Joestar Group

"The youth of this town have a golden spirit. The same golden spirit shining with justice we saw on our journey to Egypt. I saw it within Josuke and his friends... as long as it's there, they'll be fine. That spirit they embody will naturally course into others without a word, even those who know nothing about Yoshikage Kira, and into the next generation as well..."

- Joseph Joestar,

The Joestar Group is a nickname given to the team of protagonists prominent in each part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. The group is composed of different members in each part, but generally consists of a JoJo, their "sidekick," and various other allies all following the same or a similar plan of action (i.e defeating DIO or protecting Morioh).

History
Manga=

Phantom Blood
The original Joestar Group starts in the year 1889 with Jonathan Joestar, aided by his allies Will A. Zeppeli and Robert E. O. Speedwagon. Although Bruford was originally an enemy, he respects Jonathan after their battle and gives him his sword, Luck and Pluck. Later on, Dire, Straizo, Tonpetty and Poco assist Jonathan in an effort to deter the incoming threat to mankind, Dio Brando.

Battle Tendency
50 years later, in 1939, Jonathan's grandson Joseph, along with his partner Caesar Zeppeli, their mentor Lisa Lisa, and Nazi major Rudol von Stroheim, engage the creators of the Stone Mask, the Pillar Men.

Stardust Crusaders
48 years later, in 1987, Jotaro Kujo, the grandson of Joseph Joestar, learns that DIO has returned from the bottom of the ocean. Jotaro, who has now acquired a Stand called Star Platinum, journeys to Egypt to defeat DIO and release his mother Holy from DIO's curse, with help from his grandfather Joseph, Muhammad Avdol, Noriaki Kakyoin, Jean Pierre Polnareff and a dog named Iggy.

Diamond is Unbreakable
12 years later, in the year 1999, the illegitimate son of Joseph Joestar, Josuke Higashikata with his Crazy Diamond takes it upon himself to protect Morioh from enemy Stand users after his grandfather is killed. He is aided by Jotaro, his classmates, and a strange mangaka. They target Stand users who use their Stands to harm others such as Angelo, Akira Otoishi, and Yoshikage Kira.

Vento Aureo
2 years later, in 2001, Giorno Giovanna, the son of DIO, joins Bruno Bucciarati's team of Passione gang members in order to rise within the ranks and overthrow their mysterious boss, who is flooding the streets of Italy with drugs. By doing so, Giorno hopes to set the mafia's moral standards straight again. The group is also aided by Polnareff and Koichi who are members of previous Joestar Groups.

Stone Ocean
Ten years later, in 2011, Jotaro's estranged daughter, Jolyne Cujoh, is incarcerated for a crime she didn't commit and is in a deadlock against the remnants of DIO, led by his most devout supporter, Enrico Pucci. Her goal is to save her father, escape prison, and survive. She is helped by her father, Emporio Alniño, Ermes Costello, Foo Fighters, Weather Report, and Anasui.

Steel Ball Run
In an alternate universe, in the year 1890, Johnny Joestar along with Gyro Zeppeli rides coast to coast to compete in the Steel Ball Run. They discover the Saint Corpse Parts while racing, which gives them Stand powers and greatly improves their physical abilities. The duo is hunted by many people during the race, including other racers, mercenaries, & even the president.

JoJolion
120 years later in 2011, the tentatively named Josuke Higashikata is joined by his love interest Yasuho Hirose, friends from his past and adoptive family, as they work together to discover Josuke's original identity. Their investigations lead them to uncover the Higashikata Family's deepest secret and run afoul of the mysterious Rock Humans.

Similarities

 * The majority of the Joestar Groups are not led by the main JoJo, but rather by an ally:
 * Part 1's Joestar Group was initially led by Will Zeppeli before his death, all the while he was teaching Jonathan the basic mechanics of the Ripple.
 * Part 2's Joestar Group was led by Lisa Lisa, the Ripple Instructor of Joseph and Caesar, as well as the strategic leader in the war against the Pillar Men.
 * Part 3's Joestar Group was led by Joseph, the eldest of the Crusaders, who initiates the mission to find DIO and fight him in Egypt.
 * Part 4's Joestar Group was led by Jotaro, the main rallying force for the active hunt for dangerous Stand users throughout the part.
 * Part 5's Joestar Group was led by Bucciarati due to him being the direct superior of every member, in addition to him acting as a father figure to the group in general.
 * Part 6's Joestar Group is the first group to be led by the main JoJo, Jolyne. She leads the group's actions and commands the respect of her companions.
 * Part 7's Joestar Group is a partnership, with Gyro and Johnny agreeing to work together to reach each other's goals. However, Gyro possesses a tacit leadership role due to him teaching Johnny the Spin.
 * Part 8's Joestar Group is the second group led by the main JoJo of the part, as Josuke's will to uncover his identity is the main drive behind the duo's actions and later he joins up with Rai Mamezuku in order to retrieve the New Locacaca branch.
 * With the exception of Part 2 and 4, most of the members in any Joestar Group die (or at the very least never seen again) before the end of their respective parts with very few carrying over to the next respective part. (i.e. Speedwagon, Joseph, Polnareff, Jotaro, and Koichi).

Trivia

 * Though not initially planned, Araki threw around the idea of Hol Horse joining the protagonists of Stardust Crusaders during their journey, but opted out due to balance issues with Polnareff's similar character. Araki mentions this is part of the reason Hol Horse shows up multiple times throughout the story and why there is at least one group shot with Hol Horse present.
 * Dio Brando once dismissively called Jotaro's own group the Joestar Egyptian Tour Group (ジョースター・エジプト・ツアー御一行様).