Jonathan Joestar ★ Video Games

A summary of Jonathan Joestar's history and movesets in video games.

Phantom Blood (PS2)

Jonathan is the main playable character in the game's Story Mode. Throughout the game, the player controls many different versions of him, sometimes with wildly differing movesets.

12

The player starts Story Mode as a young Jonathan, defending Erina Pendleton from bullies harassing her. His moveset at this point consists only of punches and tackles. While in the manga Jonathan lost this fight, the game includes an alternate scene should the player defeat the bullies: Jonathan forces the bullies to give back the doll, but upon hearing the bullies badmouth the Joestar family he announces his name and is beaten up for it.

This version of Jonathan fights against a young Dio in Chapter 03, attacking in a fury over what Dio did to Erina.

Jonathan Joestar (Young)

Commands

Name

Japanese

Reckless Combo

がむしゃらコンボ

Body Slam

体当たり

Reckless Left Hook

がむしゃら左フック

Reckless Right Hook

がむしゃら右フック

Running

Brute-Force Attack

力任せのぶん殴り

Running

Raging Body Slam

怒りの体当たり

Evasive Roll

前転回避

Available Stages: Chapters 01, 03

Chapter 02 features Jonathan in boxing gear for a match with Dio. Much like the previous level, the player can change how the fight went from the manga by having Jonathan beat Dio, although the resulting scene has Dio turn everyone against Jonathan anyway by claiming he put a rock in his glove.

Jonathan Joestar (Boxing)

Commands

Name

Japanese

Reckless Boxing

がむしゃらボクシング

Downward Thrust

突き倒し

Reckless Left Hook

がむしゃら左フック

Reckless Right Hook

がむしゃら右フック

Running

Brute-Force Attack

力任せのぶん殴り

Running

Raging Downward Thrust

怒りの突き倒し

Ducking

ダッキング

Available Stages: Chapter 02

123

Jonathan becomes an adult and unlocks kicking techniques in Chapter 04 as he confronts Dio over Dario's letter and his father's symptoms. This version of Jonathan battles Speedwagon and his two accomplices in Ogre Street, and later confronts a vampiric Dio atop the roof of the burning Joestar Mansion.

Jonathan Joestar (Adult)

Commands

Name

Japanese

Normal Combo

通常コンボ

Hot-Blooded Tackle

熱血タックル

Courageous Knee Strike

勇気の膝蹴り

Passionate Roundhouse Kick

情熱の回し蹴り

Courageous Chop

勇気のチョップ

Running

Gentleman's High Kick

紳士のハイキック

Running

Adolescent Tackle

青春タックル

Evasive Roll

前転回避

Available Stages: Chapters 04, 05, 07

When the player fights the newly-made vampire Dio in Chapter 06, Jonathan utilizes a spear, though he loses it after the stage's completion.

Jonathan Joestar (Spear)

Commands

Name

Japanese

Iron Spear Combo

鉄槍コンボ

Hot-Blooded Swing

熱血振り回し

Courageous Launch

勇気の打ち上げ

Passionate Spin

情熱のぶん回し

Running

Gentleman's Thrust

紳士の突き

Running

Raging Strike

怒りの殴りつけ

Evasive Roll

前転回避

Available Stages: Chapter 06

12345

The battle with Wang Chan is the first time Jonathan possesses Ripple abilities, allowing him to destroy vampires and zombies, counter attacks, and temporarily increase his stats. Jonathan also gains the Sunlight Yellow Overdrive special move. The player controls this version of Jonathan for most of the game, as he battles Jack the Ripper, Dio's zombies, Bruford (on land), Tarkus, Adams, Doobie, and finally Dio himself.

Jonathan Joestar

Commands

Name

Japanese

Normal Combo

通常コンボ

Ground Ripple

地面を伝わる波紋

Ripple Upper

波紋アッパー

Ripple Roundhouse Kick

波紋回し蹴り

Ripple Chop

波紋チョップ

Ripple Punch Barrage

波紋パンチ連打

Running

Gentleman's High Kick

紳士のハイキック

Running

Ripple Tackle

波紋タックル

Evasive Roll

前転回避

during damage

Ripple Counter

波紋カウンター

(LV 0-3)

Zoom Punch

ズームパンチ

Sunlight Yellow Overdrive

山吹き色の波紋疾走

Recovery Power-Up

回復カアップ

Defense Power-Up

防御カアップ

Attack Power-Up

攻撃カアップ

Speed Power-Up

スピードアップ

Available Stages: Chapters 08, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23 (Alternate)

Story Mode Replay: Chapters 15, 21
77 Rings Knights Mode: Ripple Warriors

Jonathan unlocks the Turquoise Blue Overdrive special move to use against Bruford in the underwater first battle against him; landing Turquoise Blue Overdrive plays a cutscene and ends the battle.

Jonathan Joestar (Underwater)

Commands

Name

Japanese

Underwater Combo

水中コンボ

Drop Kick

ドロップ＆キック

Punch & Kick

パンチ＆キック

One-Two & Kick

ワンツー＆キック

Breaststroke

平泳ぎ

Turquoise Blue Overdrive

青緑波紋疾走

Available Stages: Chapter 13

In Chapter 21, Jonathan wields the sword of Luck and Pluck, which grants him the Metal Silver Overdrive special.

Jonathan Joestar (Luck and Pluck)

Commands

Name

Japanese

Normal Combo

通常コンボ

Ripple-Infused Rose

波紋を帯びた薔薇

Courageous Counterslash

勇気の斬り返し

Passionate Swipe

情熱のなぎ払い

Running

Spirited Side Slash

会心の横斬り

Running

Body Thrust

渾身の突き

Evasive Roll

前転回避

during damage

Ripple Counter

波紋カウンター

(LV 0-3)

Zoom Kick

ズームキック

Metal Silver Overdrive

銀色の波紋疾走

Recovery Power-Up

回復カアップ

Defense Power-Up

防御カアップ

Available Stages: Chapter 21

77 Rings Knights Mode: Ripple Warriors

The final chapter has the player control a fatally wounded and dying Jonathan, recreating the final scene of Part 1, with very little mobility and no access to his counter or stat increases. Upon landing Jonathan's Final Ripple, a cutscene will play and the battle will end.

Jonathan Joestar (Wounded)

Commands

Name

Japanese

Normal Combo

通常コンボ

Ground Ripple

地面を伝わる波紋

Ripple Upper

波紋アッパー

Ripple Roundhouse Kick

波紋回し蹴り

Ripple Chop

波紋チョップ

Ripple Punch Barrage

波紋パンチ連打

Evasive Roll

前転回避

(LV 0-3)

Zoom Punch

ズームパンチ

Final Ripple

最後の波紋

Available Stages: Chapter 23

[edit]

All-Star Battle (PS3)

Jonathan Joestar was confirmed for All-Star Battle along with Will Anthonio Zeppeli and Johnny Joestar. He is a Ripple-user character along with Will, Joseph, Caesar, and Lisa Lisa.

Having voiced Jonathan in the Phantom Blood anime, Kazuyuki Okitsu reprises his role for this game, and would continue to do so for future JoJo media featuring Jonathan as well.

Costumes

Normal
Costume A
(Volume 4)
Costume B
(Volume 2)
Costume C
(Volume 5)
Costume D
(Chapter 31 Cover)
Costume E
(Chapters 43-44)

Command List

Jonathan uses the Ripple (波紋, Hamōn) Battle Style, using various Ripple moves from his appearance in Phantom Blood.

Moveset

Style/Specials/Etc

Ripple Breath

ON GROUND CHARGEABLE

Jonathan breathes out to produce the Ripple, charging his Heart Heat Gauge.

Zoom Punch

+

or

ON GROUND

Jonathan hyperextends his arm and punches with greatly increased range. A command normal that can chain into any of his skills.

If Light is inputted, the punch is aimed upwards as an anti-air attack.
If Medium is inputted, the punch is delivered straight, and causes the opponent to crumple. (Comboable)

Tackle

+

ON GROUND

Jonathan lunges forward shoulder-first. If not blocked, the opponent is sent flying into the stage wall and into a hard knockdown. A command normal that can chain into any of Jonathan's skills, though Scarlet Overdrive has the best chance of landing.

This is my final Ripple!

+ 3 ATK Buttons (Consumes Heart Heat Gauge) ON GROUND

At any point during the round, Jonathan can spend a stock of his Heart Heat Gauge to initiate this move, which allows him to automatically rise again with a small amount of health after his health initially depletes to zero. Once risen, he gains increased attack power and defense, and all of his skills are permanently Ripple-enhanced. However, his Heart Heat Gauge is disabled entirely.

If he's struck by "Kosaku Kawajiri's" GHA, Bites The Dust when this skill is activated, Jonathan will lose its effects but regain access to his HHG in turn, assuming he has enough health to survive.

Rumble Mode

Activates once at 25% health. Attack damage is increased and the Guard and Heart Heat Gauges fill faster.

Throw

I will protect my father!

2 ATK buttons at close range or

ON GROUND

Jonathan lifts the opponent up by one hand, holds them over his head, and throws them to the ground.

Skills

Sendo Ripple Overdrive

+

or

ON GROUND

Jonathan punches the ground and sends a forward-moving wave of Ripple energy along the ground in a low projectile attack. The Attack button inputted determines the speed and distance of the wave. This skill deals more damage and will knock the opponent into the air if Ripple-enhanced. (Flash Cancel comboable normally; Ripple-enhanced comboable freely)

Overdrive Barrage

+

or

ON GROUND

Jonathan slides forward and delivers a rapid punch barrage, finishing with a small uppercut that pushes the opponent away. The Attack button inputted determines the number of punches delivered. This move deals more damage and knocks the opponent into the air with a the final uppercut if Ripple-enhanced (Ripple-enhanced Comboable).

This move is able to initiate a Rush Mode struggle with Power-Type Stand users, making Jonathan the only non-Stand-Style character to be able to do so.

Scarlet Overdrive

+

or

ON GROUND

Jonathan delivers a sudden short body blow immediately followed by a flaming rising uppercut with the other fist, in a classic "Shoryuken"-style move, doubling as both a reversal and an anti-air attack. This move cannot be Flash-Cancelled once Jonathan leaves the ground. The opponent will fly higher and take more damage if Ripple-enhanced. (Comboable)

The Sword of Luck & Pluck

+

or

ON GROUND

Jonathan leaps forward, sword in both hands, and unleashes three slashes, with the final downward swing knocking the opponent into a ground-bounce. The first hit is a middle attack that cannot be blocked if the opponent is crouching (Flash Cancel comboable). If the move is Ripple-enhanced, its damage is increased and Jonathan gains super armor during the whole move, allowing him to shrug off non-throws/HHA/GHA attacks.

Heart Heat Attack / Great Heat Attack

Who'll be the last one standing?!

+ 2 ATK Buttons ON GROUND

Jonathan spins as his hands are engulfed in flames, before diving forward, both fists extended. If the opponent is hit, the two-handed Scarlet Overdrive will strike them in the abdomen, Jonathan punching through them with a fiery Ripple-charged fist. He then follows up with second pulse of the Ripple to send them flying.

Sunlight Yellow Overdrive

+ 3 ATK Buttons or

ON GROUND

Jonathan readies his body with the power of the Ripple before delivering a very fast kick. If the kick lands, the opponent is lifted off the ground as it hits squarely in their abdomen. Jonathan proceeds to pummel them at different angles and knock them into the air with an uppercut, all while reciting his signature lines. After charging up an immense amount of Ripple energy, Jonathan unleashes a relentless flurry of punches into the opponent as they fall towards him, ending with them spiraling away after a two-handed crossing punch.

Gameplay Overview

As the first and original JoJo, Jonathan is understandably designed as a balanced, beginner-friendly character, embodying the "Shoto" archetype. As such, he carries with him hallmark moves of the archetype such as a projectile, a rising anti-air/reversal attack, and a forward-moving attack that hits multiple times, among other abilities, making him reliable and easy to grasp to those familiar. Due to being a Ripple User, Jonathan's special skills offer more damage and combo extensions when enhanced. With Ripple-enhanced skills, Jonathan has a wealth of methods to power through attacks and knock his opponent into the air for generous follow-up potential, and when applied together, lengthier and higher-damage combos come naturally to him.

However, Jonathan predictably struggles at range especially against Stand Users, requiring him to extend himself well into other characters' ranges to battle, although some of his moves help alleviate this. He also lacks any special movement options, rendering his maneuverability somewhat limited despite excelling at close combat. Jonathan's biggest weakness is a reliance on Heart Heat, as he tends to suffer more than other Ripple Users due to his short range and lack of strong combos in the absence of Ripple-enhanced abilities.

Overall, Jonathan is an effective well-rounded character leaning towards close-ranged high offense, and with good management of Heart Heat, his damage output and other capabilities will remain steadfast. Should he have a surplus of Heart Heat to spend, Jonathan may secure himself a chance to make a comeback during a losing battle. In all, he is a reliable character for those familiar with fighting games.

Win Poses

Win Pose A

Jonathan holds both arms to his side, referencing the cover art on The Thirst for Blood!.

Win Pose B

Jonathan extends out his arm, referencing the way he performs Turquoise Blue Overdrive in Chapter 28: Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford, Part 3.

Win Pose C

Jonathan mid-air, bending and extending out his arm, referencing the cover of Chapter 31: The Knights' Ruins.

Win Pose D

Jonathan's back faces the camera, referencing his pose after defeating Dio Brando in Chapter 41: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 3.

Win Pose E

Jonathan extends both his arms at the camera, referencing the way he defeats Dio Brando in Chapter 40: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 2.

[edit]

All-Star Battle R (Various)

This section requires expansion.

“

”

—Chapter 29: Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford, Part 4

Jonathan Joestar (ジョナサン・ジョースター, Jonasan Jōsutā) was confirmed for All-Star Battle R during the game's initial announcement trailer.^[2] He was one of the four characters playable in the game's first Early Access Demo^[3] alongside Jotaro Kujo, DIO, and Jolyne Cujoh. He was also 1 of 15 playable characters during the Evo 2022 Demo in August 5.^[4]

His moveset is fundamentally the same as his from 'All-Star Battle', with a few tweaks being made to both balance the character and fit him into the overall gameplay tweaks that All-Star Battle R brought.

As Kazuyuki Okitsu had already voiced Jonathan in the Phantom Blood anime, as well as All-Star Battle, he reprises his role as Jonathan's voice actor in this game too. As with the majority of the game's roster, voicelines for Jonathan were either added or re-recorded.

Character Trailer