9 RIP Otome Walkthrough to Reach Every Route

9 RIP is an unusual Switch otome game from Idea Factory International and Otomate for a number of reasons, which might make a route walkthrough handy. See, there are nine options, with one of them being a hidden one. However, they aren’t all on the same “path.” There are actually multiple storylines, and the choices in the prologue determine which one you end up on. So if you don’t choose correctly, you might not even be going through one of the four branches of the story that includes one of the bachelors you want. There are basically two love interests tied to each one, with one exception. 

Let’s get started with a spoiler-free guide to getting who you want.

How do I get on each character’s route?

Due to the nature of 9 RIP, the most important part of the walkthrough starts with a single question during the otome game’s prologue. This is because there are multiple branching storylines tied to choices made then. So depending on what you do, you can end up with certain route options.

For this portion of the game, the heroine Misa Isshiki (you can rename her) is a high school student with a problem. She’s getting close to graduation, which means deciding what she wants to do with her life. Her high school wants her to turn in a Career Path Survey. Her mother Ayame is adamant about her attending Seigin to become a doctor like her deceased father. Her best friend Sayaka keeps scaring her with ghost stories, urban legends, and unsettling facts about how people in their town end up spirited away. Especially ones who are in the middle of crises of some sort. 

It’s basically easiest to look at this through the following table, because 9 RIP characters who are part of the same storyline will share the same answers during the prologue. Choose these responses when they come up during prompts. Also, make sure you keep multiple saves, so you can return to those prompts to ensure you get the other 9 RIP routes without having to start a new game and skip text until you reach them again.

What route order should I follow in this otome game?

As far as the best order to go in, I recommend starting out with Kureha’s route. The game starts with Misa feeling sympathetic toward him and his predicament. Since Toka is the hidden character, save him for last. He was available to romance by the time I got to him, wasn’t available when I went through Koharu’s route, so he is likely locked behind endings for certain characters. 

So from there, I recommend going in the following order:

1. Kureha: I feel he’s basically set up as the “canon” route.
2. Hibiki: Since you already did Kureha’s, it’s good to just finish the School Ghost Stories pair to get him out of the way.
3. Koyo: I feel his route is the stronger of the two Urban Legends ones, but you could go with Sena first. Either one works!
4. Sena: I think his storyline feels like a more typical otome game romance route sometimes. Which you might appreciate after ones like Hibiki’s or Minami’s. 
5. Seiya: Seiya shows up a lot in the previous characters’ routes, so going with him fifth is smart.
6. Minami: Since Minami and Seiya’s routes are down the same path, this is a Hibiki-like situation. It makes sense to continue from here.
7. Koharu: I think Koharu has a really great route and frankly, I didn’t care for Yukimaro’s as much. So I suggest spending time with him first.
8. Yukimaro: Honestly, after so many routes where it can get dark, I sort of liked leaving this more lighthearted and fun romance option for the end. He can be genuinely hilarious! But you could swap the order here and go with Koharu instead.
9. Toka: He’s the hidden character. He comes last.

To be honest, you could rearrange that route if you’d like. But I do recommend playing the pairs one after another, since you’ll see the other side or other elements of that part of the story.

Okay. So now, from here, we’re going to split into each route in order of my recommendation. There will be no spoilers for the story, but note some responses could suggest things that will happen. If there is a branch that leads to an early ending, I’ll note it, but not every bad ending is marked since I wasn’t searching for those. Instead, I shared the responses to earn the Godly and Heavenly ends for each character.

Ideally, keep an eye out for the “affection up” messages after picking choices to see you’re on the right path, and try to avoid insanity-increasing ones unless I suggest them. Also, in situations when you see a character on the map and visit, there may be multiple topics to choose from in the ensuing conversations. I opted for ones that give affection up bonuses, and these selections can be chosen in any order.

9 RIP walkthrough: Kureha route

• “Yes, sorry, I am scared.”
• Don’t pull away.
• Wait and see. 
• “The voice I heard just before falling sleep.”
• “Being dragged into the mirror.”
• “I saw something when touched.”
• “I promise to do my best.”
• “Ghost in the mirror, please come out.”
• “Please come out. I wish to speak.”
• “I need your help. You’re my only hope!”
• Move closer to the mirror.
• “I trust him.”
• Choose Hibiki when you’re looking at the map, then select mirror when a prompt comes up.
• Choose Kureha when you’re looking at the map, then select sword when a prompt comes up.
• “I’m glad it was only a joke!”
• Have him help.
• Second red book on the right.
• Choose Kureha on the map, then ask about his hobbies.
• “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you!”
• “Maybe it really is a good god?”
• “It really isn’t your fault, Hibiki.”
• “That’s right.”
• Ask about the Seven Wonders.
• “I’ll never forget you two.”
• Choose Kureha on the map, then ask about his likes.

This is where you can get your first end, and it’s a bad one. It’s triggered by choosing to knock on the door.

• Keep trying to talk. 
• “I’m glad we could talk.”
• Choose Kureha on the map, and ask about school.
• “Someday, maybe.”
• “I’m not scared.”

Don’t pick “Reliving a painful memory” when the option comes up. That leads to another bad ending.

• “A memory she doesn’t want to come back?”
• Hold his hand.
• Ask him to say it again.
• “Just one more time.”
• “Please don’t swear on your soul.”
• “He’s no bloodthirsty killer.”

Okay. Here’s where things will split. If you want to see the Godly End for Kureha, you need to choose the following responses in order:

• “He might be right.”
• “I have feelings for you too!”
• “Please, let me be close to you.”
• “I can protect myself.”
• “Allow me to see Kureha.”

If you want the Heavenly End, make these choices.

• “That will never happen.”
• “We’ll find a way to be together!”
• “Please, let me be close to you.”
• “There’s no need for them.”

9 RIP walkthrough: Hibiki route

• “Yes, sorry, I am scared.”
• Don’t pull away.
• Wait and see. 
• “The voice I heard just before falling sleep.”
• “Being dragged into the mirror.”
• “I saw something when touched.”
• “I promise to do my best.”
• “Ghost in the mirror, please come out.”
• “Please come out. I wish to speak.”
• “I need your help. You’re my only hope!”
• Move closer to the mirror.
• “I trust him.”
• Choose Hibiki when you’re looking at the map, then select mirror when a prompt comes up.
• Choose Kureha when you’re looking at the map, then select sword when a prompt comes up.
• Second red book on the right.
• Choose Hibiki on the map, then ask about his likes.
• “I’ll leave it up to you, Hibiki.”
• “I think you’re right.”
• “Well, let’s just call it even.”
• “I made a promise to Hibiki.”
• Ask the boy about himself.
• “That makes me sad, too.
• Choose Hibiki on the map, then ask about school.
• Keep trying to talk.
• Thank you so much.
• Choose Hibiki on the map, then ask about his hobbies.
• “I just meant not right now.”
• “I understand.”
• “I’m glad I can rely on you.”

You can get a bad ending at this point if you select the option “don’t talk to him” when it comes up.

• Talk to him.
• “Of course, I like Hibiki.”

At this point, you can already get on the Godly End route for Hibiki. If you want that, make the following choices:

• “I get nervous too.”
• Should I go home?
• Accept his feelings.
• “His regrets were strong.”
• Tell your name.
• Ask Seiya a question.

If you want the Heavenly End, choose these options instead.

• “What do you mean you like me?”
• “I’m not going home.”
• Accept his feelings.
• “His regrets were strong.”
• Tell your name.
• Smile at Hibiki.

9 RIP walkthrough: Koyo route

• “Isshiki.”
• “Fate, you say?”
• Has nothing to do with Sayaka.
• “Can I try holding it?”
• Choose Sena on the map, and choose to talk about Sayaka. 
• “I still don’t know for sure.”
• Concerns.
• “I think this version’s great too.”
• Choose the ? on the map.
• Choose Koyo on the map.
• “Very kind.”
• Streaming.
• Try to envision what happened.
• “My charm…”
• Bury my face in his chest.
• “I still don’t know for sure.”
• “Don’t worry so much.”
• Choose Koyo on the map, then ask about friends.
• “It’s possible.”
• “I’m a fan!”
• “You don’t have to tell me.”
• Hold back.

You can get an ending here that isn’t the Godly or Heavenly one, if you want. Just make sure you make a save, then choose the following responses.

• “She’s doing it for herself.”
• “It’s the only way!”
• Choose Koyo on the map, then ask about scary stories.
• “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
• Choose Koyo on the map again, then ask about love.
• “What’s the big deal?”
• The truth of the accident.
• What Sayaka is trying to do.
• Am I really dead?

Okay! Back to the Godly and Heavenly Ends for Koyo.

• “She’s trying to make it up to me.”
• “I’ve got to protect my friend!”
• Choose Koyo on the map, then ask about food.
• “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
• Choose Koyo on the map, then ask about his mask.
• “I understand.”
• The truth of the accident.
• What Sayaka is trying to do.
• Am I really dead?
• Went toward the voice.
• “That’s enough for me.”

Note that you can get a bad ending here if you choose “don’t call.”

• Call.
• Pinch his cheek.
• Write it out.

You can get the Godly End for Koyo at this point. Save, then make these choices:

• Show him the phone.
• Ask about the incubus.
• “Are you really alive?”
• “I wonder.”
• “It’s too dangerous.”

To get the Heavenly End, reload and make these choices instead:

• Don’t show him the phone.
• Ask about the incubus.
• “I’m sorry.”
• “I’m happy.”
• “I trust you.”

9 RIP walkthrough: Sena route

• “Isshiki.”
• “Fate, you say?”
• Has nothing to do with Sayaka.
• “Can I try holding it?”
• Choose Sena on the map.
• Sayaka. 
• “I still don’t know for sure.”
• Concerns.
• “I think this version’s great too.”
• Choose the ? on the map.
• Choose Koyo on the map.
• “Very kind.”
• Streaming.
• Try to envision what happened.
• “My charm…”
• Bury my face in his chest.
• “I still don’t know for sure.”
• “Don’t worry so much.”
• Choose Sena on the map, then ask about love.
• “No way.”
• “You helped me this afternoon.”
• “Leave it to me.”
• Talk to him.
• “She’s trying to make it up to me.” 
• “It’s the only way!”
• Choose Sena on the map, then ask about his hobbies.
• “I’m so glad we could meet again today.”
• Choose Sena on the map, then ask about idols.
• “What’s the big deal?”
• The truth of the accident.
• What Sayaka is trying to do.
• Am I really dead?
• Try to make him remember.
• “I believe he’s crossed over.”
• Talk to him directly.
• “I’ll come back again.”
• “I just wanted to see you.”
• “There’s no way I could forget you.”

Okay, so you can get the Godly End at this point. Choose these responses, if you want, but save first.

• “I’m not scared of you.”
• “I guess I have to go back.”
• Flee the classroom.
• “Maybe we could return to the real world!”

For the Heavenly End, these are the right answers instead:

• “I feel the same way.”
• “I don’t want to go back.”
• Flee the classroom.
• “Maybe you could read your fans, Sena!”

9 RIP walkthrough: Seiya route

• “Stop being so pessimistic!”
• “I don’t believe it.”
• “I believe Minami.”
• “I want his help, but…”
• “Because the god of death was near.”
• Choose Minami on the map. Select please, then ask about his dislikes.
• Choose Seiya on the map, then ask about his type.
• “I am curious about Minami’s word.”
• “Thank you.”
• “That’s reassuring.”
• Select the ? on the map.
• Select Seiya on the map, then ask about his hobbies.
• “He may be right.”
• “I gave up writing.”
• “I don’t think of you that way yet.”
• “That’s not right.”
• Choose Seiya on the map, then ask about the organization in Hell.
• The burden of surviving Hell.
• Choose Seiya on the map, then ask about love.
• Make an effort to sleep.

You can get a bad ending here if you choose the classroom as an option.

• Nurse’s office.
• Take Seiya’s hand.
• “It’s because of you.”
• “You saved me.”

The Heavenly End and Godly End are available at this point. For the Heavenly Ending, you make these selections:

• “In Hell? Probably nothing.”
• “Thank you so much.”
• “In exchange for my soul.”
• “I don’t want to part.”
• Don’t open the door.

To get the Godly End in the Seiya 9 RIP route, choose these options instead.

• Glance at Seiya.
• “Let’s do this!”
• “In exchange for my soul.”
• “I’m really glad I met you.”
• Don’t open the door.

If at the end of both the Heavenly or Godly End, you choose “open the door,” you get a bad ending.

9 RIP walkthrough: Minami route

• “Stop being so pessimistic!”
• “I don’t believe it.”
• “I believe Minami.”
• “I want his help, but…”
• “Because the god of death was near.”
• Choose Minami on the map. Select please, then ask about his dislikes.
• Choose Seiya on the map, then ask about his type.
• “I am curious about Minami’s word.”
• “Thank you.”
• “That’s reassuring.”
• Select the ? on the map.
• Choose Minami on the map, then ask about his likes.
• “He may be right.”
• “I gave up writing.”
• “I do trust you.”
• “I’m a little upset.”
• Choose Minami on the map, then ask about fear.
• “The burden of handling Minami.”
• Choose Minami on the map, then ask about the address.
• Stay silent.
• Sleep.
• “Anything but my soul.”
• “I wish I got to see the old you.”
• Choose Seiya on the map.
• Choose Minami on the map.

From here, make sure you do not lie. If you lie, you will get a bad ending.

• Be honest.
• Don’t accept the robe.
• “Ugh, fine.”
• “Okay.”
• Find the best route.

Again, you can get a bad ending here, so don’t choose to point the gun.

• Throw the gun away.

You can get the final two endings from here. For the Godly End, select the following options.

• “It means we can face it together.”
• Because he heard me out.
• Leave it to him.

If you want the Heavenly Ending, pick these choices instead.

• “It’s like us.”
• “It’s because I love you.”
• “I don’t want to sleep.”

9 RIP walkthrough: Koharu route

• Give up.
• Tell him my name.
• Listen to Koharu.
• “Kinda noisy.”
• Choose Koharu on the map, and select walks.
• “Why is mom pushing med school?”
• “It was really delicious!”
• Seigin University
• Smile back at him.
• “I just can’t win with you, Yukimaro.”
• Choose Koharu on the map, then ask about his likes.
• “Orders are orders, though.”
• “I was her emotional support.”
• Choose Koharu on the map, then ask about cooking.
• “I want to turn my passion into my work.”
• “I want to be with you, Koharu.”
• “Can I rely on you?”
• End the conversation.
• “I won’t forget you.”
• Don’t touch the mirror.

At this point, you can wind up on one of the two final ends. For the Godly End, just choose the following responses. 

• Are not a lie.
• “Was Hibiki able to cross over?”
• Change the topic.

If you want the Heavenly End, these are the right options.

• I don’t know.
• “I told you some people don’t forget.”
• Bring up the curse.

9 RIP walkthrough: Yukimaro route

• Give up.
• Tell him my name.
• Bring them food.
• “Kinda godly.”
• Choose Yukimaro on the map, and ask about food.
• “Why is mom pushing med school?”
• “It was really delicious!”
• Seigin University.
• Smile back at him.
• “I just can’t win with you, Yukimaro.”
• Choose Yukimaro on the map, and ask about love.
• “That’s my spirit guardian!”
• “I was her emotional support.”
• Choose Yukimaro on the map, and ask about anime.
• “I’m still looking.”
• Feel uneasy.
• “I’ve only just realized how I feel!”
• Hold his hand.
• “I didn’t not want to, but…”

Since Yukimaro’s route is so straightforward, I honestly didn’t run into any bad endings. There could be one or two, but I didn’t see them with the choices I made! But this is the point where you can end up on the Godly or Heavenly End paths. To get to the Godly End, make these decisions:

• “Nothing!”
• “I will never forget you.”
• “Yes, I want you to.”
• “Isn’t there another way?”

For the Heavenly End, pick these instead.

• “I’m just having so much fun!”
• “I’ll always be thinking about you.”
• “Yes, I want you to.”
• “I’ll marry you!”

9 RIP walkthrough: Toka hidden route

• Divert his attention.
• Hold back.
• “I want to be alone.”
• “Kinda noisy.”
• Choose Toka on the map, and ask about his hobbies.
• “Why is mom pushing med school?”
• “It tasted different, it was addicting!”
• Seigin University.
• “Don’t worry about me.”
• “I said I’m fine.”
• Choose Toka on the map, and ask about god.
• “That’s my spirit guardian!”
• “I was her emotional support.”
• Choose Toka on the map, and ask about his likes.
• Hint at it.
• Touch his hand.

Here’s when the two ending possibilities come up. Again, I didn’t experience any bad endings when I played, so there should be nothing to worry about from here on out. To get the Godly End, make this choice.

• “Let me pay you back.”

For the Heavenly End, pick this option.

• “Thank you.”

9 RIP is available for the Nintendo Switch worldwide.