The World (ザ・ワールド（世界）, Za Wārudo) is the Stand of DIO, featured in Stardust Crusaders.
A humanoid Stand, The World is tall and has a very muscular build. It wears a headpiece covering its face to below the place of its nose, slanting at a steep angle from the base of its forehead to a peak situated above the rear of its head by about half its height, leaving the face of an inverted triangle visible to the front; somewhat similar to the Red Crown of Lower Egypt.
It wears small, simple twin diving cylinders on its back, connecting via short, twin-ridged cables to the rear of its mask; perhaps secured by thick, ridged or puffered straps running from the rear of its waist over both its shoulders to its front. The back of both its hands bear the shape of a simple clock face. Its chin, the base of its abdomen, its crotch and its knees are topped by heart shapes. Plates on its shins, its footwear bears curved, sharply-pointed toes, similar to those of DIO's outfit in Part 3.
In the colored manga, The World is completely yellow. In the anime, it is grey-skinned and has golden clothes. In the OVA, The World is grey-skinned and ivory clothes.
It's revealed in DIO's notebook that he intended to engrave 14 words on his Stand to remember them,[1] although it's unknown if he actually does so before his death.
The World shows no particular personality, although it occasionally smiles as it pummels others.[2][3] Its Stand cry, seemingly communicated by DIO, is Muda Muda Muda! (無駄 無駄 無駄!, lit. "Useless, useless, useless!")[2]
The World is an exceptionally powerful Close-range Stand much like Star Platinum as noted by Noriaki Kakyoin and Jotaro Kujo, but boasting an effective manifestation range of 10m.[4] Despite requiring a close distance to inflict damage, its overwhelming physical might and near unstoppable control over time undeniably makes it one of the most dangerous Stands in the entire series.
Super Strength/Senses/Speed/Precision: The World possesses phenomenal strength, senses, and incredible speed, being able to easily punch Kakyoin right through his abdomen. DIO claims that The World is even stronger and faster than Star Platinum, since it bested the latter in a clash of rapid punches between the two.[2] However, it is unclear if this is an aspect of DIO's vampiric nature or simply having greater experience with his Stand. Its main offense is generally characterized by a flurry of speedy punches and the occasional kick.
The World's signature power is its ability to stop time, allowing only itself, DIO and anyone with the same power, to act within the duration of stopped time.[5]
In the stopped time, DIO can move his own body freely along with any object he touches, allowing him to strike his defenseless enemies, move to a superior position, and toy with his victims. The objects that DIO throws can momentarily move during stopped time before stopping, thus a flurry of thrown knives could fly for several meters before stopping near Jotaro.[6]
It is notable that DIO needs to consciously activate Time Stop, which means that surprise attacks can prevent him from stopping time.[7]
Because of DIO's weakened state during Part 3, this ability initially only works for up to 5 seconds in DIO's frame of reference before time flows again.[8] However, thanks to DIO's immortality, the duration of stopped time increases as DIO becomes more accustomed to The World and the scar around his neck heals, reaching a maximum of nine seconds towards the end of Part 3.[9] However, had he not died, the period during for which DIO could have stopped time would have continued to grow.[10]
An alternate evolved form of the Stand named The World Over Heaven appears in Eyes of Heaven, wielded by Heaven Ascension DIO.
The World's first appearance
DIO and The World together
"MUDA MUDA MUDA" rush
The World meets fists with Star Platinum
Star Platinum punches through The World's stomach after Jotaro's trick
The World's final clash with Star Platinum
The World, destroyed by Star Platinum's punch
DIO's tarot card representing "The World"
JoJo 6251 profile
In Part 5 style, from JOJO A-GO!GO!
First glimpse of The World, seen in a mirror's reflection
The World with its fists through clockwork cogs, symbolizing its complete control over time
DIO's tarot card representing "The World"
DIO, awakening his Stand for the first time to stop a shotgun blast
DIO finally revealing his Stand, The World
DIO summoning The World to take on Kakyoin
The World punches straight through Kakyoin's chest
The World battling Star Platinum
The World and Star Platinum clashing fists
The World is punched through the chest by Star Platinum
The World is destroyed by Star Platinum's fatal punch
The World, shattering the screen in JoJo Sono Chi no Kioku ~end of THE WORLD~
The World's stats
The World's alternate stat card
The World in the OVA
Super Action Statue figure
OVA color SAS
Sand color SAS
Statue Legend figure
2nd Color Statue Legend
Sofubi Figure chibi
The World 's render, All-Star Battle
The World's render, Eyes of Heaven
The World from Crusade Card Game
The World in the commercial for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The Real 4-D
