Dark Determination

"Johnny's eyes are the eyes of a killer. Johnny has the ability to discard anything... even his humanity."

- Gyro Zeppeli on Johnny Joestar's dark determination,

The Dark Determination (漆黒の意志) is a phenomenon unique to the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series.

It is a particular state of mind during which one's resolve and killing intent increase. The term itself is coined by Ringo Roadagain.

Description
The Dark Determination is a particular state of mind that reoccurs periodically in the series. It could be described as a character gaining some form of grim resolve, during which they have an unusual amount of resolve, notably the resolve to use deadly force. Anyone with dark resolve in their eyes becomes noticeably more ruthless and cold-blooded, and is ready to commit great act of violence, if not outright murder, without hesitation. It manifests itself as small flames burning in the irises of the character.

The trigger for the dark determination depends on the individual. It could be that a loved one is in danger, as was the case with Jolyne Cujoh who heard her friend Ermes Costello being mugged by prison guards, or Josuke Higashikata seeing that Yasuho Hirose, his love interest, being kidnapped by an enemy. However, the dark determination will trigger with any sufficient will. For instance, Johnny Joestar's dark determination was centered around his goal of obtaining the Saint's Corpse.

Trivia

 * jonathan dark determination.gif the opening Sono Chi no Sadame, Jonathan Joestar's eyes also flare up as he prepares to confront his archnemesis Dio Brando, perhaps as a nod to this dark determination.