Key Takeaway
Rise’s Social Link, the Lovers, will unlock automatically on July 23. Using her Persona Himeko, Rise acts as a navigator and support character, automatically providing aid during exploration and battle. Maxing out her Social Link will enable you to fuse Ishtar.
It’s possible to romance Rise by selecting the correct dialogue option during the Rank 8 hangout. That’s right, Rank 8—not Rank 9.
Increasing a Social Link in Persona 4 Golden is done by spending time with your friends and getting to know them on a deeper level—like with Rise Kujikawa. She is a former idol, commander of the Lovers Arcana, and a support character who can turn the tide of battle.
Table Of Contents
About the Lovers Social Link
After deciding to take a break from showbiz for her health, Rise Kujikawa returns to her hometown of Inaba to help run the family business. Given her popularity, it’s no surprise that fans quickly gather around Marukyu Tofu in the Central Shopping District. It’s even less surprising when Rise finds herself at the mercy of the game’s kidnapper.
Although cheerful and outspoken, Rise’s biggest fear is that she has no individuality. She’s worried that she has become more of a product than a person due to her career in the limelight. Over time, she becomes close to every member of the Investigation Team. Rise is even willing to do whatever it takes to keep them safe.
Furthermore, Rise is the commander of the Lovers Arcana. Additionally, she is the navigator of the group and provides general support at random. She cannot be added to the party and acts entirely on her own without player input. She’s the fifth character to officially join the Investigation Team.
Rise’s Social Link automatically triggers on July 23. On school days, she can be found in the first-floor hallway of Yasogami High School—which isn’t too far from your classroom. When school is out, she spends time outside the tofu shop in the Central Shopping District.
Starting from April 19, you can sneak out of the house at night if Ryotaro Dojima isn’t home. However, it’s not possible to advance a Social Link at night. Thankfully, it can be progressed to the next rank on the following day. Spending time with friends in the Central Shopping District at night will reward you with an item, so grab it if you have a little spare time.
NoteLovers Social Link Skills
Each time you progress Rise’s Social Link, she’ll learn new skills and abilities that will come in handy when making your way through the game. Below, we’ve compiled a list of unlocks for each Social Link level.
| Rank | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All-Out Attack Assist | Can now cheer you on during an All-Out Attack. |
| 2 | Weakness Scan | Reveal an enemy's affinity at the start of battle. |
| 3 | Full Analysis | Reveal an enemy's stats, weak points, and skills. |
| 4 | Third Eye | Increases information displayed on the target. |
| 5 | Healing Wave | Recover 5% HP after battle. |
| 8 | Stamina Song | Recover 10% HP after battle. |
| 9 | Protect | Chance to shield party from an otherwise fatal attack. |
| MAX | Second Awakening | Transforms Persona. |
Lovers Hangout Conversations
When spending time with Rise, certain dialogue choices will increase your friendship more quickly. Below, we’ve included every possible dialogue choice, along with the number of points you’ll receive for choosing each option.
TipRank 1
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "......" | •Sure, I'll show you around. •If I have the time... •Yeah, I know a few places. | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
Rank 2
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "But it's a little embarrassing to show up alone, you know?" | •Why? •So you don't eat out? •Just order takeout. | •2 •3 •3 | •1 •2 •3 |
Rank 3
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "It'll take time to get back, so let's walk around quick!" | •You come here often? •Can't you shop in Inaba...? •What are you looking for? | •3 •3 •3 | •3 •3 •3 |
Rank 4
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| >Rise is worried... | •Yell •Call the police •Grab her hand and run | •0 •3 •3 | •0 •3 •3 |
| >Rise is desperate... | •Go along with her •Deny it | •3 •0 | •3 •0 |
| "I'm sorry...Lying about marrying you and all..." | •I don't mind. •Lying is wrong. •It...It was a lie? | •3 •0 •3 | •3 •0 •3 |
Rank 5
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Senpai, have you ever thought that you're pushing yourself too far, or that you were just acting...?" | •All the time. •Sometimes... •Not really. | •3 •3 •2 | •3 •2 •1 |
| "You're with me right now because I'm Risette, yeah?" | •That's right. •No. •I don't know... | •0 •2 •3 | •0 •1 •3 |
Rank 6
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inoue: "A fan letter came, you see..." | •Give it to her yourself. •Does she even need them? •Why so interested in her? | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "To think I trusted him...I feel betrayed!" | •That's not nice. •He's worried about you. •You're really quitting? | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "I gave up on being Risette. I can't meet her expectations..." | •Having second thoughts? •This was your decision. •She'll understand. | •3 •0 •3 | •2 •0 •2 |
| "Doesn't that sound fun? H-How about it? Haha...ha..." | •Sounds great. •If you're serious... •I can't decide that now. | •3 •3 •0 | •2 •3 •0 |
Rank 7
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "...She was cute, so I figured she would sell." | •She's cute, huh? •Jealous? •That's good, isn't it? | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
| "You like having such a cute underclassman, right? I'm an ex-idol, after all." | •I'm happy. •I'm miserable. •That part doesn't matter. | •2 •0 •3 | •1 •0 •2 |
| >Rise looks helpless... | •Cheer her up •Move closer to her •Laugh it off | •3 •3 •3 | •2 •3 •3 |
Rank 8
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Senpai...I...I don't know why I'm crying..." | •You mustn't cry! •Cry all you want. | •0 •0 | •0 •0 |
| >...You sense this is an important moment. There's no turning back. | •Hold her •Stand there | •Romance route •Friendship route | •Romance route •Friendship route |
Rank 9
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "And yet...I felt so angry about it...Why do you think that is?" | •You regret leaving. •You're selfish. •Risette is Rise, too. | •3 •3 •3 | •3 •3 •3 |
Max Rank (Friendship)
NoteThere are no dialogue options for the Max Rank friendship path.
Max Rank (Romance)
| Dialogue | Possible Responses | Points WITH Matching Persona | Points WITHOUT Matching Persona |
|---|---|---|---|
| "I'll ask the man himself! So—where do you hide them!?" | •What do you mean? •You want to see? •I don't have any. | •0 •0 •0 | •0 •0 •0 |
The unique characters you’ll meet in-game are ones you’ll remember forever. Despite being jealous and having a needy streak, Rise Kujikawa is one of the best friends a guy can have in Persona 4 Golden—or the best girlfriend, if you play your cards right and raise your Social Link with her.
Her support skills are mandatory during later sections of the game, so max out her Social Link as soon as possible. Remember, she’ll work her magic without taking up a slot in your party!
