PegoRyu

Pegoryu is the slash ship between Akira Kurusu/Ren Amamiya/Joker and Ryuji Sakamoto/Skull from the Persona fandom.

Persona 5
Ryuji first meets Akira on his first day transferring to Shujin Academy, with Ryuji trying to chase their gym teacher, Kamoshida, calling him vulgar names. Ryuji introduces himself politely and seem to hit it off well, despite his teachers advising Akira to stay away from "bad influences like him". Ryuji is the first member of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts and the first ally to gain a confidant link with, accompanying Akira and Morgana when they first get used to Kamoshida's distorted heart and palace. Although Ryuji was initially freaked out by the strange new alternate dimension, he grew used to it and being on Joker's side, being portrayed as his best friend.

When Ryuji and Akira are trying to gather intel on the mafia boss exploiting Shibuya, Junya Kaneshiro, they are stopped by two gaudy looking men trying to harrass Ryuji. He pleads for Akira to help him out, saying that "he shouldn't just leave his best friend".

If you choose to not romance anyone in both Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal, you will unlock a path where you hang out with Ryuji for Valentines. Ryuji shows up to Leblanc's and complains about how no woman is interested in him, and generally venting about his life. While Ryuji is hanging out, Sojiro decides to take them all out on a trip to a nearby restaurant instead of moping around. Before they leave, Ryuji gives you some chocolate as a gift, in which Akira has the option to respond with "Is this a confession?", to which Ryuji exclaims "absolutely not"! Later, Sojiro calls them two "lovebirds", to which Ryuji neither accepts nor denies.

When attending the Festival Party in Persona 5, you have the option to go on stage during the student sharing special and exclaim that "you love somebody". Choosing to say "I love Ryuji" will earn a flustered, yet extremely upset reaction from Ryuji, saying that "he would get a bad reputation if you said that".

Strikers
In Persona 5 Strikers, Akira, Ryuji, and Yusuke all relax in a hot spring together on one of their vacations. They soon overhear the girls of the Phantom Thieves on the other side of the hot spring partition, to which both Yusuke and Ryuji react shocked. Akira has the option to compliment Ryuji's body, saying "looking good, Ryuji". Ryuji responds happily and a little flattered.

If choosing not to romance anyone in Strikers, you will get a cutscene where you ride the ferris wheel with Ryuji, Yusuke, and Morgana. Ryuji acts a little awkward, but accepts the "date" anyway as a bonding moment for all of his "bros".

When the Phantom Thieves all meet up at first for summer vacation, they all get together and have a "check up" meeting. Akira has the option to tell Ryuji that "he missed him" when he asks how Akira was doing all alone. Ryuji responds sadly as well, saying "I've been fine as well, but without you around, things are sorta, meh..."

During a meetup with the Phantom Thieves, Ryuji complains about how he wants recognition from the public for being a Phantom Thief, such as fangirls. Akira has the option to respond with: "OMG, It's Ryujiii!", to which Ryuji acts upset and a little embarrassed, saying "Not you! And your acting's awful!"

Confidant
During Ryuji's Confidant Link hangouts, he puts his trust in Akira by telling him personal details about his past and uncovering his overall life. Initially, they were to bond over training for palaces and getting their bodies stronger, but Akira slowly ends up helping Ryuji overcome his distress over Kamoshida and the disbandment of the track team, re-assuring that he wasn't the one at fault and even helping out with some school troubles that concern ex-friends of Ryuji and track. During the max rank hangout for Ryuji's confidant, he tells Akira that he's grateful for having him stick around through thick and thin, thanking Akira for all he's done for him, and that he wants to give the same help that Akira gave.

Persona 5 the Animation
Ryuji and Ren act a lot more like best friends than they do in the games, with Ryuji always calling him "Renren" in the japanese dub.

In the special Persona 5 The Animation Valentine's day OVA, Ryuji comes over and complains like usual, a callback to the original games. This time, Ryuji says that they should hang out for the entire night, and later, it is shown through Akira's window that they hugged and presumably cuddled while watching TV.

Persona 5
"Hey, this ain't like me, but... I managed to change 'cause you were here helpin' me. I got you all wrapped up in this shit, but you stayed with me 'till the bitter end... You didn't abandon me."

- Ryuji to Akira during Rank 10

"So I was thinkin' about the future. With you as our leader, and me as your right-hand man..."

- Ryuji to Akira when they're hanging out

Fanon
Pegoryu is one of the most popular slash ships in the Persona series, with ShuAke being one of it's main rivals for Persona 5. Many wish there were a canonical romance route for Ryuji, as many theorize that Atlus had teased the homosexuality of Ryuji Sakamoto.

Pegoryu is the 2nd most written relationship for Persona 5 on AO3, and the 2nd most written relationship for the Persona Series tag overall.

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