In Persona 5 Royal, maximizing Confidant Social Links is crucial, as they enrich the storyline and provide players with potent abilities that can significantly enhance gameplay, both in battles and in social interactions. One standout character is Shinya Oda, a young arcade aficionado who forms a unique bond with Joker.
To achieve max rank with Shinya Oda, players need to engage in strategic dialogue choices and schedule meetings on his preferred days at the arcade. Although this process demands a considerable investment of time, the rewards of his abilities, particularly those focused on gunshot tactics and enemy incapacitation, make it worthwhile.
This comprehensive guide details everything you need to know about Shinya Oda’s Confidant, including the benefits you can gain and the dialogue options that will help you progress effectively.
Benefits of Shinya Oda’s Confidant
Shinya Oda’s Social Link empowers players with an array of unique abilities centered around gun usage. These include enhancements such as improved success rates for ailment-inflicting gunshots, the ability to employ the Down Shot ability multiple times, and the remarkable capacity to ignore enemy resistances entirely when using Joker’s firearm.
Explore the following grid to discover all of Shinya Oda’s abilities, along with their unlocking requirements:
| Rank | Ability | Description |
| 1 | Down Shot | Knock down an enemy with a specialized shot once during infiltration. |
| 2 | Bullet Hail | Offers a chance to initiate a gun-based All-Out Attack after an ambush. |
| 3 | Warning Shot | Scare enemies during negotiations to facilitate Persona acquisition. |
| 5 | Laced Bullets | Enhances the success rate of ailment-inflicting gunshots. |
| 6 | Cheap Shot | Allows for three Down Shot uses per infiltration. |
| 8 | Electric Slug | Increases damage dealt by Bullet Hail. |
| Max | Oda Special | Makes Joker’s gun attacks ignore resistances completely. |
Overview of Social Link Ranks
Shinya Oda becomes available starting from September 4 when Mishima informs the protagonist about the side quest titled “Winners don’t use cheats.” Completing this quest allows you to meet Shinya Oda for the first time and unlock the initial rank.
You can find Shinya at the Shibuya Arcade after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays in the afternoon. Additionally, he is available on Saturdays during the daytime or when it rains.
As Shinya is associated with the Tower Arcana, it is advisable to possess a Tower Persona. Having one will provide additional points during interactions with him, and the rankings presented in this guide take that into account.
Rank 1 Details
To unlock Rank 1, you need to initiate this phase during the “Winners don’t use cheats”quest on September 4. This rank begins with Shinya guiding Joker on shooter arcade games, forging a stronger connection between them.
Upon completing Rank 1, the Down Shot ability becomes available. This skill allows you to knock down enemies with a special shot once per infiltration.
Optimal dialogue choices for Rank 1 are presented in the table below:
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“How’d you do it?” |
“Through a secret exchange”+0 |
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“Through a bulletin board”+0 |
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“So tell me more about the Phantom Thieves!” |
“It’s a deal”+0 |
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“Leave it to me”+0 |
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“Depends on the trump card”+0 |
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“Hey, we should exchange IDs. It’s not like I’m here every day, so…” |
“Sure”+1 |
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“Do we have to?”+1 |
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“Call me when it’s game time”+3 |
Rank 2 Insights
During Rank 2, Joker and Shinya engage in another round of the shooter game. Frustration builds as Shinya grapples with Joker’s less competitive nature.
In this session, Shinya expresses his admiration for the Phantom Thieves, aspiring to gain their strength.
Completing Rank 2 unlocks the Bullet Hail ability, enhancing the chance to trigger a gun-based All-Out Attack post-ambush.
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“Thanks to you taking so long to figure it out…” |
“Sorry…”+2 |
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“Don’t compare me to you”+3 |
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“Praise would be encouraging”+0 |
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“Sigh” |
“Lets go”+0 |
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“What a rude employee”+2 |
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“Something bothering you?”+0 |
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“…I need to get really strong, like the Phantom Thieves.” |
“Are they strong?”+0 |
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“Do you admire them?”+2 |
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“I believe in the Phantom Thieves and their strength.” |
“So do I”+3 |
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“They’re more than strong”+0 |
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“I’ll let them know”+3 |
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“Everyone sucks at first, but you can get good if you do it every day!” |
“I’ll work hard”+2 |
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“If I feel like it”+0 |
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“So then I can beat you?”+2 |
Rank 3 Exploration
In Rank 3, Shinya shifts the focus from the arcade to a meal, where he shares that he has been facing bullying at school. This candid moment reveals his ongoing struggles and fosters greater empathy.
Completing this rank unveils the Warning Shot ability, granting Joker the power to intimidate enemies in negotiations, easing the process of acquiring Personas.
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“All they did today was throw eraser crumbs into my lunch, though, so I won that round.” |
“Are they bullying you?”+0 |
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“Sounds like fun.”+0 |
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“You shouldn’t waste food”+0 |
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“That’s why I gotta get stronger!” |
“That’s the spirit”+2 |
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“Want to learn martial arts?”+0 |
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“You really love your mom”+0 |
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“Maybe we can go eat something again while we’re at it?” |
“Sure”+2 |
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“If your schedules line up”+0 |
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“Any food requests?”+0 |
Rank 4 Developments
In Rank 4, Shinya unveils more about his ongoing bullying issues, noting that the conflict continues. His encounter with Takekuma, a professional gamer, leads to a challenge that ultimately results in a defeat for him.
This interaction offers insights into Shinya’s emotional state and development. The dialogue choices available during this rank can help to nurture his journey:
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“You cheated, didn’t you!?” |
“Calm down”+0 |
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“You’re being a sore loser”+0 |
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“Yeah, you tell him!”+2 |
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“You’ve gotta be kidding me…” |
“Don’t get so worked up”+0 |
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“Get your revenge”+2 |
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“Pros are amazing, huh?”+0 |
Rank 5 Reflections
In Rank 5, Shinya shares his frustrations about losing to Takekuma, expressing discontent with the notion of “cheat armor.” Despite these feelings, he maintains a positive outlook, believing in his eventual triumph in future matches.
Completing this rank unlocks the Laced Bullets ability, enhancing the success rate for ailments due to Joker’s gunshots.
The recommended dialogue choices for maximum benefit are:
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“I mean, I couldn’t do anything to him…There’s just no way.” |
“It was pretty weird”+3 |
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“It happens”+0 |
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“He must’ve rigged it”+3 |
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“I’m definitely gonna demolish him!” |
“You think you have a chance?”+0 |
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“I’m sure you can do it”+2 |
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“Don’t get so worked up”+0 |
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“The strategy I used last time didn’t work…” |
“Are you going to give up?”+2 |
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“You need a new strategy”+3 |
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“I gotta think of a new strategy by the next time I challenge him!” |
“I’ll be cheering you on”+2 |
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“You’re a sharp kid”+0 |
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“Think you can take him?”+2 |
Rank 6 Developments
Rank 6 sees Shinya confronted by a couple of boys demanding money he previously won from a younger classmate. The narrative reveals Shinya’s struggles, compounded by his tumultuous family life.
Progressing through this rank unlocks the Cheap Shot ability, allowing the use of Down Shot three times during infiltration.
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“The games are on me today… Just be sure to keep up.” |
“I can pay for myself”+0 |
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“If you insist”+0 |
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“Do you have enough?”+0 |
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“I’m not a bad guy…am I?” |
“You should return the money”+0 |
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“You’re acting like one”+0 |
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“I won’t do it again…I don’t wanna be a bad guy.” |
“That’s good”+2 |
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“I believe in you”+3 |
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“Um…do you…hate me now?” |
“A little bit”+0 |
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“Not at all”+3 |
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“I’m worried about you”+0 |
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“Are you sure you aren’t gonna hate me?” |
“Of course I won’t”+2 |
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“That’s up to you”+0 |
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“I’m your big brother, right?”+0 |
Rank 7 Insights
In Rank 7, Shinya’s emotional state is further explored as he grapples with familial issues, particularly his mother’s bullying tendencies. A confrontation arises when the boy he scammed seeks resolution with his mother.
This rank emphasizes Shinya’s desire for his mother’s former kindness and offers dialogue choices that may boost your progress:
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“So? Are you the one who’s been such a bad influence on my Shinya?” |
“I haven’t done anything”+0 |
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“Calm down”+0 |
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“Bad influence?”+0 |
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“Come on, Shinya, we’re going home!” |
“Take it easy on him”+0 |
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“Think about his feelings”+0 |
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“If you keep meddling with him, I’m going to call the police!” |
“Bring it on, lady”+0 |
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“I haven’t done anything”+0 |
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“That wouldn’t be good”+0 |
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“To change my mom back…to the way she used to be…” |
“What’s your mom’s name?”+0 |
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“Tell me about your mom”+0 |
Rank 8 Developments
During Rank 8, Joker provides Shinya with a calling card that features his mother, signifying an upcoming attempt by the Phantom Thieves to change her heart.
By completing this rank, you unlock the Electric Slug ability, which amplifies the damage from Bullet Hail.
Engage with Shinya using the following dialogue options for optimal gain:
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“So she IS bad after all…” |
“She’s out of control”+0 |
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“No, she’s not”+2 |
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“Is that what you think?”+2 |
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“Do you think they’ll actually be able to change her heart?” |
“It’ll all work out”+2 |
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“I can’t guarantee it”+0 |
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“Believe in them”+3 |
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“…Okay, I’ll do it” |
“Is it too much for you?”+0 |
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“Way to step up”+0 |
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“That’s why I wanna help the Phantom Thieves. I wanna stop my mom.” |
“Let’s save her”+3 |
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“That’s admirable”+3 |
Rank 9 Revelations
In Rank 9, it is confirmed that the Phantom Thieves succeeded in their mission to change Shinya’s mother’s heart, leading to Shinya expressing joy over her newfound kindness.
Utilize the following optimal dialogue choices to strengthen Shinya’s bond during this rank:
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“She broke down crying and told me that she’ll be a better mother from now on…” |
“I’m glad to hear that”+3 |
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“That’s hard to believe”+0 |
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“Thank the Phantom Thieves”+2 |
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“Am I weird…for feeling happy about losing? I mean, all I cared about before was winning.” |
“A little bit, yeah”+2 |
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“No, that makes sense”+3 |
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“It means you’ve matured”+3 |
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“I wonder why he’s cheating…” |
“He wants to win at all costs”+2 |
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“He’s too lazy to practice”+0 |
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“I wouldn’t know…”+0 |
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“I’m so glad she’s back to her old self! I’m so thankful for the Phantom Thieves!” |
“Your wish came true”+2 |
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“You really think it was them?”+2 |
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“You did a great job too”+2 |
Final Rank: Rank 10
In Rank 10, the final chapter of Shinya’s story unfolds as he plays an arcade game with Joker, showcasing a newfound calmness. Shinya’s positive transformation can be attributed to his improved home life.
The culmination of his journey leads to a rematch with Takekuma, which ends in victory for Shinya!
Successfully completing this rank grants the coveted Oda Special ability, allowing Joker’s gun attacks to bypass resistances entirely.
The following dialogue options are recommended for the highest social points during this final rank:
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“I’ve got nothing left to teach you. You’re an elite player now.” |
“Thanks to my hard work”+2 |
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“Thanks to my teacher”+3 |
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“…I’m so happy right now.” |
“You got your revenge”+0 |
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“You made things right”+2 |
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“You made new friends”+3 |
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“Will that help me become a member of the Phantom Thieves?” |
“I’ll let you in”+0 |
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“Ask them yourself”+0 |
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