He is the only man in the world who can sell you a literal "placebo" and make you feel like you just won the lottery. Honestly, President Tanaka is a piece of work. In a game filled with orphans, grieving students, and people literally facing the apocalypse, the Persona 3 Devil social link is just some shady businessman in a suit trying to take your lunch money.
It's hilarious. It's also one of the most practical bonds you'll form in the game, mostly because it happens at night when everyone else is busy sleeping or doing homework. If you've been ignoring the guy in the suit at Paulownia Mall, you're basically leaving one of the best Personas in the game on the table.
How to Unlock the President (And His Scams)
You can't just walk up to Tanaka on day one and start your journey into corporate greed. The game makes you work for it, or rather, it makes you "charming" enough to be worth his time.
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First, you need to reach Rank 4 Charm. Tanaka is a snob. He won't even look at you if you don't have that "Smooth" energy. Once you're sufficiently charismatic, you have to talk to Saori or Maya (depending on your version of the game) to hear about the businessman.
Basically, here is the breakdown of the "investment" required:
- The First Meeting: Give him 20,000 Yen. He calls it a "deposit."
- The Second Meeting: Hand over another 10,000 Yen.
- The Third Meeting: One last 10,000 Yen "investment."
Yes, you are paying 40,000 Yen just to start the Persona 3 Devil social link. It feels like a total ripoff. In the early game, 40k is a lot of money! You could buy a lot of Mad Bull with that. But trust me, once you start hitting the mid-floors of Tartarus, money becomes a joke. Pay the man.
The Schedule: When Does the Devil Work?
Unlike your school friends who disappear during summer break or exams, Tanaka is a night owl. This is the biggest selling point for his link. Nighttime slots are usually reserved for boosting stats like Courage or Academics, but once those are maxed out, you’ll have nothing to do.
You can find him at Paulownia Mall on Tuesday and Saturday nights. In some versions like Persona 3 Portable (specifically the female protagonist's route), he’s also around on Tuesdays and Saturdays. In Persona 3 Reload, the schedule stays pretty consistent. He’s always there, standing by the fountain, ready to teach you about the "virtues" of capitalism.
The best part? The Persona 3 Devil social link is one of the few that always ranks up. You don't need to bring a matching Devil Arcana Persona to get extra points. You don't need to pray at the shrine. Every time you hang out with him, the rank goes up. It’s the most efficient use of your time in the entire game.
What Most People Get Wrong About Tanaka
People think Tanaka is just a one-dimensional villain. Sure, he sells products that don't work and brags about evading taxes, but his story actually has a weirdly touching arc.
He treats you like an apprentice. Throughout the ranks, he rants about a former employee who betrayed him and his own impoverished childhood. You start to see that his obsession with money isn't just greed—it’s a defense mechanism. He was looked down on when he was poor, so now he makes sure he's the one doing the looking down.
By the time you hit Rank 10, he actually does something... decent? He realizes he has more money than he could ever spend. He ends up making a massive donation to an orphanage, though he insists on calling it a "tax write-off" or an "investment in future consumers." He can’t even admit to being a good person. It’s classic Tanaka.
The Ultimate Reward: Beelzebub
If the story doesn't move you, the gameplay rewards will. Maxing out the Persona 3 Devil social link grants you the "Thank-you Letter" (or the "Spirit of the Devil" in older versions). This is the key to fusing Beelzebub, the Prince of Lies.
Beelzebub is a beast. We’re talking:
- High-level Dark and Fire magic.
- Usually starts in the mid-80s level-wise.
- Incredible resistances.
In Persona 3 Reload, Beelzebub remains one of the premier magical powerhouses. If you’re trying to tackle the optional bosses or just want to breeze through the final blocks of Tartarus, you need this fly on your team.
Quick Choices for Max Points (If You're Playing P3P/Reload)
Even though he usually ranks up automatically, picking the "correct" answers makes the dialogue much more entertaining.
- Rank 2: Tell him you're interested in his "Placebo." He loves it.
- Rank 4: When he asks about seeing through bathing suits, say "I sure have!" Don't be a prude; he’s a creep, and he wants you to be one too.
- Rank 9: Ask him if he's going to donate. It triggers the final shift in his personality.
The Infamous "Tanaka Skip"
I have to mention this because it's legendary in the Persona community. In the original Persona 3 FES, there was a glitch where if you started Tanaka’s social link on the very last day of the game (January 31st), it would actually skip the final boss fight and go straight to the ending.
Imagine that. You pay a guy 20,000 Yen and he's so powerful he just cancels the apocalypse. Sadly, this was fixed in Persona 3 Reload. You actually have to fight the final boss now. Sorry.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
If you're currently mid-playthrough, here is how you should handle the Devil:
- Don't rush it in May/June. Your money is better spent on gear and medical supplies early on. Wait until you have a surplus of cash from Tartarus.
- Prioritize night links. There are only two (Devil and Tower). Finish them both before you start spamming the "Software" or "Arcade" to max stats, as the links provide actual Persona fusion bonuses.
- Watch his show on Sundays. It’s not part of the social link, but "Tanaka’s Amazing Commodities" on the TV in your room is the best way to get rare items like the Brand Purse or specialized equipment. Plus, the theme song is an absolute banger.
Basically, stop being judgmental about his business ethics. In the world of Persona 3, the Devil isn't some scary demon in a pit—he's just a guy who knows how to make a buck. Let him scam you. It’s the best investment you’ll make.