Clackers

“

If I manage to damage your skin using this steel Clacker Volley... I can send in some Ripple! That compensates for my weak point! Whaddya think?! Impressive, huh? Heh!

”

—Joseph Joestar, Chapter 68: Ultimate Warriors from Ancient Times, Part 4

Clackers (クラッカー, Kurakkā) are a weapon that Joseph Joestar wields, featured in the second part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, Battle Tendency. They also make a brief cameo in the eighth part, JoJolion.

Joseph first uses three pairs of American clackers against Wamuu, infusing them with the Ripple.^[2]

Appearance

A pair of Joseph's clackers contains two round steel balls attached to a string. The string is tied to a ring that goes on Joseph's finger. Each ball has a large stylized "J" on the center with curved tips.

Color Schemes

The series is known for alternating colors between media, the information presented below may or may not be canon.

Balls

(Dark blue balls with light blue shading and pink "J")

String(Gray)

Balls(Black balls with dark red "J")

String(Black)

Balls(Gray balls with white "J")

Connector(Golden connector)

String(Gray string)

Abilities

Joseph can inflict massive damage with his clackers by infusing them with the Ripple. As they are made of steel, their toughness compensates for Joseph's Ripple being weak before he goes through proper training. Joseph maneuvers his clackers using various techniques to surprise his opponents.^[3]

Techniques

Clacker Volley(クラッカーヴォレイ Kurakkā Vorei)

Debut: Chapter 67: Ultimate Warriors from Ancient Times, Part 3 / JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 15: A Hero's Proof

Joseph chucks clackers infused with the Ripple into his opponent's direction. This can be done a number of ways, but to produce the best and most surprising effect, he can hide them behind his back. From there, Joseph can slingshot them from behind his back at the enemy in all directions.

Clacker Boomerang(クラッカーブーメラン Kurakkā Būmeran)

Debut: Chapter 68: Ultimate Warriors from Ancient Times, Part 4 / JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 15: A Hero's Proof

Joseph throws both pairs of clackers infused with the Ripple into a beam or pillar behind the opponent, fooling the foe into assuming that he missed. One gets stuck onto whatever it was thrown on and starts spinning, latching onto the second pair of clackers. The second pair then flings back towards the opponent from behind, much like how a boomerang works.

History

Battle Tendency

Joseph's Clacker Volley

After his battle against Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli, Joseph Joestar creates his own special technique that he comes up with himself. While battling Wamuu, he takes out one pair of clackers, charges it with the Ripple, and then spins it around. However, when he launches it, it flings backward and hits his own head. Speedwagon and Caesar chide him for playing around, but Joseph claims that he is serious. Although he hasn't practiced it much, he takes out a second pair of clackers and rapidly spins both around, dubbing the technique "Clacker Volley".^[2]

Joseph throws one pair of clackers at the pillar behind Wamuu, then shows off by spinning the other pair around his body. He grabs another pair and then waves his hands around to hide both pairs behind his back, making it look as if the clackers disappeared. Joseph attacks Wamuu by rapidly spinning both pairs of clackers, but Wamuu flexibly adjusts his body to dodge each attack, causing Joseph to throw the clackers away. One pair of clackers latches onto the pair that was attached to the pillar and starts spinning, flinging it backwards like a boomerang to tear a chunk off of Wamuu's head. Joseph dubs that technique "Clacker Boomerang".^[3] With two pairs of clackers back into his hands, Joseph gives Wamuu a beatdown with both of them.^[4]

Joseph evolves his capabilities with the Ripple after training with Loggins. He rubs vegetable oil all over one pair of clackers, allowing them to conduct 100% of his energy. However, his attack misses as Esidisi tears open the middle of his hand by separating his fingers, catching Joseph off guard.^[5] He uses one pair of clackers again at a hotel in Switzerland to block an attack from Wired Beck. The attack slices the strings off, rendering it unusable.^[1]

JoJolion

When the alternate continuity's Joseph Joestar is battling Radio Gaga, he finds a pair of clackers. However, he doesn't know what it is and tosses it away before using his Stand.

Chapters / Episodes

Manga Appearances

Chapters in order of appearance

Chapter 67: Ultimate Warriors from Ancient Times, Part 3
Chapter 68: Ultimate Warriors from Ancient Times, Part 4
Chapter 69: Ultimate Warriors from Ancient Times, Part 5
Chapter 78: Flame Mode Esidisi, Part 1
Chapter 94: Climb Out of the Fortified Hotel

JoJolion Chapter 110: Higashikata Fruit Parlor (Flashback)

Anime Appearances

Episodes in order of appearance

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 15: A Hero's Proof
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 17: Laying a Deeper Trap!
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 21: The Hundred vs. Two Strategy

Novel Appearances

Chapters in order of appearance

El Aleph Chapter 19: XIX - Final Arc (Mentioned only)

Video Games

All-Star Battle / All-Star Battle R (Various)

Main article: All-Star Battle ★ Joseph Joestar

Main article: All-Star Battle R ★ Joseph Joestar

Joseph's moveset consists of him using his clackers in several skills. His "Clacker Volley" skill has him pull out a pair of clackers and spin them while sliding forward, hitting the opponent multiple times. The distance Joseph travels increases in order with vulnerability also increasing. The skill can link into follow-up skills. Infusing it with the Ripple increases the damage and sends the opponent flying, preventing follow-up skills from properly connecting.

In his "Now who's laughing?!" skill, Joseph takes out a second pair of clackers and proceeds to rapidly spin them in a melee assault, delivering a finishing blow that will knock the opponent off their feet. Infusing it with the Ripple increases the damage and launches the opponent into the air at a higher angle.

With his "I'll smash you good!" skill, Joseph reels back before swinging his clackers downward, knocking the opponent into the air and causing them to bounce off the ground when they land. Infusing it with the Ripple increases the damage and causes the opponent to crumple to the ground instead.

Joseph's "Don't you get it?" skill is a counter that increases Joseph's "Guess I did it again!" Level upon success. Joseph interrupts his Clacker Volley and spins around to reveal two pairs of clackers interlocked behind his back. Should the opponent strike him in that moment with a non-Throw/HHA/GHA, Joseph retaliates with both pairs, striking at the same time at full force and propelling the opponent far back. This skill is able to automatically correct Joseph's orientation if "Clacker Volley" is sidestepped. Infusing it with the Ripple increases the damage.

In his "Clacker Boomerang" skill, Joseph throws a spinning pair of clackers as a projectile. The speed of the projectile increases in order while also increasing vulnerability. Joseph will throw two pairs of clackers when infusing them with the Ripple. If the Ripple button is held long enough, the clackers will boomerang back towards Joseph, allowing them to hit the opponent a second time and even interrupting them if Joseph is being attacked.

Clacker Volley in All-Star Battle R

Joseph also uses his clackers in his Great Heat Attack, "Lemme show you my "tricks" of the trade!", where he first yanks a hidden string trap up from the ground. If they are caught, Joseph suddenly pulls out two pairs of Ripple-charged clackers and delivers a lengthy attack combo, relentlessly beating the opponent while exclaiming "Ripple Overdrive Beat!". Joseph then briefly stops his assault to Ripple Breathe with a smile, charging more energy into his clackers, before hitting the opponent with all four in a finishing blast, sending them flying.

Eyes of Heaven (PS3/PS4)

Main article: Eyes of Heaven ★ Joseph Joestar

Joseph uses his clackers in two skills in Eyes of Heaven. In his "Clacker Boomerang/Clacker Volley" skill, the attack unleashed is dependent on whether or not the activating button is held. If pressed, Joseph throws Ripple-infused clackers as a projectile, which returns to him after flying a set distance, doing more damage the more of the Ripple Gauge is filled. If held, Joseph pulls out two pairs of clackers and begins a three-step combo that ends with him swinging a clacker downward, sending opponents caught into the ground hard enough for them to bounce. In the EX variant when the skill is infused with the Ripple, the Clacker Boomerang will receive a damage increase and guard break boost; Clacker Volley also gains a guard break boost, as well as an increase in execution speed.

Joseph's Dual Heat Attack, "Ain't nothing the trickster loves more than a trick!" functions the same as his Great Heat Attack in All-Star Battle.