SC Episode 39

The Gatekeeper of Hell, Pet Shop, Part 2 (地獄の門番 ペット·ショップ その2) is the thirty-ninth episode of Stardust Crusaders, the fifteenth episode of the Egypt Arc, and the sixty-fifth episode of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure anime. It covers last few pages of Chapter 225 through Chapter 227 of the manga.

Summary
Having been caught by Pet Shop's ice attacks, Iggy is forced to lose one of his paws in order to escape the sewers via its water supply, using The Fool to hide at the bottom of the river. However, even when hiding underwater, Iggy is not safe from Pet Shop, who dives into the river after him and uses his ice in an attempt to crush Iggy's dome. Digging downwards only to find Pet Shop waiting for him, Iggy uses the pressure from the collapsing dome behind him to rush forward and clamp Pet Shop's beak shut just as he prepares an ice missile, causing him to destroy himself. Exhausted from a lack of blood and coming close to drowning, Iggy is rescued by the boy he protected earlier.

He is subsequently found by a fully recovered Kakyoin, who reunites with the group after having a Speedwagon Foundation doctor treat Iggy's injuries. Following Iggy's lead, the group finally arrives at the location of DIO's hideout, where they are confronted by another of DIO's servants

Manga/Anime Differences

 * Flashbacks of Iggy's life are included while he sinks into the river.
 * Once the Crusaders reach DIO's Mansion, flashbacks are included of their previous battles leading up to this point.

Commentary
"Episode 39 is the conclusion of the battle against Pet Shop. Here, Iggy is at his most virile and doesn't hesitate to thrown himself at the enemy. Thus, his last attack isn't made through his Stand, it's a genuine suicide attack where he leaps at the bird to directly bite its beak.

The flashback scene was not bad at all. Especially the shot where he's surrounded by female companions when he was having a good time in America. That was funny. It was me who selected these frames as the storyboard manager, but the animators were the ones realizing all that, many thanks to them.

Iggy came out gravely wounded from his struggle against Pet Shop, from now on he must walk on three legs... But at the same time, Kakyoin reappears, ready for duty.

Here they are in front of Dio's Mansion. But to really mark the spot, we had elongated this scene and added several shots to the storyboard. Thus, everyone remembers the battles they have made until now and ponders on the motivations that brought them to the final destination. All that being delightfully narrated by Tooru Ookawa.

Telence T. D'Arby makes his appearance at the very end, at the entrance hall of the mansion, which builds a transition to the next episode."

- Naokatsu Tsuda, Blu-Ray limited edition commentaries

Trivia

 * The first opening, STAND PROUD was used in the interlude when the Crusaders reach DIO's Mansion.