Ann Takamaki is the last of the founding members of the Phantom Thieves in Persona 5 Royal. She only discovers the Metaverse because of an accident, but once her Persona awakens she becomes one of the most enthusiastic Thieves.
However, while Ann is happy to take part in Palace infiltrations, her Lovers confidant won't rank up automatically like Morgana, and players have to choose to spend time with her to see her story. This guide will help players learn which responses provide the most relationship points and what abilities they'll get for completing her story in Persona 5 Royal.
General Information
The Lovers Arcana in the Tarot deck represents love and romance, but also beauty and optimism. Its reverse represents difficulties in relationships, and so Ann represents the card both by being a model and by having a troubled friendship with Shiho. Her Persona is Carmen, the femme fatale who stars in the opera of the same name.
For her second rank event, players will find Ann in Joker's classroom after school. After that, she spends her days hanging out in the Shibuya Underground Mall in the southeast hallway on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Since this is an indoor spot, Ann will show up whether or not it's raining, but many of her events take place outdoors and won't be available if the weather is bad.
Ann will invite Joker to study together on the evenings of 5/9 and 7/11, and she'll ask him to see a movie together on 7/17. Ann will also invite Joker for a daytime hangout on 8/6 at Meiji Shrine, but players might not see it if Ann or the Death confidant have already reached the friendship end, or if players haven't finished Futaba's Palace yet.
Joker can also invite Ann out if players don't have enough points to see the next ranking event yet, or if players have reached rank 10. Bringing Ann to the buffet in Shibuya will give players the Choco Fountain room decoration, and taking her to Harajuku will give players the Idol Poster. Her favorite gifts are the Heart Ring, Uji Matcha Flan, Truffles, Castella, Bath of Roses, and Face Beautifier.
If players haven't chosen the friendship path of rank 9 with Ann, Joker can spend time with her during the Hawaii free time event. Ann will give Joker Menehune Dolls, an accessory that boosts max SP by 20 percent. Non-friends can also hang out with Ann at the post-festival party on 10/26 and get Ann Cream Puffs, a consumable that restores 100 SP for one ally.
Players who reach the romance ending of Ann's story can invite her to spend Christmas Eve together, and her present is Earmuffs. In a New Game Plus, this item will give players a bigger same-Arcana bonus when spending time with Ann. Spending time with Ann on Valentine's Day will give Joker Ann's Chocolate, an item that restores all of an ally's SP, and Joker can go on a date with her on White Day.
Rank 1 happens automatically on 4/15, so this guide will begin with rank 2.
Rank 2
To start this event, players will need to speak with Ann in the classroom and have Kindness 2 (Considerate). Also, Ann is busy watching over Shiho in April, so she won't be available for events until after Kamoshida's confession. Once she's ready, Joker will take her to the Shibuya diner and talk about Shiho's condition.
- Are you feeling better now? 3
- She's so strong. 3
- So are you friends again? 2
- You can't blame yourself. 2
- You might be right. 3
- Kamoshida had the upper hand. 2
- It was no big deal. 2
- I couldn't just ignore you. 3
- I'll help. 3
- Let's find it together. 3
- Of course. You're my teammate. 2
- Leave it to me. 2
- The no-refills thing again? 2
Note that these numbers assume players have a Lovers Persona in stock during these events. The reward for rank 2 is Girl Talk. If Ann is in the party and Joker fails to convince a female Shadow to join him, Ann will sometimes give him a second chance.
Rank 3
From this rank onward Ann hangs out in the Underground Mall. This rank can unlock the Inokashira Park location in Tokyo, but it isn't available if it's raining. For this event, Ann will take Joker to the park and ask him to help her "toughen up."
- How's that? 0
- You're amazing. 0
- What kind of stuff...? 0
- That's your training...? 0
- I don't get it... 0
- You're stupid. 0
- You're an airhead. 0
- You're...unique. 0
- You're a hard worker. 0
- That response was annoying. 0
- Can we stop yet? 0
- I like you. 2
- I love you. 2
- Can we stop yet? 3
- Listen to me. 0
- This won't help your heart. 0
- You're a genius... 0
- You're right. 0
- You finally get it. 0
- That's odd. 2
- Has that happened to you? 3
- Are you lonely? 0
- That freedom sounds nice. 2
- Could be. 2
- You're so self-conscious. 0
- Was she a child model? 0
The rank 3 reward is Follow Up. After Joker's turn, Ann has a chance to ask for a follow-up attack that will deal an automatic critical hit to every foe.
Rank 4
For this rank, Ann takes Joker back to Inokashira Park, so it also won't trigger if it's raining. Ann discusses her current modeling career, and her plans to become an actor in the future.
- I know what you mean. 3
- I'm not sure I follow. 0
- That comes down to you. 2
- That was mean of her. 2
- That's hilarious. 3
- Was she right? 0
- Tell me. 3
- I'm afraid to know. 2
- ...Who? 0
- Good idea. 3
- How exactly? 2
- That's not going to work. 0
- You haven't learned anything. 0
- Good luck with that. 3
- I train everyday. 2
- Not really. 0
- I carry Morgana in my bag. 2
At this rank, Ann learns Sexy Technique. If Ann is in the active party, she has a small but consistent chance to force a Shadow to lose their turn.
Rank 5
Once again, the rank event takes place outside and so it can't be raining. The event starts by searching for a present for Shiho, but then Ann gets called to a modeling session and meets her new rival, Mika.
- Maybe. 0
- Give it up. 2
- You're outmatched. 0
- She's amazing, huh... 2
- It had grace. 2
- She'd be a great phantom thief. 0
- So how do you do it? 0
- Tell me more. 0
- I figured that much. 0
- I mean, that's why it's "fake." 0
Ann's next ability is Crocodile Tears. If a Shadow takes someone hostage while Ann is in the active party, she can convince the Shadow to ask for less to give up the hostage.
Rank 6
Ann is back to talking about Shiho in the diner, so this event can take place on rainy days.
- It seems that way. 3
- That's such a simple solution. 0
- If it's a friend, yeah. 2
- How so? 0
- Was she working hard? 0
- Was she in pain? 0
- You're not weak. 0
- It's because you're kind. 0
- Comfort her. 3
- Listen to what she has to say. 2
- Show her your own strength. 3
- Someone's motivated. 2
- I'll cheer you on. 2
- You gonna be okay? 0
At rank 6, Ann gets Harisen Recovery. On her turn, Ann has a chance to end a status ailment on another party member.
Rank 7
Like rank 5, this event starts out in Central Street (which means it can't be raining) but goes to the Skytree and ends in the Underground Mall. This event can unlock the Asakusa location in Tokyo. The modeling event is a total setup by Mika, but Ann isn't even mad.
- It's a trap! 0
- She admires you. 2
- So she could show you up. 0
- Because you're a natural beauty. 0
- Cheer up. 0
- Please don't cry. 0
- You already are one. 0
- Go get 'em, tiger. 2
- What about your action movies...? 0
- You got this. 2
- Don't strain yourself. 0
- Trying to be like Mika? 0
Rank 8
Feeling a new dedication to her modeling career, Ann asks Ryuji and Joker to help her learn how to train.
- That's a lot of work... 0
- You have some real guts. 3
- You're beautiful as is. 2
- There's no doubt in my mind. 3
- I hope so. 3
- Good luck finding it. 3
- Good advice. 0
- You're so dumb, Ryuji... 0
- She'll be happy to hear that. 3
- I'm sure she already knows. 3
- That's probably it. 2
- I wonder. 0
- You can ask her yourself. 2
Her new confidant rank gives Ann Endure. If Ann would go down from an attack, she now has a chance to stay up with 1 HP.
Rank 9
Shiho is ready to go back to school, but she's transferring out of Shujin. Before then, she and Ann take one last look at the Shujin rooftop (which means it can't be raining).
- It's dangerous up here. 0
- Step away from the ledge. 0
- Why did you want to come up here? 0
- And? 0
- She's gone, isn't she? 0
- Hang in there. 3
- I believe in you, Ann. 3
- You have me. 0 (romance flag)
- You have the others. 0
If players choose the friendship option, the event ends. If they choose romance, it continues:
- You said "I love you." 0
- I didn't hear you. 0
- Of course. 2
- I'm yours forever. 3
- That's up to you. 0
Romance or not, for reaching rank 9 Ann gets Protect. If a single-target attack would kill Joker, Ann has a chance to dive in the way and take the hit.
Rank 10
Ann formalizes her rivalry with Mika, for her own sake and for Shiho. This event can unlock the Seaside Park location, but it can't be raining. Relationship points no longer matter, but players who still want the best results should choose 1 or 3 then 2 or 3 for the first two options of either path.
Ann's dedication gives her a Second Awakening, and Carmen becomes Hecate, the Greek goddess of crossroads and witchcraft. Hecate nulls Fire and resists Electricity, and she gets the skill Evade Ice. For maxing out the Lovers confidant, Joker gets access to Ishtar, the ultimate Lovers Persona.
Rank 11
If players max out Ann's confidant and unlock the third semester, she'll ask to speak to Joker in mid-January. This event isn't a real rank, but at the end of it Ann will get a Third Awakening. Hecate will become Célestine, the first singer who played Carmen and who helped shape the character. Ann's Mastery of Magic trait becomes Pinnacle of Magic, which raises the occasional SP discount on skills from 25 percent to 50 percent. She also gets High Energy, a skill that gives every party member the effects of Concentrate.
Rank 10 Ann will also give Joker the item Fashion Magazine on 3/19. By carrying this item into a New Game Plus, Ann will get Crocodile Tears and Sexy Technique immediately once Joker reestablishes the Lovers confidant.
Persona 5 Royal is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.