He’s the first guy you meet who isn't a talking cat or a girl with a bow. Kazushi Miyamoto. Most people just call him Kaz. If you’ve spent any time at Gekkoukan High in Persona 3 Reload, you know exactly who I’m talking about. He’s the loud, hyper-focused athlete who basically drags you into the track team before you even have a chance to check your schedule.
Honestly, it's easy to write him off. At first glance, he’s just the "sports guy" trope. But if you actually sit through his Social Link, you realize there’s a lot more going on under that sweaty jersey than just a desire to run fast.
Unlocking the Chariot: How to Start the Miyamoto Persona 3 Reload Social Link
You don’t have to wait long. Early in the game, specifically on April 23rd, you’ll hear rumors that the sports clubs are recruiting. You head down to the school’s athletic field. Boom. There’s Miyamoto.
He’s the Chariot Arcana. In the world of Persona, Chariot usually means "go fast, hit hard, and don't think too much." Kaz fits the bill. He’s available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. If it’s raining, forget it. He’s not a fan of getting wet while training.
One thing you've gotta remember: bringing a Chariot Persona with you is non-negotiable if you want to rank up fast. Fusing an Ara Mitama or a Chimera early on will save you so many wasted afternoons.
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The Ethical Dilemma of Being a "Good Friend"
Here’s where things get weird. Persona 3 Reload stays very true to the original 2006 game, and that includes some pretty questionable "optimal" dialogue choices.
Kaz has a bad knee. Like, "might never walk right again" bad. As his friend, you’d think the right move is to tell him to see a doctor and take a break, right? Wrong. If you want those sweet Social Link points, you basically have to be a total enabler.
- Rank 3: He’s limping. You should tell him to rest. Instead, you get more points for saying "Are you going to be okay?" or "Will it heal?"
- Rank 6: He’s clearly in pain. To max the points, you have to tell him, "You have to get tougher!"
It feels gross. I’ve seen countless threads on Reddit and GameFAQs where players vent about how the protagonist is essentially a "yes man." You’re encouraging a teenager to ruin his physical future for a high school track meet. But hey, that's the price of unlocking Thor, I guess.
The Story You Might Miss
If you can get past the "tough it out" dialogue, Kaz’s story is actually kind of heartbreaking. He’s not just running because he likes it. He’s carrying the weight of a promise he made to his nephew.
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The kid is also dealing with an injury, and Kaz wants to show him that you can overcome anything through sheer willpower. It’s a classic case of toxic masculinity meeting genuine love. He’s trying so hard to be a hero that he forgets he’s just a kid himself.
By the time you hit Rank 10, he finally humbles himself. He realizes he can’t do it alone and that he’s been an idiot about his health. It’s one of the more grounded arcs in the game. No shadows, no world-ending stakes—just a guy learning that his value isn't tied to his 40-yard dash.
Voice Acting and the Reload Polish
In the original game, Kaz was fine, but the new voice acting in Persona 3 Reload really brings him to life. Mark Whitten (who voiced Seteth in Fire Emblem) takes over the role in English, and he nails that "trying too hard to be cool" energy.
The animations are also a huge step up. In the PS2 version, you just saw a static sprite. Now, you see the subtle winces when he puts weight on his leg. It makes the "tough it out" choices feel even more brutal because you can see the damage you're encouraging.
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Quick Tips for Maxing the Link
- Prioritize him early. School-based Social Links are unavailable during holidays and the weeks before exams.
- The "Dating Site" Trick. Later in the game, you can buy URLs from the shady guy in Club Escapade. Use these at the school library computer at night to gain points with Kaz without wasting an afternoon.
- The Reward. Maxing him out gives you the Sports Tape key item. This lets you fuse Thor, the ultimate Chariot Persona. He’s an absolute beast with Maziodyne and God's Hand.
Is Miyamoto Worth the Time?
In a game filled with psychics, robots, and literal gods, a guy with a bad knee might seem boring. But Kaz is the "normal" anchor. He represents the everyday struggles of Gekkoukan students while you're busy fighting Death itself at midnight.
He’s one of the fastest Social Links to finish if you play your cards right. Plus, Thor is a staple for any mid-to-late game build. Just try not to feel too bad when you tell him to keep running on a fractured patella.
If you’re looking to optimize your schedule, make sure you finish Kaz before the summer break hits in late July. You’ll want those afternoons free for other links like the Strength arcana (Yuko), which is actually locked behind your progress with Miyamoto. Once you hit Rank 4 with Kaz, he’ll introduce you to her. It’s a chain reaction of social networking.
Actionable Insight: Go to the athletic field on the first possible Tuesday (4/23) to start the link. Ensure you have an Ara Mitama in your inventory. When the dialogue prompts appear, prioritize options that focus on "staying the course" and "promises," as these yield the highest points for the Chariot Arcana.