Forming deep bonds is at the heart of Persona 5 The Phantom X-but which friendships can ignite into romance? Discover every Synergy Bond and learn which confidants might turn from trusted allies into potential soulmates, unlocking not just powerful abilities, but exclusive romantic storylines as you navigate the intricate social web of P5X.
Synergy Bonds are The Phantom X’s take on social stats tied to NPCs that you can unlock once specific criteria are met. While the name is different than elsewhere in the series, long-time fans will recognize that these bonds behave in a very similar way to the previous iterations of this mechanic. These unlockable bonds grant you new abilities and other rewards, so it’s essential to make sure you’re putting in the time to raise your bond levels.
Don’t miss out on this mechanic; we’ve compiled a list of all available Synergy Bonds in Persona 5: The Phantom X.
How Synergy Bonds work in Persona 5: The Phantom X
Synergy Bonds in Persona 5: The Phantom X function as a streamlined version of the Social Link (Confidant) mechanics from previous Persona titles. By spending time with select characters-either by hanging out with them during City Life events, responding to their texts on the in-game IM, or giving them gifts-you gradually strengthen your bond, known as the Synergy Rank. Raising your Synergy Rank not only unlocks various passive abilities and gameplay rewards (such as crafting upgrades, new outfits, and battle buffs), but also enables special character interactions. Significant milestones in Synergy, like reaching Rank 15 with eligible characters, may open up the option to pursue a romance route or deepen your friendship, adding both narrative depth and practical advantages in the game.
Persona 5 The Phantom X’s Synergy bonds aren’t as hidden as some of the confidants and social links from previous Persona titles, but while they may be easier to find, some rewards might be better than others depending on your playstyle. Every Synergy Bond can be improved by meeting each character in the city and providing gifts to your bonds increases Synergy as well. It’s essential to keep an eye on your Action Points and what City Life activities you can participate in.
Romanceable characters in Persona 5: The Phantom X
Persona 5: The Phantom X offers players the chance to romance select characters by building up their Synergy Bonds. As of the most recent update, the main romanceable characters are Motoha Arai, Yaoling Li, and Tomoko Noge. To unlock the romance option-termed becoming “Soulmates”-you need to raise your Synergy Rank with these characters to level 15. While not every female character is available for romance, players can pursue all three romance options simultaneously without penalty in the current version. It’s worth noting that romance content is fully implemented in global and regional servers as of the latest patches, expanding the classic Persona dating experience to this mobile and PC spin-off.
Below we list the three currently available romance candidates in Persona 5 X. Note that you do need to get them to Synergy Rank 15 to romance them.
Motoha Arai (Closer)
You can unlock her Synergy Bond by completing the “The Day the Pearl Flies” side mission. Improving your relationship with Motoha will unlock higher difficulty levels in Batting Practice and provide you with bonus effects in Palace and Mementos.
Motoha is the first human to join the protagonist as a Phantom Thief. She’s a cheerful girl who is also a baseball prodigy. After quitting the sport for a few years, she’s trying to get back into it with your help.
Yaoling Li (Rin)
You can unlock Yaoling’s Synergy Bond by completing the “Foreign Exchange” side mission. Increasing Yaoling’s bond provides cooking and crafting upgrades for use in and out of battle.
Yaoling is an outgoing and carefree person who has some childish tendencies. She’s a first-year university student from Sichuan, China, studying abroad in Japan. Yaoling is trying to find herself while abroad, but isn’t quite sure of where life will take her.
Tomoko Noge (Moko)
Tomoko’s Synergy Bond is unlocked by completing the “Part-Time Dreamer” side mission. Increasing Tomoko’s bond provides part-time job upgrades, such as a boost to your social stats.
Tomoko is a second-year student at Kokatsu Academy and is one of the first NPCs you meet in The Phantom X. She tries to deny her feelings for the protagonist, but it’s pretty obvious how she feels. Tomoko wants to gain experience in life and decides to take on multiple part-time jobs to achieve this goal.
Other Synergy Bonds in Persona 5: The Phantom X
In Persona 5: The Phantom X, many Synergy Bonds exist beyond just the romance candidates, allowing players to form meaningful connections with a variety of characters. Increasing these Synergy Bonds often unlocks new abilities, upgrades, or gameplay perks, such as crafting enhancements, new activities, or stat boosts, depending on the character involved. Most bonds are established by progressing through main or side missions and by improving specific Social Stats like Charm, Kindness, or Proficiency. Non-romance Synergy Bonds-such as those with Lufel, Merope, Kayo Tomiyama, Yui, and others-not only deepen the story experience but also reward players with useful in-game bonuses and unique hangout scenarios as you raise your Synergy Rank with them.
The characters below are not romanceable, but you can still spend your time with them to earn some good perks.
Lufel (Cattle)
Lufel’s Synergy Bond is unlocked through story progression. Specifically, after you complete the “Awakening of Desire” mission. Increasing Lufel’s bond provides infiltration and crafting upgrades, such as making more tools with fewer materials.
Lufel is the mascot character one can expect from a Persona entry. He’s reliable and possesses intense knowledge of the Metaverse. He fills the same role as Morgana did in Persona 5, as he accompanies the protagonist in his day-to-day life.
Merope
Merope’s Synergy Bond is also unlocked through story progression. Once you complete the “Traces of Dreams” mission, you can spend time with her to increase her bond rank. Increasing her bond allows for new Personas to be fused for Wonder.
Merope plays the role of the velvet room attendant like Caroline, Justine, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Theodore before her. She is professional and polite and has a decent understanding of human desire.
Kayo Tomiyama (Okyann)
Kayo’s Synergy Bond is unlocked through completing the “Generations Apart” side mission. As you increase her bond, she’ll provide you with new outfits for Wonder.
Kayo is the protagonist’s neighbor who wants to connect more with the younger generation. In combat, she acts as a Navigator and is one of the more unique characters in a Persona title. She’s the first whose appearance is entirely different in the Metaverse.
Yui (Bui)
Yui’s Synergy Bond is unlocked by completing the “Virtual Encounter” side mission. Increasing Yui’s bond provides plant growth upgrades, allowing you to plant more flowers.
Yui’s most prominent personality trait is her affection for farming. Her passion is rooted in the late stages of her Synergy bond ranks, but she’s friendly and another one of Phantom X’s uniquely designed characters. Since her Synergy Bond takes place primarily in the in-game MMO Harvest World Online, her Phantom Thief appearance is based on her virtual avatar instead of her authentic self.
Which romance candidates unlock the most intriguing storylines in P5X
The three current romance candidates in Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X) are Motoha Arai, Tomoko Noge, and Yaoling Li. Each offers a different dynamic and storyline, but among them, two stand out for particularly intriguing romance arcs:
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Motoha Arai is considered intriguing because she is your best friend and has a dynamic similar to Ryuji from the main series, providing a mix of camaraderie and emotional depth that builds over time. Her arc evolves significantly as your relationship develops, making her story one of the most engaging in the game.
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Yaoling Li also unlocks a notably engaging storyline. As a Chinese exchange student eager to explore Japanese life, her perspective and cultural themes add freshness and novelty to her romance route. Additionally, Yaoling’s early availability and the strong gameplay rewards attached to her Synergy Rank make her story both accessible and impactful for overall progression.
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Tomoko Noge, while available for romance, is typically described as a solid, well-developed option but with slightly less unique narrative elements compared to Motoha and Yaoling.
In summary: Motoha Arai and Yaoling Li are most frequently highlighted as unlocking the most intriguing storylines among the current romance candidates in P5X, offering both emotional resonance and unique character perspectives. Tomoko Noge is also an option but tends to be less frequently noted for storyline intrigue in current guides. Future updates may add more romance routes or develop existing ones further.
Which romance candidates in P5X have the most compelling backstories to explore
Among the current romance candidates in Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X), the ones with the most compelling backstories to explore are Motoha Arai and Yaoling Li.
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Motoha Arai stands out for her complex background as your childhood friend. Her story explores themes of loyalty, personal growth, and the evolving nature of friendship into romance. The emotional progression in her arc offers depth as she navigates both her own aspirations and her relationship with the protagonist.
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Yaoling Li, a Chinese exchange student, brings a multicultural perspective. Her backstory deals with cultural displacement, adaptation to Japanese life, and her desire to connect with others while staying true to her roots. This unique character context creates a narrative that is both fresh and relatable, allowing for exploration of her identity as an outsider seeking belonging.
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Tomoko Noge is also a romance option. However, based on current guide coverage, her backstory is engaging but generally seen as less distinctive or intricate compared to Motoha and Yaoling.
At present, Motoha Arai and Yaoling Li are most frequently highlighted for their compelling personal histories and the memorable storylines their routes unlock. This makes them the top recommendations for players looking to explore meaningful character arcs through romance in P5X. Future game updates may introduce additional candidates or expand existing stories further.
