Building relationships in Persona 3 Reload is essential for unlocking powerful Personas and gaining helpful combat bonuses. Among the many memorable figures you encounter in Iwatodai is Bunkichi, an elderly bookstore owner who represents the Hierophant Arcana alongside his wife, Mitsuko. Interacting with this heartwarming couple provides a deeply emotional side story that highlights themes of loss, memory, and legacy.
How to Unlock the Hierophant Social Link
To initiate the Hierophant Social Link with Bunkichi and Mitsuko, you must first visit Bookworms in the Iwatodai Strip Mall starting on April 25th. The couple will mention a persimmon tree located in the courtyard of Gekkoukan High School that holds sentimental value. Heading back to the school to retrieve a leaf from the persimmon tree allows you to return it to the bookstore, officially establishing Rank 1 of the bond.
Because Bunkichi and Mitsuko are available on most days of the week during daytime, they are among the easiest Social Links to rank up early in the campaign. Players following daily gaming news and RPG strategy guides often recommend prioritizing this connection during the initial months of the game. Matching a Hierophant Arcana Persona in your inventory during these visits will significantly boost relationship point gains for faster progression.
Key Dialogue Choices for Bunkichi and Mitsuko
Advancing the Hierophant link smoothly depends on selecting responses that show sympathy toward the couple's attachment to their late son's memory. During early rank events, offering supportive remarks regarding their bookstore and asking about their family background earns maximum affection points. Expressing concern over the fate of the persimmon tree shows that you respect their personal history and values.
As the narrative progresses, developers present dialogue choices reflecting the impending removal of the school tree to make way for a new building expansion. Encouraging Bunkichi to stay hopeful and agreeing to help preserve the tree's legacy solidifies your deep friendship with the elderly couple. Selecting polite and empathetic dialogue choices ensures that almost every interaction grants enough points to advance to the next rank immediately.
Hierophant Rank Rewards and Ultimate Persona Unlock
Progressing through each level of Bunkichi's Social Link grants bonus experience points when fusing Personas belonging to the Hierophant Arcana. Higher ranks yield larger fusion stat boosts, allowing newly summoned Personas to start with additional levels and stronger skill sets. These stat enhancements prove invaluable when preparing for challenging Tartarus boss encounters during mid-game explorations.
Reaching Rank 10 completes the storyline and rewards you with the Persimmon Fruit item. This unique Key Item unlocks the ultimate fusion for the Hierophant Arcana, allowing you to create Kohryu in the Velvet Room. Kohryu possesses powerful Light and Healing skills, making the completion of Bunkichi's Social Link exceptionally rewarding for endgame combat strategies.
