Jojo's Bizarre Adventure (ジョジョの奇妙な冒険, Jojo no Kimyō na Bōken) is a manga written and illustrated by
Hirohiko Araki. It is currently the second longest running manga series in
Weekly Shounen Jump [1], starting in 1987 and going on to 2004, and has changed the magazine of its publication to
Ultra Jump [2] in 2005 during the run of its seventh installment,
Steel Ball Run.In May 2011 Ultra published the first chapter of (Part 8). The series has 100 volumes and counting; it is the longest manga not to have a TV adaptation, although there are two
OVA adaptations.
The series is known for its references to Western music, its affinity to Italy and the glam style of the characters.
Genres: Action, Adventure, Supernatural, Suspense
The various parts
| No.
|
Title
|
Original Run
|
Volumes
|
| 1
|
Phantom Blood
|
1987 – 1988
|
5
|
| Series 1 follows Jonathan Joestar as he masters the ancient art of the Hamon to fight against his stepbrother, the newly transformed Vampire, Dio Brando and his zombie minions
|
| No.
|
Title
|
Original Run
|
Volumes
|
| 2
|
Battle Tendency
|
1988 – 1989
|
7
|
|
The second part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series takes place in the 1930s, and follows the misadventures of Joseph Joestar, the grandson of Jonathan Joestar, as he fights vampires and ancient super beings with some help from a cybernetically-enhanced Nazi and an Italian man he has a lot in common with.
|
|
| No.
|
Title
|
Original Run
|
Volumes
|
| 3
|
Stardust Crusaders
|
1989 – 1992
|
16
|
|
Series 3 follows Jotaro Kujo, the grandson of Joseph Joestar, and his journey to Egypt to defeat the evil vampire, Dio. Stardust Crusaders is the third (and perhaps most well known) major story arc.
|
|
| No.
|
Title
|
Original Run
|
Volumes
|
| 4
|
Diamond is Unbreakable
|
1992 – 1996
|
18
|
|
This series focuses on Josuke Higashikata, the illegitimate son of Joseph Joestar, with Jotaro Kujo and Joseph Joestar along in a supporting role. Araki retroactively introduces the "Bow and Arrow", an ancient artifact which causes latent Stand ability to develop in people.
|
|
| No.
|
Title
|
Original Run
|
Volumes
|
| 5
|
Vento Aureo
|
1996 – 1999
|
17
|
|
Giorno Giovanna wants to become a gangster in order to fulfill his dream: becoming a "Gangstar" (Gangster Star). After killing Leaky-Eye Luka, Giorno is encountered by Bruno Bucciarati, who wants to exact revenge. However Giorno exceeds Bruno's expectations and defeats him. Giorno is invited into Bucciarati's mafia group and is assigned a mission to deliver the Mafia Boss' daughter to him.
|
|
| No.
|
Title
|
Original Run
|
Volumes
|
| 6
|
Stone Ocean
|
2000 – 2003
|
17
|
|
The story of Jotaro Kujo's (Part 3) daughter, Jolyne Kujo. Taking place in Port St. Lucie, Florida, she is framed for a DUI murder and ends up in the Green Dolphin Street Prison (named after the Bill Evans album "On Green Dolphin Street"). She is given an amulet inherited from her father, which cuts her hand and unlocks her Stand ability.
|
|
| No.
|
Title
|
Original Run
|
Volumes
|
| 7
|
Steel Ball Run
|
2004 – 2011
|
24
|
|
The story this time around begins in 1890. The series stars Gyro Zeppeli, who uses a set of steel balls with a special kind of spin, and Johnny Joestar (an alternate universe Jonathan Joestar), a former hot-shot jockey whose career ended early due to paraplegia. They race, along with others, in a mad-dash across America for 50 million dollars and possibly something else...
|
|
| No.
|
Title
|
Original Run
|
Volumes
|
| 8
|
Jojolion
|
2011-Ongoing
|
2
|
|
The story takes place in 2011 in Morioh, the same town Part IV took place in, but in an alternate reality. Yasuho Hirose finds a strange naked man half buried in the ground. After making acquaintances, she finds out the man has no idea who he is and has no memories of anything. The story unfolds with Yasuho and the Strange Man attempting to unravel the mysteries behind the man's past and his amnesia.
|
|
Trivia
- Every part of series, has a close connection with the JoJo main character, since the title reflects some characteristic attitudes or situations on the manga, Example:
- Phantom Blood: The first encounter with Jonathan and Dio, thus, starting the legacy that future members of Joestar family have to fight against Dio or any person who has connections with him.
- Battle Tendency: The vast amount of fights in Joseph's way to save the world, first with the police, mafia members, nazis, vampires, The Pillar Men and finally, the showdown against Ultimate Cars.
- Stardust Crusaders: Jotaro's group has Stands, which are named according their Major Arcana cards, the Tarot gives advice to mankind through the Stars. Their voyage from Japan until Egypt, is very similar to the path of the crusaders, knight who want to recover the Sacred Lands from Muslims (In this case, Jotaro wants to save his mother, Holly Joestar-Kujo).
- Diamond is Unbreakable: Crazy Diamond, Josuke's Stand, is probably one of the most versatile stands created by Araki, since the Restoration ability provides several and helpful uses, like heal, construct, reconstruct, remake, etc; by this, the title of this part is very proper, because the diamond is the hardest of all rocks.
- Golden Wind: Gold Experience gives life to any object in this world, according with the Bible, God gave to his creations the "Life Breeze" on Adam, Eve and every animal and plant of the Paradise, this reflects Giorno's ability, plus, his new hairstyle, gold and stylish makes Giorno "reborn", because during his childhood, he barely had a life.
- Stone Ocean: Jolyne starts the series in prison, wishing to have her old life, free of troubles and bad times. From the start to the end, Jolyne leaves her rebellious side and accepts her destiny as Joestar legacy heir, thus, make fully her objectives: Recover Jotaro's Stand Disc, beat Pucci, and save the world.Also a reference to the "gift" Jolyne received from Jotaro.
- Steel Ball Run: The main event of the series the suicidal race across the United States of Valentine. Gyro's weapon choice is the Steel Ball, which provide several uses, from stop bleeding to kill people. Johnny has a major reference, since he wins the race of his life against all odds, with walking again as his final prize.
See Also
