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Hifumi Togo is a prodigy at shogi, a Japanese variation of the ancient game of chess. Rumor has it that the developers ofPersona 5 Royalconsidered making Hifumi a Phantom Thief at one point, but as it is she’s the Star confidant and can teach Joker some valuable tactical skills.
Hifumi isn’t as essential a confidant as others, since many players ofPersona 5 Royalcan get by without her tactics (and players of previousPersonagames had to get by without them as well). Still, some of them can come in handy during boss fights or when encountering Savage Shadows. Overall, players should definitely spend some time to see what she has to offer.
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General Information
The Star card in the Tarot deckdepicts a female figure by the ocean at night, and she pours water from one jug into the sea while she pours water from a second jug onto the land or into her mouth. In readings, the Star represents hope, inspiration, and a good life balance, while the reverse Star indicates disappointment, stubbornness, and imbalance.
Hifumi spends her evenings in the church in Kanda, which unlocks when Yusuke mentions her in a text message. She’s available for ranking events and hangouts onMonday,Wednesday, andSaturday, and since most of her events take place inside she’s a good confidant to visit on rainy days.
Like most confidants, Joker can spend time with Hifumi to get enough relationship points to rank up. He can bring her to certain hangout spots in Tokyo, but only if he knows about them and only in a certain order. Hifumi’s second hangout location is Jinbocho, and taking her here will give players theKing Pieceroom decoration. Joker can alsogive Hifumi gifts during hangouts, and she most prefers theHeart Ring,Luxury Aroma Set,Book Cover,Sakura Fan, andBath of Roses.
Hifumi is a potential love interest, and Joker can spend time with her in Hawaii if players haven’t yet completed her friendship path. During this event, Hifumi gives Joker aHonu Charm, an accessory that gives the holder Evade Curse. If players complete her romance path, they can invite her out on Christmas Eve, and her gift to Joker is a pair ofGloves. In New Game Plus runs, this item will give players more relationship points from the same-Arcana bonus. Joker can also getHifumi’s Chocolateon Valentine’s Day (an item that restores one ally’s SP to full) and go on a date with her on White Day.
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Rank 1
Joker first hears about Hifumi on 6/25, butonly if his rank with Yusuke is 2 or higher. If it is, Yusuke will tell Joker about a girl at his school known for her shogi skills, and suggests meeting her in the church in Kanda. If players haven’t advanced the Emperor confidant far enough, Yusuke will make his suggestion as soon as he reaches rank 2.
Next,Joker must haveCharm 3 (Suave)to get Hifumi’s attention. Once he does, the rank 1 Star event will begin and Joker will ask Hifumi for shogi lessons. The main reward for this rank isKoma Sabaki, which lets Joker use his turn to swap one active party member with a backup member. Joker also gets asmall Knowledge boostfrom the shogi lessons.
Players should also make sure they have a Star Persona in stock for this event. While most of the dialog in this event has no effect, the last choicecan give players some early relationship points. Note that all the numbers in this guide assume players have a matching Persona.
Rank 2
During this event, Hifumi demonstrates the unusual way she invests herself into her shogi matches.
Joker getsanothersmall Knowledge boostfrom this rank.
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Rank 3
Hifumi has a fandom interested in more than just her shogi skills, but she puts up with it for her mother’s sake.
Along with anothersmall Knowledge boost, this rank grants the abilityUchikomi. Backup party members will sometimes ask fora special gun-based follow-up attackthat’s unique to each character.
Rank 4
Hifumi asks Joker to come with her to Jinbocho,which can unlock this location. Since it takes place outside, this rank is unavailable on rainy days.
No shogi lessons during this event, so no Knowledge boost.
Rank 5
Joker has a chance to meet Hifumi’s mother, who seems to be micromanaging her daughter’s career.
Joker gets anothersmall Knowledge boostalong withKakoi Kuzushi. Joker can now attempt to escape a battle even if the party starts out Surrounded.
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Rank 6
Joker meets Hifumi at the Skytree, and they talk about how much she puts up with for the sake of her family.This event can unlock Asakusa, and while it takes place indoors it’s unavailable on rainy days.
This rank comes with asmall Knowledge boost.
Rank 7
Hifumi has an exhibition match against a professional shogi player, and she’s both nervous and excited about it.
The rank’s rewards are asmall Knowledge boostandNarikin. If the party can ambush a Shadow and defeat the enemy in a single round, the yen reward for the battle will double.
Request
The next time Joker meets up with Hifumi, she tells him that her mother asked her to throw the match against the pro and become more of an idol than a shogi player.
This event unlocksthe Mementos request “Upstaging the Stage Mother.“Players will find Hifumi’s mother in Akzeriyyuth Area 6, and her Shadow is Lilim. The Shadow resists most magic elements, but she’s weak to Bless, and the item she drops is aBead Chain.
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Rank 8
After her change of heart, Hifumi’s mother confesses to fixing most of her previous matches. Still, Hifumi plans on sharing the truth and going ahead with the exhibition match.
Rank 9
Hifumi loses her match as expected, but with her dignity intact. Note that the first dialog option takes place before leaving the church.
If players are on the friendship path:
If players are on the romance path:
The rank 9 reward isTouryou. This ability lets the party escape a battle immediately instead of after a delay.
Rank 10
The location of the rank 10 event depends on which path players are on. On either path, Hifumi explains that she plans on rebuilding her shogi rank honestly. Relationship points don’t matter at this rank, but players can get a better response from Hifumi by choosing2 or 3for the first response on either path.
The final reward is theTogo System. Players can now swap out party members on any character’s turn, but they can only swap out the active character and this will use up their turn. Joker also gets access toLucifer, the final Star Persona andone of the best Personas in the game.
On 3/19, players can speak to a maxed-out Hifumi to get aKosha Piece. Bringing this iteminto a New Game Plus runwill give players Touryou immediately after reestablishing the Star confidant.
Persona 5 Royalis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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