The Hanged Man Arcana, associated with the Confidant Munehisa Iwai, is an essential social link in Persona 5 Royal. Engaging deeply with Iwai, the ominous owner of the underground airsoft shop “Untouchable”in Shibuya, requires a strategic approach, as building this connection demands both nerve and meticulous time management.
Iwai provides the Phantom Thieves a crucial network of resources, including various weapons and armor, enhancing your capabilities during explorations in Mementos and across different palaces. In this guide, we will delve into the progression details for the Hanged Man Arcana, providing insights on rank-ups, skill bonuses, and optimal dialogue choices.
Overview of Munehisa Iwai’s Confidant
Starting on May 4th, players can receive a paper bag from Iwai containing a remarkably realistic model gun. Note that to inquire about the bag’s contents, you must have at least Guts rank 4 (Dauntless).
Before the Hanged Man Confidant officially begins, you can interact with Iwai any day of the week starting from May 6th and onwards, even when he appears to be not available. Engaging with Iwai helps increase your Proficiency stat in addition to enhancing your social link.
Here are the available times to meet with Iwai once the social link progresses:
- Thursday Nights
- Saturday Nights
- Sunday Nights
- During Rainy Weather*
Please be aware that Iwai’s rank-up events for Ranks 4 and 9 take place outdoors and will be unachievable during rainy weather.
Skills and Abilities
| Rank | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Starter Customization | Enables customization and upgrades for your gun. |
| 3 | Camo Customization | Allows for cosmetic changes that inflict ailments on enemies. |
| 5 | Discount | Reduces costs associated with gun customization. |
| 7 | Expert Customization | Grants access to additional customization parts. |
| MAX | On the House | Allows for free gun customizations. |
Each of Iwai’s skills significantly enhances your efficiency in utilizing his airsoft shop, particularly through the customization features that boost your overall damage output.
Progression and Ranking Up
By choosing specific dialogue options during your interactions with Iwai, you can significantly enhance the social link points gained, facilitating faster progression through the Hanged Man Arcana. Below is a breakdown of effective dialogue choices and their corresponding point values:
Rank 1
| “If you want somethin’, you’re gonna have to work for it.” | Leave it to me: +2 |
| As long as it’s safe…: +1 | |
| So what’s my first job?: +3 |
Rank 2
| “…Sounds like there’s some weird stuff goin’ down.” | Who was that guy?: -0 |
| What should I do now?: +2 | |
| How’s your cold?: +2 |
Additionally, you will earn +2 Proficiency for achieving Rank 2.
Rank 3
| “The same clan I was in… back when I was part of the yakuza.” | I always knew you were a thug: +3 |
| Oh. I, uh… have to go: -0 | |
| Y-Yakuza!?: +2 | |
| “…Hope I ain’t scarin’ you off with all this talk.” | |
| Not really: -0 | |
| No, I like that stuff: -0 | |
| We made a deal, didn’t we?: +3 |
For reaching Rank 3, you’ll net an added benefit of +2 Proficiency.
Rank 4
| “Anyways, nice job. I’m gonna be able to give Tsuda a real scare thanks to the info you gave me!” | Give it your all: -0 |
| You two should play nice: +2 | |
| Where’s my reward?: +3 | |
| “But now Tsuda knows your face. And that could be a real problem.” | |
| I agree: +2 | |
| Is that a threat?: -0 | |
| What’s the issue?: -0 |
Attaining Rank 4 also grants you an extra +2 Proficiency.
Rank 5
| “He’s just got too much power…” | You’re so kind, Iwai: -0 |
| You’re pathetic: +3 | |
| You should call the cops: -0 | |
| “…You prolly don’t want anythin’ to do with me after that, huh?” | That’s right: +2 |
| Don’t make assumptions: -0 | |
| I’ll stick around for the guns: +3 | |
| “But I gotta protect that secret, no matter what. For Kaoru’s sake.” | |
| You’re right: +2 | |
| Is it really all for Kaoru?: -0 | |
| Well, you got this: -0 |
Additionally, you’ll earn +2 Proficiency for reaching Rank 5.
Rank 6
| “You two look like you’re havin’ fun. What’ve you been talkin’ about?” | Our futures: +2 |
| Girls: +3 | |
| That’s a secret: +3 | |
| “Ain’t that right?” | Right: +2 |
| You should tell him, Iwai: -0 | |
| You should buy us something: +3 | |
| “Looked like you and Kaoru really hit it off. Glad to see you two get along.” | |
| He’s my age, so it comes easier: +2 | |
| All I did was listen to him: +2 | |
| It’s part of the job: -0 |
Rank 7
| “I mean, don’t somethin’ about that seem off to you?” | Not at all: -0 |
| Absolutely: +3 | |
| I guess he likes guns?: +2 | |
| “And now he’s tryin’ to use me to cover up his mistake.” | That’s horrible: -0 |
| He’s clever: +3 | |
| What a crafty bastard: +2 | |
| “But considering who we’re dealin’ with… we can’t afford to take any chances.” | |
| Bring it on: +2 | |
| I’m worried…: -0 | |
| So what’s our first move?: -0 |
To continue with this Confidant, ensure your Guts Rank is MAX (Lionhearted).
Rank 7.5
| Tsuda: “I hope dealing with all this yakuza business hasn’t been too much trouble.” | It most definitely was: +2 |
| I did it all for Iwai: +3 | |
| Actually, it’s been fun: -0 | |
| “Just forget all of this…” | |
| I will: +2 | |
| I want to help you: +2 | |
| I can’t: -0 |
Rank 8
To advance this Confidant further, complete the request “Shady Deal in the Shadows.”
In this quest, Iwai is coerced into crafting weapons for Tsuda without a way to disentangle himself from the situation. He reveals Tsuda’s full name when prompted, leading to the request to eliminate a Lesser Shadow in Path of Kaitul: Area 4.
| “Hey, you think a guy can really go through a drastic change that quick?” | It’s not impossible: -0 |
| I dunno: +2 | |
| He’s matured: -0 | |
| “I understand kids these days have all sortsa commitments, so I get it if the answer’s gotta be no…” | I’m back, baby: +2 |
| I guess I could consider it: +3 | |
| If you pay me well: +3 | |
| “Seemed like he was on the level, but… can’t be too careful.” | |
| Understood: +2 | |
| You worry too much: -0 | |
| Now let’s catch him off-guard: -0 |
For reaching Rank 8, an additional +2 Proficiency bonus is also awarded.
Rank 9
| “Serves him right, huh?” | That’s great news: +2 |
| I feel bad for him: -0 | |
| Are you sure he’s still alive?: +3 | |
| “Kaoru…” | Tell him the truth: +3 |
| You need to trust your son: +3 | |
| “Guess you’re maturin’ quicker than I even realized…” | Kaoru is really strong-willed: +3 |
| He gets that maturity from you: +2 | |
| He’s a cool kid, huh?: +3 | |
| “…The kid must’ve grown into a man while I wasn’t looking.” | |
| Like father, like son: +2 | |
| Gecko bonds go beyond blood: +2 | |
| Why not newts?: -0 |
Rank 10 (MAX)
| “……” | It’s up to you now, Iwai: +3 |
| Kaoru won’t lose: +3 | |
| Iwai’s kind of slow: -0 | |
| “I can’t be the only one who was saved by his change of heart. Wonder who else knows…” | |
| It’s a coincidence: -0 | |
| Should we close up?: -0 | |
| What if you’re right?: +2 |
Accepting Iwai’s invitations to hang out at locations like Inokashira Park and the Planetarium can yield up to +3 additional Social Link points, further solidifying your relationship.
Hanged Man Arcana Personas and Their Bonuses
By engaging in Iwai’s enterprises, players gain the ability to summon and fuse several Personas of the Hanged Man Arcana, enhancing their gameplay experience. Here’s the list of Personas associated with this Confidant:
| Person | Level |
|---|---|
| Night Fruit | 9 |
| Inugami | 14 |
| Orthrus | 21 |
| Take-Minakata | 26 |
| Emperor’s Amulet | 35 |
| Hecatoncheires | 42 |
| Jatayu | 51 |
| Moloch | 60 |
| Macabre | 73 |
| Actis | 82 |
Through your cultivation of the bond with Iwai, he gradually reconciles his troubling past while allowing himself to connect with his adoptive son, Kaoru. Concluding the Hanged Man Arcana Confidant unlocks the ultimate Persona of the Arcana, Attis, the Castrated God.
Additionally, on March 19th, Iwai presents you with a special Gecko Pin, activating all customizations when embarking on a New Game Plus, representing the strength of your relationship with the often formidable but ultimately nurturing Munehisa Iwai in the exceptional RPG experience that is Persona 5 Royal.
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