Persona 5 Royal Sojiro Confidant Guide: Choices, Gifts, and Rank Progression

In Persona 5 Royal, confidants play a vital role in deepening character relationships and unlocking powerful abilities. One of the most impactful confidants in the game is Sojiro Sakura, the guardian of the protagonist and the manager of Café Leblanc. The Sojiro confidant storyline is both emotionally moving and gameplay-beneficial, especially for players who value strategic SP recovery and unique in-game benefits.

In this Sojiro confidant guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Sojiro’s confidant in Persona 5 Royal, including:

• How to unlock Sojiro’s confidant

• Best Sojiro confidant answers

• Rank progression and rewards

• Sojiro confidant gifts

• Tips for maxing out his bond fast

• Key differences between Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal versions of Sojiro’s confidant

Whether you’re a new player or a returning Phantom Thief, this comprehensive Persona 5 Royal Sojiro confidant guide will help you make the most of your playthrough.

Who is Sojiro Sakura?

Sojiro Sakura is the caretaker of the protagonist during their probation and the owner of the cozy Café Leblanc in Yongen-Jaya. Initially gruff and distant, Sojiro slowly warms up to you as you help out in the café and become involved in his personal story, especially involving his adoptive daughter, Futaba Sakura.

Unlocking Sojiro as a confidant not only gives insight into his past but also offers several practical gameplay benefits through the Hierophant Arcana.

How to Unlock Sojiro’s Confidant in Persona 5 Royal

In Persona 5 Royal, you unlock the Sojiro confidant relatively early in the game. Here’s how:

• Arcana: Hierophant

• Unlock Date: April 20 (automatically after helping at Leblanc)

• Availability: Evenings only (outside of rainy days and special events)

To begin ranking up Sojiro’s confidant, you must help him in the café and be available during evenings.

💡 Tip: Always have a Persona of the Hierophant Arcana in your inventory when spending time with Sojiro. This gives you extra affinity points, helping you rank up faster.

Sojiro Confidant Rank-Up Chart and Answers (Persona 5 Royal)

Let’s dive into the rank-by-rank progression for Persona 5 Royal Sojiro confidant, including the best answers to each event for maximum affinity points.

Sojiro Confidant Rank 1

• Automatically unlocked on April 20.

• No choices required.

Sojiro Confidant Rank 2

Phone Call Bonus Answer:

• “I’ll help with the shop.” (+1)

Sojiro Confidant Rank 3

Best Answers:

1. “She’s family, right?” (+2)

2. “You’re not being considerate.” (+2)

3. “I can’t leave her.” (+2)

Phone Call Bonus:

• “Futaba needs you.” (+2)

Sojiro Confidant Rank 4

Best Answers:

1. “That’s cool.” (+2)

2. “You should tell her.” (+2)

Sojiro Confidant Rank 5

Best Answers:

1. “Do you have proof?” (+2)

2. “That’s terrible.” (+2)

Phone Call Bonus:

• “I’ll talk to them.” (+1)

Sojiro Confidant Rank 6

Best Answers:

1. “You’re not guilty.” (+2)

2. “You’re Futaba’s guardian.” (+3)

Sojiro Confidant Rank 7

Best Answers:

1. “You should trust her.” (+2)

2. “You did the right thing.” (+3)

Sojiro Confidant Rank 8

Best Answers:

1. “You’re a great father.” (+3)

Sojiro Confidant Rank 9

Best Answers:

1. “It’s up to you.” (+2)

2. “We’ll help you.” (+3)

Sojiro Confidant Rank 10 (MAX)

• Automatically unlocks after Rank 9 on the next interaction.

• No additional answers needed.

🎉 At Rank 10, you unlock the Fusion of Kohryu, the ultimate Hierophant persona!

Persona 5 Royal Sojiro Confidant Rewards

Each rank of Sojiro’s confidant comes with unique in-game benefits:

These abilities are especially crucial in Metaverse explorations, where SP management can make or break a palace infiltration.

Best Gifts for Sojiro Confidant (Persona 5 Royal)

While gifts aren’t as essential for Sojiro as with romanceable confidants, they can still boost affinity and help rank up faster.

Here are a few good options if you choose to gift Sojiro something:

• Cigarette Set (Shibuya Underground Mall)

• Rugby Ball (Shibuya Underground Mall)

• Coffee Mill Set (Underground Mall)

• Nice Tea Set (Ginza)

Giving these can slightly increase affinity if you’re falling short of rank-up requirements after a hangout.

Time-Saving Tips to Max Out Sojiro Confidant

1. Carry a Hierophant Persona
   Never forget this — it’s a huge boost to points and saves time.

2. Use Phone Call Bonuses
   Always answer Sojiro’s post-hangout texts for bonus affinity.

3. Max Kindness
   Some Sojiro events require a certain level of Kindness (usually Rank 3). Make sure you read books, do part-time work, and hang with Sojiro early to get Kindness up.

4. Start Early
   Sojiro is available early in the game, but only on evenings. Avoid wasting rainy nights and make use of downtime.

Sojiro Confidant in Persona 5 vs. Persona 5 Royal

There are a few subtle differences between Persona 5 Sojiro confidant and Persona 5 Royal Sojiro confidant:

• Royal adds more hangout opportunities and downtime activities, allowing easier completion of confidants.

• The SP restoration abilities like curry and coffee were even more valuable in vanilla Persona 5 but are still powerful tools in Royal.

• Some dialogue choices and social stat requirements were slightly adjusted in Royal.

Is Sojiro’s Confidant Worth Maxing in Persona 5 Royal?

Absolutely. Here’s why:

• Free SP recovery items can save you tons of money and allow for longer Metaverse runs.

• You unlock Kohryu, one of the most powerful Hierophant personas.

• You get meaningful character development and lore regarding Futaba and Sojiro’s relationship.

• Sojiro’s confidant requires no combat, making it a great evening activity when you’re locked out of dungeons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sojiro romanceable in Persona 5 Royal?

No. Sojiro is not a romance option in Persona 5 or Persona 5 Royal. Only female confidants can be romanced.

Can I max Sojiro confidant without maxing Kindness?

No. You’ll need Level 3 Kindness to progress past certain ranks (around Rank 4–5). Focus on building Kindness early.

What happens if I ignore Sojiro’s confidant?

You miss out on:

• SP-restoring coffee and curry

• The ability to fuse Kohryu

• An emotionally rich subplot with Futaba and Sojiro

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Sojiro Confidant in Persona 5 Royal

The Sojiro confidant in Persona 5 Royal is more than just a mechanic for SP recovery — it’s a heartfelt narrative that explores family, responsibility, and redemption. By following this Sojiro confidant guide, making the right Sojiro confidant choices, and engaging in his story early, you’ll unlock powerful abilities and deepen one of the game’s most touching bonds.

If you’re optimizing your playthrough or aiming for 100% completion, Sojiro’s confidant is a must-max. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to become a master of Leblanc’s kitchen — and Sojiro’s respect.