In Persona 5 Royal, Takuto Maruki is the school counselor whom the Shujin Academy principal hires in response to the Kamoshida incident. His character was created for the Royal rerelease, and so it's no surprise that he's closely tied to another new feature: the third semester.
Over the course of the regular game, Maruki will meet with each of the Phantom Thieves and give them a quick counseling session, Joker included. If players ignore this confidant, that will be the start and the end of things. However, if players want to get the most out of Persona 5 Royal, they should spend more time with Maruki.
General Information
As a bonus character, Maruki's Arcana is the Councilor, an alternative to the Magician found in the Spanish El Gran Tarot Esoterico deck. The card in the game depicts a sun with the face of a wise old man, and while figures on the ground below are begging the sun for help, figures in the clouds above are falling from the sky. Like the regular Magician, the Councilor can represent intelligence and flexible thinking but also deception and hubris.
Once Maruki's confidant events unlock, players can find him at school on the first floor of the practice building on Monday and Friday. He's only available during school days, so players won't see him during August, but he shows up more often in September, October, and November. The last day players can visit him is 11/17, so be sure to reach rank 9 by then. On the bright side, none of Maruki's ranks are affected by the weather.
Like other confidants, Joker can spend time with Maruki if players don't have enough relationship points to rank up yet. Joker can give Maruki a gift on these outings, and his favorites are the Silver Bangle, Omni-Vitamin, Fountain Pen, Mini Cactus, 48-Sided 3D Puzzle, Robot Vacuum, and Blaring Alarm Clock.
Ranks 1 and 2
Both the first and second rank of the Councilor confidant are given automatically on 5/13. The second rank features dialog options that provide relationship points, so players should try to stock a Councilor Persona on 5/10 to get the same-Arcana bonus. The numbers listed in this guide assume that players will have this bonus.
- Didn't have much choice. 0
- We made a deal. 2
- I'm a little nervous. 2
- It's in the past. 0
- I'm doing okay now. 0
- So much for my privacy. 0
- But it sounds right. 3
- Yep. 2
- Kinda creeping me out here. 0
- So...what? 0
- I'll need more details. 0
- Uh... 0
- Well, okay. 2
- Better make it worth it. 0
- Why me, though? 0
The rank 2 reward is Detox X. Sometimes when Joker is hit with an ailment, he will recover immediately. Joker also gets +5 SP and Non-Static Gum from the session.
Rank 3
During the next session, Maruki discusses the nature of emotional pain.
- So they have, huh? 2
- You worry too much. 0
- Thanks to you, probably. 2
- Of course. 2
- Yeah, for our deal. 2
- I forgot. 0
- When someone betrays me. 0
- When I lie. 0
- When I get punched. 0
- That one seems necessary. 2
- We'd be better off without it. 0
- It's a seed for new loves. 2
- Did that help? 2
- Don't worry about it. 2
- Good work over there. 2
- So you're actually working? 0
- Getting to your research now? 0
The next reward is Flow, which lets Joker sometimes start a combat with Concentrate and Charge active. He also gets another +5 SP and a Jagariko.
Rank 4
This time Maruki brings Joker to the courtyard to discuss how hard it is to treat emotional trauma.
- Where's this coming from? 0
- What are you talking about? 0
- I know, right...? 3
- It's not the worst. 0
- Talk about a reward. 2
- That'd be great. 2
- Is that possible? 0
- Is that what you're researching? 3
- ...... 0
- Are you okay? 0
- That's a grand plan. 2
- You're so kind. 2
- That sounds fun. 3
- I'm not the "free labor" type. 0
- Nope. 0
- I feel completely fine. 2
- It's part of our deal, so... 2
- I'm struggling, to be honest. 0
No new ability with this rank, but Joker still gets +5 SP and a Happy Pop.
Rank 5
Maruki brings out a basket of sweets and discusses the psychology of scarcity.
- This looks great! 3
- How old do you think I am? 0
- I could just take cash... 2
- The one-cookie container. 0 (the correct answer)
- The ten-cookie container. 0
- It was a tie. 0
- I never considered that. 0
- They're getting played. 2
- You know, you're right. 3
- My senses lied to me! 2
- Hey, as long as it tastes good. 2
- It's a little scary. 0
- Not "truth" exactly... 0
- I guess so. 2
- I don't know... 0
- I really don't mind. 2
- Come on, man. 0
- It was thought-provoking. 2
At rank 5, Joker gets Mindfulness. If Joker's SP is low at the start of his turn, he has a chance to restore some SP for free. This rank also provides +5 SP and a Donut-Worry.
Rank 6
Maruki asks to visit Joker's home and talks about the collective unconscious. This rank is unavailable until after 9/20 and the start of the Okumura arc.
- You wanted to talk? 0
- Another cup? 2
- We've got curry too. 2
- I can do that. 3
- It's a deal. 2
- I'm not up for this... 0
- Isn't that enough? 0
- You need more than that? 0
- So what CAN we do? 0
- It's a hard question... 0
- So give up. 2
- All hearts share some things. 0
- What if they're connected? 0
- Calm down. 0
- Where's this coming from? 0
- Cognitive psience? 0
- Calm down. 2
- What's going on? 2
- Heavy breathing? Pervert. 0
Rank 7
After the last conversation, Maruki has taken an interest in the Phantom Thieves. The counselor is feeling especially eager, so every choice gives max points. The rank rewards are Flow Boost, which increases the odds of Flow triggering, along with +5 SP and Phantom Wafers.
Rank 8
Maruki achieved a breakthrough in his research, so he takes Joker to the Shibuya buffet to celebrate.
- I'm good on cookies, thanks. 2
- What do you mean? 3
- Thanks, but I should get going. 0
- Ooh, really? 3
- Can you afford that? 2
- Sorry, I prefer sushi. 2
- Thanks for the food! 3
- Self-control much? 0
- This is quite the spread. 2
- I'm his pupil. 2
- It's complicated... 0
- We've made a deal. 3
- Congratulations. 3
- Way to go. 3
- I sure do. 3
- Let's celebrate. 3
- I don't care who pays. 0
- She a girlfriend of yours? 0
- Who's Rumi? 0
- Should I leave you two to talk? 0
- He's a good friend. 2
- Learn some independence. 0
- You'll get the tab next time. 0
Ranks 9 and 10
As previously mentioned, the last chance to get rank 9 is on 11/17. Rank 10 is automatic, and so relationship points no longer matter. However, players can get the best response by saying "Kind of sad..."
The rank 9 reward is Detox DX, which makes Detox X more likely to trigger. Joker also gets +5 SP and a Fulfiller.
The rank 10 event takes place on 11/18 if players have reached rank 9. The final ability is Wakefulness, which improves the SP recovery of Mindfulness. This rank also unlocks Vohu Manah, the final Councilor Persona, and it grants access to the third semester.
Unlike most confidants, Maruki doesn't have a New Game Plus item, but players may still end up seeing him on 3/19 if they max out his rank.
Persona 5 Royal is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.