You know that feeling when you're trying to be profound, but you're actually just standing in the middle of a church trying to pose like a crucified man? That's basically the vibe of the Persona 5 Yusuke confidant in a nutshell. It’s weird, it’s awkwardly poetic, and honestly, it’s one of the most misunderstood storylines in the entire game. Most players just see Yusuke as the "starving artist" trope and rush through his ranks to get those sweet skill card duplications.
But if you’re just clicking through the dialogue to get to the next Mementos run, you’re missing the point of his entire character arc. Yusuke isn't just some eccentric guy who forgets to eat because he bought a $300 lobster. He's a kid dealing with the absolute destruction of his worldview. Imagine finding out your father figure was literally a soul-crushing fraud. That's where we start.
Why the Emperor Arcana Actually Fits Yusuke
People always ask why Yusuke is the Emperor arcana. Usually, that slot is reserved for father figures or guys who are "alpha" leaders—think Kanji from Persona 4 or Akihiko from Persona 3. Yusuke? He’s a beanpole who lives in a school dorm and gets excited about the "curvatures" of a public park bench.
The Persona 5 Yusuke confidant uses the Emperor arcana to represent self-mastery. It’s not about ruling a kingdom; it’s about Yusuke ruling himself. After Madarame, he has zero foundation. He’s a ship without a rudder. The whole confidant line is essentially Yusuke trying to figure out how to be an artist without being a "sell-out" or a "monster" like his mentor. He’s terrified that if he cares about money, he’ll turn into Madarame. It’s a classic case of overcorrection.
Unlocking the Bond: The Shibuya Underground Meetup
You can't even start this until June 18th. He’ll be hanging out in the Shibuya Underground Walkway. Look for the tall guy who looks like he’s judging everyone’s outfit. That’s your man.
To really make progress, you need to carry an Emperor persona. Don't be the person who shows up empty-handed and wonders why it takes ten hangouts to rank up once. Grab an Eligor or a Setanta before you head over. It saves so much time.
Navigating the Weirdness: Best Dialogue Choices
If you want to max out the Persona 5 Yusuke confidant quickly, you have to lean into his brand of crazy. You can't be "normal" with him. He doesn't respond to normal.
- Rank 2: He shows you his "Desire" painting. Tell him "It’s novel" or "It’s enigmatic." He loves that. When he asks if you're looking forward to his next piece, say "I can't wait."
- Rank 4: This is the infamous boat trip at Inokashira Park. He’s watching a couple and trying to "capture their passion." When he starts acting creepy, just go with it. Say "Why are we in a boat?" and later, "Love comes in all forms." It sounds deep, which is exactly what he wants.
- Rank 6: This is a big one. You need Rank 4 Proficiency to even do this. If you haven't been crafting tools or eating at the burger place, you're going to get gated here. It’s the rank where you visit Madarame’s old shack. Tell him "It feels nostalgic" to get those points.
Honestly, the middle ranks of the Persona 5 Yusuke confidant are a bit of a grind. You’ll spend a lot of time in Ueno or at the church in Kanda. He’s going to ask you to strip for a painting at one point. (Pro tip: Say "Do you want me to strip?" for maximum points. Joker's deadpan delivery is the best part of the game).
The Practical Side: Why You Actually Need Him
Let's talk utility. In Persona 5 Royal, Yusuke got a massive buff. In the original game, he was kinda "meh," but now? He’s a beast.
Skill Card Duplication is the secret sauce. Most people ignore skill cards because they're "too much work." Big mistake. By Rank 1, he can copy low-level cards. By Rank 7 (Live Painting), he can create and duplicate cards on the spot without ending the day. This is how you build those "invincible" Personas you see on YouTube. Want a Persona that reflects everything? You need Yusuke to copy those high-end Null/Repel cards.
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Combat Perks You Can't Ignore
- Baton Pass: Standard, but essential for his physical damage output.
- Harisen Recovery: He’ll randomly slap a teammate out of Confusion or Brainwash. This has saved my life in the Okumura boss fight more times than I can count.
- Second Awakening: At Rank 10, his Persona (Goemon) turns into Kamu Susano-o. He gets Evade Fire, which covers his only real weakness.
The Slump and the "Fake" Purity
One of the deepest parts of the Persona 5 Yusuke confidant is the conflict with Kawanabe, the art dealer. Yusuke treats the guy like a villain for most of the story because Kawanabe talks about "branding" and "marketability."
Yusuke thinks art should be "pure" and "free from the taint of money." But he’s starving. Literally. He’s eating bean sprouts and clear soup. The story finally clicks when he realizes that the Sayuri—the painting he loves most—wasn't "pure" because it was detached from the world. It was powerful because it captured real, messy, human emotions.
He learns that being an "Emperor" of his own life means accepting that he lives in a society. He needs to eat. He needs to sell paintings. And that doesn't make him a fraud like Madarame. It just makes him a person.
Maximizing Your Time with Fox
If you're playing Persona 5 Royal, the calendar is your enemy. You’ve got a billion things to do. Here’s how to handle Yusuke without losing your mind:
- Check the Underground Walkway on rainy days. He’s often available when other confidants aren't.
- Use Chihaya (the Fortune Teller). Once you get her to Rank 5, use her Affinity Reading every single day you plan on seeing Yusuke. It guarantees a rank-up so you don't waste "filler" days just hanging out without progress.
- Gift-giving matters. If you’re short on points, buy him the Silver Bottle from the jewelry shop in Shibuya or the Ukiyo-e Prints from the second-hand shop. He goes nuts for them.
Final Insights for Your Playthrough
The Persona 5 Yusuke confidant wraps up with one of the most satisfying "Rank 10" moments in the game. You see his final painting, "Desire and Hope," which is basically his way of saying he’s finally integrated his trauma.
Don't just look at Yusuke as the "Ice/Physical" guy in your party. He's the moral compass of the group in a lot of ways. While Ryuji is loud and Makoto is clinical, Yusuke is always looking for the "beauty" in their actions. Even if he does it while accidentally spending his last 500 yen on a decorative candle instead of lunch.
Your Next Steps:
Check your Social Stats. If you aren't at Level 4 Proficiency, go spend some nights at the crafting bench in Leblanc. You’ll need it to get past Rank 5 with Yusuke. Also, head to the Velvet Room and fuse an Emperor Arcana Persona like Thoth or Pabilsag to ensure you're getting the most out of every conversation. If you’re already in the late game, make sure you've unlocked the Kanda map location by reading "Vague" in the library or by just waiting for the story to take you there—it’s where most of his later ranks happen.
FINISH