For the first time in the series, Ubisoft has introduced a full romance system in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Yes, you read that right — this isn’t just about slashing through samurai, sneaking as a shinobi, or petting foxes in the wild. Now, both protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, can explore romantic relationships with multiple characters across Feudal Japan.
Romance in Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t just for flavor either. Each relationship is tied to side quests, personal dialogue choices, and narrative beats that add depth to the story. Whether it’s Naoe finding companionship in a fellow rogue, or Yasuke building bonds with allies who share his ideals, these romances create fresh replay value — and give players another reason to experience the game twice.
But let’s be real: this is Assassin’s Creed. You can’t just waltz in, say “sup,” and suddenly unlock romance. Each character has a specific questline and dialogue path you need to follow carefully. Choose wrong, and you’ll get friend-zoned faster than desynchronizing on a stealth mission.
In this guide, we’ll cover all Assassin’s Creed Shadows romance options, break down the exact dialogue choices you need, and point out which ones are just flirt-only. Ready to make Feudal Japan a little more… passionate? Let’s dive in.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Romance System Explained
The romance system in AC Shadows is straightforward, but it adds layers of personality and replayability to the game. Here’s how it works:
- Character-Specific → Romance is tied to who you’re playing as. Naoe has her own list of partners, while Yasuke has his. You can’t swap them mid-playthrough.
- Quest-Based Progression → Each romanceable character has side quests (or companion missions) that must be completed. These quests usually give you 2–5 chances to pick flirty, supportive, or emotional dialogue.
- Dialogue Choices Matter → Ubisoft clearly doesn’t want you to mash “X” through conversations. You’ll need to pick certain responses to unlock romance scenes — if you miss too many, the romance doesn’t trigger.
- One True Pairing? → You can romance multiple characters across the game, but usually only one per protagonist in a single playthrough. Want to see all romance cutscenes? Yup, that’s what multiple saves are for.
- Impact on Story → While romances don’t drastically alter the main ending, they do add unique cutscenes, character dialogue, and in some cases, small perks like loyalty boosts in missions.
In short: think of romance in AC Shadows as a mix between Assassin’s Creed’s loyalty missions and a light RPG dating system. It’s optional, but if you skip it, you’re missing out on some of the best companion storytelling in the game.
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All Assassin’s Creed Shadows Romance Options: Naoe’s Romantic Options
Gennojo
Gennojo is a charming rogue who becomes one of Naoe’s most interesting companions. His romance is unlocked through a chain of quests where his flirtatious nature becomes impossible to ignore.
How to Unlock:
Complete his questline: Missing Missive → Sake and Swords → Honor Among Thieves → Stolen Hearts.
Key Dialogue Choices:
- In Lost Honor, when he teases, choose: “You might be right.”
- In Sake and Swords, reply: “Depends on what you’re offering.”
- When he shows off, say: “Show me, thief.”
- During Honor Among Thieves, when discussing loot, respond: “I’m keeping it, then.”
- In Stolen Hearts (after saving him), go with: “I’m here for you” → “I’d like to embrace you.”
If you consistently flirt, this unlocks a cutscene where Naoe and Gennojo officially become romantically involved. He’s cheeky, reckless, and a fan favorite for players who love witty characters.
Katsuhime
Katsuhime is a fierce noblewoman who balances elegance with strength. She’s direct, powerful, and her romance path gives Naoe some of the most emotional moments in AC Shadows.
How to Unlock:
Play through her questline: Showdown in Sakamoto → Letter from Katsuhime → The Tale of Genin → The Diary of Lady Rokkaku → The Jounin Pillow Book.
Key Dialogue Choices:
- In Showdown in Sakamoto, pick: “I like your teppo.”
- In Letter from Katsuhime, choose: “It offers time with me.”
- In The Tale of Genin, respond: “I do enjoy your company.”
- Finally, in The Jounin Pillow Book, select: “Let’s find out.”
By the end of this quest chain, Katsuhime opens up fully to Naoe, and their romance becomes official. She’s one of the more intense partners, but also one of the most rewarding in terms of story impact.
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Koshiro
Koshiro is one of the more heartfelt romances available to Naoe. He’s a quiet, loyal ally, and his romance path is all about subtlety, trust, and moments of vulnerability.
How to Unlock:
Complete The Ox questline → Fallen Soldiers → unlock The Leaf Turns (his personal quest).
Key Dialogue Choices in “The Leaf Turns”:
- After tidying his house: “You’re more than a blade to me.”
- After retrieving his toolbox: “We have a special connection.”
- Later, when speaking about time together: “I’d like to spend more time with you.”
- During the pond conversation: “You must follow your heart.”
- Final walk: “Like me.”
👉 You need to pick at least 4 out of these 5 flirt options to unlock the romance scene with Koshiro. Miss too many, and the relationship remains platonic.
Mayu
Mayu is unique compared to the other romances, as her path ties into exploration and spiritual themes. She’s connected to Japan’s sacred Jizo Statues, which makes her romance more quest-driven and rewarding for completionists.
How to Unlock:
Complete the pilgrimage quest Mayu’s Offerings, which requires honoring all 69 Jizo Statues across Feudal Japan. (Yes, all of them — it’s basically the “100% completion” romance).
Key Dialogue Choices:
- When she reflects on her path: “I know that feeling.”
- Encouraging her: “You can define your own path.”
- Later: “I learned to follow my own intuition.”
- Final moment: “Not before I kiss you.”
Once completed, Naoe and Mayu share one of the most tender romance scenes in the game. It’s easily one of the most rewarding for players who like exploration and spiritual depth.
All Assassin’s Creed Shadows Romance Options: Yasuke’s Romantic Options
Ibuki
Ibuki is a compassionate ally who represents Yasuke’s softer, more emotional side. Their romance develops through loyalty and genuine care.
How to Unlock:
Complete her questline: Ambush Interrupted → Homecoming → Putting Down Roots.
Key Dialogue Choices:
- In Ambush Interrupted, when she doubts you, select: “I have changed.”
- In Homecoming:
- Say: “I am here to help.”
- Use flirt option: “Your mind works in beautiful ways.”
- In Putting Down Roots:
- At her hideout, choose: “You have lovely eyes.”
- Then follow with: “I want more than friendship.”
👉 These choices unlock a romance cutscene where Yasuke and Ibuki solidify their bond. This is one of the warmest romances in the game, giving Yasuke a very human side.
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Hori Hidemasa
Hori Hidemasa is more political and pragmatic, but Yasuke can form a surprising bond with him through shared trust and loyalty.
How to Unlock:
Progress through The Betrayers quest chain.
Key Dialogue Choices:
- After eliminating the traitors, when you return to Hori, say: “Meeting you was my reward.”
This single but important choice seals Yasuke’s romance with Hori. It’s more subtle than others, but adds interesting depth to Yasuke’s story arc — especially if you enjoy exploring his political ties and unexpected companionships.
Rin
Rin is one of Yasuke’s most lively and heartfelt romance paths. Her quests span multiple seasons, and the romance grows gradually through friendship, humor, and trust.
How to Unlock:
Complete her quest chain: The Winter Raiders → Arrow Strike → War Horse → Ride Into Town.
Key Dialogue Choices:
- In Arrow Strike, when she jokes about her messy home: “Let me help you clean.”
- Later in the same quest: “It wasn’t my archery you were testing.”
- In War Horse: “You excel at everything you try.”
- In Ride Into Town:
- At the food stall, pick: “Plum onigiri, please.”
- Then choose: “I want to draw a picture of you.”
- At the bridge scene: “I would like to kiss you.”
👉 Flirt consistently and follow these choices, and Yasuke unlocks a full romance with Rin, including a tender cutscene. It’s considered one of the most rewarding romance arcs in AC Shadows.
Lady Oichi (Flirt-Only)
Lady Oichi is a fascinating figure in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, but her romance path is different: it’s flirt-only. You can share romantic dialogue, but it never develops into a full relationship.
How to Unlock:
During quests like A Prayer For Omi and The Wheel Turns, you’ll get flirt opportunities.
Key Dialogue Choices:
- In A Prayer For Omi, say: “I would spend my last night with you.”
- In The Wheel Turns, choose: “I am drawn to you.”
- Later, when offered a chance to linger, select: “Let’s enjoy the moment.”
👉 These lead to flirty interactions, but no cutscene or full romance. Lady Oichi’s path is more about flavor dialogue and character depth than a true love story.
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Best Romantic Options in AC Shadows
With eight total romance paths, some stand out more than others. While every character has unique charm, here are the best romance options in Assassin’s Creed Shadows:
- Rin (Yasuke) → Her questline is long and heartfelt, growing from playful banter to emotional bonding. Many players call this the most rewarding romance arc.
- Gennojo (Naoe) → For players who love witty, cheeky characters, Gennojo’s romance is full of humor and roguish charm. His cutscenes are some of the most entertaining.
- Mayu (Naoe) → A romance tied to the Jizo Statue pilgrimage. It’s a grind to unlock, but narratively one of the most spiritual and unique paths in the game.
- Ibuki (Yasuke) → Warm, emotional, and natural. If you want to see Yasuke’s softer side, Ibuki’s romance is a must.
Others, like Hori Hidemasa and Katsuhime, are worth exploring too, but the four above tend to be fan favorites.
Can Naoe and Yasuke Romance Each Other?
A common question among players is whether the two protagonists can fall in love. Sadly, the answer is no — Naoe and Yasuke cannot romance each other in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Ubisoft confirmed that while both characters have their own partners, they are written as allies, not lovers. Their relationship is built on trust, respect, and shared goals, but it never crosses into romance.
While some fans were hoping for that option, it also means players get more diverse romance experiences by exploring eight completely different partners. If you want to see all the AC Shadows romantic options, you’ll need multiple playthroughs — one for Naoe, one for Yasuke.
Tips for Unlocking Assassin’s Creed Shadows Romance
The romance system in Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t just about clicking every flirt option. If you want to unlock all the romantic paths, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Complete Companion Quests
– Every romance option is tied to side quests. If you skip or rush them, you’ll miss your chance. Make it a habit to finish companion missions as soon as they appear. - Save Before Major Conversations
– Some choices can lock you out of a romance. Always keep a save file before key dialogues, especially when flirting. That way, you can reload if you pick the wrong option. - Flirt Consistently
– Romance isn’t unlocked with one choice. You need to consistently select flirty, supportive, or compassionate answers throughout a character’s questline. Miss too many, and you’ll end up with friendship instead of romance. - Be Patient
– Some romances, like Mayu or Rin, take multiple quests and longer story arcs to develop. Don’t expect instant results. Stick with their path, and it will pay off. - One Romance per Playthrough
– While you can technically flirt with multiple characters, the game favors one true romance for each protagonist. If you want to see all cutscenes, you’ll need multiple playthroughs (or multiple save files). - Romance Rewards Are Narrative
– Unlike RPGs with stat boosts, the rewards in AC Shadows are primarily story-driven. Expect new cutscenes, unique dialogue, and character depth — not huge gameplay perks.
👉 If you follow these tips, you’ll unlock every one of the AC Shadows romantic options without missing a scene.
Conclusion
Romance in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a first for the franchise, and it adds an exciting new layer of roleplay and character depth. Both protagonists — Naoe and Yasuke — can pursue unique relationships, each with their own quests, dialogue, and story flavor. From the roguish charm of Gennojo to the heartfelt sincerity of Ibuki and the spiritual path of Mayu, every romance tells a different story about connection in the harsh world of Feudal Japan.
While romances don’t dramatically change the main ending, they enrich your journey, offering intimate moments, extra cutscenes, and reasons to replay the game. With eight Assassin’s Creed Shadows romance options in total, and some requiring patience or exploration (looking at you, Mayu and her 69 Jizo statues), the system is both rewarding and replayable.
Whether you want lighthearted banter, emotional bonds, or playful flirts, there’s someone for every type of player. And while Naoe and Yasuke can’t romance each other, their separate paths ensure you’ll have plenty of variety across multiple playthroughs. If you’re aiming for 100% story content, chasing every romance is a must.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) related to all Assassin’s Creed Shadows Romance
There are eight romance options in total: four for Naoe (Gennojo, Katsuhime, Koshiro, Mayu) and four for Yasuke (Ibuki, Hori Hidemasa, Rin, Lady Oichi — though Oichi is flirt-only).
Fan favorites include Rin (Yasuke), Gennojo (Naoe), Ibuki (Yasuke), and Mayu (Naoe). These paths are the most rewarding in terms of story and character development.
You can flirt with multiple characters, but the game leans toward one committed romance per protagonist per playthrough. For all romance cutscenes, multiple saves or playthroughs are needed.
No. Naoe and Yasuke cannot romance each other. Their relationship is written as one of mutual respect and alliance, not love.
No, romances don’t change the main ending. However, they add new cutscenes, dialogue, and character depth that enrich your journey.
