Echoes
Echoes (エコーズ, Ekōzu) is the Stand of Koichi Hirose, featured in the fourth part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, Diamond is Unbreakable, and briefly in the fifth part, Vento Aureo.
Echoes has the unusual ability to take on three distinct forms, ACT1, ACT2 and ACT3, which Koichi may call upon alternately. Each form allows the use of a different ability, such as generating sound effects or applying weight to a target.
Appearance
Echoes first appears as a large egg whose bottom is covered in swirling spots.
ACT1 takes the appearance of a three-sectioned alien larva.[4] Its oversized first section serves as a head and two small shelled arms are attached to it. The head is covered with a shell on top of which a spike is visible, and the face is nearly entirely covered by metallic blinkers, only leaving a small beak visible. The second section is a shelled torso with a dark belly. The third section is equipped with a set of small wheels and a large serpentine tail with a dark underside and a clearer back covered in swirling spots and at whose end is a metallic rattle.
Echoes ACT2 is a developed form of Echoes ACT1, gained during the battle against Yukako. It takes on a more humanoid appearance but is much smaller than ACT1. It is fully clad in a shell-like armor decorated with metallic striped protrusions at the crotch and other places, the most prominent piece being a large high collar fused with shoulder weights with "S2" written on it's rear covering the back of the head and the shoulders. ACT2's oversized head has a now revealed face with metallic striped eyes, nose and a small robotic mouth. It still has a long organic tail with a dark underside and bright back, now equipped with a detachable kunai-like stinger. Araki stated that it represents a larva growing into a child creature and that its hand and feet are similar to a raccoon's, making it look like a standing raccoon.[5]
Echoes ACT3 takes on a completely humanoid form but still retains features from its previous Acts, giving it an almost robot-like appearance. Its body is covered in multiple striped protrusions mimicking human muscles and several of them form a crest at the top of the head, which also has two X-shaped holes on its sides. ACT3 now possesses a cloth wrapped around its waist similar to shorts with the number 3 printed on the front and keeps ACT2's boots. Its tail is now vestigial, a single long spike protruding from its behind. ACT3 has been stated to be the image of Koichi made into a Stand.[6]
Color Schemes
Personality
Echoes ACT1 and ACT2 don't possess a full-fledged personality. They obey their user's commands and sometimes let out a small growl.
Koichi develops Echoes ACT3 during his confrontation against Sheer Heart Attack when ACT2 proves too weak to battle the Stand. ACT3 is fully sentient and able to communicate with its user. ACT3 speaks politely when talking to Koichi, following his orders and referring to him as Master. However, it has a tendency to suddenly curse in English, in a manner seemingly inspired by rap music. In the original manga, its speech is often written in katakana to underline a mechanical tone.
Abilities
Koichi's Stand has the uncommon ability to evolve naturally, acquiring stronger different forms as its user grows as a person. Echoes starts off weak (reflecting its user), but as Koichi's fighting spirit grows, it evolves with him. While it is common for Stands' abilities to grow stronger as their users do, Echoes gains entire new forms with distinct abilities and characteristics, usually during pivotal events Koichi experiences. Each of these distinct forms is referred to as an Act. Koichi can still call upon previous Acts after a new one is unlocked, though is not shown to be able to use multiple at a time, and it likely has to transform first.
When the Stand evolves into a new form, it leaves behind a dried shell or exoskeleton, appearing as if it had died, before the new form of it emerges. Koichi is not aware of the evolution until he sees the Stand itself, and he does not know the ability of it until he works it out or it is explained.[7]
Echoes makes its first appearance during the battle against Keicho, though as an egg, that is slowly hatching. It is immobile and cannot do anything, other than being summoned or withdrawn (though it has enough weight to it that Koichi considered using it as a weapon by propelling it at someone[8]). The egg eventually hatches, revealing ACT1, and then is never seen again - though it is unknown whether he could potentially summon it at will like the stand's Acts.
In ACT1 form, Echoes is a long-range Stand. It is very weak, its punch failing to hurt Tamami,[9] and also slow. However, it has the longest range of all Acts and can go up to about 50 meters from its user,[10] and it's suggested that either Koichi can see through ACT1's eyes, or it can report back to him,[11] making it useful for scouting an area.[12]
Although ACT2 is still physically weak, it now possesses a stronger and more versatile power than its previous form, making it more suited to direct confrontation. Foreshadowing the speed of ACT3, ACT2 also gains a massive increase in speed - fast enough to give the impression of disappearing into the air. Since it also has a long range (and Koichi can likely see through its eyes), as well as newfound speed, ACT2 is also used for scouting.[13]
Unlike Echoes's first two forms, ACT3 has a much shorter effective range but is extremely fast and noted to be stronger, though it's still no match in direct combat against Stands like Killer Queen. Additionally, ACT3 is sentient, and is able to converse with Koichi.
ACT1: Sound Generation
Echoes ACT1 can write anything on any surface or person. If it is an onomatopoeia, typically in Katakana, a sound related to the onomatopoeia in question will be produced. If it is a sentence written in Kanji, the words will influence the target's state of mind. For instance, Koichi could convince his mother, who was on the verge of suicide, to stop and trust him by using the sentence "Believe in me!" on her.[14] The sound and words are said to not really be heard but to be felt as if they came from inside the person.[9] The sounds vary in volume, but will increase the longer the sound is active and reverberates to a person more strongly if the sound is written directly on them.
The effect can be broken with enough willpower, as seen when Yukako dispels the writing that Koichi put on her.[15]
ACT2: Sound Effects
Echoes's second form increases its sound abilities beyond its first form's capabilities. Echoes can write a sound effect on any surface. However, unlike ACT1, it is only able to shoot sound effects from its tail, limiting it to only one sound effect at a time. When the sound effect is touched, an effect related to the sound is produced, either affecting the person who touched it or the object which the words are inscribed on.
- (ヒョオオ, Hyooo) - A strong wind is produced.
- (ドグオン, Doguon) - The toucher is knocked back a great distance.
- (ボョヨオン, Byoyon) - The object becomes extremely elastic and bouncy.
- (ジュー, Jū) - The object radiates heat and will burn upon contact.
- (ドラララ, Dorarara) - A rush of Crazy Diamond-shaped fists attack the enemy (Eyes of Heaven only).
ACT3: 3 Freeze
Chapters / Episodes
- Chapter 279: The Nijimura Brothers, Part 6 (Egg)
- Chapter 280: The Nijimura Brothers, Part 7 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 286: Koichi Hirose (Echoes), Part 3 (Egg)
- Chapter 287: Koichi Hirose (Echoes), Part 4 (ACT1)
- Chapter 288: Koichi Hirose (Echoes), Part 5 (ACT1)
- Chapter 291: Toshikazu Hazamada (Surface), Part 3 (ACT1)
- Chapter 292: Toshikazu Hazamada (Surface), Part 4 (ACT1) (Cover only)
- Chapter 293: Toshikazu Hazamada (Surface), Part 5 (ACT1)
- Chapter 297: Yukako Yamagishi Falls in Love, Part 4 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 298: Yukako Yamagishi Falls in Love, Part 5 (ACT1)
- Chapter 299: Yukako Yamagishi Falls in Love, Part 6 (ACT1)
- Chapter 300: Yukako Yamagishi Falls in Love, Part 7 (ACT2)
- Chapter 301: Yukako Yamagishi Falls in Love, Part 8 (ACT2)
- Chapter 302: Yukako Yamagishi Falls in Love, Part 9 (ACT2)
- Chapter 303: Let's Go Eat Some Italian Food, Part 1 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 307: Red Hot Chili Pepper, Part 1 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 311: Red Hot Chili Pepper, Part 5 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 314: Red Hot Chili Pepper, Part 8 (ACT1)
- Chapter 319: Let's Go to the Manga Artist's House, Part 2 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 320: Let's Go to the Manga Artist's House, Part 3 (ACT2)
- Chapter 321: Let's Go to the Manga Artist's House, Part 4 (ACT2) (Cover only)
- Chapter 330: Rohan Kishibe's Adventure, Part 1 (ACT1)
- Chapter 331: Rohan Kishibe's Adventure, Part 2 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 332: Rohan Kishibe's Adventure, Part 3 (ACT1)
- Chapter 333: Rohan Kishibe's Adventure, Part 4 (ACT1)
- Chapter 353: Yukako Yamagishi Dreams of Cinderella, Part 6 (ACT1)
- Chapter 355: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 2 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 356: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 3 (ACT2)
- Chapter 357: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 4 (ACT2)
- Chapter 358: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 5 (ACT2 & ACT3)
- Chapter 359: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 6 (ACT3)
- Chapter 360: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 7 (ACT3)
- Chapter 361: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 8 (ACT3)
- Chapter 362: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 9 (ACT3)
- Chapter 364: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 11 (ACT3) (Cover only)
- Chapter 369: Atom Heart Father, Part 5 (ACT1) (Mentioned)
- Chapter 387: Highway Star, Part 4 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 390: Highway Star, Part 7 (ACT3)
- Chapter 409: Enigma Boy, Part 6 (ACT3)
- Chapter 412: Cheap Trick, Part 1 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 416: Cheap Trick, Part 5 (ACT3)
- Chapter 417: Cheap Trick, Part 6 (ACT3)
- Chapter 423: Another One Bites the Dust, Part 6 (ACT3) (Temporary death)
- Chapter 437: Let Me Remind You (ACT3) (Flashback)
- Chapter 440: Gold Experience, Part 1 (ACT3)
- Chapter 441: Gold Experience, Part 2 (ACT1)
- Chapter 442: Gold Experience, Part 3 (ACT3)
- Chapter 453: Joining the Gang, Part 4 (ACT3)
- Chapter 454: Joining the Gang, Part 5 (ACT3)
- Steel Ball Run Extra Chapter 3: Untitled Stand Chapter (ACT1 & ACT2) (Mentioned)
- The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure (ACT2) (Cover only)
- Cool Shock Old B.T. Chapter 2: The "Say Hi to Old Virginia" Incident (ACT4)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 4: The Nijimura Brothers, Part 2 (Egg)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 6: Koichi Hirose (Echoes) (Egg & ACT1)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 7: Toshikazu Hazamada (Surface) (ACT1)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 9: Yukako Yamagishi Falls in Love, Part 2 (ACT1 & ACT2)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 12: Red Hot Chili Pepper, Part 2 (ACT1)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 14: Let's Go to the Manga Artist's House, Part 1 (ACT2)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 17: Rohan Kishibe's Adventure (ACT1)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 20: Yukako Yamagishi Dreams of Cinderella (ACT1)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 23: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 1 (ACT2 & ACT3)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 24: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 2 (ACT3)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 25: Atom Heart Father (ACT1) (Mentioned)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 29: Highway Star, Part 2 (ACT3)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 33: July 15th (Thursday), Part 3 (ACT3)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 34: July 15th (Thursday), Part 4 (ACT3)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 36: Another One Bites the Dust, Part 2 (ACT3) (Temporary death)
- Diamond is Unbreakable Episode 39: Goodbye, Morioh - The Golden Heart (ACT3)
- Golden Wind Episode 1: Gold Experience (ACT3)
- Golden Wind Episode 3: Meet the Gangster Behind the Wall (ACT3) (Eyecatch)
- Golden Wind Episode 4: Joining the Gang (ACT3)
- Golden Wind Episode 13.5: Inizio del vento aureo (ACT3)
- Heaven's Door (Mentioned)
Quotes
- “I'm done protecting. Mission fuckin' accomplished. Just like you asked.”—Echoes ACT3, Chapter 359: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 6
Creation and Development
Araki designed Echoes's appearance with Koichi's growth in mind. ACT1 has the appearance of alien larva.[4] As it evolves into ACT2, it grows into a child, resembling a standing raccoon.[5] Finally, ACT3 is like a friend and is the image of Koichi made into a Stand.[6]
Spin-Offs
Cool Shock Old B.T.
In the second chapter of Cool Shock Old B.T., The "Say Hi to Old Virginia" Incident, an evolution of Echoes appears in the year 2060. Echoes ACT4 is a robot that operates in B.T.'s spaceship, COOL SHOCK. It replaces the role of Clyde from Say Hi to Virginia. Echoes ACT4 cooks an abalone risotto porridge for Koichi Mugikari. Koichi points out that it is good enough to be the head chef at the Trussardi restaurant.
Echoes ACT4 sacrifices itself to get rid of Manabu's "Old Virginia" bomb in the spaceship. It blows up the bomb itself by using Manabu's first bomb, based on Sheer Heart Attack. This creates a vacuum which minimizes the second bomb's explosion before backdraft could kick in. After Echoes ACT4 explodes, Koichi thanks it.[16]
Video Games
Cult Jump (GB)
Echoes ACT1 appears without his Stand user, Koichi, as one of the ten characters from the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure franchise on the game.
Puzzle & Dragons (Android/iOS)
Echoes ACT3 was obtainable for a limited time as an Assist Evolution in the mobile game Puzzle & Dragons.
エコーズ ACT3
Gallery
Trivia
- Although Echoes ACT1 and ACT3 have received eyecatch illustrations displaying their Stand parameters in the anime, Echoes ACT2 has not.
- In the Capcom Fighters, when Pet Shop is hit by Alessi’s Sethan it will revert back into a partially hatched egg. The egg’s design is reminiscent of Echoes’s first appearance.
References
- ↑ Love Deluxe - Vol.14 "Shueisha Jump Remix Diamond is Unbreakable Edition" P86 The Origin of STANDS! part.2
- ↑ JOJO A-GO!GO!: STANDS, p.104
- ↑ Chapter 279: The Nijimura Brothers, Part 6
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 JOJOVELLER: Araki's Stand Commentaries - Echoes ACT1
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 JOJOVELLER: Araki's Stand Commentaries - Echoes ACT2
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 JOJOVELLER: Araki's Stand Commentaries - Echoes ACT3
- ↑ Chapter 300: Yukako Yamagishi Falls in Love, Part 7 (ACT2), Chapter 358: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 5 (ACT3)
- ↑ Chapter 280: The Nijimura Brothers, Part 7 Page 6
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Chapter 287: Koichi Hirose (Echoes), Part 4
- ↑ Chapter 292: Toshikazu Hazamada (Surface), Part 4
- ↑ Chapter 330: Rohan Kishibe's Adventure, Part 1 Page 19
- ↑ For example, Chapter 332: Rohan Kishibe's Adventure, Part 3 Page 6, Chapter 387: Highway Star, Part 4 Page 8, Chapter 441: Gold Experience, Part 2 Page 6
- ↑ Chapter 356: Sheer Heart Attack, Part 3 Pages 20 & 21
- ↑ Chapter 288: Koichi Hirose (Echoes), Part 5
- ↑ Chapter 299: Yukako Yamagishi Falls in Love, Part 6
- ↑ Cool Shock Old B.T. Chapter 2: The "Say Hi to Old Virginia" Incident