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,

Dark Determination (漆黒の意志) is a phenomenon unique to the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, introduced in the seventh part, Steel Ball Run.

Similar in concept to Golden Spirit, 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
Dark determination is a particular state of mind that reoccurs periodically throughout the later parts of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series. This phenomenon can be described as a character gaining some form of grim resolve that supersedes their moral compass, during which they are prone to using deadly force to achieve their goals. Anyone with dark resolve in their eyes becomes noticeably more ruthless and cold-blooded and will not hesitate to commit great acts of violence, if not outright murder. It often manifests itself as small flames burning in the irises of the character.

The trigger for dark determination will depend on the individual and the situation at hand but is usually related to the act of protecting or acquiring something important. A common example is a friend or loved one in danger, as was the case with Jolyne Cujoh who heard Ermes Costello being mugged by prison guards, or Josuke Higashikata seeing Yasuho Hirose being kidnapped by an enemy. In Johnny Joestar's particular case, his dark determination was centered around his goal of obtaining the Saint's Corpse.

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Trivia

 * In 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.
 * In, Yukako's eyes seem to flare up as she confronts Koichi Hirose's attempts to dissuade her from liking him.