Persona 5 Royal Confidant guide: Councillor – Takuto Maruki

Takuto Maruki is the holder of the Councillor Arcana and a Confidant in Persona 5 Royal. Much like his Arcana suggests, Maruki is a counselor first introduced on 05/13, at which point you will automatically begin his Confidant. He is available on all weekdays except Thursday, and can be found outside the nurse’s office in Shujin’s Practice Building. However, before Futaba’s arc is finished, he is only available on Monday and Friday.

Maruki is a unique Confidant as he is required to access a substantial part of the story. Accessing the third semester requires you to reach Rank 9 in the Councillor confidant by 11/17. Also, you can’t go beyond Rank 5 until 09/20. As an additional motive to rank up Maruki, he grants 5 SP to use in battle every rank.

Persona 5 Royal: Takuto Maruki confidant skills

Below are the skills and benefits acquired from ranking up the Councillor Confidant. The standout skills are Flow and Flow Boost. Both of these provide a chance for Joker starting a battle already charged. When charged, any Physical attacks used on that turn deal 2.5x damage.

• Rank 2 – Detox X: When Joker is inflicted with an ailment, he may recover immediately.
• Rank 3 – Flow: Chance to receive the effects of Charge and Concentrate at the start of a battle.
• Rank 5 – Mindfulness: Chance to restore Joker’s SP when it is low.
• Rank 7 – Flow Boost: Raises the chance of Flow succeeding.
• Rank 9 – Detox DX: Raises the chance of Detox X succeeding.
• Rank 10 – Wakefulness: Raises the SP recovered from Mindfulness.

Persona 5 Royal: Takuto Maruki confidant answers

These are the best answers to give during hangout events with Takuto Maruki. The answers listed were either chosen because they give the most social points or because they are required for specific unlocks. If a chosen answer doesn’t matter, it will be listed as ‘ANY,’ so feel free to pick whatever you want.

• Rank 1 (Story event, 05/13) 
  • ANY
  • ANY
  • ANY
• Rank 2 (Story event, 05/13)
  • ANY
  • “We made a deal,” or “I’m a little nervous.”
  • ANY
  • But it sounds right.
  • ANY
  • Well, Okay.
• Rank 3 (Not available on rainy days)
  • “So they have, huh?” or “Thanks to you, probably.”
  • “Of course.” or “Yeah, for our deal.”
  • ANY
  • “That one seems necessary.” or “It’s a seed for new loves.”
  • ANY
  • Good work over there.
• Rank 4
  • ANY
  • I know, right?
  • Is that what you’re researching?
  • ANY
  • ANY
  • That sounds fun.
  • “I feel completely fine.” or “It’s part of our deal, so…”
• Rank 5
  • This looks great!
  • ANY
  • You know, you’re right.
  • “My senses lied to me!” or “Hey, as long as it tastes good.”
  • I guess so.
  • “I don’t really mind.” or “It was thought-provoking.”

Persona 5 Royal Maruki confidant Rank 3 event. Screenshot by PC Invasion.

• Rank 6 (Not available until 09/20)  
  • “Another cup?” or “We’ve got curry too.”
  • I can do that.
  • ANY
  • So give up.
  • ANY
  • ANY
  • “Calm down.” or “What’s going on?”
• Rank 7
  • You really are dedicated.
  • “No idea.” or “As in, removing them?”
  • The change of heart?
  • “Sounds pretty far-fetched.” or “It’s intriguing.”
• Rank 8
  • What do you mean?
  • Ooh, really?
  • Thanks for the food!
  • We’ve made a deal.
  • ANY.
  • “I sure do.” or “Let’s celebrate.”
  • ANY
  • He’s a good friend.
• Rank 9 (Finish before 11/17 to unlock the third semester)
  • ANY
  • Kind of sad…
• Rank 10 (Story event if Rank 9 is achieved by 11/17)
  • ANY
  • ANY
  • ANY
  • ANY
  • ANY
  • ANY
  • ANY
  • ANY
  • ANY
  • ANY

Note: For information on the other confidants in Persona 5 Royal like Takuto Maruki check out our Confidant guides hub.