Spin
The Spin (回転, Kaiten, literally "rotation") is a supernatural phenomenon wielded by Gyro Zeppeli and Johnny Joestar and featured in Steel Ball Run.
It is a state of perfect or near-perfect rotation which produces a unique form of energy that can be applied for a multitude of uses. The Spin may be considered a counterpart to the Ripple power featured in the original timeline.
Description
The Spin is a state of rotation defined by its closeness to perfection, that perfection being the Golden Rectangle (黄金長方形, Ōgon Chōhōkei), more specifically the Golden Spiral that is derived from the Rectangle, a mathematically endless spiral and a feature said to be omnipresent in the surrounding nature and a fortiori in works of arts[1].
Unlike the average rotation, the Spin is persistent and produces more rotational energy[1] than it takes to create. That rotational energy is transferred to nearby objects in the form of vibrations[2] and can be wielded for a wide array of purposes.
The Spin is a specialty of the Kingdom of Naples. It is intensively used there either for medicine or for battle. All characters who know the Spin are either Napolitan or have been taught by a Napolitan.
Using the Spin
Because of its miraculous property, the Spin has been wielded as a technique by a chosen few at least since the Middle Ages[3] from which several specialized skills have been derived.
Users of the Spin typically try to spin objects to follow as best they can the Golden Rectangle, creating a near endless rotation that may then create an infinite amount of rotational energy, before throwing said objects at a target. To do so, they apply a small force causing the object to Spin near perfectly, giving it an impulse of energy to start the rotation, and then let the rotation perpetuate itself. One advice given to neophytes is to visualize the perfect rotation and then trying to emulate it[4].The Spin is deceptively and relatively easy to learn at the basic, as the novice Johnny Joestar manages to produce a conclusive Spin with a cork within a day of learning about the power's existence[4]; however, it is extremely difficult to master. The Spin must be imbued into a medium that will keep on spinning and must be thrown so the object can transfer the energy through contact. Thus, a Spin user must be able to expertly aim and throw objects in order to hope for a result. One must also know the human body extremely well to exploit the effects of the Spin on people to the fullest. For instance the Zeppeli Family are trained as surgeons to use the Spin on criminals on death row[5], otherwise the Spin may only result in a simple enhancement of destructive energy. Others like the members of Naples' royal guard only use a highly specialized application of the Spin on the human body[6].
Tools
- See also: Steel Ball, Wrecking Ball and Tusk
The Spin can be applied to a variety of objects. Examples include corks[4], bullets[7] water[1], or typically any object on which there is an axis around which the object can rotate well. Tusk is a Stand linked to the Spin which uses Spin-imbued finger- and toenails.
Johnny Joestar's Stand Tusk, developed with Gyro's mentoring, allows Johnny to spin his fingernails and toenails[8] to act as bullets. Unlike the Steel Balls, the nails possess more metaphysical properties.
Super Spin
- See also: Ball Breaker and Tusk ACT4
Developed in the Middle Ages to bypass the shield and armor of mounted knights, stirrups were invented to harness the power of a running horse. The horseman must let the horse run with the force of the Golden Rectangle, meaning it must gallop at its most natural speed. At this perfect pace, the horse spontaneously creates the energy of the Spin; it can then be harnessed through the stirrups and passed on through the body, into the arm and wrists to further empower the throw of the Steel Ball. Thus, a truly perfect rotation emitting an infinite amount of energy is created.[3][9][10] The Super Spin is associated to the power to produce gravity, the only force supposedly capable of going between dimensions.[11]
Unlocking the Super Spin grants mastery over an infinite amount of energy, therefore, several miraculous feats are possible. First and foremost is that its wielder spontaneously develops a Stand or evolves it should they already have one. Gyro manifests the Stand Ball Breaker[12], while Johnny develops Tusk's final evolution: Tusk ACT4[13].
Gyro's Ball Breaker and Johnny's Tusk ACT4 appear to represent the infinite force of the Super Spin which trumps many powers. Both are notably capable of bypassing the interdimensional barriers of D4C -Love Train- that hide and protect Funny Valentine and his Stand Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap[12][14], and it is shown that Tusk ACT4 is impervious, to an extent, to THE WORLD's ability to stop time itself[15].
Although almighty, the Super Spin is incredibly complicated to use. One must not only have a healthy horse, but also have the expertise to feel when it runs at its natural pace, in addition to the need of being proficient in the Spin and possessing a projectile that can be imbued with the Super Spin. An imperfect thrown sphere will result in a failure[16] and any interference during the horse mounting, like bumping into an obstacle[10] or the horse being attacked, will completely interrupt the process[13]. During the events of Steel Ball Run, only two people on Earth could reproduce the Super Spin.
Effects and Uses
Objects imbued with the Spin have a range of effects on humans, animals, or the environment. However, the energy of the Spin dissipates in the environment, requiring either direct contact or at least closeness to a source of rotational energy to be affected by it.
The Spin is used for a wide range of destructive, defensive, medical, and utilitarian purposes depending on the available tool.
General Use
- The Spin naturally enhances the destructive power of a projectile and thus can be thrown to simply inflict damage. A Steel Ball imbued with the Spin can destroy great chunks of rocks.[17] Wekapipo's satellites are also propelled with as much force as bullets, being able to tear Gyro's hand.
- The Spin can affect the body to harden it and enable it to easily transmit energy somewhere else, granting supernatural but temporary sturdiness. It allowed Gyro to becomes bulletproof[18] and withstand the blast of one of Boku no Rhythm wo Kiitekure's bombs and only harm his leg[19] or Wekapipo to redirect the energy of a Steel Ball[20].
- The Spin is partially used to take control of the projectiles it is imbued to. Thanks to this phenomenon, Users of the Spin have control over how their projectiles react and can aim better, yet also have the projectiles return to their hands so as to not waste them.
- Object imbued with Spin can be used to reinforce the Spin of other projectiles, for instance increasing the effective range of the Steel Balls[21].
- Spinning objects have a high rotation speed and thus can create a large amount of friction. Thus they can maintain objects in place like a cape to function like a sail[22] or unravel objects like a tree's bark[23]. Steel Balls in particular are shown to create makeshift ropes[24], and even carve into metal to create bullets[25].
Zeppeli Steel Balls
The Spin has been long studied as a human anatomical corrective and medical treatment by the Napoletani Zeppeli Family, doctors renowned throughout Italy but also royal executioners of the King of Naples. They employ a generalist form of the Spin with Steel Balls thrown at targets, granting them a wide array of uses, although their carreers orient them toward affecting the human body.
- The first and most featured direct use of the Spin is to trigger muscle reflexes. For instance, Johnny's lame legs suddenly stood up when he touched a spinning Steel Ball.[26] It allows among others to control the movements of enemies to an extent, for instance immobilizing a thief[27] and making that thief shoot himself[26], as well as triggering a violent horse kick[28][13].
- The vibrations of the Steel Balls can be used to remotely visualize and affect objects, for instance detecting hidden obstacles[2] or more pettily make bottle corks pop[29].
- To bring a clean, certain, and painless death, the royal executioners of Naples use the Steel Ball to immobilize those about to be executed and decapitate them swiftly. In this specific use, the Steel Ball is applied to the nape of the neck. [30]
- The Spin can even flatten limbs and the body so that the target can twist themself into narrow spaces.[31]
- On one occasion Gyro applies Spin to himself to wring water out of his body.[32]
- The Zeppeli Steel Balls can also affect the skin and tighten appearance to either make the target look wrinkled and malnourished or inversely beautify someone's skin and enhance their silhouette.[33]
- They can also shave someone's hair.[33]
- Gyro can twist plants into bending away from his path.[34]
- Gyro can rotate water itself to create a makeshift sphere and deflect attacks.[35]
- By rotating two Steel Balls near each other, Gyro can modify the density of the air to reflect light and create mirages, fooling enemies into wasting attacks.[36]
Interestingly, people are not able to feel whenever they are affected by the Steel Balls. Johnny held a still spinning cork in his hand without realizing it[29] and during their final confrontation, Gyro was able to hit Valentine several times with the Super Spin and hide its effects, including the tearing off of an ear[9][11]. Targets of the Spin usually only notice the Spin through viewing the body twisting itself, or indirect consequences of the Spin. Gyro explains it as the Steel Ball numbing the senses of the skin and thus stopping the body from feeling the stimulus.
Johnny's Tusk
See Tusk for more precise uses of Johnny's nails.
Johnny Joestar utilizes the power of the Spin to generate his own Stand, Tusk. His medium for the Spin is his own fingernails and toenails, using them as projectiles. Almost entirely offensive in nature, Johnny's "nail bullets" are seen as a purely weaponized version of the Spin. As Johnny develops his Stand's power, he also develops more advanced applications of the Spin and his nail bullets within the context of combat.
Neapolitan Royal Guard's Wrecking Ball
The royal guard of Naples use a highly specialized and aggressive version of the Spin, using Wrecking Balls instead of simple spheric balls.
- The smaller spheres embedded in the Wrecking Ball act as extra projectiles that can suddenly spring out of the main sphere and can attack multiple targets with precision and from unexpected angles[37].
- Moreover, even if the satellites miss their target, the shockwave they create in their passage causes hemispatial neglect, crippling the opponents in battle[6] and allowing Wekapipo or allies to hide from the enemy.
Users
Gallery
Golden rectangle's explanations
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 SBR Chapter 43, Silent Way (4)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 SBR Chapter 5
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 SBR Chapter 72
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 SBR Chapter 15
- ↑ SBR Chapter 20
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 SBR Chapter 52
- ↑ SBR Chapter 53
- ↑ SBR Chapter 27
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 SBR Chapter 79
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 SBR Chapter 80
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 SBR Chapter 81
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 SBR Chapter 83
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 SBR Chapter 85
- ↑ SBR Chapter 86
- ↑ SBR Chapter 92
- ↑ SBR Chapter 84
- ↑ SBR Chapter 9
- ↑ SBR Chapter 25
- ↑ SBR Chapter 22
- ↑ SBR Chapter 54
- ↑ SBR Chapter 23
- ↑ SBR Chapter 11
- ↑ SBR Chapter 30
- ↑ SBR Chapter 55
- ↑ SBR Chapter 44
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 SBR Chapter 2
- ↑ SBR Chapter 1
- ↑ SBR Chapter 6
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 SBR Chapter 12
- ↑ SBR C.21
- ↑ SBR Chapter 29
- ↑ SBR Chapter 32
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 SBR Chapter 45
- ↑ SBR Chapter 8
- ↑ SBR Chapter 43
- ↑ SBR Chapter 66
- ↑ SBR Chapter 51
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