Following their introduction in the previous game, Persona 4 solidified Social Links as a major part of the series. Social Links connect the Persona collecting elements of the game and its combat system with its social simulation side and the franchise's strong tarot motif, encouraging players to spend time getting to know their party members and other NPCs. Persona 4 refines the mechanics introduced in Persona 3, removing jealousy, automatic romances, and (with two exceptions) the potential to reverse or break Social Links.

The game also adds incentives to complete party member Social Links by allowing them to learn battle abilities and (in Golden) additional skills that make them move versatile in combat. Maxing out a party member's Social Link will cause their Persona to take on a stronger awakened form and allow players to unlock their ultimate Persona near the end of the game. Persona 4 Golden also introduces two Social Links not available in the original game: Jester and Aeon. P4's Social Links are generally easier to navigate than Persona 3's, with many starting automatically. However, some of the non-automatic ones are a bit more complicated to get started.

Persona 3 Portable Social Link Summary

Italics indicates Social Links that rank up through story progression

* indicates Social Links that start automatically

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Fool: Investigation Team

Like in other Persona games, the Fool Arcana represents the main character and their journey. In this case, that's the Investigation Team and their quest to uncover who is behind the Inaba murders. This Social Link kicks off automatically on April 17 and ranks up through story progression, usually when the team adds a new member or makes major progress in solving the case.

Magician: Yosuke Hanamura

The very first Social Link Persona 4 Golden players will unlock is party member Yosuke Hanamura on April 16. After that, players will be able to spend time with Yosuke to rank up. Like other characters, Yosuke's availability will change when there's a dungeon in the Midnight Channel to complete, but he's typically available every day except Wednesdays provided it's not raining. He can be found on the second floor of Yasogami High School, down the hall from the protagonist's classroom; when school is closed, he'll be near the elevators at Junes.

Priestess: Yukiko Amagi

Another Social Link that starts automatically is Yukiko Amagi, on May 17. After starting the Priestess Social Link, she will be available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays when it isn't raining. Yukiko can be found on the first floor of the school by the bulletin board or outside the bookstore on days off.

Empress: Margaret

This game's Velvet Room attendant also serves as the Empress. Players can start Margaret's Social Link as early as May 3, though they'll need at least rank 3 Knowledge. Completing this Social Link requires players to bring Margaret specific Personas with certain abilities, which require increasingly complicated fusions or use of skill cards to obtain. Because this doesn't cause time to pass, players can rank up multiple times in one day; just leave and reenter the Velvet Room to get Margaret to notice subsequent fusions. Those planning to replay the game on New Game+ should also be sure to save the requested versions of Personas to the Compendium to make things easier on subsequent playthroughs.

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Emperor: Kanji Tatsumi

Kanji Tatsumi is by far the party member whose Social link is easiest to miss. Unlike most of the Investigation Team, the Emperor Social Link doesn't start automatically. Starting on June 9, players will sometimes be able to find a female student on the second floor of the classroom building, near the stairs. When spoken to, she'll mention a rumor about Kanji bullying students. Then, go confront Kanji on the first floor of the Practice Building and, when the option comes up, say "Yes I do."

Once unlocked, players can hang on with Kanji on non-rainy Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. He'll either be in the Practice Building or outside his family's store in the northern part of the Shopping District.

Hierophant: Ryotaro Dojima

The protagonist's uncle and guardian for the year, Ryotaro Dojima represents the Hierophant Arcana. His Social Link can be started as early as May 6 by speaking to him when he's at home. Since you won't be able to leave the house while he's there until getting an evening part-time job, be sure to keep a Hierophant Persona on you to maximize your time. Dojima is available most nights, with his availability increasing after finishing the current story dungeon. Maxing out the Hierophant requires players increase their Expression, and the last day to complete the Social Link is Nov. 3.

Lovers: Rise Kujikawa

Party member Rise Kujikawa's Social Link is another one that players can't miss, as it kicks off automatically on July 27. After that, you can spend time with her on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. She'll be on 1F of the Classroom Building on school days and in the South Shopping District on days off. Rise is also unique among Persona 4's love interests in that the player must decide whether to romance her at Rank 8, not Rank 9.

Chariot: Chie Satonaka

Another party member whose Social Link starts automatically, Chie Satonaka's Chariot starts on April 18. She's typically available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays when it's not raining. On school days, she'll be on the school roof, and on days off, she'll be in the South Shopping District, standing outside Daidara Metalworks.

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Justice: Nanako Dojima

Fan-favorite character Nanako Dojima represents the Justice Arcana. Her Social Link starts automatically on May 3, after which you'll be able to spend time with her at home on most nights so long as Dojima isn't also there. You'll also need to increase your Expression to reach higher levels of her Social Link, with Rank 6 requiring the stat to be maxed out. There's also a deadline of Oct. 31 to finish this Social Link, so be sure to spend plenty of time with Nanako before then.

Hermit: Fox

Persona 4 Golden's Hermit Social Link is one of the most unique in the entire series. Rather than spending time with the Fox that lives at Tatsuhime Shrine, this Social Link requires players complete specific side-quests to rank up. Picking up a new request won't cause time to pass, but reporting a success will. Since you can visit the Shrine any day, it's good to wait to a rainy day when other Social Links aren't available to report back to the Fox.

The Hermit starts automatically on May 5, after which point the Fox will come to the TV World with you and can heal the party at the entrance or at random places within dungeons. This service is quite expensive, starting out at 60 Yen for 1SP; each rank reduces the amount of Yen it costs, falling to 15 Yen for 1 SP at max rank. This make the Hermit Social Link vital for players who like to complete dungeons in a single day, especially as the dungeons get longer and the party gains stronger skills that require more SP.

Fortune: Naoto Shirogane

The final party Social Link is Naoto Shirogane's Fortune. Players can talk to Naoto starting on Oct. 21, though they'll need max Knowledge and Courage. You'll have to help her out first by talking to a man wearing a suit in the Central Shopping District and getting a White Card. Then, return to Naoto to reach Rank 1.

Since this is pretty late in the game, there isn't that much time to rank up Fortune; luckily, Naoto is available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays so long as it's not raining. You'll find her either on Classroom Building 1F or at Samegawa Flood Plain by the park. Note that this is one of the only Social Links in Persona 4 that can reverse; just don't tell Naoto "You're on your own" at Rank 5.

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Strength: Kou Ichijo and Daisuke Nagase

Persona 4 has a couple of Social Links tied to school clubs with characters that vary based on which club you decide to join. The first of these is Strength, which lets players befriend Kou Ichijo and Daisuke Nagase. Both play a role regardless of which club you pick, but Kou is the focus if you pick Basketball, while Daisuke plays a larger role if you play Soccer. Kou's route requires fewer points to rank up and arguably has a more interesting storyline, but choosing Daisuke makes it easier to get easily missable books.

To join a Sports Club, go to the Faculty Office on or after April 19 to unlock school clubs. From there, head to Classroom Building 1F and pick Basketball or Soccer. Regardless of which you pick, the Strength Social Link is available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays when it's not raining.

Hanged Man: Naoki Konishi

One of Persona 4's most tragic Social Links is that of the Hanged Man, Naoki Konishi. The first step to unlocking the Hanged Man Arcana takes place automatically on June 8 when Mr. Morooka signs you up to work with the Student Health Association. After meeting Naoki, the younger brother of murder victim Saki, he'll have some harsh words for you due to your association with Yosuke. However, he'll eventually open up to you if you talk to him two more times on Classroom Building 1F. You'll need rank 3 Understanding to actually start the Social Link, but once you have, Naoki will be available on weekdays in the school or on the northern end of the Shopping District outside his family's liquor store.

Death: Hisano Kuroda

The Death Arcana, represented by old lady Hisano Kuroda, is one of the easiest Social Links to complete, as none of your choices during each rank up conversation matter. Ranks 3, 4, and 6 are the only ones where having a Death Persona even makes a difference. The only challenge players may encounter is at ranks 7 and 8, which each require a visit to Daidara Metalworks to obtain some letters.

To meet Hisano, you'll first need to get a part-time job as a hospital janitor (which requires rank 3 Diligence) and reach Rank 4 of the Devil Social Link. After that, go to the Riverbank of the Samegawa Flood Plain on any Sunday or holiday to start the Social Link and spend time with Hisano.

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Temperance: Eri Minami

Another Social Link tied to a part-time job is Temperance. By taking the daycare job on the Town Bulletin Board, players will get to know young mother Eri Minami when she comes to pick up her stepson, Yuuta. To start the Social Link, work at the daycare twice by going to the bus stop in the Shopping District on a Monday, Friday, or Saturday that it isn't raining. You'll earn Social Link points or rank up every time you attend this job, in addition to at least 4,000 yen and an increase in your Understanding stat.

Devil: Sayoko Uehara

Persona 4's Devil Social Link also requires players to work a part-time job, in this case, as a hospital janitor. To take the job, you'll need rank 3 Diligence. You can start the Social Link on May 25 at the earliest after working twice, at which point you'll connect with Nurse Sayoko Uehara. The hospital job is available on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights; it pays at least 1,500 yen (which increases as your Diligence goes up) and boosts your Courage stat.

Tower: Shu Nakajima

The final Social Link connected to a part-time job is the Tower, represented by middle school student Shu Nakajima. The tutoring job is available as early as May 25, but you'll need max Understanding to actually take it. Once you do, you'll be able to work Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings so long as it's not raining. The tutoring job increases your Knowledge and Expression (plus Diligence if you choose to tutor Shu in P.E.) and pays 10,000 yen.

Star: Teddie

Persona 4 mascot Teddie represents the Star Arcana. His Social Link starts on June 24 and ranks up automatically through story progression.

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Moon: Ai Ebihara

Moon Social Link Ai Ebihara is the game's most difficult to start and complete. First, players will have to reach Rank 4 of the Strength Arcana to meet Ai. Then, you'll need to talk to her on Classroom Building 1F after school. If you have rank 3 Courage, she'll ask you to skip class with her one day; accept the invitation to start her Social Link. Since this takes place during the school day, time won't pass the way it does with other Social Link events.

From there, you can meet up with Ai on non-rainy Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in the Classroom Building. There are a couple of places where you can reverse her Social Link -- or even break it. To avoid reversal, don't pick "That was downright cruel..." at Rank 3 or "Not gonna happen!" at Rank 5.

At Rank 6, the protagonist has to make a choice that drastically changes the rest of the Social Link. Telling Ai that you'll pretend to be her boyfriend here starts the "False Lovers" route and locks you out of actually starting a romance with her later on. Additionally, telling her "We need time apart" at Rank 9 of the "False Lovers" path will break the Social Link. Those looking to romance Ai or concerned about accidently losing the Moon Social Link should stick to the "Friends" route.

Sun: Yumi Ozawa or Ayane Matsunaga

The other Social Link tied to a school club is the Sun, represented by either Yumi Ozawa or Ayane Matsunaga. Unlike with Strength, the option you don't choose does not play a role in the story, and there aren't any major gameplay differences between the paths. You'll be able to join either the Drama (Yumi) or Music Club (Ayane) starting on April 25. After joining, they'll be available Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays after school, even when it's raining.

The biggest difference between the options are their respective storylines. Yumi's is arguably stronger (or at least more dramatic), while Ayane's is much lighter and likely more relatable for players. Personality-wise, Yumi is talented, but overbearing and dealing with some heavy things in her personal life; Ayane contrasts her in nearly every way, being quite timid but lacking in musical aptitude despite how much she longs to be a musician. Yumi's path also provides some opportunities to increase your Expression, while Ayane's has a couple chances to boost your Understanding.

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Judgment: Seekers of Truth

The final automatic Social Link is Judgment, represented by the party after deciding to uncover the culprit's motives. To do this (and avoid the bad ending), you'll need to pick specific options when dealing with the suspect on Dec. 3. There's a series of six choices, and getting any of them wrong will trigger the bad ending; just don't throw the suspect into the TV, acknowledge that you're missing some information about their true feelings, try to convince the others to keep questioning the case, and tell everyone to "Calm the hell down!" Doing this will max out the Fool and start Judgment.

Jester: Tohru Adachi

One of the biggest additions to Persona 4 Golden is a new Social Link for your uncle's partner on the force, the Jester Tohru Adachi. Players can start this Social Link as early as May 13 by talking to Adachi at Junes after Dojima tells you to make sure he isn't slacking off. There are a couple of factors that make the Jester Social Link unique. First, you'll only be able to reach Rank 6 through traditional means; if you get there by the Nov. 1 deadline, the rest will happen automatically depending on which choices you make. Missing the deadline locks you out of the Social Link and one of the ending options.

Adachi's Social Link is the only one that takes place at different times depending on the Rank -- Ranks 1, 2, and 6 take place during the day after talking, while Ranks 3, 4, and 5 are only available at night. He can also be hard to find. He'll either be at Junes (during the day) or by the gas station at the Central Shopping District (at night), but he's only available on specific days so long as there isn't a victim in the TV World.

Aeon: Marie

The second of Golden's added Social Links, the Aeon Arcana represents new character Marie. Getting to know this mysterious resident of the Velvet Room is vital for those who want to experience all Persona 4 Golden has to offer. Just like Persona 5 Royal's Councillor Social Link, players who reach Rank 10 with Marie by Dec. 23 will unlock a bonus dungeon not available in the original game.

Players can start Marie's Social Link as early as April 18 by visiting the Velvet Room during the day and selecting "Check on Dwellers" and "Listen to Marie's request." After this, players will be able to find Marie standing outside the Velvet Room door in the Central Shopping District pretty much any non-rainy day when the player isn't in the middle of an investigation. Just be sure not to enter the Velvet Room if you plan to talk to her, as doing so will cause her to go inside for the rest of the day.