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Half the allure of Persona 3 Portable is the time you spend with your social links, and when it comes to your Moon arcana, the characters that represent it couldn’t be more different from one another. While the male protagonist befriends Nozomi Suemitsu, the “Gourmet King,” the female protagonist instead grows close to the mysterious final addition to the SEES Team, Shinjiro Aragaki.

RELATED: Persona 3 Portable: Guide To Social Stats

And though each protagonist has a different character representing the arcana, you’ll still need to work on your social link to fuse powerful Personas. For help maxing out your Moon social link in P4G, read on ahead.

While we don't showcase the entire conversation for each ranking, this guide will still contain massive spoilers for the plot of Persona 3 Portable.

composite image of nozomi and shinjiro beside one another from persona 3 portable

Male Protagonist

There are a few prerequisites to Nozomi’s social link for the male protagonist in P3P. Thankfully enough, Nozomi doesn’t become available until after Kenji Tomochika tells you about him.

This happens after you reach Rank 4 of the Magician social link, so spend some time with Kenji to hear about Nozomi. Once you have Rank 3 Charm after this point, speak to Nozomi outside the Arcade at Paulownia Mall.

After distracting Nozomi from his food, you need to give him an Odd Morsel.

They’re a fairly common drop from chests throughout Tartarus, so you’ll likely already have one by the time you can begin spending time with Nozomi.

Finally, there are three questions you’ll need to answer correctly in something of a pop quiz.

Question

Answer

"What's the most popular drink at the cafe over there?"

Pheremone Coffee.

"What color is the mascot for Wild-duck Burger?"

Green.

"Question 3: What is the secret menu item at Hagakure?"

Hagakure Bowl.

After choosing the correct answers above, you’ll formally establish Nozomi’s social link and can begin to rank him up.

Female Protagonist

While it isn’t difficult for the female protagonist to begin the Moon social link with Shinjiro in P3P, it does require a bit of waiting.

After Shinjiro moves back into Iwatodai Dormitory, you’ll see him in the Dormitory Lounge at night. Beginning on 9/7, you’re able to speak to him at night and invite him for dinner to initiate the social link.

shinjiro bashfully talking with the female protagonist about facing things in persona 3 portable

Without question, Shinjiro’s social link is the most time constricted in P3P. He doesn’t unlock until 9/7, and then you’ll only have until the Full Moon Operation on 10/4 to get his social link to Rank 10.

If you fail to max out Shinjiro’s social link before the battle against the Fortune and Strength Full Moon bosses, it will lock where it is, and you cannot advance your Moon social link further from that ranking.

However, maxing Shinjiro’s social link before 10/4 can sway the outcome of his story (in a small but emotional way), so plan ahead.

The good news is that Shinjiro’s social link will rank up automatically each time you elect to spend the evening with him.

The easiest way to ensure the completion of his social link in your limited window of time with him is to prioritize Shinjiro when he’s available.

While he won’t be available during or immediately after the typhoon, time is of the essence with Shinjiro, so plan to spend most nights with him during September.

nozomi asking the male protagonist if he wants to be brothers in persona 3 portable

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"H-Hey y-y-you, call the fire truck... er, I mean the... the..."

"Call the police?"

-

-

"......"

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"So, how 'bout it? Do you want to have me as a big brother?"

"Sure, okay."

3

2

"... Not exactly."

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"So, do you 'get me'? Who would you say I was...?"

"You're Nozomi."

-

-

"You are the Gourmet King!"

3

2

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

Nozomi looks pale.

"Did you eat too much?"

-

-

"Oh, are you sick?"

3

2

nozomi making an angry face at paulownia mall in persona 3 portable

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Right, (Protagonist)?"

"Yeah, that's right."

3

2

"......"

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"I don't get it. I felt fine up until just a minute ago..."

"Does this happen often?"

-

-

"Ate too much, huh?"

-

-

"Are you feeling sick?"

3

2

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Hope that wasn't too freaky..."

"I'm going to freak out."

-

-

"... So?"

-

-

"Wiped off the face of... !?"

3

2

"I know it's a good deal. We're having a salvation clearance right now."

"That's ridiculous."

-

-

"I'm not paying for that."

-

-

nozomi at the beef bowl shop, shocked you kept up with his appetite in persona 3 portable

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"I begged so hard for your soul that I think I even lost weight."

"You do look thinner."

-

-

"Oh brother."

3

2

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Finally, Paradise is smiling on me!"

"You're scamming them too?"

-

-

"Just stop it."

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"But I couldn't even cry. I was relieved, because I finally didn't have to measure up. I felt free."

"That's terrible."

-

-

"It's understandable..."

-

-

"But, if I keep going like this... I'll never be anything like my brother, will I?"

"You should be yourself."

2

1

"You're irreplaceable."

2

1

RELATED: Persona 3 Portable: Velvet Room Request Guide

shinjiro in a good mood at the ramen shop, hagakure, in persona 3 portable

While Shinjiro's social link in Persona 3 Portable is partially automatic, certain responses still yield affinity points toward his social link anyway. We've listed them below.

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Sorry for bringing you here. I don't know that many places to go out to eat."

"Why are you apologizing?"

-

-

"I like this place."

-

-

"Ow..."

"'Ow'?"

-

-

"What's wrong?"

-

-

"Sheesh, that guy's gotta learn how frickin' heavy a boxing champ punches..."

"Were you two fighting?"

-

-

"Were you two training?"

-

-

"Well, we get in fights all the time. Just get used to it."

"All right."

-

-

"Please try not to fight him."

-

-

"I couldn't eat for a while because of that."

"When did that happen?"

-

-

"Why did he punch you?"

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"You eat here often?"

"Yes, I like eating here."

-

-

"Just once in a while."

-

-

"Oh yeah... About Aki... In your opinion, do you think he's fighting well?"

"Yes, of course!"

3

3

I don't see any problems.""

-

-

"He's doing... so-so."

-

-

"But your powers look like they're helping a lot, too."

"I hope so..."

3

3

"I'll do my best!"

3

3

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Those guys eat on their own, right? Well... Are they doing okay?"

"Who... ?"

-

-

"What do you mean, 'okay'?"

-

-

"So, I guess it might be better if they eat what makes them happy. But..."

"You're a natural worrier, huh?"

3

3

"You're so kind-hearted."

3

3

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"(Protagonist)... You okay if we have this for dinner?"

"Actually, I'm really happy!"

3

3

"If it tastes good..."

3

3

"... Just shut it and eat up before it gets cold."

"Thank you for the food!"

3

3

"Chow time!"

3

3

The taste brings back memories...

"This is delicious."

3

3

"I feel so lucky..."

3

3

"I guess looks are deceiving."

-

-

"Well... I guess I'll make something again later."

"Make enough for everybody."

-

-

"Why don't we do a party?"

-

-

shinjiro tearful after the movie marathon at screen shot in persona 3 portable

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"There's someplace I wanna go today. You wanna come along?"

"Where is it?"

-

-

"I'd love to go."

-

-

"Uh... What do you want?"

"Coffee."

-

-

"Tea."

-

-

"Melon soda."

-

-

"*sigh*"

"Are you alright?"

-

-

"Do you have a cold?"

-

-

"That's why I try not to come to these kinds of places that often."

"Is the cafe making you cough?"

-

-

"Why did we come here today?"

-

-

"Ground coffee. I need to make sure I don't forget to buy some on the way out."

"What're you going to use it for?"

3

3

"Do you drink coffee at the dorm?"

3

3

"......"

"I'm looking forward to it."

3

3

"I'll help out too."

3

3

"But you agreed to it."

3

3

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"... Tell the other guys that, too."

"... What're you making?"

-

-

"Please make it tasty."

-

-

Shinjiro is skillfully cooking something while teaching Fuuka to make a different dish at the same time...

"What's for dinner?"

-

-

"I'll help, too."

3

3

"Is it ready yet?"

3

3

(Yukari) "Do you mean...?"

"There's enough for everyone."

-

-

"So, who's hungry!?"

-

-

Shinjiro laughs quietly for some reason...

"It was a lot of fun."

3

3

"Let's do it again some time!"

3

3

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"... It's just, I feel uncomfortable..."

"Did something happen?"

-

-

"Did you get in a fight...?"

-

-

"Sorry. ... Those guys keep yapping at me."

"Those guys?"

-

-

"Yapping at you?"

-

-

Shinjiro shrugs...

"It can't be helped."

3

2

"I have my hopes up, too."

3

3

"How about you? Did you have fun too?"

"Definitely!"

3

3

"It's all thanks to you."

3

3

"Don't you have more fun things to do?"

"Nope."

3

3

"It's fun being with you."

3

3

"Am I bothering you?"

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Back then, I never imagined that I'd go back there..."

"Do you regret coming back?"

-

-

"I'm glad that you came back."

3

3

shinjiro saying he doesn't know fancy restaurants in persona 3 portable

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"C'mon, say something."

"Let's talk about something fun..."

3

3

"Should I tell a scary story?"

3

3

"I don't know what to say..."

-

-

"So don't cry, got it... ?"

"Of course I won't!"

-

-

"What're you trying to say?"

-

-

"......"

"Leave behind?"

-

-

"What do you mean, regrets?"

-

-

"I'm... selfish, aren't I?"

"Very true."

-

-

"That's not true."

-

-

"I don't see where you're going..."

-

-

"As long as I'm already being selfish, I want you to do one more thing for me."

"All right."

-

-

"What is it?"

-

-

"You don't have to forgive me... But forgive everything else..."

"What're you talking about?"

-

-

"Don't have to forgive...?"

-

-

"... Ugh, I forgot that I don't have my watch."

"What watch?"

-

-

"Did you lose it?"

-

-

This scene cannot be triggered before you retrieve Shinjiro's pocket watch. To do so, speak to Officer Kurosawa at the Police Station over at Paulownia Mall.

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"I thought it'd look good on you..."

"Thank you very much."

3

3

"Why a watch, though?"

3

3

"... That's why someone needs to be by his side."

"I'll be by his side."

3

3

"We'll be by his side."

3

3

"What about you, Senpai?"

-

-

Bonus Scene With Shinjiro

Though Shinjiro is not a traditional romance option for the female protagonist in P3P, you can still share a tender moment with him.

This scene can only take place on either 10/2 or 10/3. You need to choose all the "spend time" options to progress the scene; it will end otherwise.

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Haven't you wasted enough time on me? What more do you want?"

"I want to talk more with you."

Platonic path confirmed, ends scene

"I love you."

Continues scene

"D-Don't tease me like that!"

"I'm not teasing you!"

-

-

"You don't believe me?"

-

-

"I mean, why just blurt out something like that? Here, of all places...?"

"Can I go to your room?"

-

-

"Won't you come to my room?"

-

-

"... Don't you get it?"

"I still want to go."

-

-

"I know what I'm saying."

-

-

"Look, you need to watch yourself. Don't bother with someone like me."

"No way!"

Platonic path confirmed, ends scene

"I still love you, Senpai!"

Continues scene

"If you don't go now, you're not gonna get another chance."

Go back

Platonic path confirmed, ends scene

I'm not going anywhere!

"Spend time" path confirmed, ends scene

It doesn't establish a romantic connection between the female protagonist and Shinjiro like you can with other male social links, you will "spend time" with him as a result.

NEXT: Persona 3 Portable: Achievement/Trophy Guide