Summary
Bell Cranel has been the center of affection for many women in Orario since the first season ofDanMachi. While Bell has relegated most of these characters to mere friends, there’s one girl who remains at the forefront of Bell’s romantic endeavors — Ryu Lion. Bell and Ryu started off as acquaintances after they were introduced to each other through Syr. However, after fighting multiple battles together,Bell and Ryuhave developed a much stronger bond.
Whether it was aiding Bell in fighting the Apollo Familia or saving his life countless times in the dungeon, Ryu has stayed by Bell’s side through thick and thin. Season 5 ofDanMachihas mostly focused on Syr’s sentiments towards Bell Cranel, though these emotions haven’t been reciprocated by Bell. This further opens up room for Ryu to be Bell’s eventual pairing, especially considering she boasts the most intimate bond with him.
Brought Together By Circumstances
Bell and Ryu Were Brought Together By the War Games
Unlike Ais, Syr, and the rest of Bell’s romantic interests, Ryu was introduced toDanMachi’snarrative in the second season. During the war games between theApollo Familia and the Hestia Familia, Bell was forced to fend for himself against an entire familia. To aid Bell in the war, Syr acquaints Bell with Ryu Lion, a mysterious waitress at the Hostess of Fertility. Secretly a high level adventurer, Ryu decides to secretly aid Bell in the war games, effectively earning him a victory over the Apollo Familia.
Ever since the war games, Ryu has remained a significant character inDanMachi’snarrative. The war was the first of many events where Ryu would stand steadfast by Bell’s side. However, it wasn’t until season 4 of DanMachi that their bond truly deepened, as the depths of the Dungeon brought both characters closer than ever before.
The Dungeon’s Lower Floors Deepened Their Bond
Bell and Ryu Fought Side-by-Side in the Dungeon’s Lower Floors
Bell Cranel and Ryu Lion’s relationship had already grown significantly after the war games. However, the real growth in their relationship came after their near-death endeavors in thelower floors of the Dungeon. During season four ofDanMachi, the Hestia Familia ventured into the Dungeon as part of leveling up as a whole.
While Ryu was not part of the party that initially went into the dungeon, Bell became embroiled in her affairs after she was accused of murder. This moment also showcased the depth of their bond, as Bell was willing to testify to Ryu’s innocence, even before finding any proof that would absolve her of the accusation. Before he could prove her innocence, however, both Bell and Ryu were plunged into the Dungeon’s lower floors due to the Juggernaut’s rampage.
A Bond Based on Trust and Respect
The moments on the lower floors between Bell and Ryu were pivotal for bringing the two closer, as they risked their lives for each other on multiple occasions. Their most intimate moment came after their narrowescape from the Colosseum, an area within the pits of the dungeon with an almost-infinite number of monsters. The two had to share a single piece of cloth to stay warm, leading to physical intimacy for the first time between Bell and Ryu.
These events forced Ryu to show her vulnerable side to Bell, including sharing herpast within the Astrea Familia. Only a few characters inDanMachiare aware of the events that took place on floor 30th floor, with Bell being one of them. This further goes to show Ryu’s trust in Bell, as not even her friends in the Hostess of Fertility are aware of these events in her past.
My chest feels warm… but my body feels icy cold.
Bell and Ryu’s Current Relationship
New Events Have Sidelined Their Romance
Season 5 ofDanMachihas been rattled with all sorts of jarring revelations, chiefly Syr’s true identity. These events have overshadowed the romance between Bell and Ryu that continued in the previous season. While Bell may have already moved on from their intimacy, Ryu is clearly still in love with him. This became evident when she avoided Bell and relegated herself to the sidelines after Syr asked Bell out on a date.
Ryu’s future with Bell currently remains uncertain. However, the revelation of Syr being Freya has increased Ryu’s chances of ending up with Bell. Ais is often touted as the end-game romantic pairing for Bell Cranel, largely due to her obsession being the source of his power. However,Liaris Freese no longer requiresBell’s emotions for Ais to activate, which could possibly be a nod towards his sentiments for Ais slowly waning.
I’ve been having trouble looking you in the face lately.
Ryu might not be the final romantic pairing for Bell Cranel inDanMachi, yet she has clearly cemented herself as the most compatible one. The chemistry between Ais and Bell pales in comparison to Ryu and Bell’s profound relationship.Ais has also become a mere ancillary characterin the show. However, she still remains the most likely pairing for Bell, since she has been his object of affection since the very first episode ofDanMachi, though this could change as the series progresses.
