Can You Date Your Teacher in Persona 5? A Deep Dive into the Kawakami Romance

Yes, in Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal, you absolutely can date your homeroom teacher, Sadayo Kawakami. This controversial romance option is one of the more complex and ethically questionable relationships available to Joker. It requires dedication and careful navigation of her confidant storyline, which weaves together themes of personal sacrifice, societal pressures, and unconventional bonds. While the game doesn’t shy away from presenting the inherent moral ambiguities, it allows players to make their own choices regarding this potentially taboo relationship. This deep dive explores the intricacies of romancing Kawakami, its consequences, and addresses common questions players have about this unique aspect of the game.

How to Romance Kawakami: A Step-by-Step Guide

Unlocking the romance with Kawakami isn’t as straightforward as with some other characters. It requires specific steps and careful time management:

1. Initiate the Maid Service Investigation: This happens automatically as the story progresses, involving Ryuji and Mishima’s curiosity about a certain maid service. This is a prerequisite to unlocking Kawakami as a confidant.

2. Use the Payphone at Cafe Leblanc: After the maid service investigation, use the yellow payphone at Cafe Leblanc at night to call Kawakami. It’s crucial to do this repeatedly. She’s available on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. In December, you can also call her on Mondays.

3. Raise her Confidant Rank: Continually calling Kawakami and spending time with her during her available slots will increase her confidant rank. You’ll need to prioritize her to unlock the romance option. Remember to bring a matching Persona of the Temperance Arcana for maximum effectiveness.

4. The Crucial Rank 9 Choice: When you reach Rank 9 in Kawakami’s confidant storyline, you will face a critical decision point. To unlock the romance, you MUST choose the dialogue option that expresses a desire to continue seeing her. Specifically, select “I want to keep seeing you” followed by “I mean what I say.”

5. Complete Rank 10: After solidifying the romantic relationship at Rank 9, continue calling Kawakami and fulfilling her requirements to reach Rank 10 and complete her confidant storyline.

Kawakami: Ethical Considerations and Character Depth

The relationship with Kawakami raises significant ethical concerns due to the power imbalance between teacher and student, and the age gap. The game acknowledges this, forcing players to consider the implications of their actions. Kawakami’s backstory reveals her motivations for working as a maid and the burdens she carries, adding depth to her character and making her far more than just a stereotypical older woman. Her arc revolves around overcoming past trauma and finding solace and support in Joker, which can be seen as either a heartwarming connection or an exploitation of her vulnerability, depending on your perspective.

Beyond Romance: Kawakami’s Gameplay Benefits

Regardless of whether you choose to pursue a romantic relationship, maxing out Kawakami’s confidant rank offers significant gameplay advantages. Her abilities revolve around time management, allowing you to slack off in class, request massages that allow you to go out at night after dungeon crawling, and even fuse Personas more efficiently. These benefits make her one of the most valuable confidants in the game, enhancing your overall Persona 5 experience. Learning more about the educational aspects of games can be done at Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dating Kawakami in Persona 5

1. Is it wrong to date Kawakami in Persona 5?

The game doesn’t explicitly judge you, but the ethical implications are undeniable. She’s your teacher, and there’s a significant age gap. Whether it’s “wrong” is a matter of personal interpretation.

2. Can I romance Kawakami in Persona 5 Strikers?

No, Kawakami is not a romance option in Persona 5 Strikers. The game focuses on the Phantom Thieves’ road trip and doesn’t delve into romantic subplots.

3. What happens if I romance Kawakami and other girls?

Similar to romancing multiple characters, there’s a special Valentine’s Day scene where the girls confront you about your infidelity. You’ll receive a unique consequence, but it doesn’t significantly impact the game beyond that.

4. Is Kawakami the best romance option in Persona 5?

“Best” is subjective. Kawakami offers a unique storyline and valuable gameplay benefits, but her romance is ethically complex. Other romance options might be considered more straightforward or “wholesome.”

5. Does romancing Kawakami affect the ending of Persona 5?

No, romancing Kawakami does not significantly alter the ending of Persona 5 or Persona 5 Royal. The ending is primarily determined by your choices related to the main storyline.

6. How often can I call Kawakami?

You can call Kawakami on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights after initiating her confidant storyline. In December, you can also call her on Mondays.

7. What are the best dialogue choices for Kawakami’s confidant events?

While general affinity points are awarded for choosing responses that resonate with her values and personality, the critical choice is at Rank 9 where selecting “I want to keep seeing you” followed by “I mean what I say” is mandatory for romance.

8. Can I max Kawakami’s confidant without romancing her?

Yes, you can. Choosing the non-romantic dialogue options at Rank 9 will allow you to max her confidant rank and receive all her gameplay benefits without engaging in a romantic relationship.

9. How old is Kawakami?

While her exact age is never explicitly stated, she is implied to be in her late 20s or early 30s, making her significantly older than Joker.

10. What are Kawakami’s special abilities?

Kawakami’s confidant abilities focus on time management. They include allowing you to slack off in class, request massages for extra nighttime activities, and improve Persona fusion efficiency.

11. Is Kawakami a popular romance option among Persona 5 players?

Yes, despite the ethical concerns, Kawakami is a popular romance option due to her complex character, engaging storyline, and valuable gameplay benefits.

12. What Persona Arcana is Kawakami associated with?

Kawakami is associated with the Temperance Arcana. Having a Persona of this Arcana in your stock when spending time with her will boost your confidant points.

13. Does Joker’s personality affect Kawakami’s romance?

While Joker’s overall “style” (Charm, Knowledge, Guts, Proficiency, Kindness) opens up dialogue options, it doesn’t strictly dictate if you can romance Kawakami. Her storyline focuses more on Joker’s willingness to support her personally.

14. Are there any consequences for not romancing Kawakami after reaching a certain rank?

No, there are no negative consequences for choosing not to romance Kawakami. You can still max her confidant rank and receive all her abilities.

15. What makes Kawakami’s romance different from other options in Persona 5?

Kawakami’s romance is unique due to the teacher-student dynamic, the age gap, and the ethical considerations involved. It’s one of the most controversial and discussed romance options in the game.