Dark Determination
Dark Determination (漆黒の意志, Shikkoku no Ishi) is a concept featured prominently in the seventh part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, Steel Ball Run. It returns in the eighth part, JoJolion, and the ninth part, The JOJOLands.
Dark Determination refers to a heightened mental state in which one's resolve and intent to kill rise to the surface, visually represented by flames in the eyes. The term itself is coined by Ringo Roadagain[1] and is described by Gyro Zeppeli as one's willingness to murder without hesitation and throw away their humanity.[2]
Description
Dark Determination is a particular state of mind that occurs when a character with malicious intentions briefly supersedes their moral compass, during which they are prone to using deadly force to achieve their own personal goals. Anyone with dark intent in their eyes becomes noticeably more ruthless, cold-blooded, and will not hesitate to commit great acts of violence, if not outright murder. Dark Determination is most often associated with a protagonist's moral ambiguity and will manifest itself as small flames burning in their irises.[1]
The trigger for Dark Determination will depend on the individual and the situation at hand but is usually related to the act of protecting, avenging, or acquiring something important. A common example is a friend or loved one in danger, as was the case with Gyro seeing Johnny Joestar get shot by Ringo Roadagain,[1] and Josuke Higashikata seeing Yasuho Hirose being kidnapped by the enemy.[3] In Johnny's particular case, his Dark Determination was centered around his goal of obtaining the Saint's Corpse through violence.[2][4]
Characters with Dark Determination
The term Dark Determination is only named and referred to in Steel Ball Run. Johnny is the only character explicitly stated to possess it,[1][2] while Gyro and Ringo are also shown with the accompanying motif of eyes flaring up with burning flames.[1][5] However, similar visual and thematic traits appear in earlier and later works by Hirohiko Araki, including Baoh the Visitor, other parts of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, the anime adaptations preceding Steel Ball Run, and certain spin-offs. These instances depict characters with a similar flame-in-the-eyes motif, often during moments of intense resolve or violent intent.
List of Appearances
Video Games
All-Star Battle / All-Star Battle R
In All-Star Battle and its remaster, Johnny's Dark Determination can be seen during his Heart Heat Attack while Tusk is transforming from ACT2 to ACT3. It appears as black flames.
Chapters / Episodes
Manga Appearances- Chapter 393: Cats Love Yoshikage Kira, Part 2
- Stone Ocean Chapter 1: Stone Ocean, Part 1
- Stone Ocean Chapter 125: Heavy Weather, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 34: The World of Man, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 35: The World of Man, Part 3 (Flashback)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 59: A Dream of Gettysburg
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 64: Chocolate Disco, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 78: D4C, Part 11 -Love Train-
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 83: Ball Breaker, Part 1 (Cover only)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 88: Break My Heart, Break Your Heart, Part 1
- JoJolion Chapter 30: King Nothing
- JoJolion Chapter 31: "I Am a Rock", Part 1
- JoJolion Chapter 64: Mother and Child
- JoJolion Chapter 99: The Wonder of You, Part 16
- JoJolion Chapter 105: Safety First
- The JOJOLands Chapter 25: Laem Chabang's Investigation
Anime Appearances- Golden Wind Episode 1: Gold Experience
- Stone Ocean Episode 1: Stone Ocean
- Stone Ocean Episode 29: Under World
- Stone Ocean Episode 30: Heavy Weather, Part 1
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Steel Ball Run Chapter 34: The World of Man, Part 2
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Steel Ball Run Chapter 59: A Dream of Gettysburg
- ↑ JoJolion Chapter 33: Josuke! Go to the Higashikata Fruit Parlor
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 64: Chocolate Disco, Part 1
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 35: The World of Man, Part 3
