Gyro Zeppeli/History
Gyro Zeppeli (ジャイロ・ツェペリ, Jairo Tseperi) is one of the main protagonists[5] of the seventh part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, Steel Ball Run.
Gyro is a master of the Spin and an executioner hailing from the Kingdom of Naples. He joins the Steel Ball Run race to win amnesty for a child he is assigned to execute. Gyro's signature weapons are his special Steel Balls that produce and manipulate the Spin - the mastery of which later allows him access to the senescence-inducing Stand Ball Breaker.
Appearance
Gyro is a man of average to above-average height and medium to athletic build. He has long hair that reaches mid-back, light-colored eyes, and square patches of facial hair lining his jaw, four on each side. He either wears grills or has chiseled into prosthetic teeth the phrase "GO! GO! ZEPPELI".
Throughout the Steel Ball Run race, Gyro wears a variety of outfits to suit the weather of the current location. However, they all maintain the same key elements and motifs of his wide-brimmed hat and slit goggles, a dark shirt studded with miniature steel balls, a cape wrapped around his shoulders that splits into three segments, and his large belt with special holsters for his two Steel Balls.
Color Schemes
Outfits
A simple outfit consisting of a long sleeve polo with an upturned collar and khakis with a belt worn when Gyro is nine years old. He has long hair with short bangs and two squares of hair by his sideburns.
A long sleeve polo with a dark upturned collar, two dark pockets on each side of the waist, and "1877" written on the left breast and dark pants with two thin strips attached to the side of each thigh. Gyro wears this outfit when he is thirteen years old. His hair is long and styled like a pompadour, albeit with a few loose bangs, mixed with a mullet.
A dark colored graduation gown and cap worn by Gyro.
Gyro's executioner outfit worn from the age of thirteen up to his adulthood. It consists of a robe bearing the emblem of the Kingdom of Naples with short sleeves and a small steel ball on each shoulder, pants with a belt featuring holsters for his Steel Balls and the Neapolitan emblem on each shin, wristbands with the emblem as well, and an executioner hood with a flap to cover his face. He also typically wears a gorget with the emblem made for royal executioners. His hair is long with short bangs.
Scrubs, a surgical cap, and a cloth face mask worn by Gyro when performing surgery. He wears a gorget with the Neapolitan emblem in addition to his scrubs in chapter 45.
Gyro's main outfit for the first half of the race. He wears a dark short-sleeve shirt adorned with a grid of miniature steel balls along with two extra balls, one on each shoulder, and three straps wrapped around his upper arm; dark wristbands that cover half of his forearm and the back of his hand; a cape wrapped around his shoulders and split into three segments; chaps with spurs on top of a dark pair of pants which are exposed at the calves and thighs; a large belt with two large buckles that feature hands pointing to his crotch and which are designed in the ratio of the golden rectangle and two holsters for his Steel Balls; a wide-brimmed cowboy hat with slits all around that each extend from the brim to the crown; and slit goggles sitting on the crown of his hat.
A winter outfit that is overall identical to his main outfit except that the straps of his cape are covered in fur and that he wears a light-colored long-sleeve shirt underneath his main shirt.
A thick, long-sleeve jumpsuit worn in severely cold weather. The suit is light-colored other than the chest, which is a dark color, and multiple large ovals designed like Steel Balls cover the chest in a "Y" shape along with two others on the shoulders. The upper arms of the sleeves are puffy and segmented like a parka, and he also wears gloves, a turtleneck sweater, and dark pants which can be seen at the calves underneath the suit. A collar made of fur is also worn around his neck above his usual cape for added warmth. A flap of cloth is attached to his hat to cover the sides and back of his head, and his belt with his holsters is looped through the suit itself.
Gyro's final outfit during the race is the same as his initial outfit except that he wears a thick undershirt with its sleeves and collar visible and a fur collar worn over his shirt. Additionally, his shirt is depicted without the striped grid it had for the most part previously, with the balls covering the torso arranged in general rows rather than a grid.
Personality
Gyro is a cocky and flamboyant executioner marked by the harshness of life, who participates in the Steel Ball Run for the sake of a young boy.
Gyro initially appears as an aggressive contestant in the Steel Ball Run race. Unlike other competitors, Gyro looks to seize first place above all else, rushing ahead of everyone[6] and then fending off anyone who challenges him.[7][8] He also has a tendency to take dangerous shortcuts.[9][10] Gyro is a rude man, deriding the vast majority of those he meets with insults and mocking commentaries. Even with his closest friend Johnny Joestar, Gyro doesn't mince his words and sometimes argues with him. Moreover, Johnny only made a lasting impression on Gyro through his dogged stubbornness[11] and otherwise looked down on him during their first meeting.[12] The only person for whom Gyro had any degree of respect is his stern father Gregorio Zeppeli. Gyro's overconfidence extends to his fights, during which Gyro is prone to mock his enemies in some way or say something brash. For instance, he openly mocked Mountain Tim's "ridiculous" hat.[13]
Gyro is particularly proud of his mastery of the Spin, a family technique involving the rotation and throwing of steel balls to various effects, and hails the Spin as the acme of human skill,[14] this pride is, to a degree, justified when the Spin manages to overpower D4C Love Train.[15] However, as a teacher he seemed to be somewhat begrudging, only bothering to teach Johnny the basics of the Spin and introducing him to the Golden Rectangle when they were threatened by a new enemy.[16]
As an executioner and otherwise confrontational man, Gyro is not afraid to use violence even in a lethal fashion. However, Gyro doesn't have the same ruthlessness as Johnny and initially doesn't seek to kill his enemies if he deems it unnecessary. Notably, Gyro did try to discourage a thief from fighting with him and only used his Steel Balls to make the man shoot himself if he ever drew his gun, instead of directly killing him.[17]
Gyro nonetheless possesses an altruistic side, and likes to help anyone who needs his assistance, most notably the paraplegic, Johnny, to whom he taught the Spin technique and helped acquire the Holy Corpse Parts, or Marco, the helpless child whose death sentence Gyro seeks to appeal by winning the Steel Ball Run. Gyro would often clash this side with the authority of Gregorio Zeppeli, who disapproved of any display of sentimentality in life and ultimately defied him by going to America.[18]
Johnny originally said that Gyro didn't have the drive and determination necessary to get things done. The jockey argued that because Gyro inherited everything he had as an upperclassman and heir of the family Spin technique, he didn't have the kind of selfish hunger born from suffering which was crucial in the race.[19] True to that, Gyro Zeppeli initially raced out of altruistic concern for Marco, and primarily relied on tricks to prevail in the race. During his battle with Ringo Roadagain he bent his original motivations into a more personal goal, the path to see for himself whether Marco deserved to be executed and who exactly the Corpse was.[20] After that, Gyro switched to a slightly less cocky behavior, and focused seriously on his battles. In his horse riding, Gyro switched to a more personal style, instinctively choosing his own route instead of the "shortest path", enabling him to even outmatch Diego in the race.[21]
Out of combat, Gyro also possesses an eccentric personality and is particularly bombastic. Gyro has a penchant for gags, involving puns or an inexplicable brand of humor from bad puns[22] to skits defying all logic,[23] frequently telling such jokes to Johnny in the spur of the moment and created a song about Mozzarella cheese, singing it to Johnny and being happy that he appreciated it.[24] He also has a fondness for dramatic gestures and quotes, saying that the Goddess of Victory was riding with him and that she would retract her favor if he ever let another woman ride with him. Unlike Johnny, Gyro frequently grins, exposing his metal teeth in the process.[25] The mere fact that he engraved his teeth with the message "Go! Go! Zeppeli" already exposes his ostentatious nature.[25] Humorously, Gyro also keeps a pink teddy bear with him, being fond of it enough to keep it even during the Steel Ball Run,[26] although he leaves it at one point. However, mimicking his own father, Gyro can be stern and dignified when he talks about the Zeppeli Spin technique.
Heavily influenced by Gregorio's teachings about the uncertainties in life - using a "tennis ball over the net" metaphor - and the Steel Ball's power being nothing short of miraculous, Gyro has a somewhat optimistic outlook on life and is convinced that he can overcome setbacks, even if they'd need a miracle to overcome, as long as he follows a virtuous path. Nonetheless, following the "tennis ball over the net" belief, Gyro is aware that failure is just as likely.[27] This ideology is repeatedly somehow confirmed with numerous coincidences and miracles helping him throughout his journey and alternatively working against him, culminating in Marco being freed without his intervention but dying of a cold later.[28]
Gyro is a womanizer, one flashback narrating an affair with a patient[29] and he is shown flirting with pretty girls.[30] On the other hand, the first time Gyro and Johnny meet Lucy, he refuses to let her ride with him and states that "no woman (will) ride my horse". He later explains that "Lady Luck" would be jealous if he let "another woman" ride with him.[31]
Gyro has a few tics of language. For instance, he has a signature "Nyo-ho-ho!" chuckle[25] and he usually shouts out "ORA!" when he hurls a Steel Ball in combat, reminiscent of the Stand Cries of the former Joestar Stands. Eventually, after Gyro's death, Johnny adopts Gyro's battle cry as Tusk ACT4's own Stand Rush.
Abilities
Gyro is an adept tactician, being able to hold his own against several Stand users and outsmarting them in several occasions. Gyro has been shown to be able to use his surroundings, or even the enemy's own power to his advantage. He is also a worldly individual, possessing a range of knowledge, including in tracking, opera, paleontology, and mathematics.
Trained by his father, Gregorio Zeppeli, Gyro is an accomplished surgeon, being able to make surgical operations on his own. This training also includes intimate knowledge of the human body Gyro uses in conjunction with the Spin in combat.
Steel Ball / Spin
The Zeppeli family's Spin technique, usually applied with special Steel Balls, is a versatile skill Gyro has trained in since his youth. Gyro equips himself with two Steel Balls as a means of self-defense, attack, and general strategic advantage.
Throwing his Steel Balls with the Spin, Gyro may create a variety of impressive trajectories. He is even able to have them return directly to him, mainly after successful contact with his target.
On impact with flesh, spiral ripples often appear. Gyro may apply a wide range of effects to human or animal targets, including muscular, nerve, and bone manipulation, and the forceful wringing of flesh to drain water.
Gyro explains that although used by his family for execution, the Spin was not developed for destructive ends, and is in many ways equally suitable in medical treatment. He is able to use the Spin as an X-ray by holding a tray of water next to a patient and then rotating a Steel Ball on the patient's affected areas, creating ripples in the water.[32]
Scan
Scan (スキャン, Sukyan) is an ability of the Steel Ball[33][a] that Gyro temporarily awakens to after possessing the Corpse's Right Eye.[34] The Right Eye is protected by a Guardian Spirit composed of energy which is shown emerging from Gyro's Steel Ball when he uses Scan in his battle against Ringo Roadagain.[35]
The word "TURBŌ" is inscribed on Gyro's iris with a diagonally oriented cross behind it, and a cross pattée emerges below his eye, on his cheek. Inside the letters are binary numbers corresponding to the location of the next Corpse Part.
When Scan is active, the ability places a single eye also marked with the word "TURBO" on each of Gyro's active Steel Balls. Scan enhances both Gyro's aptitude for the Spin and his vision. It improves his capability of targeting body parts or analyzing his enemy's weaknesses by acting as a remote camera or surrogate eyes. When the Steel Ball strikes the ground, the Spin's vibration allows echolocation-based vision.[33] For instance, Scan allows Gyro to discover an old wound on Ringo Roadagain's collarbone,[36] and lets him see Hot Pants's spine remotely to immobilize her arms with the Spin when she blinds him with Cream Starter.[37]
Gyro relinquishes this ability when he gives the eye to Lucy Steel.[38]
Stand
Ball Breaker manifests when Gyro finally achieves the "Golden Spin". The stand is a visualization of Spin energy unleashed from Gyro's steel balls, the sheer power of the technique manifesting itself into the form of a Stand.[2] Ball Breaker embodies a vast force capable of bypassing dimensional barriers.[39]
Horseback Riding
Gyro is an experienced and capable equestrian, competent enough to ride across many types of terrain and be a serious competitor in the Steel Ball Run race. His ability as a rider reached a new level after he entered a "real man's world" in his fight against Ringo Roadagain and he became able to instinctively choose the optimal path for his horse, an ability that seems on par with Diego Brando's own ability. His riding style can be summed up as aggressive; Gyro seeks to remain at the first place constantly, and takes dangerous shortcuts when he deems it necessary. When another rider challenges him, Gyro will actively try to get rid of him. His beloved horse is named Valkyrie. Gyro is also knowledgeable about horses, particularly Valkyrie, whose abilities and limits he can gauge at any moment.
Relationships
Family
- Gregorio Zeppeli: As Gyro's father, he was the only person to ever command respect and obedience to him. Their relationship was probably cold due to Gregorio wishing to throw away sentimentality from his life, thus never had a compliment for his son, nor did he give him gifts and send him letters. However Gregorio was still Gyro's Spin teacher and direct superior as surgeon and executioner, thus has authority over him, although Gyro still disobeyed him behind his back.
Friends
- Johnny Joestar: Gyro and Johnny are friends and partners in the Steel Ball Run and also master and apprentice in the art of the Spin. At first Johnny's determination got Gyro's interest, causing him to help him figuring out how to mount his Slow Dancer and start the race. After the first stage, Johnny wins the respect of Gyro, thus Gyro decides to teach him the Spin and they become partners for the rest of the race. As the stages progress their friendship grows. Despite their opposing personalities, causing regular clashes as to how to take on a difficult situation, Gyro and Johnny ultimately get along well and share many moments of friendship, culminating in them telling each personal secrets. Gyro notably likes to jest with Johnny and tells him bad jokes or miscellaneous songs that Johnny frequently pretends to appreciate. Due to their regular battles, Gyro and Johnny fight well together, and see each other as valuable allies. Their friendship is such that any one is ready to put himself in danger for the other, and Johnny notably abandoned his Corpse Parts to save Gyro's life, and has cried multiple times for him. When Gyro died, Johnny was completely devastated and Valentine exploited that bond to promise Johnny that another Gyro would walk in this world. Gyro's ghost salutes Johnny one last time and the latter would bring back his corpse to the Zeppeli family. Gyro's continuous support helped Johnny get out of his depression and enabled him to begin anew.
- Lucy Steel: Gyro and Lucy became allies, but Gyro had a cold attitude toward her, refusing her request of helping her and her husband and instead suggesting that she risked her life trying to steal the Heart from Valentine. Gyro nonetheless acknowledged her bravery and resourcefulness and entrusted the Right Eye with her, later asking Wekapipo to save her from Valentine.
- Wekapipo: Despite meeting in the Steel Ball Run race as long-standing enemies, Gyro and Wekapipo have a certain respect of each other's ability as both are proficient Spin users. Gyro revealed to Wekapipo that his sister was alive and well, having saved her life once. This revelation earned Gyro Wekapipo's help during the search for the Corpse Parts.
- Mountain Tim: Gyro only saw Tim as a rival in the Steel Ball Run race, deriding his hat when he first saw Tim. However, both come to see as allies during the fights against the Boomboom Family and Oyecomova.
Rivals
- Diego Brando: Gyro and Diego are bitter rivals, as both repeatedly tried to outdo each other in the Steel Ball Run. Gyro thinks of Diego as the greatest threat for his goal of finishing first in the race and never ceases to antagonize or insult him. Diego won't hesitate to kill Gyro, but Gyro's moral code stops him from doing the same, and he only wishes to beat him up.
- Hot Pants: As one of the competitors in the Steel Ball Run race and a rival in the search for the Saint Corpse Parts, Gyro views Hot Pants poorly. Their first meeting consisted of Hot Pants attacking Gyro for wrong reasons, and Gyro never let up his antagonistic behavior after that, regularly insulting the horse rider and once stealing her food. Later on, Gyro remains in the dark about Hot Pants's true identity, while Johnny was able to forge a more understanding and sympathetic relationship.
- Sandman: Gyro and Sandman are rivals in the Steel Ball Run race, but initially act friendly with each other. Sandman bore no ill will against Gyro and repaid being made winner of the first stage in Gyro's stead with critical information during the fourth stage. However, the next time they meet, Sandman now worked with Valentine and tried to force Gyro and Johnny to give their Corpse Parts, going as far as trying to kill them. Nonetheless, Sandman was merely indifferent to what he saw as the struggle between white men.
- Pocoloco: Gyro thinks of Pocoloco as a dangerous rival and mistakes the latter's luck as talent, while Pocoloco sees Gyro as a mere stepping stone in the race.
Enemies
- Boomboom Family: Gyro was initially cold and cautious to Andre Boomboom, and he was later proven right to act in such a way as Andre, along with his brother and father, attacked. Gyro thinks the whole family as idiots, though holds regard for their dangerous Stand abilities.
- Oyecomova: Oyecomova was an Italian assassin who attempted kill Gyro, Tim and Johnny, only to be defeated by their respective Stand powers.
- Ringo Roadagain: Ringo and Gyro were mortal enemies during their encounter. Ringo looked down on Gyro for being a "follower" but was impressed by his sudden growth, acknowledging his will during his last moments. Gyro returned the animosity and begrudging respect for the gunman.
- Funny Valentine: Valentine was Gyro's enemy in the search to obtain the Corpse Parts.
Chapters
Manga Appearances- Steel Ball Run Chapter 1: The Steel Ball Run Press Conference
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 2: Gyro Zeppeli
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 3: Johnny Joestar
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 4: September 25, 1890 - 3 Hours to Start
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 5: 1st Stage: 15,000 Meters
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 6: The Dried-Up River; Diego Brando
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 7: Pocoloco and Sandman
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 8: Crossing the Forest
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 9: Long, Long Downhill
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 10: The Final Stretch: 2,000 Meters Left
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 11: The Final Stretch: 1,000 Meters Left
- Steel Ball Run Extra Chapter 1: ~How the Steel Ball Run Race Got Started~ (Cover only)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 12: 1st Stage: Disqualified from Victory
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 13: The Sheriff's Request to Mountain Tim
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 14: Across the Arizona Desert: Continuing Along the Shortest Route
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 15: The Desert Born Outlaws, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 16: The Desert Born Outlaws, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 17: The Desert Born Outlaws, Part 3
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 18: The Devil's Palm, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 19: The Devil's Palm, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 20: Gyro Zeppeli's Mission, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 21: Gyro Zeppeli's Mission, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 22: The Terrorist from a Faraway Country, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 23: The Terrorist from a Faraway Country, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 24: Interlude
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 25: Tusk, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 26: Tusk, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 27: Tusk, Part 3
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 28: Scary Monsters, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 29: Scary Monsters, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 30: Scary Monsters, Part 3
- Steel Ball Run Extra Chapter 2: The Story of F. Valentine (Mentioned only)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 31: Scary Monsters, Part 4
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 32: 3rd Stage Goal: Cañon City
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 33: The World of Man, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 34: The World of Man, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 35: The World of Man, Part 3
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 36: The Green Tomb, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 37: The Green Tomb, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 38: Catch the Rainbow (On a Stormy Night...), Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 39: Catch the Rainbow (On a Stormy Night...), Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 40: Silent Way, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 41: Silent Way, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 42: Silent Way, Part 3
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 43: Silent Way, Part 4
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 44: Silent Way, Part 5
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 45: The Promised Land: Sugar Mountain, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 46: The Promised Land: Sugar Mountain, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 47: The Promised Land: Sugar Mountain, Part 3
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 48: Tubular Bells, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 49: Tubular Bells, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 50: Tubular Bells, Part 3
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 51: Wrecking Ball, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 52: Wrecking Ball, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 53: Wrecking Ball, Part 3
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 54: Wrecking Ball, Part 4
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 55: The Victor's Qualifications
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 56: Civil War, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 57: Civil War, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 58: Civil War, Part 3
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 59: A Dream of Gettysburg
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 60: Both Sides Now, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 61: Both Sides Now, Part 2 (Flashback)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 62: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 63: Seven Days in a Week
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 64: Chocolate Disco, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 65: Chocolate Disco, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 66: D4C, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 67: D4C, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 68: D4C, Part 3 (Photo only)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 69: D4C, Part 4
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 70: D4C, Part 5
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 71: Ticket to Ride, Part 1 (Cover only)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 72: Ticket to Ride, Part 2
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 73: D4C, Part 6
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 74: D4C, Part 7
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 76: D4C, Part 9
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 77: D4C, Part 10
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 78: D4C, Part 11 -Love Train-
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 79: D4C, Part 12 -Love Train-
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 80: D4C, Part 13 -Love Train-
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 81: D4C, Part 14 -Love Train-
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 82: D4C, Part 15 -Love Train-
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 83: Ball Breaker, Part 1
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 84: Ball Breaker, Part 2 (Death)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 85: Ball Breaker, Part 3 (Corpse only)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 86: Ball Breaker, Part 4 (Corpse only)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 87: Ball Breaker, Part 5 (Mentioned only)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 88: Break My Heart, Break Your Heart, Part 1 (Flashback)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 89: Break My Heart, Break Your Heart, Part 2 (Corpse and Ghost)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 90: High Voltage, Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 92: High Voltage, Part 3 (Cover only)
- Steel Ball Run Chapter 95: The World of Stars and Stripes - Outro (Flashback)
- JoJolion Chapter 99: The Wonder of You, Part 16 (Flashback)
- JoJolion Chapter 109: The Radio Gaga Incident (1941) (Flashback)
Quotes
Quotes- “Nyo-ho ho ho~. (ニョホホホ~。)”—Gyro Zeppeli's signature chuckle.
- “Do you know the leading causes of death? The first is a sickness carried by mosquitos. The second is getting kicked by a horse and dying. Do you plan on changing the ranking?”—Gyro Zeppeli to Johnny Joestar, Steel Ball Run Chapter 3: Johnny Joestar
- “This spinning steel is definitely my weapon.”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 3: Johnny Joestar
- “Whatever I can get, I'll take. Except for diseases... but especially a time bonus... nyo ho!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 5: 1st Stage: 15,000 Meters
- “Hey, hey, so swaying to your left is your habit... But, that's good! Go ahead... go ahead and let your anger explode!”—Gyro Zeppeli to Valkyrie, Steel Ball Run Chapter 6: The Dried-Up River; Diego Brando
- “Did you say something? Were you talking into my ass? Because I can't hear anything with my ass.”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 9: Long, Long Downhill
- “My horse has been a sprinter since birth. Even if I can't do anything to him... if I stare at his ass the whole time... I can't win! Let's go!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 10: The Final Stretch: 2,000 Meters Left
- “Lesson 2 is to work those muscles.”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 12: 1st Stage: Disqualified from Victory
- “Wanna come with me? This is the shortest way.”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 13: The Sheriff's Request to Mountain Tim
- “We are both rivals, so I'll head onwards. The direction I'll be heading in though, is toward that son of a bitch!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 14: Across the Arizona Desert: Continuing Along the Shortest Route
- “Those [Steel Balls] are just part of my technique. There are parts of the human being that are still a great mystery.”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 19: The Devil's Palm, Part 2
- “Lesson 3! When we were camped out you said you spun the cork! It's the same with the bullet! Toss it!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 19: The Devil's Palm, Part 2
- “Believe in the Spin! The power of rotation is limitless! Trust in that!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 19: The Devil's Palm, Part 2
- “That boy... I will take the place of my father who has put his pride in the family line. This job is my duty... and that will never change... It hasn't in the past and it won't change from here on. But I just want consent! I want to make this duty the pride of my heart! Guilty or innocent! There needs to be consent! Pride and honor cannot exist without consent! I will put my life on the line for pride and honor. Isn't there a way? Not all laws are justice! I cannot agree with putting that boy to death!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 21: Gyro Zeppeli's Mission, Part 2
- “Keep on running, Johnny! The first and second place in this race are still ours for the taking!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 23: The Terrorist from a Faraway Country, Part 2
- “Another shoooot!!!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 23: The Terrorist from a Faraway Country, Part 2
- “I’m going to be first in this race! And you’re going to be second! Don’t forget that promise!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 27: Tusk, Part 3
- “No matter how powerful these Saint Corpse Parts are, their power won’t tell you how to become rich, or tell you how to make chicks happy… or set free a person sentenced to death.”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 31: Scary Monsters, Part 4
- “The reason for my defeat… wasn’t because of an accident but something that looms behind me…”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 32: 3rd Stage Goal: Cañon City
- “Eat shit, asshole! Fall off your horse! (くそくらえッ！バーーーカ！落ちるころべ！)”
- “If I may, father… sentimentalism…? That’s not it. Plus, that bastard, he thinks I’m a conformist? Fuck that… big-headed asshole talking big, is he? I just want to understand. Does Marco really have to be executed. What the hell is the identity of the Corpse that Johnny wants to find? My path to understanding is the ultimate priority! Or else, I’ll never be able to move forward! Nowhere! Not even the path to the future! I won’t be able to pursue it! That’s why I joined the Steel Ball Run race! I can see it! I’m beginning to see it, father! I’m getting the sensation of victory!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 35: The World of Man, Part 3
- “From this distance… neither of us are going to miss this shot.”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 35: The World of Man, Part 3
- “There’s a need to make an impression in that bastard’s brain… that he’ll never defeat Gyro Zeppeli in any more of these stages!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 37: The Green Tomb, Part 2
- “This isn’t just about victory in the race! We need to beat him down shitless! We need to beat him so bad that he won’t want to challenge us again for 100 years! Waiting for mistakes is for cowards!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 38: Catch the Rainbow (On a Stormy Night...), Part 1
- “Don’t worry about anything, Valkyrie! You don’t need to look at Dio’s ass. This is your course, and yours only. We’re just getting started here!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 38: Catch the Rainbow (On a Stormy Night...), Part 1
- “Johnny. Maybe I still can’t beat that something I’m fighting against. Like Dio... or people that I haven't even faced yet. Whatever that something is… a true man’s world, huh. It’s gonna be tough.”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 39: Catch the Rainbow (On a Stormy Night...), Part 2
- “Alright, here goes… all you can do is brace yourself for when I pummel you with this.”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 39: Catch the Rainbow (On a Stormy Night...), Part 2
- “Pizza mozarella, pizza mozarella, rella rella rella rella rella rella rella rella... (ピザ・モッツァレラ ピザ・モッツァレラ レラレラレラレラ レラレラレラレラ)”—Gyro Zeppeli's "cheese song", Steel Ball Run Chapter 41: Silent Way, Part 2
- “"I don’t have my Steel Balls this", and "you can’t win with your nail bullets that"… Are you underestimating my rotations? Are you looking down on the 250 years of the Zeppeli Family’s history? What I’ve taught you is still just the basics!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 42: Silent Way, Part 3
- “Pay your respects. I’ll teach you the next step in the Spin… Lesson 4 (probably)”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 42: Silent Way, Part 3
- “Spin your bullets in the golden ratio! Then, you should have the ability to harness the power of infinity… the Zeppelis have always strived for that power…”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 43: Silent Way, Part 4
- “One step… I’m one step ahead of you, Wekapipo!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 54: Wrecking Ball, Part 4
- “'Lunedi', Monday! 'L-U-N-E-D-I'! 'Martedi', Tuesday! 'M-A-R-T-E-D-I'! 'Me...' What was it again?! I forgot! Ahahahahaha! What was it? What was it? Ehehehehehe! Um, what was it again? Eeeeeeeeehehehehehe! I completely forgot! Aaahahahahahaha! 'Domenica', Sunday.”—Gyro Zeppeli's "This is How I Spend My Week" joke, Steel Ball Run Chapter 63: Seven Days in a Week
- “This is probably something I should be saying to my girlfriend, but… this lens… it doesn’t show that we’re a lot closer to each other than you think.”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 66: D4C, Part 1
- “I’ll tell you (and only you) my real name. “Gyro” is a pet name, or rather a nickname. My real name is “Julius Caesar Zeppeli” My father gave it to me… even my younger brothers don’t know that name… you’d better not tell anyone.”—Gyro Zeppeli’s biggest secret, Steel Ball Run Chapter 76: D4C, Part 9
- “The Golden Rectangle, Johnny. Got it? What kind of energy does the rotation gained from the horse have? No one knows. One’s even seen it, that Spin. “Can I really do something like that myself?” If you’re thinking that right now, then know that the only way is with the Golden Rectangle. Make your horse run with that form. If we can obtain that rotational energy from the horse… It can only be with the horse in the form of the golden rectangle. Make the horse run in a way the horse itself thinks is good… like how a horse feels happy naturally running on the grass… like you’re thanking the horse itself for being born and coming to be here in this world under the sky. That is the time it will make the Golden Rectangle. Then we’ll definitely be able to win.”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 80: D4C, Part 13 -Love Train-
- “The distance to run to the President is plenty… and having one Steel Ball here is plenty!”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 82: D4C, Part 15 -Love Train-
- “Johnny! Lesson 5!... yeah… I’m sure that’s what we’re on now. The next one’s lesson 5! I always tried to take the fastest shortcut in this Steel Ball Run race, but, “the shortest route was a detour. It was the detour that was our shortest path”. It’s been true the whole time we’ve been crossing this continent. And because of you, we were able to take that route.”—Gyro Zeppeli’s last words, Steel Ball Run Chapter 84: Ball Breaker, Part 2
- “If that’s how it is… I’m okay with it… my real name… you promised, right…? Don’t tell anybody. See ya… take care. (そうゆう事なら…そうゆう事でいいんだ…オレの本名は…約束したよな………誰にも言うなよ。じゃあな…………元気でな。)”—Gyro Zeppeli, Steel Ball Run Chapter 89: Break My Heart, Break Your Heart, Part 2
Creation and Development
Araki personally liked the Jonathan–Zeppeli relationship from Phantom Blood and wanted to retell it again for a longer coming-of-age story. He chose to make Johnny and Gyro around the same age so they could be less formal and more friendly than their original counterparts.[40]
Trivia
- In the Italian edition of SBR, Gyro's name is written as "J.Lo", in a reference to American Latina singer Jennifer Lopez. This is also a slight pun on the fact that the pronunciations of "Gyro" and "J.Lo" in Japanese are almost identical.
- In the French edition of SBR, Gyro's name is written as "Jayro".
Notes
- ↑ In the glossaries of All-Star Battle, Eyes of Heaven, and All-Star Battle R, Scan is referred to as Gyro's Stand. However, the JOJOVELLER Stand guide just states it as an ability.
References
- ↑ JoJonium Volume 2 (Will Anthonio Zeppeli) - Special Interview
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 JOJOVELLER: Araki's Stand Commentaries - Ball Breaker
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 64: Chocolate Disco, Part 1, p.8
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 94: The World of Stars and Stripes
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Paperback Vol. 1 (February 2017)
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 5: 1st Stage: 15,000 Meters, p.11
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 5: 1st Stage: 15,000 Meters, p.19
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 6: The Dried-Up River; Diego Brando, p.23
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 7: Pocoloco and Sandman, p.22
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 13: The Sheriff's Request to Mountain Tim, p25
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 4: September 25, 1890 - 3 Hours to Start, p.26
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 3: Johnny Joestar, p.25 & 29
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 13: The Sheriff's Request to Mountain Tim, p.20
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 19: The Devil's Palm, Part 2, p.2
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 86: Ball Breaker, Part 4
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 43: Silent Way, Part 4, p.6
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 2: Gyro Zeppeli, p.26
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 21: Gyro Zeppeli's Mission, Part 2, p.9-15
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 32: 3rd Stage Goal: Cañon City, p.19-23
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 35: The World of Man, Part 3, p.22
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 38: Catch the Rainbow (On a Stormy Night...), Part 1, p.51-64
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 36: The Green Tomb, Part 1, p.5
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 63: Seven Days in a Week
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 41: Silent Way, Part 2, p.6
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Steel Ball Run Chapter 1: The Steel Ball Run Press Conference, p.49
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 4: September 25, 1890 - 3 Hours to Start, p.4
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 84: Ball Breaker, Part 2, p.42
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 95: The World of Stars and Stripes - Outro, p.43
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 45: The Promised Land: Sugar Mountain, Part 1, p3
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 46: The Promised Land: Sugar Mountain, Part 2, p.23
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 84: Ball Breaker, Part 2, p.41
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 52: Wrecking Ball, Part 2
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 JOJOVELLER: STANDS, p. 261
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 31: Scary Monsters, Part 4
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 35: The World of Man, Part 3, p.18
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 35: The World of Man, Part 3
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 33: The World of Man, Part 1
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 40: Silent Way, Part 1
- ↑ Steel Ball Run Chapter 83: Ball Breaker, Part 1
- ↑ Interview with Eureka Magazine, 2007
Early Years
Gyro lived a roughly normal life until his late childhood, upon which he was trained in the arts of the Spin by his father Gregorio Zeppeli. The Zeppelis being renowned doctors as well as servants of the King of Naples, Gyro lived in certain comfort. At age thirteen, Gyro began his training as a royal executioner in secret. At the same time, he was an apprentice surgeon for the family. In his late teens, Gyro was to become the next royal executioner as well as a surgeon, following his father in both aspects.
Pre-Race
Gyro departed from Genoa, Italy earlier in May and arrived in the US on May 22.[1]
Shortly after joining the Steel Ball Run race and before it begins, Gyro goes into town where he duels a man using his 'Spin' and steel balls as weapons. When the paraplegic Johnny Joestar touches one of Gyro's spinning orbs, it causes his paralyzed legs to move for a moment. Gyro attempts to convince Johnny that it was simply a reflex of his legs but fails, as Johnny is not convinced and joins the Steel Ball Run race to follow him in order to learn about the Spin and how to move his legs once again. Still, Gyro takes an interest in Johnny's actions, specifically his choice of horse, and gives him a hint to use the 'Spin' to mount his horse.[2]
First Stage
At the start of the race, Gyro rushes ahead of every participant, taking out Urm Abdul[3] as well as Diego Brando, two of the Steel Ball Run's favorites, to everyone's shock.[4] Still leading the race, then takes a dangerous shortcut through a forest during which he discovers his most serious challenger during this stage, Pocoloco.[5] Thanks to his luck, Pocoloco eventually overtakes Gyro by sliding down a slope on a cow's skin[6] Gyro unsuccessfully tries to stop Pocoloco by throwing a Steel Ball which endangers Sandman, who was running down a cliff.[7] Nonetheless, Gyro crosses the finish line first after a lengthy dash, helped by the tailwind.[8]
However, Stephen Steel voids Gyro's performance for endangering the competitor Sandman and relegates him to 21st place, which outrages him. However, impressed by Johnny Joestar's determination, Gyro invites him to race with him on the second stage, determined to get first.[9]
Second Stage
The racers line up, preparing to race across 2000 km of Arizona Desert for the second Stage. Against Johnny's advice, Gyro decides to take another shortcut through 120km of desert and Johnny follows Gyro, both pursued by the fellow racer Mrs. Robinson. [10] Mrs. Robinson soon attacks the duo, but Gyro quickly defeats him with the Spin[11]
Camping for the night 50 km from the second water point, Gyro and Johnny are approached by Andre Boom Boom, Benjamin Boom Boom and L. A. Boom Boom who can forcibly magnetize someone when the victim touches Andre's blood. [12] Unable to fight people who can control metal, Gyro and Johnny flee from the Boom Booms, but both are now magnetized. Gyro and Johnny eventually meet Mountain Tim, who was tricked into thinking Johnny murdered participants to the race. Because the three of them are under the influence of Tomb of the Boom, they attract each other and eventually are stuck together in iron sand, at the mercy of Benjamin and L.A. Boom Boom. However Johnny develops a Stand of his own, and manages to kill Benjamin as well as cripple L.A., who curses Gyro and assures him that other mercenaries will come after him.
At a checkpoint, Gyro and Johnny then have to fight a past terrorist from Naples, Oyecomova. However, Gyro and Johnny manage to work together to kill him.[13] After attacks from other participants such as Fritz von Stroheim as well as other Stand users like Pork Pie Hat Kid, Gyro discovers that Johnny is carrying a corpse part which is likely why everyone is attacking them.[14]
Gyro, distracted at the last moment by a newspaper, finishes the stage at the fourth place.
Third Stage
Although Johnny is interested in the Corpse Parts, Gyro's mind is still focused on winning the race. In a small village in the Rocky Mountains, Gyro and Johnny search for the Eyes, but also battle Dr. Ferdinand's army of dinosaurs. Dr. Ferdinant reveals that the Corpse Parts are highly sought after. At the same time, Diego, who acquired the Stand Scary Monsters takes away the left eye while Gyro has the right eye.[15]
However, at the final run to the end line of the third stage, Gyro is beaten by Diego when the jockey sneakily spits a small rock toward Valkyrie, slightly injuring the horse. Gyro finishes at the fourth place and concludes that his loss is due to his own lack of drive in the race.[16]
Fourth Stage
Gyro and Johnny then race peacefully during 600km of the 1250km of the fourth stage.
At about 650km from Kansas City, Gyro and Johnny formally meet Hot Pants, a fellow racer. Although Gyro doesn't like nor trusts Hot Pants who attacked them earlier, they are forced to ally themselves with him as gunslinger Ringo Roadagain blocks their way out of a forest. A shootout ensues, Johnny and Hot Pants are injured while Gyro is spared out of spite by Ringo. It is at this moment that Gyro acquires a genuine and selfish motivation to win, and challenges Ringo, this time winning against him. Gyro then heals Hot Pants and Johnny, but steals the latter's sandwiches to annoy him.[17]
As they approach Kansas City, Gyro and Johnny challenge Diego again in a race during a heavy rain. Gyro manages to win against Diego, whose horse is injured, putting the Englishman out of the race for a certain amount of time. [18]Later they meet Lucy Steel, who learned about the Corpse Parts and unwittingly antagonized he American Government. Asking for help, Lucy gives them the Spine as token of good faith, and Gyro defeats Blackmore, an agent who trailed Lucy. Gyro however suggests that Lucy goes back to steal Valentine's Heart. The Spine also gives them the location of the three next Corpse Parts.[19]
Fifth Stage
During the fifth stage, Gyro and Johnny race peacefully for about 300km.
However they are attacked by Diego Brando and Sandman, the latter's ability to give life to sounds being problematic since it destroys Gyro's Steel Balls. Cornered into a river, Gyro manages to teach Johnny to take inspiration from the surrounding nature in order to create an infinite rotation. Johnny's Tusk ACT 2 kills Sandman while Diego is already far away. Weakened by the fight, they cannot stop Hot Pants from stealing their Corpse Parts.[20]
They then finish the fifth stage peacefully.
Sixth Stage
At the beginning of the sixth stage, Gyro and Johnny meet Sugar Mountain, a young girl living in a tree who guards the Ears and the Right Arm. Gyro manages to acquire both plus a hefty amount of precious goods. Their joy is cut short when they learn that they have to trade the goods by sunset, or they'll be absorbed into the tree.
In a nearby city, Gyro has difficulties spending everything in time, plus Eleven Men are stalking them, looking to kill them. Gyro decides to go into a clandestine casino to gamble, but he and Johnny are interrupted by the Eleven Men. A shootout ensues, during which the enemy proves too much, but Gyro convinces the gangsters working in the casino to protect him in exchange for the goods. As sun sets, Gyro transforms himself into a tree, having not thought of trading the Corpse Parts, and Johnny is forced to trade them to the last of the Eleven Men.[21]
Near the Michigan Lake, Gyro and Johnny confront another duo of government agents. Wekapipo and Magent Magent. While Magent Magent is disposed of rather quickly, Wekapipo's expertise in the art of the Spin proves dangerous as Wekapipo made sure to seal off Gyro's ability to draw from nature, and Gyro almost dies. However due to a coincidence, Gyro is able to look a snowflakes to overpower Wekapipo. Instead of letting him die, Gyro asks Wekapipo to go look for Lucy Steel.[22]
Having victory on their side, Gyro and Johnny immeidately obtain the Legs from a wolf and easily finish the sixth stage at the first and second place.
Seventh Stage
Gyro and Johnny ride peacefully for 12 days, until one night, they see Hot Pants riding away. Gyro and Johnny follow her into a local garbage dump, but they realize it was a trap from the Stand user Axl RO, whose Civil War immobilizes Gyro. However Johnny saves them both due to his Stand evolving another time.[23]
Unfortunately, Valentine intervenes at the last moment and steals away all the Corpse Parts of the competitors save Diego's Eye. Their luck runs out, and Gyro finishes the stage at a disappointing 6th place.[24]
Eighth Stage
In Philadelphia, Gyro and Johnny decide to follow Diego and acquire his Eye. However Valentine, using Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap's power to his advantage. Gyro loses time fighting his last agent D-I-S-C-O then investigate a shootout during hich Johnny disappeared. At the same time, Valentine takes the Right Eye from Diego and Diego kills Wekapipo to escape the parallel dimension in which he's been imprisoned.[25]
Johnny manage to work out the power of Valentine's Stand, and a reluctant Gyro accepts to help him pursue Valentine, revealing that even against Valentine, there is another level of Spin which could overpower the President. Gyro and Johnny follow Diego and Hot Pants, observing from afar their clash between the three. It is not until Diego dies that Gyro and Johnny approach the train. However, they didn't plan for Lucy, now transformed into the Corpse, to cause a space distortion making the landscape converge toward her. As Gyro tries to escape this strange phenomenon, a carp bites into his finger. Later when Gyro investigates the locomotive, this one bite has moved to his carotid, severely injuring him.[25]
Now, Valentine has unlocked Love Train, a pocket dimension against which harm rebounces, making the President invulnerable. However, Gyro manages to forcefully tear off some of Valentine's hair. Gyro and Johnny take a respite, then charge toward the President, gambling on the potential of the Spin.[25]
Nonetheless, Valentine manages to injure Johnny in the subsequent clash, forcing Gyro to throw one Steel Ball in a hurry. Johnny is only saved by Steven Steel who gives Lucy to Gyro and begs him to take her away from Valentine. Gyro manages to save Lucy on his horse and dashes toward the ocean, setting the stage for a duel against Valentine.[25]
Final Duel against Valentine
In the final battle against Funny Valentine, Gyro uses the most advanced technique of the Golden Rectangle: the "Super (or Cavalry) Spin", which is created by invoking the golden rectangle while riding a horse to gain momentum. By combining this technique with his newly developed stand Ball Breaker, his attack becomes very powerful. Although his technique is very effective, it is not enough to beat Valentine, who resists his injuries long enough for Gyro to die from his own wounds. However, before dying, Gyro gives his last lesson to Johnny, allowing Tusk to reach ACT 4 and giving Johnny the power to defeat Funny Valentine.
Gyro then reappears as a spirit, saying goodbye to his friend and ascends to Heaven.
