Honestly, if you've spent any time in the Persona community, you’ve probably heard the jokes. Keisuke Hiraga is often labeled the "forgotten" Social Link of Gekkoukan High. People call him "Scott the Woz" because of the glasses and the hair, or they just flat-out ignore him because his availability is a nightmare when you're trying to max out your charm to date Mitsuru.
But here’s the thing: Keisuke Persona 3 Reload isn't just filler. In a game that is literally obsessed with death, Keisuke’s story is a quiet, grounded look at what it actually means to live for yourself. He isn't fighting shadows or summoning gods. He’s just a kid trying to figure out if he should be an artist or a doctor, and that internal tug-of-war is one of the most relatable arcs in the entire remake.
The Fortune Arcana: Finding Keisuke in the Art Club
You can’t just stumble into Keisuke's life. You have to seek him out. Specifically, you need to head to the Art Club on the first floor of the school starting on June 17th.
His schedule is one of the biggest reasons players miss him. He’s around on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. That sounds easy enough, right? Wrong. Because he’s a school-based Social Link, he vanishes during the week before exams and completely disappears during summer and winter breaks. If you aren't careful, you’ll reach January with a Rank 3 Keisuke and a lot of regret.
In Persona 3 Reload, Keisuke is voiced by Griffin Burns (who you might know as Tartaglia from Genshin Impact). He brings a specific kind of soft-spoken anxiety to the role that makes Keisuke feel way more human than he did in the original 2006 release. You can feel the weight of his father’s expectations in every stutter.
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Why Everyone Thinks He’s Boring (and Why They’re Wrong)
The common complaint is that Keisuke's story is too "normal." While the SEES squad is dealing with the Dark Hour, Keisuke is crying over a paintbrush.
The plot basically goes like this: Keisuke is the heir to a hospital. His dad expects him to be a doctor. Keisuke likes art.
It sounds like a trope you've seen a thousand times in anime. However, the nuance in Reload comes from his genuine lack of confidence. He doesn't think he's good at art; he thinks he's "lucky." When he wins a prize at the beginning of the link, he’s almost embarrassed by it.
The Medical Crisis Moment
There’s a famous, somewhat ridiculous moment in the mid-ranks where people keep collapsing around Keisuke. It's like the universe is screaming at him, "GO TO MED SCHOOL!"
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Is it a bit much? Yeah, maybe. But look at it from a thematic perspective. The Fortune Arcana is all about the Wheel of Fortune—fate, cycles, and the things we can't control. Keisuke feels like his life is on a track he didn't build. Every time someone faints, it’s a reminder that he has a "gift" for saving lives that he doesn't actually want to use. That’s a heavy burden for a high schooler.
How to Max the Fortune Social Link Fast
If you’re aiming for that 100% completion run, you need to be efficient. You don't have time to "hang out" without ranking up. Always, and I mean always, have a Fortune Persona in your inventory. Silky, Clotho, or Lachesis—it doesn't matter which one, just keep one on you to boost the points you get from dialogue.
Here are the choices that actually move the needle:
- Rank 3: Tell him "You've got talent!" instead of calling him lucky. He needs the ego boost.
- Rank 4: When he’s complaining about his dad, hit him with "Complaining to me won't help you." It sounds harsh, but it’s the "tough love" prompt that nets the most points (+3).
- Rank 5: Tell him "You should tell your dad!" It’s the first step toward him taking agency.
- Rank 8: This is the big one. When things get heavy, tell him "It's okay, I'm fine."
If you play your cards right, you’ll max him out and get the Award Letter. This is the key item that lets you fuse Lakshmi, one of the best healers in the game. If you’re struggling with the late-game Tartarus bosses, you’re going to want her in your deck.
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The Connection to Fuuka Yamagishi
One of the coolest updates in Persona 3 Reload is how the "side" characters interact more. Keisuke actually has a decent amount of screen time with Fuuka.
They’re both kind of the "outcasts" of their respective social circles—quiet, unassuming, and deeply talented in ways people overlook. Seeing Keisuke interact with her makes the world of Gekkoukan feel like a real place, not just a hub for the protagonist to collect stickers.
Is Keisuke Worth Your Time?
Honestly? Yes.
If you only play Persona for the high-octane drama, Keisuke might feel like a slow burn. But his ending is genuinely touching. He doesn't just magically become a world-famous artist or a legendary surgeon. He finds a middle ground. He realizes that his "fate" isn't a cage—it’s a choice.
In a game where the ending is notoriously bittersweet (no spoilers, but you know the vibes), Keisuke’s story offers a rare moment of simple, grounded hope. He chooses to pursue medicine, but on his own terms, without letting go of the art that makes him who he is.
Next Steps for Your Playthrough:
- Check the Calendar: If it's currently June or July in your game, go join the Art Club immediately. Don't wait until November.
- Check Your Inventory: Fuse a Clotho or Lachesis before your next Tuesday meeting with Keisuke.
- Prioritize School Links: Remember that Keisuke is unavailable during holidays. If it's a school day and he's available, pick him over "outside" links like the Old Couple or Maiko, who you can visit on Sundays.