Dark Determination

From JoJo's Bizarre Encyclopedia - JoJo Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Johnny's eyes are the eyes of a killer. He's prepared to throw everything away... even his humanity.
—Gyro Zeppeli on Johnny Joestar's Dark Determination, Steel Ball Run Chapter 59: A Dream of Gettysburg

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

Johnny's Dark Determination

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.

Characters with Flaming Eye Motif

List of Appearances

Flaming Eye Appearances Originating from the Manga
Character
Chapters / Episodes
Description
Image
Tama wants to kill Shinobu Kawajiri after remembering that he died as a cat due to her chasing him out. The onomatopoeia on the page is "メラ" (mera), indicating flames burning.
MangaAnime
Jolyne Cujoh resolves to save Ermes Costello from being mugged by prison guards.
MangaAnime
Weather Report regains his memories and confronts a hospital patient, who complains that Weather is in his seat.
MangaAnime
Gyro Zeppeli determined to kill Ringo.
Ringo Roadagain determined to kill a child abuser.
Johnny trying to get back the Saint's Corpse from Axl RO and determined to destroy it.
1234
Johnny determined to take the left eye from Diego Brando and shoot him if needed.
123
Johnny on the chapter cover.
Johnny threatens to shoot as Valentine makes a deal with him.
Josuke prepares to shoot Wonder of U with the invisible bubbles.
Flaming Eye Appearances Originating from Adaptations and Other Works
Character
Chapters / Episodes
Description
Image
Yukako Yamagishi becomes obsessed with uncovering Koichi Hirose's secrets, wanting to see what he's hiding behind the spark in his eyes.
Koichi Hirose determined to get his luggage back from Giorno Giovanna, stopping his car.
Jolyne Cujoh determined to put an end to Enrico Pucci in the opening.
Octavio Luna Kan is described as having a fire of indignation and ambition in his eyes, which doesn't wane even after Lisa Lisa reveals the truth behind his abilities.

Video Games

All-Star Battle / All-Star Battle R

Johnny's Dark Determination in All-Star Battle

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

References

Site Navigation

Other languages: