Persona 3 Reload: Bunkichi & Mitsuko (Hierophant) social link choices & unlock guide
The protagonist of Persona 3 Reload gets to know all sorts of people - but undoubtedly one of the stand-out friendships featured is the Bunkichi & Mitsuko social link - where the protagonist gets to know a sweet old couple that runs a local store. This also makes it a rare thing - a three-way S-Link, for the Hierophant Arcana. This guide will help you navigate that minor bit of added complexity to hit the max rank in an expedited manner.
Like all of the other social links in Persona 3 Reload, the actual dialogue and points values for this S-Link are different to the other versions of the game. As such, this guide to your relationship with Bunkichi and Mitsuko will only work for Reload. We do have a version for P3 Portable, if you're playing that version - otherwise, ekep on reading for all the info you need for Reload. Pair this guide with our Max S-Link walkthrough & schedule, and with the guides to every other link as found in our Persona 3 Reload social link guide hub.
Bunkichi & Mitsuko S-Link Guide - Hierophant (Persona 3 Reload)
While it's technically taking place between three people, the core concpet of the Bunkichi & Mitsuko social link in Persona 3 Reload isn't different from the other links. You'll spend time with the pair, and speaking to them in an appropriate way will grant bonus affinity points which will help you to level up more quickly. This guide fatures all dialogue choices for all ranks, which means you'll always pick the best possible option, so long as you listen to us.
We list every answer and the points they give below - but as a note, we list them with what's called the Arcana bonus, which is given when you have a matching Persona to the s-link arcana in your current Persona line-up. In this instance, this means you should bring a Hierophant Persona with you each time you see this duo; otherwise, you'll be sub-optimal.
Key Information about Bunkichi and Mitsuko
- Prerequisite: April 25th.
- Available Days: Every day except Monday, in the daytime.
- Location: Used Bookstore - Iwatodai Strip Mall
- Possible Love Interest: Of course not
The Hierophant Social Link becomes available on April 25th, with the unlocking condition as simple as finding the Persimmon Tree in the school. This social link is accessible every day except Sundays. A notable change in Persona 3 Reload is that the Elderly Couple likes to close on holidays as well, potentially conflicting with schedules following Persona 3 FES. The social link mostly remains the same.
To save a day for this social link, you need to get it to rank 5 or 9 before August 22nd. Walking out with Koromaru lets you encounter Bunkichi and gain 3 bonding points. Due to its large availability, it's advisable not to spend time here unless there are no other social links to attend to. This is most relevant during exam periods and the summer break if you're optimizing your schedule for a maxed Social Link run.
Finally, be aware that Bunkichi accidentally enters Tartarus and ends up lost. If you fail to rescue him in time, this shuts off this S-Link. For help avoiding that consult our Persona 3 Reload Missing Persons guide.
Social Link Choices
Unlock & Rank 1
You’ll be able to start the social link from 4/25 -There are some extra steps for the Social Link to show up.
- First, you must visit the pair at the Bookworms Used Book Store in the Iwatodai Strip Mall. The store is open all week except Sundays.
- At the store, talk to the duo. They will mention a Persimmon Tree that’s back at your school, Gekkoukan High.
- You can find the tree back at school. Examine it and you’ll get a Persimmon Leaf key item.
- Return to the store with the Persimmon Leaf and Show it to him - unlocking the Social Link. This is formatted in-game as:
- Would you like to show it to him?
- “Show it to him.” >> Establish the S-Link.
- Would you like to show it to him?
Rank 1 → Rank 2
The following choices can impact your relationship with this rank.
- What was your name again?
- “Makoto Yuki.” +1
- Someone gave it to me, but I have more than enough. Go ahead and take it, Makoto-chan
- “Thank you.” +3
Rank 2 → Rank 3
Completing this rank is a flag that's required to let you start the Bebe social link. The following choices can impact your relationship with this rank.
- I don't see it anywhere...
- “Looking for something?” +1
- I'm looking for my glasses- Er, not my glasses, my wallet! I can't seem to find it...
- “Can I help?” +3
Rank 3 → Rank 4
The following choices can impact your relationship with this rank.
- My wife just headed out to Gekkoukan.
- “I should go too.” +3
- “I'll wait here.” +3
- Do you know anything about this, Makoto-Chan?
- I'm worried. +1
Rank 4 → Rank 5
The following choices can impact your relationship with this rank.
- We've been feeling a bit guilty for troubling you about the persimmon tree…
- “I wouldn't worry about it” +1
- Why now? Why do they want to cut it down now...?
- “Cheer up.” +1
- “It'll be okay.” +1
Rank 5 → Rank 6
The following choices can impact your relationship with this rank.
- If we lose that tree... it would be like losing our son all over again.
- “Please don't fight.” +3
Rank 6 → Rank 7
The following choices can impact your relationship with this rank.
- Ah...
- “What happened?” +1
- They say the tree is a memorial to their former teacher… They don’t want it to be cut down.
- “That’s great.” +1
- You must be the one who called them for this, right, Makoto-chan?
- “No.” +1
- “That’s right.” +1
- “What are you talking about?” +1
Rank 7 → Rank 8
The following choices can impact your relationship with this rank.
- Who do you think it was? Here’s a hint: ‘signature.’
- “A petitioner?” +2
- “A fan of yours?” +1
- I have to tell my son the good news!
- “Sure, Let’s go.” +3
Rank 8 → Rank 9
The following choices can impact your relationship with this rank.
- What, is that surprising? I'm actually quite the net surfer, you know!
- “What does the letter say?” +1
- “Why a letter?” +1
Rank 9 → Rank 10
The following choices can impact your relationship with this rank.
- We asked them to go ahead and cut the persimmon tree down.
- “But... why?” +3