
Ranulf from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn has been read as a gay character, particularly as a potential love interest for Ike, though the relationship is not nearly as strongly implied as it is for Ike and Soren. Ranulf is one of only two characters (the other being Soren) whose ending in Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn changes if he has an A-level support with Ike, whereby he disappears from his home to explore the world. It is implied that he travels with Ike, who also leaves to travel the world. If Ranulf dies over the course of the game, his last thoughts are of Ike.
Furthermore, the books Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance Memorial Book Tellius Recollection: The First Volume (2016) and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn Memorial Book Tellius Recollection: The Second Volume (2016) makes frequent references to Ranulf having special trust in, interest in, fondness for, or a special bond with Ike. (for example, Vol. 1 p. 192 and Vol. 2 p.102).
LGBTQ references in this game series:
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (1999): Marty and Dagdar
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade (2003): Bramimond; Florina and Lyndis; Legault; Lucius and Raven
Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones (2004): Ephraim and Lyon; Joshua and Gerik
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (2005): Ike and Soren; Jill and Mist; Reyson and Tibarn; Sigrun and Tanith
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007): Elincia and Lucia; Heather; Jill and Mist; Joke about Ike and Sothe; Kyza; Ranulf
Fire Emblem Awakening (2012): Gay Jokes and Queerness; Same-Sex Relationship Hack; The Hubba Tester
Fire Emblem Fates (2015): Forrest; Nina; Romance options; Same-Sex Relationship Hack; Skinshipping; Soleil; The Hubba Tester
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (2017): Leon; Lukas; Queer Readings
Fire Emblem Heroes (2017): Ally Support; Loki; Sharena
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019-2020): Byleth Pairings and Controversy; Non-Byleth Pairings
See also QRM’s entry for this game series
Citations:
- Nintendo/Intelligent Systems. 2016. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance Memorial Book Tellius Recollection: The First Volume. Tokyo: Tokuma Shoten (ambit).
- Nintendo/Intelligent Systems. 2016. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn Memorial Book Tellius Recollection: The Second Volume. Tokyo: Tokuma Shoten (ambit).