Episode 17

The Deeper Plan (深く罠をはれ!) is the seventeenth episode of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure anime. It is also the eighth episode of Battle Tendency. It covers half of Chapter 75 through Chapter 80 of the manga.

The goal of the Pillar Men is revealed: they seek the perfect Red Stone of Aja to overcome their weakness to the Sun and the stone is in possession of Lisa Lisa. As Joseph prepares for his final trial, he encounters Esidisi who has discovered the location of the Aja.

Summary
Kars' objectives are presented. In the far past, somewhere in a pyramid, Kars looks to his Stone Mask and a red stone and explains his problem to Esidisi. The Red Stone of Aja can refract light at least a billion times, unleashing a powerful, pure light. Unfortunately, he needs a superior stone called a Super Aja if they ever hope to conquer the sun.

Back to the present, Lisa Lisa explains to Joseph and Caesar how the creator of the Stone Mask, Kars, is seeking a gem known as the Red Stone of Aja to power the Stone Mask and become the ultimate life-form. Lisa Lisa reveals she herself possesses this gem, showing that this stone can turn the sunlight into a powerful laser ray. When Joseph suggests to destroy the stone, Lisa objects and explains that it is needed to defeat the Pillar Men. With a week left until the rings inside Joseph dissolve and kill him, Lisa Lisa pits Joseph and Caesar against Loggins and Messina respectively for their final test.

Later at dusk, Caesar and Messina are already beginning their duel while Joseph reaches the small arena where he will fight Loggins. However, he finds Loggins has been killed by Esidisi. Despite his hatred for Loggins, Joseph feels anger at the death of an ally and confronts Esidisi in the middle of a field of spikes. Joseph shows his progress as his Ripple is now strong enough to pierce the skin of the Pillar Men although that alone isn't sufficient. Thanks to an intricate trap, Joseph manages to use a wire set-up on Loggins to sever Esidisi's arm. Joseph then expects Esidisi to become angry and lower his guard.

Disturbingly, Esidisi evacuates his stress by wailing and sobbing profusely. Then Esidisi steals Loggins' arm for himself before destroying his corpse with his burning hot blood, whose temperature can reach 500 °C; indeed, Esidisi's Mode is the "Flame Mode", consisting in raising his body temperature to lethal levels for others and using his veins as tubes with which he can inject his scalding blood into foes. However, Joseph manages to perform a two-layered trap with his wool hat to ensnare Esidisi and hit him with the Ripple. Esidisi attempts a flashy last ditch attack but fails and explodes. Joseph retrieves his antidote, safely dissolving the ring around his neck. Relieved, Joseph heads back to the castle, unaware that Esidisi's brain is clinging onto his back.

Commentary
"Taizo Yoshida is in charge of the storyboard like in Episode 15, which we finished early. Episode 17 will also be finished in advance.

The episode is entirely dedicated to the fight against Esidisi. Frankly, it was rather difficult to approach because of so many elements to manage. Whether it was directing or animating, it raises the bar high. It is Yuta Takamura, the episode director, who had to bear with all this. We needed not only good animation, but to also present very unusual things. You don't see many people fighting with their blood vessels (laughs).

The entirety of the battle is happening in the same place, so we made the arena feel particular, isolated. It's our only background, it had to be as immersive as possible. I think it works well. Esidisi's sudden recovery greatly contrasts with his earlier tantrum. Keiji Fujiwara gives us a captivating symphony of cries (laughs).

We showed Suzie Q earlier than in the manga. Since the next episode was centered around her, we had to avoid the audience asking themselves "Who is she?" Thus we've introduced her in Episode 17 near Lisa Lisa to reinforce Episode 18's stakes."

- Naokatsu Tsuda, Blu-Ray limited edition commentaries