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Ryohei Higashikata

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“
He's been working as a policeman for 35 years. He never got promoted. But he's been working hard to protect the people of this town everyday.
”
—Josuke Higashikata about Ryohei, Chapter 270: Josuke Higashikata! Meets Angelo, Part 2

Ryohei Higashikata (東方 良平, Higashikata Ryōhei) is a tertiary character featured in the fourth part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, Diamond is Unbreakable. He also appears as a tertiary ally in the spin off manga Crazy Diamond's Demonic Heartbreak.

Ryohei is Tomoko's father and Josuke Higashikata's grandfather. He is a policeman who patrols the streets of Morioh.

Appearance

 

Ryohei is a middle-aged man with a large cleft chin and short, graying hair. He wears a typical Japanese police officer uniform for springtime consisting of a hat with an emblem on the front, a coat with a white dress shirt and a dark tie underneath, and pants.

Ryohei is seen using a standard-issue Nambu M60 revolver to intimidate his grandson Josuke, which is later revealed to be a fake.

Color Schemes

The series is known for alternating colors between media, the information presented below may or may not be canon.
Colored MangaAnime
Skin(Tan)
Hair(Gray hair, black brows.)
Eyes(Blue)
Outfit
(Green cap with blue sash, black brim, and golden-yellow rims, green officers uniform with golden-yellow accessories over a white dress shirt, black tie.)
Skin(Fair)
Hair(Gray)
Eyes(Brown)
Outfit
(Navy cap with a black brim, and golden-yellow badge, navy officers uniform with silver accessories over a white dress shirt, blue tie.)

Personality

 
Ryohei and his fake gun

Ryohei is a humorous and carefree man. He enjoys playing jokes on his family, such as when he points a toy gun at Josuke. Additionally, he can be lenient when enforcing the law, especially with his family, as he lightheartedly ignored a man's plea to have Tomoko arrested after being assaulted by her.[5] However, Ryohei is overall a respectable police officer who takes his job seriously. He is dedicated to keeping Morioh safe and takes on a more serious attitude when he learns of any crimes.[6] Despite his age, he is willing to work night shifts.[7] He also has never been promoted in the 35 years of his work, but he remains as dedicated as he always has been in protecting Morioh.[8]

Upon returning home from night shifts, Ryohei always drinks a glass of brandy.[9]

The information below derives from Diamond is Unbreakable film which was not written by Araki. As such, it may not be considered canon.
 
Ryohei greeting the residents of Morioh in the morning

The film adaptation of Part 4 emphasizes his nobility of character and love for his town. As a policeman, Ryohei does everything in his power to not only protect Morioh's inhabitants but also trying to support them. Despite his age, he actively participates in arresting criminals and routinely patrols the town. When dealing with some of the more benign delinquents of the town, Ryohei scolds them but also offers a helping hand to set them in the right path.

Ryohei seems to be a respected and loved member of his community, as his room is covered in "thank you" messages from the children of the town and he tells Josuke to "believe in the people of Morioh". His one regret seems to have been the murder of the Sugimoto family which he couldn't prevent nor solve and he keeps blaming himself for this perceived failure. Ryohei also loves his family and expresses joy in spending time with Tomoko and Josuke after a hard day of work. Ryohei exercises seriously to keep in shape, and is shown to be able to kick a door open.

Concludes non-canon section.

History

Background

 
Ryohei with his daughter and grandson during the summer

Ryohei was born around 1944.[1] He had a daughter with an unnamed woman in 1962, who they named Tomoko Higashikata.[10] Two years later, he joined the police force, serving as a police officer in Morioh for 35 years. In around 1976, he managed to arrest Anjuro Katagiri, a 12-year-old boy who committed robbery and rape.[11]

Diamond is Unbreakable

Ryohei passes by on a bicycle as a man reports to him that the woman walking away had just assaulted him after he had asked to give her a ride. He demands that she be arrested but Ryohei refuses and explains that the woman that the guy cussed out was actually his daughter, Tomoko. Ryohei disregards the man's request and goes to accompany Tomoko home.[5]

The next day, Ryohei returns home after working overnight and asks Josuke how was school. Josuke explains that he is waiting for somebody to come over soon and that Ryohei should go bother Tomoko instead. Josuke walks to the window to talk with Jotaro, but while doing so, Ryohei sees the bottle that contained Aqua Necklace. Tricked by the Stand to think it was a simple whiskey bottle, Ryohei opens it, causing the Stand to escape and attack him. Turning around, Josuke finds Ryohei injured on the ground bleeding from his eyes and mouth. Josuke is able to heal his physical wounds but realizes he is already dead. His room is left as it was before Ryohei's death, as a symbol of his memory until his daughter gets the courage to take care of his belongings, and his death causes Josuke to vow to rid the town of Morioh from evil Stand users. Aside from Josuke and Jotaro, it was believed that his death was caused by a stroke.[12]

Live-Action Film

The information below derives from Diamond is Unbreakable film which was not written by Araki. As such, it may not be considered canon.

Ryohei has a more prominent role in the movie, being the driving force that moves Josuke's actions. A running theme is him wanting to protect the city of Morioh.

 
Ryohei looking out for Masaya Yoshizawa

He's first seen during the arrest of Anjuro Katagiri who had murdered a local resident named Yamashita. Ryohei later reappears to lecture a young adult named Masaya Yoshizawa who quit his job, advising him to call him whenever he needs help. When Masaya's friend dies due to Aqua Necklace and the former attempts to rob a convenience store under Aqua Necklace's control, he becomes saddened and punishes Josuke for putting a civilian in danger.

At dinner with his family, he remarks how happy being with them makes him. When he falls asleep, Tomoko mentions how Josuke is starting to look like his father but Josuke says that if he looked like anyone, it would be his grandpa Ryohei.

 
Ryohei lifting weights

The following day, he´s seen exercising so he can become stronger in order to protect Morioh. After Josuke captures Aqua Necklace in a bottle, Anjuro changes the color of the water to resemble Ryohei's alcohol, tricking him into drinking it while his grandson is preparing the bath for Tomoko. Josuke attempts to heal him when he finds the bottle missing but it was already too late.

Before his funeral, Josuke goes through a sketchbook in his room detailing the mysterious murders of Reimi Sugimoto and her parents. Tomoko tells Josuke how Reimi was Ryohei's source of encouragement and he regrets not being able to protect her the most. He was awarded a watch for his 20th year of service but he smashed it against a wall, believing he was a failure of a policeman if he couldn't even save a young girl. Since then, he didn't care for promotion and only strived to protect his town. Some of the attendees to his funeral were Koichi and Josuke's admirers.

Crazy Diamond's Demonic Heartbreak

 
Ryohei reaching out to Boingo
The information below derives from Crazy Diamond's Demonic Heartbreak or its novelization Crazy Heartbreakers which were not written by Araki. As such, it may not be considered canon.

In the spin-off, Ryohei is stationed at Budogaoka Police Station and has worked there for his whole career. His co-workers assume that he never got a promotion despite his hard work due to having an illegitimate grandson.

Ryohei tries reaching out to Boingo, who is hiding under a desk. He asks how Boingo got lost and Boingo mumbles in response, though Ryohei manages to understand him. He learns that Boingo was searching for a parrot with a man named Hol Horse, then dropped his comic book right after arriving in Morioh and got lost searching for it. The other police officers praise Ryohei's ability to understand him so easily. Ryohei says he'll look if there's any reports for lost items and asks his co-worker, Karaiya, to get Boingo back to his hotel safely.

Before Karaiya leaves with Boingo, the phone rings and they get a police report about Inspector Hiraoka's car going out of control and crashing into a store. The police officer also mentions that the report described a student at the scene that sounded a lot like Josuke, causing Ryohei to speed out of the police station with his bicycle. Ryohei hopes Josuke didn't get into trouble again.[13]

Ryohei later finds Josuke, who's just arrested a man named Koji Kiyohara who has been attacking the townspeople with Pet Sounds.[14]

Later, Ryohei meets with Josuke, Hol Horse, and Boingo. He then tells them about what happened to Koji Kiyohara after he was taken to custody. They investigated Kiyohara's home and found videos of him shooting animals to death, so they are planning to do a psychological evaluation on him. Furthermore, some victims still haven't regained consciousness from the incident, possibly due to shock. Hol Horse thanks Ryohei for the information and figures they should go look for Boingo's comic book next. He tells Boingo to stay in his hotel room until everything is resolved. After they leave, Ryohei suggests that Boingo should try looking for the book on his own, since it's something he treasures.[15]

Concludes non-canon section.

Chapters / Episodes

Book Icon.png Manga Appearances
Chapters in order of appearance
Part 4Spin-Off
TV Icon.png Anime Appearances
Episodes in order of appearance
Book Icon.png Novel Appearances
Chapters in order of appearance
TV Icon.png Live Action Appearances
Episodes in order of appearance

Gallery

MangaAnimeCDDHFilmCards

  • Ryohei's first appearance, riding his bicycle

  • A driver tries getting Ryohei to arrest Tomoko

  • Ryohei refuses

  • Taunts the driver that he'll let him off for insulting his daughter

  • Taking a moment to talk with Tomoko

  • Ryohei yawns after coming home

  • Ryohei pranking Josuke by threatening him from behind

  • Ryohei tells Josuke that it was a fake gun

  • Ryohei worried about the crimes in Morioh

  • Ryohei's death, killed by Aqua Necklace

  • Crazy Diamond heals Ryohei

  • Josuke trying in vain to wake up Ryohei

  • A memorial shrine dedicated to Ryohei

StoryOpenings/EndingsDesign SheetsPromotional Art

  • A photograph of the Higashikata family

  • Ryohei talks to his daughter's "admirer"

  • Helping an elderly lady

  • Taking a moment to talk with Tomoko

  • Ryohei threatening/pranking Josuke

  • "It was a fake gun!"

  • Ryohei's death, killed by Aqua Necklace

  • Josuke trying in vain to desperately heal Ryohei

  • A memorial shrine dedicated to Ryohei

  • Key art of Ryohei Higashikata

  • Model Sheet

  • Ryohei attempting to console Boingo

  • Ryohei riding off to find his grandson

  • Ryohei finally finds Josuke, having just taken down Koji Kiyohara

  • Ryohei speaks with Hol Horse about Kiyohara

  • Ryohei reassuring Boingo

  • Ryohei arriving at an apartment, calling the residents to see if they are inside

  • Ryohei hitting Josuke after discovering he was at the hostage situation

  • Ryohei questioning himself

  • Ryohei eating with Tomoko and Josuke

  • Ryohei deceased after being attacked by Aqua Necklace

  • The Higashikatas and various Morioh residents attend Ryohei's funeral

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Chapter 269: Josuke Higashikata! Meets Angelo, Part 1, p.1
  2. ↑ Based on his age
  3. ↑ Chapter 266: Jotaro Kujo! Meets Josuke Higashikata, Part 1
  4. ↑ Chapter 266: Jotaro Kujo! Meets Josuke Higashikata, Part 1, p.6
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chapter 268: Jotaro Kujo! Meets Josuke Higashikata, Part 3, p.8-9
  6. ↑ Chapter 270: Josuke Higashikata! Meets Angelo, Part 2, p.7
  7. ↑ Chapter 270: Josuke Higashikata! Meets Angelo, Part 2, p.5
  8. ↑ Chapter 270: Josuke Higashikata! Meets Angelo, Part 2, p.18
  9. ↑ Chapter 270: Josuke Higashikata! Meets Angelo, Part 2, p.9
  10. ↑ JoJo 6251
  11. ↑ Chapter 270: Josuke Higashikata! Meets Angelo, Part 2, p.6
  12. ↑ Chapter 271: Josuke Higashikata! Meets Angelo, Part 3, p.2
  13. ↑ Crazy Diamond's Demonic Heartbreak: Chapter 3
  14. ↑ Crazy Diamond's Demonic Heartbreak: Chapter 7
  15. ↑ Crazy Diamond's Demonic Heartbreak: Chapter 8

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