The Ripple (波紋, Hamon), is an energy used in the ancient form of martial arts, Sendō (仙道, lit. "Way of The Hermit/Wizard").
Through self-controlled respiration, a trained person can produce an energy manifesting as ripples throughout their body and that is identical to the energy of the Sun, in polar opposition to the energy exerted by Vampires, Zombies and the Pillar Men.
The Ripple is energy identical to the Sun's rays, which the human body can produce through controlled breathing, having the effect of producing ripples of energy propagating from the bloodstream to the rest of the body and other objects in contact with it. The Ripple manifests itself as electricity-like sparks, and it can be seen by ordinary humans.
The Ripple can also affect non-living things. An object charged with Ripple energy will have one or several attributes enhanced by the energy, making it a more effective tool, or weapon. Liquids conduct the Ripple especially well (and the user's Ripple shows on liquids as actual ripples). It is mentioned by Joseph that objects covered in oil can conduct Ripple much easier. However while all materials can conduct the Ripple more or less well, an inorganic material such as metal cannot store the energy, which simply passes through. Joseph was also shown to be able to channel the Ripple through his own Stand. It is unknown if a humanoid Stand like Star Platinum, belonging to his grandson Jotaro, could do the same.
Anybody can technically produce the Ripple. However, Will Anthonio Zeppeli explains that only one in ten thousand has the ability to be a Ripple user in practice. In effect, only a few people have the willpower and therefore the discipline to breathe correctly: those notably who have lived through great tragedies and yet have kept their fortitude like Jonathan Joestar.[1] However, the ability to use the Ripple is also a talent granted to people whose ancestors were once Ripple users. Thus Joseph Joestar had a natural affinity for the Ripple without being really proficient.[2]
Color Schemes
The series is known for alternating colors between media, the information presented below may or may not be canon.
Colored MangaHeritage for the FuturePB (PS2)All Star BattleAnimeEyes of Heaven
Color(Orangish-Yellow)
Color(Cyan)
Color(Yellow and orange)
Color(Light Blue)
Color(Orangish-Yellow)
Color(Yellow)
Using the Ripple
Jonathan Joestar's Sendō Ripple Overdrive, a powerful Ripple attack.
Due to its identical nature to the positive energy of the Sun, the Ripple's primary uses are to heal various wounds or ailments, and combat creatures such as vampires or zombies.
Living organisms can be affected by Ripple attacks, but are not automatically hurt by it. For instance, Will A. Zeppeli healed Jonathan Joestar's broken arm while Caesar Zeppeli used his Ripple to control a woman into fighting Joseph, and Joseph's trained Ripple would have caused an ordinary person to experience a pins-and-needles-feeling before fainting - similar in nature to symptoms experienced after prolonged exposure to the sun's rays. Kars' Ripple energy, boasting several hundred times Joseph's power, caused Joseph's flesh to nearly instantly melt.[3] Ripple is transferable between people, as both Will A. Zeppeli and his grandson Caesar transferred their Ripple to the protagonists they were aiding shortly before their deaths. Ripple users can reject harmful substances inside of them by ejecting it from their bloodstream with the use of Ripple energy.
Producing the Ripple also preserves the user's vitality, making them look more youthful and be more energetic even during old age although this method has limits.
To produce an optimized Ripple, users must precisely control the energy produced by the breathing. It typically requires focusing the energy before unleashing it all at once to create a powerful burst of Ripple.
Tools
The Ripple makes anything into a weapon
By imbuing any object with the Ripple, a Ripple user can perform several techniques that can combine with the warrior's own tactics, to allow for a very flexible fighting style. Because of its versatile nature, many warriors use different weapons ranging from a scarf, soap bubbles, wine, or clackers. Many of the most powerful techniques are classified as "Overdrives" (波紋疾走, Ōbādoraibu, lit. "Ripple Dash/Sprint"), and are often color named for the medium they're used with (Metal Silver being one to transmit through a sword). An object that is impacted by the force of the Overdrive will carry Ripple energy through it and will become lethal to a vampire's touch. This can be used to strike an enemy in another room by breaking through a wall and causing its solar energy to disintegrate the target.
Training The Ripple
Merely producing a light amount of Ripple requires the user to breathe a precise way. Thus to not only enhance the ability to produce it, and efficiently wield it in battle, the Ripple user must undergo training and exercise his ability.
Ripple users undergo harsh physical training to increase their breathing ability and thus the amount and power of the Ripple they produce. Although the training is explained as being focused on the rhythm of the breathing, which will positively impact on the whole body, it doesn't stop a master from using physical exercise, like prolonged swimming, or forcing a student to stay balanced on the tip of the finger.[4] Harsh masters have also designed lethal training regimens like the Hell Climb Pillar which puts students in a life or death situation to push them to overcome their limits.[5]
Those who want to fight with the Ripple also typically undergo martial arts training to acquire battle experience and fighting skills that will be enhanced by the Ripple. Will Zeppeli and Jonathan Joestar thus have trained to use the Sendō alongside the Ripple. However, other Ripple users like Joseph prefer to use tools with the Ripple, and Caesar Zeppeli has an unrefined fighting skill honed by years of delinquency.
While the Ripple Users can become dangerously powerful and turn the most mundane of objects into lethal weapons, they are not without significant weaknesses.
A Ripple user must be able to constantly breathe: if this breathing is stopped or reduced due to injury or other conditions, they slowly grow weaker and lose the ability to create more Ripple energy, to the point that they can be easily defeated - even by a mere zombie. This weakness was exploited by many Vampires - notably when Dio mortally injured Jonathan, piercing his trachea and in the process preventing him from using the Ripple. Similarly, Ripple energy needs a strong flow of the user's blood to be used with any great strength. Dio had discovered that he could flash-freeze a Ripple user in seconds (he even claimed to be able to freeze Jonathan whole in just two seconds), causing their blood to flow slowly to an eventual stop, making them unable to attack as rapidly or disabling them outright. Additionally, Wamuu remarked that Caesar's heavy blood loss prevented him from using the Ripple.
As stated by Will Zeppeli, while Ripple energy is strong enough to smash through rock and brick, it is unable to smash through stronger substances like iron or steel.
The Ripple also appears ineffective when removing an object from the User's body if said object is made of the User's own flesh, as demonstrated by Joseph Joestar during the Empress story arc of Stardust Crusaders.
Note: Due to the versatility of the Ripple and the near-universal ways of deploying it, there are very few shared techniques between Ripple users. Many of the techniques listed here are exclusive to individuals and do not represent the full spectrum available.
The most basic application of the Ripple. The user attacks with either their limbs or an object imbued with the Ripple. When Joseph uses it, he charges his hand with Ripple and strikes his opponent with a chop.
The user charges a Ripple wave through his arm and releases it into a solid object, such as a wall or partition. The Ripple can travel through and reach anything on the other side, and anything hit by the Ripple is sent flying in a spiral. If the enemy is an Undead, the Ripple will enter their bloodstream and destroy them from the inside. Zeppeli first uses it by transferring the Ripple through a frog in order to shatter a rock below it.
Charging the Ripple into one hand, the Ripple user can create a Ripple of flame. He is able to transfer over this flame to another part of his body, and anything that touches that body part has a chance of catching fire.
Turquoise Blue Overdrive(青縁波紋疾走Tākoizu Burū Ōbādoraibu, lit. Turquoise Blue Ripple Dash)
Appropriately the strongest place to use the Ripple, a Ripple user can release high powered tempests while underwater with enough force to blast enemies away. In most cases, a good portion of the water is propelled outward as well, draining something like a lake to waist-high depth. However, in the Capcom fighting game, Joseph performs this via an inward chop of ripple whilst not underwater.
It is a devastating and extremely strong Ripple-infused strike with power comparable to the sun itself and has the ability to completely obliterate the Undead. Either performing as a single attack (by Will Zeppeli or Joseph in Capcom Fighters) or iconically as a rapid-rush of Ripple-infused punches (as done by Jonathan); the attack is notable for producing a very clear-yellow color akin to sunlight.
Life Magnetism Overdrive(生命磁気への波紋疾走Seimei jiki e no Ōbādoraibu, lit. Existence Magnetism Ripple Dash)
With the aid of another Ripple user, one can draw all the leaves in the immediate area and magnetize them together to form one giant leaf, which can be used as an impromptu-hang glider. Human bodies have a faint magnetic field and can act as a living magnet when the power of the magnetic field is increased by this Overdrive. That magnetic field is transferred into the leaves, creating a massive magnetic sheet.
The Ripple user leaps into the air and points his legs towards his opponent. From here, he is able to move the Ripple to his lower half and essentially dive-bombs the opponent in a spinning motion, much like a drill.
Deep Pass Overdrive(深仙脈疾走Dīpasu Ōbādoraibu, lit. Deep Hermit Pulse Dash)
One of the most powerful Ripple techniques. Right before death, a Ripple user can transfer all his life energy into another Ripple user. Using this technique, the survivor obtains all of the performer's power - causing his strength, agility, and Ripple technique to increase dramatically. This rapid loss of life energy naturally also changes the performer's physical appearance, causing his skin to thin and wrinkle as well as his hair to turn white as if greatly aged in the short time. This is one of the few "Overdrive" techniques without the "Hamon" kanji in its name.
Ripple Beat Overdrive(波紋疾走のビートHamon Ōbādoraibu no Bīto, lit. Ripple Dash Beat)
The user traps the opponent with ropes made of 100% wool, then imbues the ropes with the Ripple. When Joseph uses it, it has enough force to slice through Esidisi's face.
The user charges Ripple into their fist and hits the ground. The Ripple travels across the floor, creating a circle filled with a complicated pattern. It instantly disintegrates any Undead target into ashes.
Sunset Orange Overdrive(茜色波紋疾走Sansetsuto Orenji no Obādoraibu, lit. Madder Red Ripple Dash)
The user holds the Red Stone of Aja in one hand and presses it against the opponent before charging it with the Ripple. Their Ripple resembles the color of sunset and creates a red firework, burning the enemy.
The Ripple user launches his fist forward and strikes his opponent via an elongated arm. First used by Zeppeli, the attack involves a Ripple breathing technique that dislocates and stretches the joints to extend the arm and give it greater reach while also using the same Ripple to dull the pain caused by the move. Due to the increased length, the strike immediately reaches the opponent's face first, which from that perspective seems "zoomed in".
The user jumps at their opponent and does a split with their legs, preventing the opponent from moving their arms. They then attack their foe's neck with a chop imbued with the Ripple. It's quick enough that they would even be able to put objects on them without anyone noticing. This attack's weakness is that it leaves their guard open for a headbutt or another direct attack.
An advanced version of the Thunder Split Attack that covers its weakness by making their arms form a cross. It is described as a perfect technique in both attack and defense, so no one, aside from Dio, has ever defeated it.
The user spits globs of liquid from between his teeth. The Ripple combined with the liquid makes it sharp and dense enough to cut through solid objects, as well as agile and accurate enough to deflect other projectiles.
The user imbues a contained liquid or object with the Ripple. The Ripple will pass through the holder's body and the environment, enabling the holder to sense their surroundings and detect others even through walls. Jonathan and Zeppeli use this technique with wine, while Lisa Lisa uses it with her scarf, sensing a zombie's sneak attack.
Sticking Ripple & Repelling Ripple(くっつく波紋とはじく波紋Kuttsuku Hamon to Hajiku Hamon)
A Ripple user is able to use the Ripple as a repellent and to adhere either themselves or objects to other objects and liquids. Zeppeli first uses it to walk on water. Jonathan uses this to expel the venom from Doobie's snakes out of his body. Joseph and Caesar manage to climb a pillar covered in oil with adhesion, and Caesar uses it to deflect a high pressured oil jet. Later, Caesar and Joseph force Esidisi out of Suzi Q's body. Joseph sends the positive repellent ripple into various points across Suzi Q's body while Caesar focuses attractant negative ripple on only her heart, forcing Esidisi to leave after he can't handle it anymore.
A Ripple user can hypnotize people and animals by using the Ripple on them. The process can involve a kiss or simply touching one's head with their hands. The hypnotized person will act according to the user's demands and be stronger than an ordinary being, being imbued with the Ripple. A Ripple Master can also extract forgotten memories using this technique. Furthermore, they can knock out ordinary people by applying the Ripple to one's head, as a young Joseph does to a pilot while Speedwagon's plane is being hijacked.
Satiporoja Beetle Cloth(サティポロジアビートルの布Satiporojia Bītoru no Nuno)
A Ripple Master can use cloth woven from the dried intestinal fibers of Satiporoja beetles, an insect native to Southeast Asia. The cloth is capable of conducting the Ripple at 100%. Straizo and Lisa Lisa use scarves that are made of 30,000 beetles. As it conducts and disperses the Ripple far better than the human body, it acts similarly to a lightning rod and can completely absorb an opponent's Ripple attack.
The user infuses his Ripple into strands of hair to make them hard enough to form a barrier, which blocks incoming projectiles. Joseph uses it to block bullets fired by Santana after ripping a fistful of Stroheim's hair.
The user fires out a barrage of bubbles from their gloves, each coated in the Ripple. This increases the density of the bubbles and allows them to hit objects with a greater impact. When hit by the barrage, a grown man would be completely blown away.
Sometimes used in conjunction with Bubble Launcher; the difference is that instead of multiple being used in a barrage, the Ripple user conjures a single gigantic bubble capable of absorbing and trapping its target.
The user chucks American Clackers infused with the Ripple into their opponent's direction. This can be done a number of ways, but to produce the best and most surprising effect, they can hide them behind their back. From there, they can slingshot them from behind their back at the enemy in all directions.
The user throws both pairs of Clackers infused with the Ripple into a beam or pillar behind the opponent, fooling the foe into assuming they missed. One gets stuck onto whatever it was thrown on and starts spinning, latching onto the second pair of Clackers. The second pair then flings back towards the opponent from behind, much like how a boomerang works.
An advanced adhesive technique, Joseph imbues both his fists and feet with the Ripple. To prevent himself from falling down a pillar covered with oil, he flips himself upwards and uses his hands to stick to the blast of oil. He then slides across and propels himself upwards, gaining more distance than he could from normally climbing or jumping.
Based on the Ripple Cutter, this technique is a direct improvement on the Bubble Launcher, and creates bubbles with the ability to slice. Unlike the original attack, the bubbles spin at high speed and use centrifugal force, but are able to stay intact due to the Ripple. This causes them to form shapes much like saucers with a small blade-like ring surrounding each bubble. These bubbles move at a higher velocity and have higher tractability, allowing the user to fire them in any direction with ease.
A more versatile version of Bubble Cutter, The user sacrifices the quantity of the attack, and focuses on effectiveness. By launching a few bubbles, he is able to aim them much like homing projectiles. They are able to go around objects and have a higher chance of hitting the opponent.
The user produces Ripple-infused bubbles that have the ability to refract light and focus them into beams, much like a magnifying glass. After launching them, the bubbles become stationary and any light source passing through will cause a domino effect, connecting the bubbles together and eventually shooting multiple beams at their target.
The user can transfer their Ripple to their Ripple conducting scarf to harden it and stand upside down, leaving the now rigid scarf the only part of the user in contact with the ground. The user may also use the sensitivity of the scarf to detect life signs and know the direction of incoming attacks, even when out of sight.
The Ripple user gut punches someone with their little finger raised, allowing them to reach the diaphragm. By doing so, the target will momentarily lose their breath and be in agony, but will be able to produce the Ripple. Wounds sustained by a normal person can be healed faster. One can also gauge how much Ripple a neophyte can produce in one breath, enabling one to determine a person's potential. However, the technique requires precision and is difficult to perform. Even experienced Ripple Masters can fail it, as was the case when Will Anthonio Zeppeli tried the forced Ripple Breathing on Speedwagon.
The Ripple can heal fractured bones as well as lessen one's sense of pain. Zeppeli heals Jonathan's fractured arm which would have taken another month or two to completely heal. When Jonathan grabs a tree branch, it revives withered flowers, causing them to bloom again.
The user can predict the future of any individual. Its regular usage allows one to see a few seconds into the future. Extremely skilled users like Tonpetty can see very far into the future of an individual by touching their hands, including their destiny and how they die.
Constant exercising of the Ripple can slow one's aging process, as Ripple breathing imbues the user with life force. However, aging isn't completely stopped. As such, a 70-year-old Ripple Master will look 50, while a 50-year-old Ripple Master will look 30.
History
Tibetan Masters specialized in Ripple training
According to Will Anthonio Zeppeli, only one in ten thousand bears the aptitude capable of utilizing Ripple, and the main characteristic of driving Ripple comes from the pressure one has felt through harsh situations in life. Those who are not capable will still be able to use Ripple, but only to an insignificant extent.[6]
Ripple seems to have been created at the dawn of humanity with the purpose of fighting off the Pillar Men's influence on the world along with the vampires and zombies created with their Stone Masks, and stopping them from ever achieving perfection through the Red Stone of Aja. Ripple users have built many devices and temples across the world to help them train and learn from one another.
In the Steel Ball Run canon, a power called the Spin (回転, Kaiten) is introduced, similar in a few notable ways to Ripple; as part of a series of parallels to concepts native to the original canon.
Channeled by Gyro Zeppeli with special Steel Balls and by Johnny Joestar with a Stand power that spins his nails, the Spin enables a range of effects on the environment and the body.
Gallery
Zeppeli using the Ripple to destroy a rock without disturbing the frog which rested over it
Jonathan demonstrates his talent in the Ripple
Will, and Jonathan in unison
Jonathan after preliminary Ripple training with Will Zeppeli
Jonathan learns to use the Ripple in combat
The Turquoise Blue Overdrive
Sunlight Yellow Overdrive
Jonathan empowered by the Ultimate Deep Pass Overdrive
According to Araki, the concept of "Rules" and psychic powers in the manga Babel II by Mitsuteru Yokoyama helped him form the basis around the idea of Ripple.[8]
The Ripple is similar in concept to the concept of Qi/Ki/Chi, a person's natural fighting energy found in much other manga and anime.
The Ripple-based moves, such as the Overdrive, form the basis of some of Joseph's techniques in video game Heritage for the Future, as well as the entirety of Young Joseph's moves. When performing these Ripple moves using the strongest attack button, both Josephs can be seen visibly breathing.
