Persona 3 Portable hurls tons of emotions your way when you play it. Throughout the game, you are shown exciting battles, funny occurrences, heartwarming scenes, bothersome injustices, and ultimately, some truly heartbreaking moments.

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This happens to be one of the games that can make you feel deeply invested in every character and the relationships formed by the protagonist. It’s hard to come away from P3P not feeling some form of attachment to its main gang and side characters after all the grinding and activities you pour into it. With all the highs and lows in its tale, there are some that stand out as the most gut-wrenching.

Warning: This covers some pivotal moments in the game’s main story and side plots. Although we won’t go into every detail, this list still contains some inevitable spoilers.

8 The Old Couple And The Tree

Bunkichi tells the protagonist about how his son died in their bookstore

If you visit the bookstore on Iwatodai Strip, you will meet Bunkichi and Mistuko Kitamura. They are an old couple that owns and run the place, with a kindly disposition and a particular interest in a persimmon tree from Gekkoukan High.

With every visit, you learn more about the old couple and they dote upon you like they’re your actual grandparents. Eventually, we learn that the persimmon tree is going to be cut down to build a new wing for the school. This absolutely breaks the hearts of Bunkichi and Mitsuko, as we find out that it was actually planted in memory of a late teacher who happened to be their only child. There is a resolution to this, but it’s still sad seeing the impact this has on the old couple.

7 Maxing The Sun Rank

Akinari gives the protagonist a parting gift at the playground

The Sun Rank is one of the most heartbreaking social links you can build across all Persona games. This link has you spending Sundays with Akinari Kamiki, a sickly young man with a love of writing.

Over time, we learn that his health is truly failing and that his time in this world is limited. It makes every interaction more impactful, especially as the soundtrack swells and Akinari shares thoughtful yet depressing ruminations. The worst part is seeing him decline the more you rank up. Finally, the final rank has Akinari saying goodbye before he finally succumbs to his disease. Yes, we all cried.

6 Learning Koromaru’s Story

Shinjiro rubs Koromaru's face as he scrunches his eyes

Koromaru is an adorable canine companion in Persona 3 Portable with a sad backstory. In both routes, we learn that Koromaru’s previous owner died in an accident and he stayed at the shrine waiting for him for months on end. In the female route, you can even get to know him better and spend time together as he is a social link.

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This Hachiko nod is already a punch to the heart, but it’s salt in the wound when you hang out with Koro-chan and Fuuka at the dorm and learn that he still walks the same path and visits the shrine despite living with SEES. You can ask him how he feels, and you will learn that he still carries the memories of his master despite being happy and content to spend time with you.

5 Shinjiro’s Fate

Shinjiro looks stunned while standing behind Ken

The nature of Shinjiro’s disposition is tackled quite differently depending on whether you play the male or female protagonist. That said, he still plays a large role in the development of SEES as a group in both routes.

Eventually, a major conflict results in Shinjiro having to take a bullet for another party member. It’s a turn of events that is equal parts shocking and heartbreaking. The male route sees an even sadder fate, as this version removes the possibility of Shinjiro surviving the gunshot.

4 Ryoji’s Farewell

Ryoji stands on the roof under the moonlight

Despite only being a social link for the female protagonist, Ryoji becomes a pretty solid member of the group in all versions. His time is short, though, as he must eventually bid farewell to the group and put one major decision in the hands of the protagonist. This choice will largely determine what ending you get in the game.

No matter which choice you make, though, Ryoji will be gone from the group for good and kicks off the saddest section of the game with his wake. It’s a grim and confronting chapter regardless of whether or not you max his social link out.

3 Mitsuru’s Dad

A photo being taken of L-R Taharu Kirijo, Mitsuru Kirijo, Fuuka Yamagishi, Akihiko Sanada, Koromaru, Ken Amada, Yukari Takeba, Junpei Iori, and Minato Arisato

Throughout the game, Mitsuru Kirijo is a pillar of strength and leadership for SEES even if the protagonist is considered the leader of the group. Eventually, you meet her father during summer vacation and catch a glimpse of their complicated relationship.

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The next time you see him, things take a turn for the worst and he is killed. The most horrifying part of this is that he dies in Mitsuru’s arms. This naturally overwhelms Mitsuru to the point where Akihiko must carry her away. It’s a traumatic event that really sets a turning point for the game.

2 Junpei And Chidori’s Ending

Junpei's persona, Hermes, rises above as it starts to transform into Trismegistus

Junpei is one of the best party members in Persona 3 Portable, not just for his abilities but for his personality, too. He’s simply the immediate best friend every protagonist needs. This is why it’s hard to see his usually chipper personality shift when Chidori, the one girl he actually falls for, comes to harm.

Their complicated up-and-down relationship eventually culminates in Chidori’s death as she gives up her life to rescue Junpei. Her death marks another heartbreaking moment that completely changes the group dynamic. That said, certain player choices may create a way to reverse her fate.

1 The Sacrifice

Aigis speaks to the protagonist on the rooftop during graduation day

With the right choices, you will eventually reach the True Ending. Here, the world is saved but there is a price. You must sacrifice your life for the world to go on.

On Graduation Day, everyone meets up happily on the rooftop as they all promised. In Aigis’ arms (or with your romance in NG+), you slowly drift away into a peaceful and eternal slumber. It’s a gentle farewell but ends up being one of the saddest video game endings ever.

Next: All Persona Games In Chronological Order