Munehisa Iwai is the owner and clerk of the airsoft shop Untouchable, and players of Persona 5 Royal will get to know him very well over the course of the game. Not only does Iwai sell all the melee weapons, guns, and protectors players need to fight Shadows, he also buys all the loot players gather with no questions asked.
However, unlike previous Persona games, the weapon merchant is also a potential confidant. The opportunity to befriend him comes in early May, but thanks to a high social stat requirement it may take a first-time player much longer to establish the confidant. This guide will explain how to navigate Iwai's events quickly and why the weapons dealer is an important connection to make in Persona 5 Royal.
General Information
The Hanged Man in the Tarot deck is usually depicted as a man hanging upside-down with one foot caught in a rope. In readings, the card can refer to a period of transition, a renunciation of the old to begin something new, or a sacrifice for the sake of someone else.
Players will find Iwai in his shop both day and night, but he's only available for ranking events and hangouts on Saturday, Sunday, and most Holidays, and only at night. If players don't have enough relationship points for the next ranking event, they can hang out with Iwai in his shop or go out together. The first hangout spot is Inokashira Park, and by going there with Iwai players can get the Swan Boat room decoration. As for gifts, Iwai prefers the Silver Bangle, Snack Pack, 48-Sided 3D Puzzle, Robot Vacuum, and Electric Toothbrush.
Rank 1
In early May, Iwai will ask Joker to hang onto a special item for him just before a couple plainclothes detectives show up to hassle him. Joker can ask Iwai about what's in the bag on any evening to start the Hanged Man confidant, but only once he has Guts 4 (Dauntless). The first day players can do so is 5/6, but unless players are on a New Game Plus run they probably won't have enough Guts until much later in the game.
Most of the dialog choices during the first event don't matter, but the last one can give Joker a few relationship points to start with.
- Leave it to me. 2
- As long as it's safe... 2
- So what's my first job? 3
The numbers listed in this guide assume players have a Hanged Man Persona in stock to get the same-Arcana bonus. The reward for starting this confidant is Starter Customization, which means players can now attach custom parts to their airsoft guns to add either a little more damage or a little more accuracy.
Rank 2
For Joker's first official job, Iwai has him listen in on a "business partner" when Iwai leaves to answer a fake call.
- Maybe I should call him. 0
- Iwai seems sick. 0
Players can avoid calling Iwai twice, but then the game will force Joker to make the call. After that:
- Nothing in particular. 0
- I was daydreaming, sorry. 0
- Who was that guy? 0
- What should I do now? 2
- How's your cold? 2
This rank doesn't unlock an ability, but for working with Iwai Joker gets a medium Proficiency boost.
Rank 3
At this point, Iwai admits to being former yakuza, but then someone unexpected appears.
- I know how that feels. 0
- Is it seriously that hard? 0
- I always knew you were a thug. 3
- Oh. I, uh... Have to go. 0
- Y-Yakuza!? 2
- Not really. 0
- No, I like that stuff. 0
- We made a deal, didn't we? 3
- Is that one of your customers? 0
- Why are you being so mean? 0
The rank 3 reward is Camo Customization. Players can now attach special parts to guns that add a good chance of inflicting a status ailment, but this part also lowers the max ammunition and damage and each party member only gets access to certain ailments. This rank also comes with a medium Proficiency boost.
Rank 4
While Joker meets with a homeless person, a man named Tsuda shows up to intimidate Iwai and insist on a deal for realistic-looking guns. The event partly takes place outside, so it's not available if it's raining.
- Iwai. 0
- I can't tell you. 0
- It's none of your business. 0
- What was that about? 0
- So that was Tsuda? 0
- What did he mean, "sell" him? 0
- The Hong Kong mafia. 0
- A 100 million yen deal. 0
- Give it your all. 0
- You two should play nice. 2
- Where's my reward? 3
- I agree. 2
- Is that a threat? 0
- What's the issue? 0
After this event, Joker will get another medium Proficiency boost.
Rank 5
For this event, Iwai takes Joker aside and explains how he came to be Kaoru's father.
- Why not? 0
- You shouldn't lie to your son. 0
- You're so kind, Iwai. 0
- You're pathetic. 3
- You should call the cops. 0
- That's right. 2
- Don't make assumptions. 0
- I'll stick around for the guns. 3
- You're right. 2
- Is it really all for Kaoru? 0
- Well, you got this. 0
This event provides another medium Proficiency boost and a Discount. From now on, the cost of gun customization is half off. Sadly, this discount doesn't extend to new purchases.
Rank 6
At Iwai's insistence, Joker spends the evening getting to know Kaoru.
- Why would he say that? 0
- No, nothing even close. 0
- He definitely does. 0
- You should ask him. 0
- Our futures. 2
- Girls. 3
- That's a secret. 3
- Right. 2
- You should tell him, Iwai. 0
- You should buy us something. 3
- He's my age, so it comes easier. 2
- All I did was listen to him. 2
- It's part of the job. 0
Unfortunately, spending time with Kaoru means Joker doesn't get a Proficiency boost for this rank.
Rank 7
Iwai figures he has Tsuda over a barrel, but he plans on confronting his former comrade before he blabs to his old mob family.
- Not at all. 0
- Absolutely. 3
- I guess he likes guns? 2
- That's horrible. 0
- He's clever. 3
- What a crafty bastard. 2
- Is Tsuda seriously dangerous? 0
- Are you going alone? 0
- Bring it on. 2
- I'm worried... 0
- So what's our first move? 0
No Proficiency boost at this rank, either, but Joker does get access to Expert Customization. This adds new items to the customization menu that can add more accuracy or more power than the starter options, but at the cost of the gun's other stat.
Request
To start this event, Joker must have Guts 5 (Lionhearted). Iwai confronts Tsuda in the underpass, but things don't go well.
- It most definitely was. 2
- I did it all for Iwai. 3
- Actually, it's been fun. 0
- I will. 2
- I want to help you. 2
- I can't. 0
- What's his full name? 0
- Tell me his name. 0
To continue this confidant, players must complete the Mementos request "Shady Deal in the Shadows." Tsuda's Shadow is on Kaitul Area 4, and it transforms into Belphegor. This Shadow has no weaknesses, and it nulls Curse and drains Ice damage. Once defeated, players will get a Weird Wrap, a gender-neutral protector.
Rank 8
With his heart changed, Tsuda backs off from Iwai and things go back to normal.
- It's not impossible. 0
- I dunno. 2
- He's matured. 0
- I'm back, baby. 2
- I guess I could consider it. 3
- If you pay me well. 3
- Understood. 2
- You worry too much. 0
- Now let's catch him off-guard. 0
This rank's reward is a large Proficiency boost.
Rank 9
Masa, the man from the rank 2 event, shows back up and abducts Kaoru. This event can unlock the Seaside Park location, and it won't be available if it's raining.
- That's great news. 2
- I feel bad for him. 0
- Are you sure he's still alive? 3
- Who's Masa? 0
- Will Kaoru be okay? 0
- We should hurry. 0
- Let's close up shop. 0
- What's your goal here, Masa? 0
- Cut the BS. 0
- Tell him the truth. 3
- You need to trust your son. 3
- Kaoru is really strong-willed. 3
- He gets that maturity from you. 2
- He's a cool kid, huh? 3
- Like father, like son. 2
- Gecko bonds go beyond blood. 2
- Why not newts? 0
Rank 10
The conflict is over, so the final rank event is just Iwai and Kaoru thanking Joker for everything. Relationship points no longer matter, but the best dialog options are 2 or 3, any, and 3. The final reward is On the House, which means players can customize their guns for free. Joker also gets one last medium Proficiency boost and access to Attis, the ultimate Hanged Man Persona.
Players who stop by Untouchable on 3/19 will get a Gecko Pin from a max-rank Iwai. This will give players access to every customization option (but not the discounts) the moment they reestablish the Hanged Man confidant in a New Game Plus run.
Persona 5 Royal is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.