When they have nowhere left to run, you offer them a helping hand as their biggest adversary. It's similar to how you might pursue someone you're in love with.
—Akechi, explaining his strategy to catch the Phantom Thieves during an interview,
❝
Ren: Akechi. Akechi: Damn. I'm amazed you were able to pull a fast one on me. I underestimated you. You really are an interesting one. A boy of few words, but with the courage and determination to take action. Under different circumstances, we would have made great rivals. Ren: Why are you helping Shido?
—Akechi and Ren meet once again in the engine room.
❝
Akechi: I learned about this Metaverse - the world of cognition. God, or Satan, whoever it was, gave me a chance! I couldn't stop laughing! Ren: Akechi...
—Akechi telling the Phantom Thieves his story.
❝
Ren: Let's settle this. Akechi: Fine by me! I'll show you what I'm truly capable of!
—Ren challenging Akechi to the fight.
❝
I'll handle this.
—Ren, to his teammates, telling them to stand back as he's going to fight Akechi alone.
❝
Akechi: Get out of my sight! I'm an ace detective! An icon! Ren: Akechi... Akechi: Stop it! Don't look at me like that! In what way are you any better than me? You're a piece of trash with a criminal record who lives in an attic! How can you have something I don't?! Ren: ... Akechi: How? How can garbage like you be more special than me?
—Ren and Akechi, fighting.
❝
Ren: Give it up. You've already lost. Akechi: Lucky you. You have friends who acknowledge you and stand with you.
—Ren and Akechi, after Ren wins the fight.
❝
Ren: What will you do now? Akechi: ...eh? Ren: Want to go make everything right together? Akechi: ...You guys are beyond me.
—Ren offering Akechi to join them.
❝
Akechi: You can have that back! But on one condition! You wouldn't refuse me now, would you? Change Shido's heart. Put an end to his sins in my place. Please. Ren: Got it. Akechi: Get going, you white knights.
—Akechi giving Ren back the king chess piece while asking to change Shido's heart after he sacrificed himself.
❝
Let's go. It's not over till it's over.
—Ren, to his teammates, after Akechi's signal is gone.
Special 2: Stars and Ours[]
❝
What's wrong? Get up. It's too early for checkmate, isn't it?
—Akechi, Ren hears his voice when everyone is cheering on the Phantom Thieves.
Proof of justice[]
❝
Ren: I'm concentrating, can you keep quiet for a bit? Akechi: Even if you say that, I'm free now. If you play chess with me, I'll consider it.
—Ren and Akechi when Akechi's at Leblanc while Ren is working.
❝
Proof of justice... huh.
—Ren, thinking about the meaning of a phrase written by Akechi while lying in his bed at night.
❝
You have some guts... But I won't lose next time.
—Ren after losing to Akechi at billiards.
❝
Ren: Can't you go a bit easier on me? Akechi: If I did that, you'd get mad at me. You want me to give it my all, don't you?
—Ren and Akechi talking about playing billiards.
❝
I got to see this side of you, and for that I'm glad I invited you out today.
—Akechi after seeing Ren's competitive side.
❝
I wouldn't be trying so hard if I could just ask him... And for some reason, I feel like playing detective.
—Ren, searching for the meaning of "proof of justice".
❝
Akechi: Lately, I've seen you and I've also been trying to cook for myself. It didn't come out that well... Ren: I thought you'd be good at cooking. Akechi: Sorry for not living up to your expectations.
—Akechi telling Ren about his attempts at cooking.
❝
Ren: Is this the secret to your smarts as a Detective Prince? Akechi: Well, there's that, but... First and foremost, I didn't want to rely on anyone else. Ren: Rely on someone? Akechi: After my mother died, I was passed around my relatives. That's why I wanted to means... Ren: To live on your own?
—Ren and Akechi talking about the convenience of quick meals.
❝
Akechi: It's unlike myself, to talk about this. Should we go now? Ren: Seeing as we're here, let's stay a bit longer.
—Akechi offering to leave Jazz Jin after he opened up.
❝
It's tough, being popular.
—Ren sarcastically commenting on Akechi having to leave soon for an interview.
❝
A ray gun? Playing a hero?
—Ren, learning that "proof of justice" refers to a toy gun.
❝
You're liking it a lot. Even though you've said you've never played games before.
—Ren, seeing how Akechi was enjoying the shooter game in an arcade.
❝
Akechi: I had a toy gun when I was little, and I remember playing a hero with it. Ren: With friends? Akechi: ...No. But she was happy when I pretended to be an ally of justice. Ren: "She" would be...
—Akechi telling Ren about his childhood and playing a hero in front of his mother.
❝
Akechi: Technically, I do have friends now. Even though it's give and take. Just to be clear, we made a deal. Ren: You have a rival too. Akechi: ... Haha! You're the best! Your heart is always so free, I'm envious of you. Ren: Let's have another match. Akechi: If only we'd met a few years earlier... Ren: ..! Akechi: What are you doing? Hurry up!
—Akechi and Ren having a conversation in the arcade
❝
Akechi... You... You really are... At that time, I...
—Ren, thinking about Akechi and the engine room while looking at the toy gun before starting to cry.
❝
With this, I can also become an ally of justice!
—"young Akechi", imagined by Ren who sees a younger version of Akechi in a kid he met.
❝
"If only we'd met a few years earlier"... But, such a convenient miracle could never happen. He'd probably say something like that. But... I don't want to give up my own "proof of justice".
—Ren, thinking about Akechi while lying in his bed at night.
❝
A friend. It's no fun to lose all the time, right?
—Ren's response when Sojiro asks him who is he playing chess with.
I've changed into my summer uniform. Today feels a bit humid, doesn't it? That said, I'm not taking off my necktie. I DO want to keep a gentleman's dress code in mind, after all.
—Akechi, wearing his summer uniform.
❝
I've changed into my school's winter uniform.. Shujin's uniform is nice too, but I've taken an unexpected liking to my own school's uniform. I'm not taking these black gloves of, though. You never know when you'll be called to a crime scene.
—Akechi, wearing his winter uniform.
❝
I've changed into my winter uniform.. It does feel a bit chilly today, doesn't it? I guess my casual clothes include a lot of subdued pieces. It's important for a detective not to stand out, after all.
—Akechi, wearing his winter casual.
❝
How does the Gekkoukan High School uniform look on me? I rarely get to wear other school uniforms and the like, but it's nice to switch things up occasionally. I've heard that Gekkoukan had an incredible student council president who excelled through ingenuity and charisma. If I ever get the chance, I'd love to have a chess match with her someday.
—Akechi, wearing P3 DLC outfit.
❝
I've changed into the Yasogami High School uniform. You've heard of the "Detective Prince", right? A genius high school detective earned that title before I did. She used to be cool-headed and merciless towards criminals, but as some point, became much more expressive. I don't know what exactly happened back then, but I don't doubt that she met some wonderful companions.
—Akechi, wearing P4 DLC outfit.
❝
I've changed into the St. Hermelin High School uniform, as you asked. The is the first time I've worn a uniform where both halves are the same color. Does it suit me?
—Akechi, wearing P1 DLC outfit.
❝
I've changed into the Kasugayama High School uniform. As much as I personally like this all-blue color scheme, it might stick out a bit too much for a detective.
—Akechi, wearing P2 DLC outfit.
❝
Hey, Joker. I'm done changing. I wonder if this suits me. This is a bartender uniform, after all. Unfortunately, I won't let you have any alcohol. Maybe you all can have juice instead. Or maybe a soft cocktail. I know a lovely place in Kichijoji.
—Akechi, wearing Catherine DLC outfit.
❝
I'm done changing, Joker. If I'm not mistaken, this is the "Deity Emperor's uniform", right? Quite the bombastic name, isn't it? But wearing this DOES make me feel like there's power welling up from within me.
—Akechi, wearing SMT If... DLC outfit.
❝
I've changed into a butler uniform. It's strangely fitting, isn't it? Since it has gloves, it wouldn't get in the way of detective work either. If you were a woman, I'd have to call you milady. Given how things are, shall I call you master instead?
—Akechi, wearing Butler DLC outfit.
❝
...What? Please don't stare at me like that. I dressed up as Santa, just as you asked. But isn't this more of a clown look? Hey, you just laughed, didn't you!?
—Akechi, wearing Christmas DLC outfit.
❝
I've changed into my dancing outfit. Is this too unlike me? I've taken quite a liking to it, though. The logo on this hat is a simple "HERO" - a sign of justice. It fits me perfectly, doesn't it?
—Akechi, wearing P4D DLC outfit.
❝
I'm wearing the Shadow Operatives uniform. I haven't heard of their title before, but are they an anti-Shadow suppression squad? It's surprising that there are people other than us dealing with them.
—Akechi, wearing P4U2 DLC outfit.
❝
I've changed into the Samurai attire. They seem fundamentally different from Japanese samurai. It's as if they've evolved through Western knowledge. Since it doesn't expose much skin, this outfit shouldn't have many vulnerabilities, even in battle.
—Akechi, wearing SMT4 DLC outfit.
❝
I've changed, Joker. Is this an Imperial Uniform for the army? It's hard to believe that you have an outfit like this. It would be in your best interest not to go against me for now. Back then, you would be cut down for that.
—Akechi, wearing Raidou DLC outfit.
Ren's Outfits[]
❝
Joker, you got changed, huh? That's Shujin's summer uniform, isn't it? My school requires cutter shirts, so I'm a bit jealous. You were wearing your summer uniform when we first met at the TV station, correct? I remember that.
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing his summer uniform.
❝
Joker, I see that you've gotten changed. Are those your winter clothes? They feel a bit similar to my own.
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing his winter casual.
❝
Hm? Is that...a swimsuit? No, as long as you can fight in it, anything is fine. It's just that the outfit doesn't match this environment. Well, if you feel like goofing around, please keep it in moderation.
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing his swimsuit.
❝
Is that your roomwear, Joker? Everyone's free to wear what they want, but... donning roomwear here takes incredible courage.
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing loungewear.
❝
Did you get changed, Joker? That's the Gekkoukan High School uniform, right? The school has quite a pedigree, since it was founded by a world-leading conglomerate. By the way, what's that gun at your hips? Even I don't recognize that model...
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing P3 DLC outfit.
❝
Did you get changed, Joker? That's the Yasogami High School uniform, isn't it? I know about it since the first Detective Prince attended it. When streets were covered in fog, that brilliant detective led the way in solving an abstruse series of murders. We ought to do our best not to fall behind.
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing P4 DLC outfit.
❝
Joker, you got changed, huh? The uniform for "St. Hermelin High School"? Oh, that's an unusual school name. I get the impression that you wear black a lot, but light clothing suits you too. I'm a little jealous.
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing P1 DLC outfit.
❝
Hey, Joker. You got changed, huh? That's the Seven Sisters High School uniform? I've only heard of it through rumors. I do think it suits you a lot, but you're not considering changing schools, are you?
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing P2 DLC outfit.
❝
Hm? Joker, you've changed? I know this will sound rude, but doesn't that outfit look a bit...absent-minded? You have bags under your eyes, too... Are you getting enough sleep?
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing Catherine DLC outfit.
❝
Hey, Joker. That's an unusual uniform you're wearing, isn't it? "Karukozaka High School"? No, I haven't heard of it. Its design is nice, but it stands out quite a bit, so I'm afraid it's not suitable for detective work.
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing SMT If... DLC outfit.
❝
You got changed, Joker. Isn't that a butler uniform? If you're a butler, maybe I should let you serve me too. Just kidding.
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing Butler DLC outfit.
❝
A Santa costume? Joker, what's with you all of a sudden? Well, some playfulness is necessary at times. By the way, will you listen to my wish? Let's see... How about "I want to keep competing with you hereafter"? Just kidding.
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing Christmas outfit.
❝
Is that...a dancing outfit? I do think it suits you, but... I can't help but think it's unsuited for this place. Well, if you feel like dancing, then I won't lose to you either. A detective should be splendid, even in dance.
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing P4D DLC outfit.
❝
Hey, Joker. Is that... the Shadow Operatives uniform? I've only heard about them as rumors from Sae-san. To think, though, that they actually exist... The armband has their initials on it, so it's rather easy to grasp. It's similar to those of the First Investigation Division.
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing P4U2 DLC outfit.
❝
Joker, what kind of outfit is that? A... Samurai outfit? Huh? That...? Oh, it's not the kind of samurai we're familiar with. Well, just keep your cosplay in moderation.
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing SMT4 DLC outfit.
❝
Hey, Joker. You're wearing another peculiar uniform, huh? "Yumizuki High School"? I can't say I've heard of it. It seems like a school from the older days. A katana and a gun make for quite the impressive look. ...You DO know that you'd be arrested for violating the Firearm and Sword Control Law in reality though, yes?
—Akechi, if Ren is wearing Raidou DLC outfit.
Miscellaneous[]
❝
Looks, intelligence, athletics; you don’t excel over me at any of those things. So why do people gather around you…? I’m deeply curious.
—Akechi, Persona 5 Maniax, his message to Ren (translation)
