If you’ve spent any time in the Persona community, you’ve probably heard people whispering about "the guy on the bench." They aren't talking about some random NPC. They’re talking about Akinari Kamiki, the soul of the Persona 3 Reload Sun social link. Honestly, if you finish this game without completing his story, you’ve basically missed the emotional core of the entire experience. It’s that heavy.
But here’s the thing: Akinari is easy to miss. Like, really easy. He doesn’t just show up and wave you down. You have to jump through some very specific hoops involving a grades, a playground, and a very helpful dog.
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How to actually unlock the Sun social link
Most people get stuck wondering where he is. You can’t just walk up to him on Day 1. First, you need to progress the Hanged Man social link (Maiko, the little girl at the shrine) to Rank 3. During one of those scenes, you’ll briefly meet a "Dying Young Man" at the Naganaki Shrine. That’s your intro.
But wait, there’s more. You also need:
- Rank 4 Academics (Smart): If you haven't been hitting the books or eating that Prodigy Platter at Wakatsu, Akinari won't even bother talking to you. He wants someone who can actually understand the heavy stuff he’s writing.
- The Red Fountain Pen: This is the part that trips everyone up. After you meet him once and have the stats, he’ll mention he lost his pen.
You find it by talking to Koromaru at the dorm. Our favorite Shiba Inu apparently has a penchant for finding lost items. Once you get the pen from Koro-chan, take it back to Akinari on a Sunday.
Availability and Timing
Akinari is a Sunday-only guy. He sits on that bench at Naganaki Shrine every single Sunday, rain or shine (well, mostly sun, given his Arcana). Because he's only available one day a week, the window to max him out is tighter than other links.
The good news? You don't actually need to bring a matching Sun Persona to his hangouts. Unlike basically every other character in the game, Akinari’s link ranks up every single time you see him. You don't need "points" to progress. Every conversation is a guaranteed rank-up. It's almost as if the game knows his time is limited and doesn't want to waste a second of yours.
Making the right choices (Even if they don't "count")
Since the Persona 3 Reload Sun social link ranks up automatically, you might think the dialogue choices don't matter. Mechanically, they don't. You can't "fail" this link. But if you want to be a decent human being—and see the best version of his story—certain responses feel more "right" than others.
Basically, Akinari is dealing with a terminal illness. He’s cynical, he’s scared, and he’s trying to figure out if his life meant anything.
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At Rank 2, when he asks why he’s different, saying "Really?" or "I've never thought about that" keeps the vibe going. By Rank 4, he’ll ask if you like reading. Telling him "I'd say so" or "It depends on the book" helps him open up about his own writing. He’s writing a story about a pink alligator, and honestly, it’s better than most actual novels I’ve read.
Why Akinari is the best written character in the game
Most social links in Persona are about helping a friend solve a problem. Kenji wants to date a teacher. Rio has club drama. It’s all very "high school."
Akinari is different. He knows he's dying. There is no magical cure. There is no "happy ending" where he suddenly gets better because you hung out with him ten times. It’s a brutal, honest exploration of mortality.
One of the most striking things about his dialogue is how he talks about God and fate. He isn't looking for pity. He’s looking for a witness. By Rank 6, he starts sharing the actual plot of his book, and by Rank 9, he’s reached a level of peace that most of the adult characters in the game can’t touch.
"If my life has to end... I want it to mean something."
That’s the vibe of the entire Sun Arcana. It’s about the light that shines brightest right before it goes out.
Actionable steps to max the Sun link fast
If you’re halfway through the game and haven't started, don't panic. But start now.
- Check your Academics. If you aren't at "Smart" yet, spend your nights at the Arcade or studying.
- Clear your Sundays. Stop going on dates with other social links on Sundays. They can wait until school days. Akinari cannot.
- Talk to Koromaru. Seriously, the pen is the only "quest" item you need. If Koro-chan is in the dorm, check if he has an exclamation point over his head.
- Finish by January. You want this link done before the end of the game for the most emotional payoff.
When you hit Rank 10, you’ll unlock the ability to fuse Asura, the ultimate Persona of the Sun Arcana. It’s a powerhouse, but truthfully, the reward is the story. The final scene with Akinari's mother later in the game is the real "ultimate unlock."
Don't skip the dialogue. Don't fast-forward. Just sit on the bench and listen. It’s the one part of the Persona 3 Reload Sun social link you'll actually remember years after you put the controller down.