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Persona 3 Portable introduces you to almost two dozen unique characters throughout the game, most of which you’ll be able to spend time with and befriend. Though, in some cases, the male and female protagonists will have different people filling the same role, and that’s true of P3P’s Star social link.

RELATED: Persona 3 Portable: What Does Character Choice Affect?

Male protagonists will befriend Mamoru Hayase after a sports meet, while the female protagonist will make friends with or even date Akihiko Sanada. Though they’re both athletic and steadfast guys, their social links are completely separate, so for help maxing your Star social link in P3P, read on ahead!

This guide contains a few spoilers for the plot of Persona 3 Portable.

a collage of mamoru at the takoyaki stand and akihiko at the entrance to tartarus in persona 3 portable

Male Protagonist

For those playing as the male protagonist, you’ll first meet Mamoru at the August sports meet, which sees you out practicing with your sports teams during summer break.

His social link can begin as early as 8/3. Simply locate Mamoru at Iwatodai Strip Mall after this day, and begin speaking to him to establish the social link.

Female Protagonist

The female protagonist has a much higher barrier to entry for her Star social link, as Akihiko has a skill lock before you can begin his social link.

With him being the heartthrob of Gekkoukan High, you’ll need to achieve Rank 4 Charm before you can establish his social link. For help in doing so, check out our Guide to Social Stats.

It’s available to start as early as the week after the first Full Moon Operation that saw you battling the Priestess shadow, but you’ll need to hit the Charm skill check first, so don’t be surprised if it takes you a bit longer than that.

mamoru inviting the male protagonist to hang out in persona 3 portable

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

What is your eating strategy?

Swallow the takoyaki whole

-

-

Eat it before it cools

-

-

"I'm impressed, (Protagonist)! Not many people can match my speed."

"I thought I could win."

-

-

"I expected to lose, actually."

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Someday I'll be famous, and then I'll be the one sponsoring them!"

"I'm jealous."

3

2

"No pressure, huh?"

2

1

"By the way, who do you consider your biggest rival?"

"Probably you, Mamoru."

2

1

"Myself, really."

3

2

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"... Think maybe I should buy some for them too?"

"For your classmates?"

2

1

"Who do you mean?"

2

1

"Our apartment's pretty small, though, so we have to pack 'em deep. Ha ha."

"Sounds like fun."

2

1

"That must be tough."

2

1

mamoru waiting for the male protagonist at iwatodai strip mall in persona 3 portable

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Oh man... just a few more."

"What are you doing?"

3

2

"Enjoy your food."

3

2

"You know what that means? If I do well enough, I might get a scholarship nod."

"Sounds like a good plan."

2

1

"... Yeah, and?"

-

-

"I bet my mother would be really relieved."

"How would I know?"

-

-

"Yeah, I bet she would be."

2

1

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"*pant* *pant* Sorry I kept you waiting... *gasp*"

"You're late."

-

-

"Are you okay?"

2

1

"I used to come here a lot with my teammates, but..."

"So what happened?"

-

-

"We should come here again."

2

1

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

What would you like to do?

Look around for Mamoru

-

-

Stay and wait a bit longer

-

-

What would you like to do?

Kill some time

-

-

Keep waiting for him

-

-

What would you like to do?

Wait just a bit longer

-

-

Leave

-

-

"Sorry man, I don't think I can meet up with you today."

"Did something come up?"

2

1

"Hey, no problem."

3

2

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Thanks for coming down here..."

"What happened?"

-

-

"I don't mind."

2

1

"I've got so much I have to do."

"Yeah, that's tough."

2

1

"What's with the complaints?"

2

1

"Damn! I wish Dad were still alive!"

"You can't do much about it."

-

-

"Well do something about it."

-

-

"... Is it really gonna end like this?"

"You should just accept it."

-

-

"Don't give up!"

3

2

mamoru bidding farewell to the male protagonist after their takoyaki contest in persona 3 portable

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Hmmm..."

"You should get some more."

3

2

"I could spot you a few bills."

-

-

"... And after all that, it was probably my fault nobody seemed focused on winning."

"That's right."

2

1

"Don't worry about it."

2

1

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"So, the big meet was yesterday."

"And you won?"

2

1

"... And you lost?"

-

-

"I got first place, of course!"

Act surprised

-

-

Do a victory celebration

2

1

"... Makes me feel a little empty, you know?"

"So what's next for you?"

2

1

"Then, play a different game."

2

1

"Order extra noodles. Go on, it's on me."

Thank him for his generosity

2

1

Politely decline his offer

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Hey... Glad we could meet up one more time before I take off."

"Take off?"

-

-

"Oh, are you moving soon?"

3

2

"Hey, I gotta go."

See Mamoru off

-

-

Stop Mamoru from leaving

-

-

RELATED: Persona 3 Portable: All Classroom And Exam Answers

akihiko outside gekkoukan asking if the female protagonist and junpei are free in persona 3 portable

If you're trying to romance Akihiko, there are a few specific choices you'll need to make throughout his social link to trigger the Romantic path.

You may end up defaulting to his Friendship path if you miss one, so choose carefully, as you need to select all of Akihiko's romance flags to trigger his Romantic path.

If you cross wires between the Platonic and Romantic paths, however, you may break Akihiko's social link altogether during his Rank 9 scene.

If this happens, you cannot complete Akihiko's social link after that. If you'd only like to be friends with him, decide this early on and do not choose his Romance options in conversation.

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"You're okay with the special, right? Two extra-large specials, please."

"Extra large!?"

-

-

"Can I order some appetizers, too?"

-

-

"Hey, are you up for going to another restaurant?"

"I can't eat another bite..."

-

-

"Another meal? Let's go!"

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"I usually train in the club room or alone in my own room at the dorm..."

"Why are you outside today?"

2

1

"I'll train with you, if you want."

2

1

"But, I'm drenched in sweat..."

"Don't catch a cold."

2

1

"Please, don't come near me."

-

-

"You can't do a back hip circle, can you?"

"Yes I can!"

3

2

"I wonder about that..."

2

1

"I bet you can't either, senpai!"

3

2

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

... The combined power of the two girls glaring at you feels like your skin is being burned away.

"Let's go, Senpai!"

3

2

"Maybe we can all eat together?"

-

-

"... What's the matter?"

"Those girls are gone."

-

-

"Yes, it was great."

3

2

"Do you think those girls wanted to have Beef Bowls, too?"

"Not in the way you think."

2

1

"Yeah, they looked hungry."

2

1

You're starting to feel sorry for those girls from before...

""Don't you want a girlfriend?

-

-

"So, what's your type?"

-

-

akihiko telling the female protagonist and junpei that his female fangirls give him a headache in persona 3 portable

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

Akihiko is completely silent...

"Are you angry?"

3

2

"I'm bored."

3

2

"Are you feeling sick?"

3

2

"Is it true you're going out with Junpei?"

"What? No!"

-

-

"He's just a friend."

-

-

"Don't even joke about it."

-

-

"Oh, no, it was just a rumor I heard. Sorry."

"It's all right."

3

2

"Who was saying that?"

-

-

"Don't get the wrong idea, Senpai." (First romance flag)

-

-

"If I hear anyone say that again, I'll tell them it's not true."

"Please do."

3

2

"You don't have to do that."

2

1

"Um... Do you want anything to eat?"

"Something sweet!"

-

-

"Something spicy!"

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"A-Are guys allowed to go in there...?"

"It's completely okay."

3

2

"Haven't you ever been in here?"

3

2

"....."

"Did you not like it?"

3

2

"What did you expect?"

-

-

The girls glare at you with the intensity of a thousand suns...

"I'm not Junpei's girlfriend."

-

-

"I'm not stealing anybody."

-

-

"......"

-

-

"...Sorry about what happened back there."

"It's not your fault, Senpai."

3

2

""They're going to hate me now.

-

-

"Try to be a little nicer to them."

-

-

"Like... Pancakes sound good."

"Pancakes?"

-

-

"Okay."

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

What should you do...?

"Can you tone it down?"

-

-

"Senpai, should we leave?"

-

-

"I'm going to get something else..."

-

-

Akihiko is absentmindedly watching them off...

"He's just a child."

3

2

"That was noisy."

-

-

"I felt sorry for the boy."

-

-

"Do you think I'm... strange?"

"You're definitely odd."

-

-

"You're normal."

2

1

"You're charming." (Second romance flag)

3

2

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"How are you? ...Physically, I mean?"

"I'm all right."

-

-

"What's the matter?"

-

-

"How about you, Senpai?"

-

-

"I feel... angry."

"What am I doing wrong!?"

-

-

"I'm sorry..."

-

-

"What should I do?"

-

-

"No, that's not it, either. I guess... I get nervous."

"Do I seem unreliable?"

3

2

"Do I seem dangerous?"

2

1

Akihiko sighs...

"What's the matter?"

3

2

"Should I still be the leader?"

3

2

"Hey, if I could avoid fighting..."

-

-

akihiko explaining to the female protagonist and ikutski what sees does in persona 3 portable

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Thanks for coming out today..."

"Well, I was bored..."

-

-

"I'm happy to be with you."

3

2

"If... If you don't mind, can I talk to you about something?"

"Yes, of course."

-

-

"I don't mind at all!"

-

-

"Well, if you want to talk..."

-

-

Akihiko's lips are trembling...

"Senpai..."

-

-

"That's not true!"

3

2

"You can't get over her death...?"

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"That's a pity, since the wind is so nice right now."

"Do you come here often?"

3

2

"Why did you bring me here?"

-

-

Akihiko is glaring at you for some reason...

"Are you mad?"

-

-

"Tell me what you need to say."

-

-

"I'm sorry."

-

-

"... I used to, anyway."

"What about now?"

-

-

"'Used to'?"

-

-

"... It's the weirdest thing."

"That's just how things are."

Platonic path solidified

"That is pretty odd."

"You're in love."

(Final lovers flag)

*"Will you be my girl?"

"Yes!"

Lovers path solidified

"I'm sorry, but..."

Breaks social link

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"This isn't really a good place to have a serious conversation."

"What'd you need to talk about?"

-

-

"But we like this place..."

-

-

akihiko telling mitsuru to get ready for the first full moon shadow of the game in persona 3 portable

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Oh, you want something to drink?"

"It's all right."

-

-

"Please sit down, Senpai."

-

-

"Err... My room doesn't weird you out, does it?"

"Well, a little..."

-

-

"It fits you."

-

-

"This is all new for me..."

"Never had a girl in your room?"

-

-

"That's so cute!"

-

-

"I don't know what to do, either..."

-

-

"Come on, let me hear how it sounds."

Call him "Aki"

-

-

Refuse

-

-

Additional Scenes With Akihiko

Below are the dialogue options for all the occasions on which you can see Akihiko outside his social link scenes.

You will not rank up with him during these scenes, but they can still yield affinity or rewards of some kind for your protagonist.

Wearing a yukata to the summer festival will always yield three affinity points.

Meanwhile, giving him a gift he enjoys for Christmas Eve will do the same.

Bonus Scenes With Akihiko

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

Summer Festival

"There's a lot of people too… Make sure you don't get separated, okay?"

"I'll be okay!"

2

1

"Should we hold hands?"

3

2

The box is filled with individually numbered balls…

Pick one immediately

Obtain Kaleidoscope

Stir them around first

Obtain Jack Frost Doll

9/27 Phone Invitation

"Hey, do you want to go swimming with me when the pool opens?"

"No thanks."

-

-

"I look forward to it."

3

2

"I'll wear a cute swimsuit."

-

-

10/25 Phone Invitation

"'A delicious way of eating cup ramen'… Do you know what you're supposed to do?"

"Put an egg in."

3

2

"Put milk in."

-

-

"I don't want to know."

-

-

Christmas Eve (receive Music Box)

"The Paulownia Mall looks pretty fancy with all this stuff up."

"It does, huh?"

-

-

"What do we do afterward?"

-

-

"But this year... He gave me a gift, too."

-

3

3

1/5 Phone Invite

"What in the world do I have to say to get her to stop...?"

"I'm not interested in you."

-

-

"I have a girlfriend."

3

2

"Beat me, and I'll date you."

-

-

3/3 at Gekkoukan High

"It's been a while since I last saw you at school like this."

"You're right."

-

-

"What're you doing here?"

-

-

By following the prompts as outlined above, you'll have finished your Star social link in Persona 3 Portable in no time!

NEXT: Persona 3 Portable: Achievement/Trophy Guide