Ryuji Sakamoto is one of the founding members of the Phantom Thieves, and so his story is one of the first that players can experience in Persona 5 Royal. Players should focus on getting his rank up quickly, too, because he has one of the best abilities Joker can get for gaining EXP.
However, to avoid wasting too much time, players should know which responses during ranking events will provide the most relationship points. This Persona 5 Royal guide will point out what to say during each event, and what players can expect from reaching each rank.
General Information
The Chariot Arcana in the Tarot deck depicts two horses (or other animals) of different colors harnessed to the same chariot. The card's meanings include motion and energy, but they also include conflicting viewpoints and competition, and one reverse meaning is "failure at the last hurdle." All of these are reasons why the former track star Ryuji is the Chariot confidant. Ryuji's Persona is Captain Kidd, a 17th century privateer whose legend far outgrew his real-world exploits.
Ryuji is available for hangouts and rank events on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. On school days he hangs out in the hall just outside of Joker's classroom, and on days off (or when Joker can't go to school) Ryuji spends his time at the Shibuya arcade. Most of Ryuji's events take place during the day, but half of them are outdoors, and so Ryuji often won't be available when it's raining.
Ryuji isn't very good at studying, and so he asks for Joker's help on the evenings of 5/10, 7/12, and 10/16. Ryuji will also ask Joker to hang out during days off, going to Harajuku on 5/29 and Ichigaya on 7/3. During summer vacation Ryuji will show up at Leblanc on 7/28, 8/3, and 8/13, and he'll ask Joker to go see a movie together on 5/29.
Joker can also ask Ryuji to hang out, but only if Joker needs more relationship points to reach a new rank or after Ryuji has hit rank 10. Going together to Ogikubo will give players the Ramen Bowl room decoration, and going to Nakano will give players the Featherman Dolls. Ryuji's favorite gifts are the Silver Bangle, Snack Pack, Cup Noodle Set, Wrist Weights, Sports Sunglasses, Robot Vacuum, and Katana Keychain.
Ryuji has no romance route, but players can still hang out with him during the Hawaii free time event and the post-festival party on 10/26. The first event has no item, but spending time with Ryuji at the festival will give players a Ryuji Dog, a consumable that gives 100 SP to an ally. Players can also spend time with Ryuji on Valentine's Day to get Ryuji's Chocolate, but the item only restores 10 SP.
Chariot rank 1 happens automatically on 4/12, but after that players will have to seek Ryuji out when he's available. Players can improve Ryuji's rank as early as April, but only after defeating Kamoshida.
Rank 2
For the rank 2 event, Ryuji will drag Joker into the school courtyard for some physical training. At the same time, he'll explain how things ended for him with the track team. Courtyard events can't take place on rainy days, but they can take place on days off.
- I'm counting on you. 3
- You seem pretty excited. 3
- ...Help with what? 2
- What about them? 0
- And then you punched him? 0
- Do you want to go back? 2
- Do you regret it? 2
- You're already fast enough. 2
- Are your legs okay? 2
- It's never too late, man. 2
All the numbers listed assume that players have a Chariot Persona in their stock during the event. The rank 2 reward is Punk Talk, which lets Ryuji give Joker another chance to convince an Upbeat Shadow to join him.
Rank 3
The training continues during rank 3, but the former track team shows up to chase Ryuji and Joker off. This event also won't trigger on rainy days.
- Let's not fight. 2
- Want to train with us? 0
- It's nice to meet you. 0
- Calm down, Ryuji. 3
- Just endure it. 2
- I'll shut them up. 0
- I can't exactly blame you. 2
- Violence is not the answer. 0
- Yeah, that'd be best. 0
This rank gives Ryuji Follow Up. After Joker's turn, Ryuji has a chance to ask for a follow-up attack that will deal an automatic critical to one foe.
Rank 4
After a hard day of training, Ryuji and Joker have a deep conversation over ramen. This event can unlock the Tokyo destination of Ogikubo.
- Nakaoka? 0
- Are you worried about him? 2
- Just leave him be. 0
- But you're doing great. 3
- It's not so bad. 2
- I know how you feel. 3
This rank gives Joker Stealth Dash. When Joker is dashing, he's harder for Shadows to see than when he's running normally.
Rank 5
This rank isn't available until 5/6. Ryuji takes Joker to the gym in Shibuya, and after this event Joker can visit the gym on his own to improve his HP.
- A towel? 2
- Protein powder? 3
- You seem conflicted. 2
- Do you want to rejoin? 2
- You're done with them, right? 0
- So he's short? 2
- So he's an asshole? 3
- Don't worry. I gotcha. 2
- I haven't agreed to anything. 0
- Fine, but you're buying ramen. 0
Rank 6
This is another courtyard event, so it can't take place on rainy days. The track team is back together, but they're turning against each other thanks to Yamauchi, their shady new coach.
- Let's stay here. 2
- How about Protein Lovers? 2
- We can train at my place. 3
- You guys should trust Nakaoka. 3
- This is no time for arguing. 3
- Absolutely. 3
- More or less. 3
- Not in the slightest. 0
- I don't get it. 0
- Can you explain that? 0
- ...Huh? 0
- I really don't understand. 0
- Sounds like you two were close. 0
- Just like you. 0
- So he should've punched back? 2
Ryuji's reward for this rank is Harisen Recovery. When his turn starts, Ryuji has a chance to end a status ailment affecting an ally.
Rank 7
This is a special rank event that will only take place at night, and only on Wednesdays and Fridays. Ryuji will ask Joker to snoop on Yamauchi, and since he doesn't hang out anywhere at night the only way to start this event is to respond to Ryuji's text message. On the bright side, this event can take place when it's raining and can unlock the location Tsukishima.
- Should we change his heart? 0
- Let's talk to Takeishi. 3
- I think it's cool, Ryuji. 3
- Wait, what? 2
- Never know until you try. 2
- It's out of our hands. 0
- We'll use force if we have to. 0
The reward for this rank is one of the best confidant abilities in the game: Insta-kill. If Joker is ten levels higher than a Shadow (the Shadow will glow green using Third Eye), then dashing into it will defeat the Shadow instantly, giving the player all the yen, items, and EXP that a real battle would deliver. On top of that, one of the Shadows will enter Joker's stock if he has an open space. This makes grinding much, much faster, and there's no cost in HP or SP.
Rank 8
Armed with a recording of Yamauchi, Ryuji warns the track team about their new coach. Once again, the event takes place in the courtyard, so it can't be raining.
- What if they start fighting? 0
- I doubt they'll believe you. 0
- Things turned out for the best. 3
- You deserved it. 3
- All I did was watch. 3
- Are you gonna pay me back? 2
- But I was just standing here... 2
- You weren't cool though. 3
- You did a great job. 0
- So. Case closed? 2
- We make a good team too. 0
Rank 8 gives Ryuji the Endure ability. If he would take a lethal blow, he will instead survive with 1 HP.
Rank 9
Ryuji must have liked the monja in Tsukishima, because he heads back with Joker to discuss the track team.
- Are you satisfied now? 3
- Not running? 2
- What did you say? 2
- Do you have any time for that? 2
- Don't do it. 3
- You're right. 3
- I never realized that. 3
- I agree. 2
- Be more specific. 0
- And where is this place? 0
- Congratulations. 2
- Got him under control, how? 0
- Better watch out for them. 2
Ryuji's rank 9 skill is Protect. If Joker would take a lethal blow from a single-target attack, Ryuji has a chance to jump in the way and take the hit instead.
Rank 10
The last event returns to the ramen shop in Ogikubo. Relationship points don't matter when this event begins, but curious players should know that Ryuji prefers the response "We can't lose either."
By maxing out the Chariot confidant, Ryuji gets a Second Awakening. Captain Kidd becomes Seiten Taisei, better known to English speakers as the Monkey King, the godlike protagonist of the story Journey to the West. Seiten Taisei nulls Electricity damage and is strong to Fire, and he gets the skill Evade Wind. At the same time, Joker gets access to Chi You, the ultimate Chariot Persona.
Rank 11
If players reach Chariot 10 and unlock the third semester, Ryuji will ask Joker to talk in his room. This discussion doesn't count as a new rank, but it does give Ryuji a Third Awakening. His Persona evolves into William, which is the first name of Captain Kidd. His trait becomes Eccentric Temper, which occasionally boosts Physical skills by 80 percent instead of 40 percent, and he gets the skill Fighting Spirit. This skill will give every ally the effects of Charge.
Even without the third semester, players who max out Ryuji's confidant rank can get a Sports Watch on 3/19. During a New Game Plus run, players with this item will get Ryuji's Stealth Dash and Harisen Recovery abilities once the Chariot confidant is reestablished.
Persona 5 Royal is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.