Akechi is a curious character in Persona 5 Royal. After leaving a major impression in the vanilla game, his character is more fleshed out in Royal, and spending time getting to know him can be a serious boon. Maxing out the detective prince’s Confidant is definitely a worthwhile effort.
Table Of Contents
How to Begin the Justice Confidant
A popular television personality, Goro Akechi is known by his legion of fans as the detective prince. Despite being a high school student, his intelligence and uncanny ability to solve crimes make him an influential figure in the media. During the original game, Akechi’s true self is revealed during Shido’s Palace. Desperate for love and acknowledgment, his chipper and friendly personality is shown to be a complete lie. His untimely demise is somewhat rectified in Royal, giving players the chance to interact with the true Akechi.
You’ll begin Akechi’s Confidant automatically on June 10. While the Justice Confidant progressed automatically through story events in the original Persona 5, this is no longer the case in Royal, with Ranks 2 through 8 being manual. Ranks 9 and 10 will still be unlocked automatically as you continue the main story.
Akechi can be found outside of Penguin Sniper in Kichijoji at night, regardless of the weather.
Justice Confidant Skills
Spending time with Akechi will gradually unlock more useful skills in the Metaverse. Check out the full list of abilities and necessary ranks below.
| Confidant Rank | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| -- | Follow Up | Chance to perform a follow-up attack if Joker's attack does not down the enemy. |
| -- | Smooth Talk | If negotiation with a god-like Shadow fails, you can try again. |
| 1 | -- | -- |
| 2 | Sleuthing Instinct | Chance to reveal one enemy affinity at the start of battle. |
| 3 | -- | -- |
| 4 | Sleuthing Mastery | Chance to reveal all of one enemy's affinities at the start of battle. |
| 5 | -- | -- |
| 6 | -- | -- |
| 7 | Harisen Recovery | Chance to cure status ailments inflicted upon party members. |
| 8 | -- | -- |
| 9 | -- | -- |
| MAX | Protect __ Endure | Chance to shield Joker from an otherwise fatal attack. __ Chance to withstand an otherwise fatal attack with 1 HP remaining. |
Once the Justice Confidant is maxed out, Akechi’s original Persona, Robin Hood, will transform into Loki. He will unlock his third-tier Persona, Hereward, during the story event on February 2.
Maxing out the Justice Confidant will allow you to fuse Metatron, one of only four Personas to learn the physical Sword Dance skill, as well as Bless Amp and Divine Judgement. If you itemize Metatron, you’ll receive Nataraja, a powerful pistol for the protagonist.
Hangout Conversations
As you chat with Akechi, certain dialogue choices will result in more points than others. Saying the right thing can help boost your friendship more quickly. Giving gifts can also help to make up for any points lost by accidentally choosing the wrong response. Below, we’ve listed all possible dialogue options and the corresponding points.
TipRank 1
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "That's why I believe, if a truly powerful opponent were to corner them, they would flee without a second thought." | •They wouldn't run. •They'd fight to the end. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "If it's all right with you, would you continue sharing your thoughts with me?" | •That's fine by me. •I'd love to. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
Rank 2
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "I found myself with some free time, so I was hoping to find someone to play against." | •You always seem so busy. •Do you have no friends? | •2 •0 | •1 •0 |
| "Oh, my apologies. A break ace." | •Is that your win? •Not bad. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "Not bad. Everything's riding on your next shot, though. How will you handle this?" | •Shoot very carefully. •I'll go for a power shot. | •2 •2 | •1 •1 |
| "Is something the matter?" | •You used your right hand. •...Aren't you left-handed? | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "I'm rather dextrous with my right hand. I can even use chopsticks with it. Frankly, I didn't expect you to see through it." | •Maybe I'll be a detective. •No holding back next time. •I see a lot of things. | •2 •2 •3 | •1 •1 •2 |
| "I think you'd be an interesting influence on me. If you're so inclined, we could go out again sometime." | •Sure. •I'll think about it. •As rivals? | •0 •0 •2 | •0 •0 •1 |
Rank 3
You must have Scholarly Knowledge (Level 3) and Suave Charm (Level 3) to begin Rank 3.
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "The cake here's fairly popular. I've been wanting to try it myself." | •Got a sweet tooth, huh? •Come here often? | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "Uh-oh. Looks like I've been spotted." | •Should've figured. •Your life must be so hard. •I can shoo them away... | •3 •2 •0 | •2 •1 •0 |
| "We should go." | •You've done nothing wrong. •Why the rush? | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "A shame I don't have glasses like you. Maybe I would have been able to get out of this situation." | •How about we find out? •Come here a sec. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "I suppose I'd better learn to watch what I say around you." | •You looked great. •It was a necessary evil. •I should've taken a picture... | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "I saw firsthand what happens when I'm too careless with my words around you." | •That was careless, huh? •Wasn't it fun? •I can always dress you up again. | •0 •2 •0 | •0 •1 •0 |
Rank 4
The jazz club in Kichijoji will become available after reaching this rank.
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "It's nice to take some time off when we can, don't you think?" | •What kind of place is this? •This looks shady... | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "It's just a jazz club. You get to hear some great performers here." | •Do they have coffee? •But I'm underage. •Now this is my kind of club. | •2 •0 •3 | •1 •0 •2 |
| "Well then, why don't we get some drinks?" | •Any recommendations? •Anything's fine by me. •Ann ice-cold beer for me. | •3 •2 •0 | •2 •1 •0 |
| "Whew...How relaxing. I really do like coming here." | •It's a great place. •I feel a bit nervous. | •2 •0 | •1 •0 |
| "I guess you could call it my go-to place. Do you have anywhere like that?" | •A run-down cafe. •A shop with great coffee. •I live there, actually. | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "That reminds me, do you cook?" | •Pretty frequently. •I can use a microwave... •All I need is curry. | •3 •3 •2 | •2 •2 •1 |
| "There's something about that strange, erratic synchronicity...It's a euphoria like when I manage to solve a case." | •What are you talking about? •I kinda get it. •You really are having fun. | •0 •2 •0 | •0 •1 •0 |
Rank 5
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Do you normally play games like these?" | •All the time. •I'm not great at them. •Have you played any? | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "Phew! My fingers are going to be sore tomorrow. What a realistic game." | •Are you used to gunplay? •You took that seriously, huh. | •2 •0 | •1 •0 |
| "All this reminded me of running around the house with it, playing hero..." | •You wanted to be a hero? •Very interesting. •Hard to imagine. | •3 •2 •0 | •2 •1 •0 |
| "So? Which of those two fits more with your conception of a hero?" | •Sticking to your justice. •Doing what people want. •Neither, really. | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "Hopefully I didn't come off as too much of a novice. I wish I'd played better." | •You did fine. •You've still got a long way to go. •You were getting cocky. | •2 •2 •2 | •1 •1 •1 |
Rank 6
Rank 6 becomes available on September 3, and you can find Akechi in Leblanc rather than his usual spot in Kichijoji.
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Ahh, this feels wonderful...It's been a while." | •So relaxing... •Seeing you here is weird. •A while, huh? | •2 •0 •3 | •1 •0 •2 |
| "My mother worked at a nightclub. Whenever she had to bring a man home, she'd send me off to the local bathhouse." | •That was horrible of her. •...You've been through a lot. | •0 •2 | •0 •1 |
| "Actually, are you all right? I know the hot water can make people dizzy..." | •This is nothing. •I'll stay until you're ready. •Are YOU okay? | •3 •3 •2 | •2 •2 •1 |
| "Oof...I think I feel a little lightheaded." | •Same. •I'm just fine. •Guess I win. | •3 •0 •2 | •2 •0 •1 |
| "I've never told anyone else about my family situation, either. I wonder why I told you? Curious indeed." | •Because we get along. •Because we're similar. | •2 •2 | •1 •1 |
| "We're both victims of the adults who unfairly impacted our lives." | •I think you're right. •I don't know about that. •Can I put my clothes on? | •3 •0 •2 | •2 •0 •1 |
| "If they saw how I was acting today, perhaps they'd say I wasn't acting like the Detective Prince." | •True. •They'd probably love it. •My bad, I guess. | •0 •0 •2 | •0 •0 •1 |
Rank 7
Rank 7 becomes available on November 2. You must have Encyclopedic Knowledge (Level 4) to trigger it.
Choose either “I’ll think about it” or “You’re my rival” if you want to gain Akechi’s ultimate Persona after the Confidant is complete.
Warning| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "You can't simply strike the ball you're aiming for. You have to be indirect, but precise, to land it in the pocket..." | •Yeah, it's convoluted... •That's why it's so fun. | •0 •3 | •0 •2 |
| "You eliminate your target without ever directly connecting yourself to it. I don't suppose that rings any bells?" | •The psychotic breakdowns. •What're you getting at? | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "Even then...do you still intend to play this game?" | •I've made up my mind. •I won't miss my shot. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "Even if it was with my self-imposed handicap, I'm impressed that you beat me. You've become quite skilled." | •It's thanks to you. •I couldn't let myself lose. | •0 •3 | •0 •2 |
| "Yet I'm doing so as a detective, and you're acting as a phantom thief. Our stances couldn't be more different." | •But we're teammates now. •You want to join us? | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "Why not join me instead...? All you'd have to do is abandon the teammates you have now. How about it?" | •I'll think about it. •I'm not doing that. •You're my rival. | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
Rank 8
After defeating Akechi in battle, choose “I accept” to gain Akechi’s ultimate Persona after the Confidant is complete.
Warning| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Well, this place should do nicely..." | •What'd you want to discuss? •Why are we in Mementos? | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "Remember what I told you? If you ever won against me using my right hand, I'd take you on with everything I've got." | •I thought you meant in pool. •You want to fight? •But why, though? | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "Thus, I've built up this urge to duel you without holding anything back." | •All right. •Let's do this. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "You've caught up to me on this front already, too..." | •Are you satisfied? •Was that all you've got? •Do you want to keep going? | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "In all honesty, it's to the point that I'd be relying on you in a pinch." | •I'd say the same for you. •The feeling's mutual. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "By the way, about that duel—if we had fought to the end, do you see yourself winning?" | •I definitely wouldn't lose. •I don't know. •Probably. | •2 •0 •0 | •2 •0 •0 |
| "...You're the one person I refuse to lose to." | •Same here. •Really hate losing, don't you? | •1 •2 | •1 •2 |
| "Should the opponent accept the glove, the duel is also accepted." | •I accept. •Let me think about it. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
Rank 9
If you’ve finished Rank 8, Rank 9 will trigger automatically during Shido’s Palace.
MAX Rank
You’ll reach MAX Rank automatically during Shido’s Palace.
Story Event (2/2)
Choose “We’re stopping Maruki” to cause Akechi’s Persona to transform into Hereward.
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Don't tell me you think dangling my life before us is going to have any impact on our decision." | •You figured that out? •So you knew... | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| Maruki: "I'll be going now." | •This is for you. •You forgot something. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "I refuse to accept a reality concocted by someone else, stuck under their control for the rest of my days." | •Are you sure? •But then, you'll... •...... | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "Or, are you really so spineless that you'd fold over some bullshit, trivial threat on my life?" | •This isn't trivial. •Don't oversimplify this. •I won't fold. | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "I won't wait a moment longer. Answer me." | •We're stopping Maruki. •We're taking the offer. | •True Ending •Bad Ending* | •True Ending •Bad Ending* |
| * "Are you serious?" | •I misspoke. •I am serious. | •True Ending •Bad Ending | •True Ending •Bad Ending |
Other Hangouts
Shinagawa
Akechi will call on the evening of July 28 to initiate this event the following day. Ohya will also be present at the aquarium.
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Sorry for dragging you along." | •It's a nice place. •Why me? •Could bring a girl here... | •3 •0 •0 | •2 •0 •0 |
| Ohya: "And we even got the second Detective Prince here, too—W-Wait, what!?" | •Keep it quiet, please... •Why are you here? | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| Ohya: "And unlike you, he's pretty hardline anti-Phantom-Thieves, right? Mind if I ask a couple questions about you two?" | •If you like. •That's kind of personal. •What's it worth to you? | •2 (Devil) •0 •0 | •1 (Devil) •0 •0 |
| "And if I heard right, you two have some sort of professional agreement?" | •What of it? •It's nothing bad. •How about these fish, huh? | •0 •2 •0 | •0 •1 •0 |
