Being social is a massive part of Persona 5 Royal. While spending time with your friends and fellow Phantom Thieves is important, you’ll also be able to spend time with other characters. Sojiro Sakura, your caretaker, seems like a cranky old man, but getting to know him will reward you.
Table Of Contents
How to Begin the Hierophant Confidant
The manager of Cafe Leblanc in Yongen-Jaya and Futaba’s adoptive father, Sojiro Sakura watches over the protagonist during his time in Tokyo. While he seems overly strict and inhospitable at first, Sojiro will begin to show his true colors the more time you spend with him.
You can start Sojiro’s Confidant once you find out about Kamoshida’s suspension from Shujin Academy. This happens the day after clearing Kamoshida’s Palace and can happen as early as April 20. If you don’t start Sojiro’s Confidant by May 6, the game will trigger it automatically.
While Sojiro can always be found behind the counter at Leblanc, you can only speak to him if the card icon is shown above his head.
Hierophant Confidant Skills
Spending time at the cafe with Sojiro and increasing his Confidant rank will unlock the ability to craft SP recovery items. These are particularly helpful in later dungeons, as stronger Persona abilities can cost a very large amount of SP to cast.
See the table below for all possible bonus abilities.
| Confidant Rank | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -- | -- |
| 2 | Coffee Basics | Allows you to brew coffee that slightly restores SP of one ally. |
| 3 | -- | -- |
| 4 | Leblanc Curry | Allows you to make curry that slightly restores SP of all allies. |
| 5 | -- | -- |
| 6 | Coffee Mastery | Allows you to brew coffee that greatly restores SP of one ally. |
| 7 | -- | -- |
| 8 | -- | -- |
| 9 | Curry Tips | Allows you to make curry that moderately restores SP of all allies. |
| MAX | Curry Mastery | Allows you to make curry that greatly restores SP of all allies. |
Once you max out the Hierophant Confidant, you’ll be able to fuse Kohryu, the only source of the Psy Amp skill. Kohryu is only one of four Personas to learn Psycho Force, which deals severe Psy damage to one enemy. The Persona is also one of only two to learn the passive skill Life Aid, which automatically restores a moderate amount of HP after winning a battle.
If you’ve reached max rank with Sojiro, he’ll give you a Recipe Note on March 19. This will instantly grant you all cooking and brewing perks once you establish the Hierophant Confidant in New Game Plus.
Hangout Conversations
Choosing certain dialogue options will increase your rank more quickly during your hangouts with Sojiro. If you say the wrong thing, you can always give a gift or two to make up for any lost points. Additional Confidant points can be earned by doing well on your exams, brewing coffee for Sojiro, and cleaning Leblanc.
By ranking up Sojiro’s Confidant, you’ll also progressively boost your Kindness stat.
Rank 1
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "You're not causing any trouble, are you?" | •I'm not. •I might be. •...... | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "If you could lend a hand, it'd really be a great help..." | •I'd be glad to. •I'm kinda busy... •It's too much trouble. | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "I'll teach you how to make the perfect cup of coffee. Not a bad trade, eh?" | •I guess. •Sounds interesting. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "Just keep doing what you can. And don't cause any trouble, right?" | •Got it. •That was our deal. •It's the least I can do. | •3 •2 •2 | •2 •1 •1 |
Rank 2
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "You know what I'm talking about, right?" | •Making coffee. •Hitting on girls. •No idea. | •2 •0 •0 | •1 •0 •0 |
| "Ugh...I don't know where he caught wind of this place." | •Who was he? •That guy seemed suspicious. •Who's the "her" he mentioned? | •0 •2 •0 | •0 •1 •0 |
| "Besides, ladies love a guy who knows his coffee. This isn't such a bad deal for you." | •I want the ladies to love me. •I don't care about that stuff. | •2 •0 | •1 •0 |
| "Seems like you’re a quick study, so I hope you've got the hang of it." | •Got it. •Give me a break. •Why'd you call my cell? | •2 •0 •0 | •1 •0 •0 |
Rank 3
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "...Are you listening to me? What grind are you supposed to use?" | •Medium-fine. •Coarse. •Anything goes. | •2 •0 •0 | •1 •0 •0 |
| "Sorry, something just came up. We can keep going with the lessons some other time." | •Is it a date? •Is it trouble? •You don't want my help anymore? | •0 •2 •0 | •0 •1 •0 |
| "But don't worry, I'll put you to work. We’ve got lots of time on our hands." | •I'm ready to work. •Go easy on me. •Thank you in advance. | •2 •0 •2 | •1 •0 •1 |
Rank 4
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "That's because the acidity and the bean flavor profile all depend on the bean ratio. Pretty deep, huh?" | •Tell me more. •That sounds tough... •It all tastes the same to me. | •3 •0 •0 | •2 •0 •0 |
| It looks like Sojiro's in trouble. What should I do...? | •Run for help •Call Sojiro's phone •Kick the man out | •0 •3 •0 | •0 •2 •0 |
| "Just let him do his thing, and get on with the job. Got it?" | •Understood. •I'm kind of nervous... •I'll kick him out. | •2 •0 •0 | •1 •0 •0 |
Rank 5
You cannot begin Rank 5 or beyond until after the deadline for Futaba’s Palace has passed on August 22.
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "And what about you?" | •It wasn't bad. •Nothing special. •I think I'm addicted! | •2 •0 •3 | •1 •0 •2 |
| "I thought my pick-up lines were the best in town, but not a single one worked on her...Heh..." | •Was she like Futaba? •She wasn't normal, huh? •So that's why you're a bachelor? | •2 •3 •0 | •1 •2 •0 |
| "That's why when I took her in, I vowed to keep this recipe alive until she could eat it again." | •It really paid off in the end. •Almost brings a tear to my eye. •So much history... | •2 •0 •0 | •1 •0 •0 |
| "...It's only a problem when she asks for it three times a day." | •Sounds good to me. •She needs a balanced diet. •There's always instant noodles. | •0 •2 •0 | •0 •1 •0 |
Rank 6
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaudy Customer: "By the way, what are your thoughts on So-chan's life of solitude?" | •I admire it. •I'm not impressed. •To each his own. | •0 •0 •2 | •0 •0 •1 |
| Cheerful Middle-aged Man: "Doesn't quite seem to be the best environment for Futaba, now does it?" | •You're wrong. •I'm sorry. •Shut your mouth. | •2 •0 •3 | •1 •0 •2 |
| "I don't even know how he managed to find me here...Maybe paying him was a mistake." | •Saving Futaba was no mistake. •Just cut your ties with him. | •2 •0 | •1 •0 |
| "Futaba's fast asleep...Didn't mean to get you tangled up in all this mess." | •Is she okay? •Try to relax. •If I can help somehow... | •0 •0 •2 | •0 •0 •1 |
Rank 7
To start this rank, you must have Angelic Kindness (Level 5).
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "At the end of the day, the coffee and the curry people love so much are both just...excuses." | •You might be right. •That's not true. •They're still delicious. | •2 •0 •0 | •2 •0 •0 |
| Futaba: "(Protagonist)..." | •Are you all right? •Have you calmed down? •Do you want to talk? | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| Futaba: "I just thought I'd be able to stay here with him if my hacking worked..." | •Let's talk to him. •You should tell him that. •You guys are one awkward duo. | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "And that's only because you helped us connect, so...thanks for that." | •I'm truly glad. •You're welcome. •Feel like a real dad now? | •0 •0 •2 | •0 •0 •1 |
Rank 8
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "How about you? Anything you'd wanna add to the menu?" | •You want my suggestion? •Something with curry. •I can't decide! | •2 •3 •0 | •2 •3 •0 |
| "God damn...What a pain in the ass. Don't you have enough problems already?" | •I didn't do anything wrong. •I was just protecting Futaba. •I'm sorry. | •0 •3 •0 | •0 •2 •0 |
Rank 9
You must complete the Mementos Request “The Money-Grubbing Uncle” before advancing Sojiro’s Confidant.
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild-mannered Investigator: "How is it...living with Sakura-san? Please, you can speak honestly." | •It's great. •He's a bit of a nag. | •3 •2 | •3 •2 |
| Futaba: "...Sojiro?" | •Are you crying? •You have a great daughter. •Congrats. | •0 •3 •3 | •0 •3 •3 |
| "God, I'm a joke. Getting all sentimental like this? At my age?" | •You did great. •Futaba did great. •You two were already family. | •2 •2 •2 | •1 •1 •1 |
MAX Rank
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Oh...I told her about you too." | •Good for you. •Thank you. | •2 •3 | •2 •3 |
