Jaal Ama Darav is a major supporting character in Mass Effect: Andromeda (2017), the fourth entry in BioWare’s acclaimed science fiction role-playing and third-person shooter series. The game follows the Andromeda Initiative’s mission to colonize a new galaxy, where Jaal serves as a member of the angara, a species native to Andromeda. He joins Pathfinder Scott or Sara Ryder as a potential squadmate and ally and is romanceable by both Ryder twins, establishing him as one of the game’s bisexual characters. Through his presence, Andromeda expands the Mass Effect universe’s exploration of sexuality, culture, and connection across species lines.
Born into a proud angaran family, Jaal is deeply rooted in his people’s traditions. The angara are an emotional and expressive species, emphasizing empathy, honesty, and communal bonds. Jaal’s mother, Sahuna, is a respected leader among the angaran Resistance, and his upbringing was steeped in both love and duty. He joined the Resistance to fight against the Kett, a hostile alien race that seeks to enslave or convert the angara. His early service in the Resistance earned him distinction as both a capable warrior and a compassionate diplomat, balancing loyalty to his family with his innate curiosity about other beings.
When the Pathfinder first meets him, Jaal is assigned to the team by the angaran Resistance leader Evfra de Tershaav as both a liaison and a watchful observer. Over time, he becomes a trusted companion and a bridge between species, helping Ryder navigate the political and emotional complexities of the Andromeda galaxy. His sincerity and openness stand in stark contrast to the guarded pragmatism of many human and initiative characters. Whether in combat or conversation, Jaal exhibits profound empathy and introspection, often reflecting on identity, freedom, and belonging.
Romancing Jaal reveals a tender and deeply personal side of him. He approaches intimacy as an extension of emotional truth rather than mere attraction, and his relationship with Ryder — male or female — is among the most heartfelt in Andromeda. Through him, the game explores cross-species understanding not only as a diplomatic goal but as a profoundly human (and angaran) experience. Even outside of romance, Jaal’s compassion, integrity, and emotional intelligence make him one of the game’s most beloved companions and one of BioWare’s finest written characters.