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An absolute perfectionist if ever there were one, Shu Nakajima is the boy your protagonist can tutor in Persona 4 Golden. Shu is a brilliant kid with a lot of talent, but the pressure on him to succeed academically bends him almost to the point of breaking.

RELATED: How Long Does It Take To Beat Persona 4 Golden?

Shu is the top student in his grade, a position he’s willing to do almost anything to defend, even if it means putting a stain on his permanent record. For help with Shu’s social link in Persona 4 Golden, we’ve got you covered in our guide below.

This article contains slight spoilers for Persona 4 Golden.

shu nakajima introducing himself to yu with shu's mother in his room for our persona 4 golden shu social link guide

There’s good news and bad news when it comes to establishing Shu's social link. The good news is that he becomes available early on in the game, beginning as soon as 5/25. When Yu is able to take on part-time jobs from the Bulletin Board in town, tutoring will be one of the options.

The bad news, however, is that you need to have Rank 5 Understanding to begin tutoring and unlock Shu's social link.

We have a guide to raising your Understanding in P4G, so you can start Shu's social link quicker!

It’s unlikely you’ll have your Understanding skill that high by 5/25, but keep Shu in mind as you advance your skills throughout the game, as you’ll almost certainly need to double back to him later when your skills are better.

You can begin Shu's social link whenever you’re able to undertake tutoring work, so be sure to prioritize skill-building whenever possible.

RELATED: Persona 4 Golden: Book Location Guide

shu asking yu to teach him his ways in persona 4 golden shu social link

Remember, you will earn bonus affinity for keeping a Persona in your party that matches the arcana of the character with whom you’re hanging out.

The same answers award bonus points just for having one. Shu covers Persona 4's Tower social link, so pay a visit to the Velvet Room before planning out an evening of tutoring Shu.

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"If I think you're inadequate, I'll have you replaced immediately. Remember that."

"Nice to meet you."

-

-

"Don't worry about me."

-

-

"Wow, you're a little prick."

-

-

You feel confident that you should teach him:

Math

Increases Expression and Knowledge

English

PE

Increases Expression, Knowledge, and Diligence

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"... If I get into a good college... Am I really 'set'?"

"Of course."

-

-

"I don't know."

-

-

"I don't think so."

-

-

"... Do you know what that means?"

"Sure I do."

2

1

No, what?""

-

-

"Huh... Time's already up. We were still in the middle of that last question..."

"Wait until next time."

-

-

"I'll stay and help you." (Requires Rank 5 Diligence)

2

1

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"What do you think of your school?"

"It's fun."

-

-

"It's strict."

2

1

"It's boring."

3

2

"......"

"I'm a transfer student, too."

-

-

"Well, it is the countryside."

3

2

"Make friends with him."

-

-

shu contemplating what it takes to be great in persona 4 golden shu social link p4g tower social link guide

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"They don't get what it means to learn at all."

"That's just how it is."

2

1

"That's not true."

-

-

"That place..."

"It's the law."

-

-

"You don't have to go."

-

-

"You're not the only one." (Increases Courage)

3

2

​​

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Is there any bullying at your school?"

"Yes, there is."

-

-

"No, there isn't."

2

1

"Not that I know of..."

-

-

"Maybe that's not the same thing as bullying."

"Just ignore them."

-

-

Put some effort into it.""

-

-

"Leave it to me."

3

2

"It seems that I've been talking to you about things that really aren't relevant to my studies..."

"It's not like you."

2

1

"I don't mind." (Increases Understanding)

2

1

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"*Sigh*"

"Were they a pain in the ass?"

-

-

"Didn't you join in?"

-

-

"... They're all stupid."

"You're just at that age."

-

-

"That's not true."

-

-

"Um... You only come here because you're being paid to, right?"

"Of course."

-

-

"That's just one reason."

2

1

"That's not it."

3

3

yu and shu in shu's bedroom talking about how everyone goes to school against their will for our persona 4 golden tower social link guide

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"... I wish I was a genius."

"Work hard, and you can be."

-

-

"You already are one."

-

-

"Just give up now."

-

-

"Let's change the subject to something else. What's up?"

"The other day at school..." (Increases Expression)

-

-

"The other day on TV, I saw..." (Increases Expression)

2

1

"What I like in a girl is..." (Increases Courage)

3

2

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Is it possible for anyone to be all those things? Do you know anyone like that?"

"I do."

-

-

"Nope."

-

-

"This guy."

3

2

"... Every time I have that dream, the person gets one car closer to me."

"You must be tired."

-

-

"You must be possessed."

-

-

Shu suddenly looks tormented.

Ask him what he's worried about

2

1

Cheer him up

3

2

Leave him alone

-

-

the invesitgation team in persona 4 golden singing happy birthday to shu for one rank of shu social link in p4g

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Today...is my birthday, I forgot..."

"Happy birthday."

-

-

"Don't forget next time."

-

-

Shu looks sad...

Have a grand celebration

-

-

Have a modest celebration

-

-

First, you need...

Cake

Proceed to next prompt

Presents

-

-

Guests

-

-

Only one place springs to mind

Junes

-

-

Shu begins to sob...

Soothe him

-

-

Wait for him to calm down

-

-

Shu begins to cry again.

Comfort him

-

-

Kindly reason with him

-

-

Sternly scold him

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Thank you for recognizing... 'me.' I wouldn't have been able to talk to Mom if you hadn't."

"I am proud of you."

3

3

"No, it's all you."

3

3

Follow the dialogue as listed above, and you'll have maxed Persona 4 Golden's Shu social link in no time.

NEXT: Persona 4 Golden: Achievement/Trophy Guide