection, she's not exactly the easiest character to digest. She regularly approaches you with sarcastic remarks, and at times, it feels like she's outright displaying contempt.

But Ai's romance is one of the more unique ones in Persona 4 Golden and the Persona series as a whole. At Rank Six, you have the opportunity to pretend to go out with Ai, but this actually prevents you from actually dating her several ranks later. She wants someone who likes her for who she truly is, so wait until you can actually date her.

2 Marie

Arcana	Aeon
Romance Unlocks At	Rank 9

Persona is known for adding a bonus character in the enhanced versions of Persona games, and Marie was our new face in Golden. Her social connection is explicitly tied to the bonus dungeon in the remake, making the Aeon social connection somewhat of a must for returning players.

And although Marie can be initially snappy, getting to know her unveils a world of inner turmoil and purpose that no ordinary person could understand. You can still unlock the bonus content if you prefer a platonic relationship, but it's hard to overlook the fascinating aspect of Marie when you get to know her better.

1 Rise Kujikawa (Lovers Arcana)

Arcana	Lovers
Romance Unlocks At	Rank 7

Rise, the J-Pop idol who seeks a peaceful life away from the spotlight, feels like the default romance option for Yu in P4G, with her constant flirting that certainly tests the patience of the other ladies you may have chosen.

But it's hard not to give her the first place when she's so damn cute. Persona 4 Golden didn't hold back when it came to the motives of its dungeon rulers, and Rise's storyline focuses on her figuring out how to be a teenager again, rather than just being a sex symbol. She can call us "Senpai" for as long as she wants.