While most of the Social Link characters are around the same age as the protagonist ofPersona 3 Reload,the game includes a few older and younger charactersas well. The youngest character you may bond with is Maiko, who holds the Hanged Man Arcana.
You can first encounter Maiko on 5/6, which is relatively early in the game.Unlike laterPersonagames, completing the Hanged Man social link won’t give you any extra abilities or skills, but you’ll get to see Maiko’s complete story, create powerful Personas, and eventually unlock the ultimate Hanged Man Persona, which you’ll need to finish thePersona 3 Reloadcompendium. Read on to learn the best responses for each of her ranking events.
General Information
The Hanged Man Arcana represents a situation in limbo or a period of doubt and confusion. This represents Maiko because her parents are getting divorced, and she has no idea what’s going to happen to her or her family.
Maiko is available for Social Link events on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. On these days, she stands next to the jungle gym at the Naganaki Shrine. Since she has no connection to Gekkoukan High School, she’ll keep to this schedule even on holidays and school breaks.This makes her an excellent person to focus on during the August break.
Maiko can also become a missing person. If you haven’t yet maxed the Hanged Man Social Link, Maiko will disappear on 10/21,and you must find her in Tartarus by 11/3. If you don’t, you’ll never get a chance to advance the Hanged Arcana again. Your reward for rescuing her is a Felt Doll.
How to Start the Hanged Man Social Link
Maiko is wary of strangers at first,but you may bribe her with food and drinksto get her to trust you. The first thing she wants is something round and soft, so buy some Weird Takoyaki from the Iwatodai Strip Mall and give it to her. Next, she wants a slightly bitter drink, so give her a can of Mad Bull. You can get them from the vending machine at Iwatodai Station and the one on the second floor of the school dorm.
After giving her both items, you’ll have to return to Maiko on another day to start the Social Link. The first time she appears is on 5/6, and 5/9 is a full moon event, so the earliest you’re able to get Hanged Man Rank 1 is on 5/11.
Hanged Man Rank 2
After playing at the shrine, Maiko and the protagonistgo to Wilduck for burgers, and she mentions her parents' upcoming divorce.
Hanged Man Rank 3
Maiko is worried about her birthday, and meanwhile the protagonist meets a thin, pale man Maiko calls “Stripey.” You must see this event to unlock the Sun Social Link, but you won’t be able to start it until 8/9 at the earliest.
Hanged Man Rank 4
Her parents remembered Maiko’s birthday despite their constant fighting, so she’s in a good mood.
Hanged Man Rank 5
Maiko’s relationship with her parents has taken a turn for the worse, and she seriously considers running away.
Hanged Man Rank 6
Maiko is taking running away seriously, or at least as seriously as she can at her age.
Hanged Man Rank 7
Maiko runs away from home, but her parents aren’t far behind.
Choosing the music store causes a detour, but this event ends the same either way.
Hanged Man 8
Maiko and her parents have a long-overdue conversation, but now she has to choose which of her parents she wants to live with.
Hanged Man Rank 9
Maiko makes her decision, but it means she’ll have to leave town soon.
Hanged Man Rank 10
Maiko says goodbye to the protagonist. Before leaving, she gives you a Bead Ring. This is a key item that unlocks access to Attis, the ultimate Hanged Man Persona ofPersona 3 Reload.
