Although they’ve become an important part of the series’ identity, Social Links weren’t first introduced until Persona 3. In P3, Social Links were a means of creating a more immersive world while bolstering Persona 3’s themes of individuality. While it can be argued that Persona 3 is a better game than its predecessors (in large part due to the respect & maturity of its subject matter) Persona 4 undeniably one-ups it when it comes to Social Links.

More light-hearted than the average Persona title, P4 is a big change of pace for the series, but an incredibly memorable one with quite a memorable cast at the center of it all. Unlike in Persona 3, every party member has a Social Link in Persona 4 — but that doesn’t mean they aren’t outshined by Inaba’s many NPCs. Today, we’re ranking the best social links in the game.

15 Magician (Yosuke Hanamura)

Yosuke fulfills the trope of being the happy-go-lucky best friend of the protagonist who is also pretty goofy in his own right. He seems pretty shallow at first glance… but Yosuke’s Social Link is actually pretty deep and engaging.

He ends up developing an inferiority complex while hanging out with Narukami, which is understandable given the amazing powers of the protagonist. Thankfully, he gets over this pretty quickly and states that he would always be by Narukami’s side, no matter what.

14 Chariot (Chie Satonaka)

Chie is one of the best party members in Persona 4 and a fan-favorite romance for many. She’s always chirpy and active at all times, and the dynamic she shares with Yosuke is pretty hilarious as well.

If the player decides to build up a Social Link with her by working out frequently, they’ll reveal a deeper side to this character. She hates anyone who picks on the weak and goes out of her way to protect people, which is an extremely endearing character trait.

13 Lovers (Rise Kujikawa)

Rise Kujikawa is another brilliant character who can become the protagonists’ love interest. Given her status as an idol, it’s understandable to assume that she might be pretty self-obsessed. However, it turns out that Rise is actually a pretty down-to-earth girl who just likes having fun, regardless of her celebrity status. All things considered, she’s a generally great person and pleasant to get to know in Persona 4.

12 Priestess (Yukiko Amagi)

Yukiko’s Shadow being a bird in a cage summarizes her character perfectly. She’s faced so much pressure in life that the very thought of not being perfect burdens her greatly.

Thankfully, her time with Narukami and the Investigation Team allow her to express her true self and not be under so much pressure. It’s an angle explored in her Social Link as well, making her a pretty memorable character indeed.

11 Star (Teddie)

It’s hard to imagine that someone in a Teddie costume would be such a memorable character. However, it’s Teddie’s innocent and charming nature that makes him such a great character in his own right.

There are times when this character might become a tad too annoying, but that doesn’t take away from his endearing nature. The fact that his Social Link progresses automatically means that players are under no pressure to juggle another Social Link along with the ones they have to build up anyway.

10 Jester (Tohru Adachi)

Not a part of the traditional tarot deck, the Jester Arcana was added into Persona 4 Golden as a means of giving Tohru Adachi some more depth. The Jester is the Fool’s foil, and much of Adachi’s Social Link is spent contrasting him with most Social Links. Where Yu is usually able to bring out the best in others, Adachi ends up being a fairly toxic friendship.

It should be pointed out that Adachi’s Social Link is optional until Rank 6, where it then weaves itself in as part of the story. For anyone looking to get the most out of Persona 4 Golden’s story, Adachi’s Jester Social Link is downright essential.

9 Emperor (Kanji Tatsumi)

All things considered, Persona 4 does not handle Kanji’s introduction into the story well. The topic of his sexuality simply isn’t treated with the respect it merits, at least not initially. Persona 4 finds its voice by the time Naoto joins the party, but Kanji’s Social Link notably does a better job at dissecting his character in a far more nuanced manner.

Kanji’s Social Link focuses on the image of masculinity his father left for him while also reconciling his dungeon. Without a farcical caricature looking right at the player, Kanji coming to terms with what being a man means for him has much more weight in his Social Link. Plus, him making dolls is sweet.

8 Hierophant (Ryotaro Dojima)

Although Persona 4 has better Social Links, it doesn’t necessarily have better development for the main cast. Take Kanji, for instance. Without playing his S. Link, his arc rings rather hollow. The same is true for Yu’s uncle, Ryotaro Dojima, who serves as the player’s father figure while playing an incredibly important role in the main plot.

Dojima’s Social Link isn’t important to the greater plot, but it reconciles his regrets over the death of his wife. Likewise, the Social Link allows Yu and Dojima to bond far more than they do in the main plot, which naturally gives their tense moments all the more meaning.

7 Justice (Nanako Dojima)

Nanako’s Social Link is arguably more important than Dojima’s considering she’s a more present character, but they both tie into each other. Where Dojima’s Social Link focuses on his feelings towards his wife’s death (& the case it was linked to) Nanako’s showcases the loneliness enforced on her by Dojima’s obsession.

Nanako’s Social Link has her coming to terms with the fact that her dad does love her, while also vocalizing the mistreatment she’s been subjected to. As Nanako and Dojima become key to the plot, completing this Social Link is a rather crucial step in ensuring Persona 4’s last act lands with the emotional impact it needs.

6 Fortune (Naoto Shirogane)

Unlike Kanji’s Social Link which saw fit to remedy a part of his arc that wasn’t handled particularly well in the main story, Naoto’s Social Link chooses to instead flesh out an interesting aspect of her backstory the game naturally wouldn’t be able to — her life in a family of detectives. Yu and Naoto team up during her Social Link to solve a makeshift mystery orchestrated by her grandfather.

While the premise is fun, it’s used to examine what being a detective means for Naoto. Her Social Link briefly touches upon her gender should players pursue a romantic relationship, but it’s Naoto’s passion for investigation that ultimately drives the Social Link, not Yu.

5 Hanged Man (Naoki Konishi)

Naoki Konishi is often written off for dismissing the protagonist when approached, but he’s easily one of the better written Social Links in Persona 4. The first victim’s brother, Naoki’s Social Link revolves around his inability to process Saki’s death. Yosuke’s Social Link treads similar ground (and with a more present character) but Naoki’s is handled better.

For one, Naoki is dealing with the loss of his sister– not a crush who didn’t even like him. Naoki’s grief is complex and with enough layers to make him a likable character by the end of his Social Link. Naoki’s Social Link also gives greater weight to Saki serving as the first victim.

4 Death (Hisano Kuroda)

Considering how well Persona 3 handled the theme of death, Hisano Kuroda trying to embody it following her husband’s death is aggressively cheesy. Thankfully, it doesn’t take away from a great Social Link. While Hisano’s Social Link is a bit awkward initially, her backstory is genuinely quite sad.

Hisano’s Social Link takes a rather raw look at the effects of Alzheimer’s on loved ones, with Hisano forced to watch her husband slowly forget her– dying next to what she calls a “stranger.” Persona 4 is a fairly upbeat game otherwise, so Hisano’s Social Link hits rather hard. That’s what makes it notable, though.

3 Devil (Sayoko Uehara)

Sayoko’s Social Link is rather cheeky, as it tricks the player with the promise of a juicy romance arc. The Devil Social Link begins with Yu being seduced by Sayoko, but it doesn’t take long for the Link to instead focus on Sayoko’s work life. While her promiscuity is touched upon, the focus ultimately becomes about finding her footing in a field she lost all passion for.

Sayoko’s Social Link doesn’t even humor the prospect of romance once her arc starts going, which is really for the best. Persona 4’s romances often take attention away from actual character development, and Sayoko is surprisingly nuanced by Rank 10.

2 Moon (Ai Ebihara)

Ai’s Social Link is notoriously the most difficult to get just right in Persona 4. Not only does the Social Link offer the players a fake early romance option (thus locking them out of an actual romance with Ai later) hers is the easiest Link to reverse and the only one to outright break (though breaking Ai’s Link has an obvious tell.)

Ai Ebihara embodies drama to the extreme, but that’s what makes her Social Link so compelling. She’s as entertaining as she is nuanced, and having a fakeout love interest is easily one of Persona 4’s more interesting touches.

1 Hunger (Tohru Adachi)

The Lust Arcana in Japan, Hunger is the final manifestation of the Jester Arcana. Upon reaching Rank 6, the Arcana morphs and starts to occur as part of the story. Most Rank Ups are simple enough — Adachi being there for Dojima in the hospital — but it’s incredibly sinister in hindsight, and the Social Link ultimately leads to the revelation that Adachi is the killer.

In truth, Adachi’s Social Link likely expects the player to already know his identity. It’s mainly a means to flesh out Adachi’s role in the story and give him greater depth. Not just that, it’s now possible to trigger a bad ending where the player willingly lets Adachi get away.

NEXT: Persona 3 vs Persona 5: Which Is Better?