Getting closer to your friends in Persona 5 Royal can lead to big boons on the battlefield. Art student and resident weirdo Yusuke Kitagawa brings his own unique aesthetic to the Phantom Thieves, and spending time with him can make your time fighting Shadows much less daunting.
Table Of Contents
How to Begin the Emperor Confidant
Yusuke is obsessed with art, initially becoming acquainted with the Phantom Thieves after spotting Ann on the street and becoming inspired by her beauty. His mentor, Ichiryusai Madarame, is in dire need of a change of heart, and Yusuke awakens to his powers after learning of the man’s deceitful nature.
You can begin Yusuke’s Confidant on June 18. During the day, he can be found in the Shibuya Underground Station.
NoteEmperor Confidant Skills
Spending time getting to know Yusuke will reward you with bonus abilities that will quickly become indispensable in the Metaverse. See the full list of abilities below.
| Confidant Rank | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Card Duplication | Allows Yusuke to duplicate Skill Cards. |
| 2 | -- | -- |
| 3 | Follow Up | Chance to perform a follow-up attack if Joker's attack does not down the enemy. |
| 4 | Art Talk | If negotiation with a lone Shadow fails, you can try again. |
| 5 | Card Creation | Allows Yusuke to create any Skill Card he has copied once before. |
| 6 | Harisen Recovery | Chance to cure status ailments inflicted upon party members. |
| 7 | Live Painting | Allows Yusuke to use Card Duplication and Card Creation on the spot. |
| 8 | Endure | Chance to withstand an otherwise fatal attack with 1 HP remaining. |
| 9 | Protect | Chance to shield Joker from an otherwise fatal attack. |
| MAX | Second Awakening | Transforms Persona into a mythological trickster. |
Once the Emperor Confidant is maxed out, Yusuke’s original Persona, Goemon, will transform into Kamu Susano-o. If you unlock the third semester, his Persona will evolve again, this time into Gorokichi.
Maxing out Yusuke’s Confidant will also allow you to fuse Odin, the only source of the Wild Thunder and Thunder Reign skills and one of very few Personas capable of learning Elec Amp and Fast Heal.
Completing Yusuke’s Confidant will also reward you with Desire and Hope. After receiving this gift on March 19, you’ll be able to replicate any Skill Card once you establish Yusuke’s Confidant in New Game Plus.
Hangout Conversations
When spending time with Yusuke, certain dialogue choices will increase your friendship rank more than others. Picking the right responses can help boost your Rank more quickly, but if you make the wrong selection once or twice, don’t panic–you can always give a gift to make up any lost points.
TipRank 1
You’ll receive a Recarm Skill Card after reaching this rank.
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "...What's the matter? Have you been overcome by an urge to paint?" | •Just hurry it up. •Give me your brush. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "...You're like Theo." | •What are you talking about? •No, I'm my own person. •You caught me. | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "Van Gogh did not achieve fame in his lifetime, but found an admirer and supporter in his brother." | •An admirer? •A supporter? •Thanks. | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "My picture... turned into a real skill card?" | •That's an amazing power. •This will be useful. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "I know... Why don't we act as the thieves we are and strike a deal?" | •I'm counting on you. •Let's do it. •It's a deal. | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "I have to hold up my end of the deal, so I’ll perform to the best of my ability. You need only ask." | •Thanks. •I'll try not to. •I'll be asking a lot. | •2 •2 •3 | •1 •1 •2 |
Rank 2
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "I would like your honest opinion... if you would." | •It's novel. •It's enigmatic. •...What is it? | •2 •2 •0 | •1 •1 •0 |
| "More importantly, it shall be the spark that revitalizes my slumbering art career!" | •I can't wait. •I hope you're right. •Will people like it? | •3 •3 •0 | •2 •2 •0 |
| "I'm on a roll right now. I shall keep up this momentum and apply it to the Phantom Thieves as well!" | •You're already doing enough. •I'm looking forward to it. •Will you really? | •2 •0 •0 | •1 •0 •0 |
Rank 3
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "My work is...empty?" | •That was harsh. •What a dick... •Don't let it bother you. | •0 •0 •2 | •0 •0 •1 |
| "This grave mistake shall be the end for me...!" | •Stop exaggerating. •This is just the beginning. •Stand up. | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "What is going to happen to me now...? Without art, what will remain of my being...!?" | •You're really giving up? •This isn't like you. •Stand up, Yusuke. | •2 •3 •0 | •1 •2 •0 |
| "But that is all the more reason I must break out of my slump. I must prove my ability to him...!" | •How exactly? •That's the spirit. | •2 •2 | •1 •1 |
| "I will simply keep on drawing. I'm going to have ten pieces finished up by end of today!" | •That's the spirit. •You're taking this too far. •That's all? | •2 •0 •0 | •1 •0 •0 |
Rank 4
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Thank you for your assistance today. After all, it would be impossible to sketch while rowing." | •What are we doing here? •Why are we in a boat? •I should bring a girl here. | •0 •2 •2 | •0 •1 •1 |
| "It seems my bias has caused me to overlook the truth of the matter..." | •Love comes in all forms. •Maybe you should train more. •You have a wild imagination. | •3 •2 •0 | •2 •1 •0 |
| "When will I fully understand the heart? Even if I ever do understand it, will I truly be able to draw it...?" | •Don't get discouraged. •Just keep drawing. •You lack love yourself. | •2 •0 •0 | •1 •0 •0 |
Rank 5
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Very well. (Protagonist), you will have to be my model today." | •Make me beautiful. •I dunno if I can do it... •Do you want me to strip? | •0 •2 •3 | •0 •1 •2 |
| "(Protagonist)... Do you think I will be able to capture the truth someday?" | •I'm sure you will. •It doesn't look like it. •Do you want to give up? | •3 •3 •2 | •2 •2 •1 |
| "The more I think about it...the further I seem to be from understanding the abyss of the heart." | •Don't overthink it. •You have to keep drawing. •There's still hope. | •0 •0 •2 | •0 •0 •1 |
Rank 6
To complete Rank 6, you’ll need Masterful Proficiency (Level 4).
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Hm, this place has not changed in the slightest..." | •It feels nostalgic. •Why are we here again? •Are you going in? | •2 •0 •0 | •1 •0 •0 |
| "It had begun to rust even while I was a pupil here. It seems now it has finally broken." | •We should get it fixed. •Let's force it open. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "Why do I still treat him as my mentor? How long will I allow him to control my life...?" | •Are you OK? •You're not looking so good. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "...(Protagonist), why do you think Madarame decided to take me in?" | •Maybe he was sympathetic. •He somehow knew you had skill. •I couldn't possibly tell you. | •3 •2 •3 | •2 •1 •2 |
| "By the way, that gentleman...Kawanabe, was it? What's your impression of him?" | •He had a certain dignity. •He seems reliable. •I'm not sure. | •2 •0 •0 | •1 •0 •0 |
Rank 7
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawanabe: "There is definitely a market for you. We'll sell you as the 'tragic, handsome artist.'" | •That's a great name. •What do you mean? •Handsome...? | •0 •2 •0 | •0 •1 •0 |
| "Why is it that all artists talk about is money, money, money!? Has the true meaning of art been lost!?" | •The truth is within you. •Money is important. | •3 •0 | •2 •0 |
| "I'm tainted after all...! I'm a petty sellout, a slave to the power of money!" | •Calm down. •It's not a crime to enjoy sushi. •Let's go again sometimes. | •2 •2 •0 | •1 •1 •0 |
Rank 8
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "(Protagonist), what subject do you think would most capture beauty?" | •Scenery is always nice. •I'd say Morgana. •It has to be Ann. | •0 •0 •2 | •0 •0 •1 |
| "Is this what pure passion is supposed to look like!? My heart is clouded by worldly desires...!" | •What's wrong with that? •The same applies to everyone. •You've really grown, Yusuke. | •2 •0 •3 | •1 •0 •2 |
Rank 9
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "When my mother was painting the 'Sayuri'... what do you think she was thinking about?" | •Her love for her son. •The pain of separation. •I don't know. | •3 •3 •2 | •2 •2 •1 |
| "But that is why I am going to wield my brush again...To give hope to all those who see my paintings." | •You've really changed, Yusuke. •That's a great idea. •It won't be easy. | •3 •2 •0 | •2 •1 •0 |
MAX Rank
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "The title is 'Desire and Hope.' What do you think?" | •It turned out well. •So you added home? | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "What are you playing at?" | •You provoked Yusuke on purpose? •Are you scheming something? | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| Kawanabe: "If only he had your strength..." | •"He?" •Do you mean Madarame? | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| "Sensei..." | •He was a good man deep down. •That was another aspect of him. | •3 •3 | •2 •2 |
| "What a strange man..." | •Yeah... •You're stranger, Yusuke. •Are you sure about this? | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
Other Hangouts
Occasionally, your friends will want to spend time with you out on the town. While these hangouts won’t reward you with a higher friendship rank, they can give you additional points.
Shinagawa
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Look, (protagonist). That creature has such an unusual form...It's fascinating, is it not?" | •It's pretty bizarre. •You think so? •Truly one of life's mysteries. | •3 •2 •3 | •2 •1 •3 |
| "It may be the fish we're looking at, but I'm feeling a bit hungry." | •They're not for sale! •Same here. •Want a free sample? | •2 •3 •3 | •1 •2 •3 |
