Jonathan Joestar/History
- For a similarly named character, see Johnny Joestar
Jonathan Joestar (ジョナサン・ジョースター, Jonasan Jōsutā) is the main protagonist of the first part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, Phantom Blood, and the first JoJo of the series. His legacy extends throughout almost the entirety of the first six parts of the series, with major characters such as Joseph Joestar and Jotaro Kujo being his descendants.
Jonathan is the son of the wealthy businessman George Joestar I and Mary Joestar. He is an honest, kind, and positive man whose life is fraught with tragedy after meeting his adopted older brother Dio Brando. In his battle against Dio, Jonathan becomes a Ripple user under the tutelage of his master Will Anthonio Zeppeli.
Appearance
Adhering to the norms of the Victorian era, Jonathan's childhood attire at age twelve consisted of a collared shirt, breeches, and a pair of long socks with dress shoes. This was either accompanied by a blazer, vest, and tie, or a pair of suspenders. As a nobleman, he sometimes replaces the tie with a ribbon-like his father's.[9] When boxing, he wears a casual boxing outfit consisting of a tank top, shorts, and boxing gloves. During his time with Erina, Jonathan also dons a Newsboy cap and a pair of knee-high boots.
As a twenty-year-old adult, Jonathan is a tall (195 cm/6'5"), extremely muscular individual with a gentlemen's poise. His typical attire tends to reflect his noble background, characterized by stylized tunics over long-sleeve shirts. Reoccurring articles of clothing include a cravat, a bow tie, thick boots, and a vest.
At home, Jonathan wears semi-formal attire consisting of a collared shirt, tie, and jacket with rolled-up sleeves.[10] When he sets out to Ogre Street to find a cure for his father's illness, Jonathan dons an entirely new outfit made up of a padded jacket and pants, complete with a deerstalker cap and a long cloak.[10] During his training with Zeppeli, he strips down to a stylized tank top with wristbands, and gains a circlet at some point.[11] On his quest to Windknight's Lot, Jonathan dons a double-layered tunic with a bow tie and deerstalker cap.[12] Following his fight with Tarkus, he wears a close-fitted tank top with capped sleeves for the rest of the journey.[13] During his honeymoon and final encounter with Dio, he wears an ornate suit with a long tail over a collared shirt with straps on the shoulders and a cravat.[13]
Modern depictions of Jonathan show him wearing a headband patterned with triangles much similar to the one both Caesar and Joseph don. Though he isn't depicted with the Star Birthmark in the manga, modern illustrations by Araki and adaptations such as the OVA and 2012 anime depict him with it.
Color Schemes
Personality
During his childhood, Jonathan was proud and mischievous, yet gentle. Despite already aspiring to be a "true gentleman",[5] Jonathan lacked manners and mostly behaved like a normal child. His mother, having died before he could remember her, and his fellow boys ostracizing him because of his status left Jonathan somewhat lonely.[14] While at first, Jonathan didn't have his future strength of will, Dio unwittingly became the catalyst of his growth by pushing him to the edge and humiliating his girlfriend Erina Pendleton.[15] However, he did have the kindness and courage to immediately jump to Erina's rescue against two bullies bigger than him despite not knowing her.[5]
Regarding Jonathan as a character, Araki has stated that Jonathan was difficult for him to design.[16] He wanted to create a "first Joestar" that could function as a symbol of purity and dignity rather than a unique, fresh character. This is reflected in his goals and character, Jonathan strives to become a "true gentleman." He carries his Joestar name with pride, never betraying the code of conduct he has set for himself, and will treat any fellow human with respect unless they prove evil.
Jonathan also possesses a fierce inner strength and the drive to face and overcome conflict, which Dio calls an "explosive power". That drive, fueled by his affection for his friends and loved ones, enabled him to overcome the direst situations, notably managing to save his wife Erina when their boat was overcome with zombies and he was fatally wounded.[17] Jonathan fights for what he believes in, and once he is committed to something, he won't back down until the deed is done. During his journey to find a cure for his father's illness, he was ambushed by a band of misfit hoodlums. He did not so much as flinch as he grasped an assailant's knife within his hand, saying he had much more riding on the fight than merely four fingers.[18]
As a gentleman, Jonathan is also kind and positive. Jonathan has a mindset where he tries to imagine the consequences his actions would have on other people, even if they appear to be enemies.[19] He is gentle and sympathetic, feeling pain even as he vanquishes a zombified policeman. Despite his skill in fighting, he will never seriously harm a person without a valid reason. Even after everything Dio has done, Jonathan still considers him his brother, and sheds tears for him.[8] His courteous nature as well as his mental fortitude and ability to withstand fear and pain is the main reason Speedwagon decides to aid him on his journey. During his life, Jonathan has always had an impulse to save others, beginning with Erina, and ending with his thought of a nearby baby just as he was agonizing over Dio's attack.[4]
Yet Jonathan can feel righteous fury at the evilness of his foes and will conduct justice by vanquishing them. He admitted that his reason for fighting Dio wasn't out of duty for saving the world, but to avenge his loved ones that Dio had killed.[20] Moreover, he does not pity truly despicable individuals he is not familiar with such as Doobie.[21]
With his courage and spirit, Jonathan sets a legacy as the first JoJo of the series.
Abilities
Athleticism
Jonathan had lived a rough past as the son of an aristocrat and was known in his childhood to have been at least a competent boxer. In his college life, he played Rugby alongside Dio Brando and was revered as one of the two stars of Hugh Hudson Academy.
Even prior to learning Ripple, Jonathan was able to hold his own against three thugs, Speedwagon among them, with sheer might and willpower. He was capable of wielding various weaponry held by the suits of armor in the Joestar Mansion. He had also performed incredible feats of strength, such as jumping from the hilt of a sword and hoisting himself up to the second floor while doing a flip over the guardrails, despite his arm being inhibited by a spear pierced into his pectorals. Perhaps his greatest display of strength was after being revitalized and empowered by Zeppeli's Ultimate Deep Pass Overdrive, where he ripped through 3 steel bars clutching his neck, a feat that even the mighty zombie Tarkus outright admitted he was incapable of.
Intelligence
Jonathan is shown to be an intelligent person and a very competent thinker during battles, constantly coming up with new strategies mid-combat to defeat foes such as Bruford and Dio.
Academically, Jonathan graduated from university after having written a celebrated thesis in archaeology.[7] He has meticulously studied the Stone Mask, going as far as identifying the spots in the brain it would pierce,[18] but didn't discover its true purpose himself.
In a fight, Jonathan is adept at thinking of moves on the spot and using the environment to his advantage. On several occasions, Jonathan was quick to formulate plans even in a moment of crisis. Still agonizing over the death of his father, Jonathan had to fight a vampirized Dio and quickly thought about burning down the Joestar Mansion in order to cancel out Dio's regenerative abilities. Likewise, agonizing from a wound in the throat which also led to a lack of oxygen going to his brain, Jonathan managed to use his last Ripple on Wang Chan to dispose of a horde of zombies and Dio at the same time by controlling Wang Chan's body to make the boat explode. Jonathan even notably used his belt as a supplementary whip before ever acquiring the Ripple, as well as exploited the fact that Windknight's Lot was a coal mining town to deduce that a lake would have air pockets at its bottom to surprise Bruford with an unexpected production of Ripple.
Ripple
Jonathan has an arsenal of ancient martial art techniques, most inherited from Will Anthonio Zeppeli and involving Ripple, at his disposal. Some are his original creation, most ending with "Overdrive".
Attacks
The most basic application of the Ripple. Jonathan attacks with his limbs imbued with the Ripple.
Jonathan launches his fist forward and strikes his opponent. 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."
Jonathan 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.
Charging the Ripple into one hand, Jonathan can create a Ripple of flame. He is able to transfer this flame over to another part of his body, and anything that touches that body part has a chance of catching fire.
Appropriately the strongest place to use the Ripple, Jonathan 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.
When Jonathan jabs fast enough consecutively, he can release multiple Overdrives at once.
Essentially the same as a Sendō Ripple Overdrive, but with the ability to transfer through metal.
Jonathan and Zeppeli have the ability to release devastating Ripple-infused strikes with power comparable to the sun itself. The energy produced by this technique can flow straight through victims to obliterate multiple Undead at once; when delivered through a barrage of punches, it can even revive a Zombie's human soul as their body is obliterated.
Human bodies have a faint magnetic field, allowing them to act as a living magnet when the power of the magnetic field is increased by this Overdrive. That magnetic field is then transferred into the leaves, creating a massive magnetic sheet. With the aid of Zeppeli, Jonathan uses this technique to draw all the leaves in the immediate area and magnetize them together to form one giant leaf, using it as an impromptu hang glider.
Skills
Alongside the attacks, the Ripple has various other uses in combat. A skilled Ripple user such as Jonathan has the ability to walk on water, strengthen objects and increase their potency, increase jumping height, and much more.
The Ripple can heal fractured bones as well as lessen one's sense of pain. When Jonathan grabs a tree branch, it revives withered flowers, causing them to bloom again. During his battle with Tarkus, he was also able to heal his broken neck after receiving the Deep Pass Overdrive from Zeppeli.
Jonathan imbues a contained liquid or object such as wine with the Ripple. The Ripple will pass through his body and the environment, enabling Jonathan to sense his surroundings and detect others even through walls.
A Ripple user is able to use the Ripple as a repellent and to adhere either themselves or objects to other objects and liquids. Jonathan uses this to walk on water and later to expel the venom from Doobie's snakes out of his body.
Those who have trained in Sendō gain extremely quick movements, footwork, and agility, allowing Jonathan to create afterimages when he moves.
By using the Ripple on people or animals, Jonathan can reorganize their cells, indirectly controlling their bodies. Jonathan uses this technique when sending Ripple energy into the blood of Doobie's snakes, causing them to devour their own master; he ultimately uses this technique on Wang Chan to force him to stop a cruise ship's screw shaft.
Weapons
Stand
When DIO awakened The World, Jonathan's body also awakened a Hermit Purple-like Stand power with semi-precognitive abilities.[23] Similar to Hermit Purple, it can produce psychic photographs by striking a camera or a crystal ball, which DIO used to track the Joestars and their friends' current location to send Stand users after them. DIO was even able to tell when Joseph used Hermit Purple to take a psychic photograph of him, and instinctively knew that his acquisition of a Stand also awoke Stand abilities in Jonathan's descendants.
In the light novel JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE OVER HEAVEN, this Stand shares the same name as Hermit Purple and is called "Hermit Purple #2". In JORGE JOESTAR, this Stand is instead named "The Passion" and takes the form of a crown of thorns, along with also being able to watch the futures of anyone that is blood-related to Jonathan.
Relationships
Family
- George Joestar I: In his youth, Jonathan's father was very strict with him, correcting his lack of table manners and berating his studies, while ignoring the harm that Dio was bringing on his son. This was perhaps made worse by the fact that Jonathan's mother had died some years ago, hardening George and causing him to be harsher on his son. Regardless, Jonathan still loves his father greatly, angrily beating up Dio, whom he had been friends with for the past seven years, for poisoning his father. When Dio throws a knife at Jonathan, George sacrifices himself to block the knife and comments that "It's not so bad to die in your son's arms".
- Mary Joestar: Though Jonathan's interactions with his mother are never seen as she is killed while he was still an infant, he is shown to love her greatly, looking at her picture wistfully and crying right after Dio ruins his life with his arrival.
- Danny: Jonathan and Danny have forged a strong bond since Danny saved Jonathan from drowning in the river. Jonathan is shown to be very angry when Danny was kicked by Dio and had sobbed uncontrollably when the household had buried Danny. Danny still shows up in his master's memories, when Jonathan remembers having fought with Danny over a toy gun.[24]
- Erina Pendleton: Jonathan's love interest and eventually his wife first hands him a handkerchief shortly after he is beaten down by bullies. Jonathan professes his love for her afterward, which she is shown to accept at least in part until Dio enters and steals her first kiss in order to upset the two. Erina does return after the Joestar mansion burns down, however, and nurses Jonathan back to health, igniting the relationship between the two once more. The two are married after Jonathan manages to defeat Dio with his Ripple, and their relationship continues well into Erina's old age.
- Giorno Giovanna: Many years after Jonathan's death, DIO uses Jonathan's body to get around in the world now, during which he sires 4 children, one of which is Giorno. Of all the children, Giorno is born first and carries the birthmark thanks to Jonathan's DNA present in his body. While a slightly darker side of Giorno exists, resembling DIO's ruthlessness (albeit towards evil people), he retains a noble heart and desire to help innocents, closer to Jonathan's ideals.
- Joseph Joestar: Joseph is the grandson of Jonathan. Joseph had no real knowledge of his grandfather prior to his battle with Straizo because Robert E. O. Speedwagon kept the events of Jonathan's battle secret. However, Joseph holds great respect towards him due to his relationship with Erina and his friendship with Speedwagon. When Caesar insults Jonathan, it enrages Joseph for bringing up the past. His respect for his grandfather is even more apparent in his later years, as he's shown to be angry that DIO is now using Jonathan's body as his own.
Friends
- Robert E. O. Speedwagon: As Jonathan's most loyal friend and an enemy at first, he later joined Jonathan on his quest after seeing the protagonist's dedication and courteous nature. In his later years, he founded The Speedwagon Foundation, which has become the Joestar Family's most useful asset in battling Stand users and supernatural research.
- Will Anthonio Zeppeli: Jonathan, upon meeting Zeppeli, was initially perplexed by his appearance and strange abilities. After Zeppeli explains his actions and the significance of the Ripple, Jonathan grows to trust Zeppeli completely and looks up to him as a mentor. Zeppeli eventually sacrifices himself to save Jonathan and transfers his energy and life force to him, just moments before dying. Jonathan tearfully avenges Zeppeli by killing Tarkus.
- Poco: As with the rest of his party, Jonathan felt it necessary to look after Poco during his battle against Dio and his undead army. He takes it upon himself to save Poco's sister during their storming of Dio's castle.
- Tonpetty: Given the short time-sharing, their relationship was nothing more than cordial respect and empathy with them over the death of Zeppeli.
- Dire: Initially meeting Dire in conflict, Jonathan immediately became allies with him when he learned that he was Zeppeli's friend sent to defeat Dio. After Dire died fighting the vampire, Jonathan later takes revenge on his hands against him.
- Straizo: Given the short time-sharing, their relationship was nothing more than cordial respect and empathy with them over the death of Zeppeli. However, after Jonathan's death, it is Straizo who adopts the child that Jonathan saves and gives to Erina and eventually teaches the child in the ways of the Ripple. Since Straizo's adoptive daughter married his son that would essentially make them brothers-in-law.
Enemies
- Dio Brando: In their childhood, Dio and Jonathan do not get along well due to Dio's antagonism towards Jonathan and his ability to both outshine him and ruin his relationships greatly. Years later at Hugh Hudson Academy, Jonathan is shown to have become friendly with Dio, though Jonathan still suspects that something is suspicious about Dio's behavior, while Dio had been plotting to take over the Joestar household. Their antagonism reaches a peak when Dio poisons, and later kills, Jonathan's father and transforms into a vampire. Regardless, both maintain some degree of respect towards one another, as shown when Jonathan suicidally attempts to pin Dio on a pointed statue as the Joestar mansion burned down & destroyed his body in their final battle, and Dio acknowledges Jonathan shortly before attempting to take over Jonathan's body. In the end, Jonathan failed to stop Dio, and his body is possessed by him. Their relationship sparks a legacy that continues well into the future parts of the series.
- Wang Chan: As the man who gave Dio the poison that was used to try and kill his father, Jonathan despised Wang Chan. Unlike Dio, Wang Chan had no respect for Jonathan and constantly insulted him. During his final battle with Dio, Jonathan used the last of his Ripple to kill Wang Chan and use his body to blow up the ship and Dio with it.
- Tarkus: Jonathan was originally awestruck at Tarkus having learned of him in history books, but after he destroyed the remains of his comrade Bruford, Jonathan lost all respect for him. The two would later battle in a castle chained together and said battle would prompt Zeppeli's death, and out of anger and sadness, Jonathan destroyed Tarkus.
- Bruford: Like Tarkus, Jonathan highly respected Bruford due to his reputation as a great fighter and knight. After their battle, Bruford also grew to respect Jonathan and gave him his sword before his death.
- Jack the Ripper: Because he was one of Dio's minions and an infamous serial killer, Jonathan knew Jack was a threat and had to be stopped. In the end, Jonathan destroyed Jack with his Ripple.
Chapters / Episodes
In addition to the appearances listed below, any appearance of Dio Brando's body in his Stardust Crusaders design (and, by extension, DIO's Bone) can be considered an appearance of Jonathan's corpse.
Manga Appearances- Chapter 1: Prologue
- Chapter 2: Dio Brando the Invader, Part 1
- Chapter 3: Dio Brando the Invader, Part 2
- Chapter 4: Dio Brando the Invader, Part 3
- Chapter 5: Dio Brando the Invader, Part 4
- Chapter 6: A Letter from the Past, Part 1
- Chapter 7: A Letter from the Past, Part 2
- Chapter 8: The Stone Mask, Part 1
- Chapter 9: The Stone Mask, Part 2
- Chapter 10: The Stone Mask, Part 3
- Chapter 11: The Stone Mask, Part 4
- Chapter 12: Youth with Dio, Part 1
- Chapter 13: Youth with Dio, Part 2
- Chapter 14: Youth with Dio, Part 3
- Chapter 15: Youth with Dio, Part 4
- Chapter 16: Youth with Dio, Part 5
- Chapter 17: The Birth of DIO
- Chapter 18: Jack the Ripper and Zeppeli the Strange, Part 1
- Chapter 19: Jack the Ripper and Zeppeli the Strange, Part 2
- Chapter 20: Jack the Ripper and Zeppeli the Strange, Part 3
- Chapter 21: Jack the Ripper and Zeppeli the Strange, Part 4
- Chapter 22: Jack the Ripper and Zeppeli the Strange, Part 5
- Chapter 23: Ripple Overdrive, Part 1
- Chapter 24: Ripple Overdrive, Part 2
- Chapter 25: Ripple Overdrive, Part 3
- Chapter 26: Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford, Part 1
- Chapter 27: Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford, Part 2
- Chapter 28: Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford, Part 3
- Chapter 29: Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford, Part 4
- Chapter 30: Sleep as a Hero
- Chapter 31: The Knights' Ruins
- Chapter 32: The Medieval Knights' Training Ground for Murder
- Chapter 33: Pluck for Tomorrow and the Successor, Part 1
- Chapter 34: Pluck for Tomorrow and the Successor, Part 2
- Chapter 35: Pluck for Tomorrow and the Successor, Part 3
- Chapter 36: The Three from a Faraway Land, Part 1
- Chapter 37: The Three from a Faraway Land, Part 2
- Chapter 38: The Three from a Faraway Land, Part 3
- Chapter 39: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 1
- Chapter 40: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 2
- Chapter 41: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 3
- Chapter 42: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 4
- Chapter 43: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 5
- Chapter 44: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 6 (Death)
- Chapter 45: Joseph Joestar of New York, Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 46: Joseph Joestar of New York, Part 2 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 47: Joseph Joestar of New York, Part 3 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 49: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 2 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 52: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 5 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 63: Joseph Joestar of Rome (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 88: Caesar: A Lonely Youth, Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 92: Caesar: A Lonely Youth, Part 5 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 96: The Wind, the Chariot, and Wamuu, Part 2 (Flashback)
- Chapter 110: Kars the Superbeing is Born, Part 2 (Flashback)
- Chapter 111: Joseph's Final Gamble (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 116: Jotaro Kujo, Part 3 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 117: The Man with the Star Birthmark (Family Tree)
- Chapter 118: Noriaki Kakyoin, Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 136: Yellow Temperance, Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 210: Shooting DIO?! (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 251: DIO's World, Part 5 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 254: DIO's World, Part 8 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 255: DIO's World, Part 9 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 259: DIO's World, Part 13 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 262: DIO's World, Part 16 (Mentioned only)
- Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan Episode 11: Drip Painting Style (Cameo)
Anime Appearances- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 1: Dio the Invader
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 2: A Letter from the Past
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 3: Youth with Dio
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 4: Overdrive
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 5: The Dark Knights
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 6: Pluck for Tomorrow
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 7: The Successor
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 8: Bloody Battle! JoJo & Dio
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 9: The Final Ripple! (Death)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 10: JoJo of New York (Mentioned only)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 11: Master of the Game (Mentioned only)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 14: Ultimate Warriors from Ancient Times (Flashback)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 20: Caesar: A Lonely Youth (Flashback)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 21: The Hundred vs. Two Strategy (Flashback)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 24: The Bond That Binds JoJo (Mentioned only)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 25: The Birth of a Superbeing!! (Flashback)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 26: The Man Who Became a God (Photo only)
- Stardust Crusaders Episode 1: A Man Possessed by an Evil Spirit (Mentioned only)
- Stardust Crusaders Episode 2: Who Will Be the Judge?! (Flashback)
- Stardust Crusaders Episode 24: High Priestess, Part 2 (Mentioned only)
- Stardust Crusaders Episode 36: Hol Horse and Boingo, Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- Stardust Crusaders Episode 39: The Gatekeeper of Hell, Pet Shop, Part 2 (Flashback)
- Stardust Crusaders Episode 42: The Miasma of the Void, Vanilla Ice, Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- Stardust Crusaders Episode 46: DIO's World, Part 2 (Mentioned only)
- Stardust Crusaders Episode 47: DIO's World, Part 3 (Flashback)
- Stardust Crusaders Episode 48: The Faraway Journey, Farewell Friends (Mentioned only)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 1 (OVA): The Evil Spirit (Mentioned only)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 2 (OVA): Hierophant Green (Flashback)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 11 (OVA): DIO's World: The Miasma of the Void, Vanilla Ice (Mentioned only)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 12 (OVA): DIO's World: Kakyoin - The Duel in the Web (Mentioned only)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 13 (OVA): DIO's World: Farewell Friends (Mentioned only)
Novel Appearances- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (Novel) (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 3 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 12 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 13 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 14 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 15 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 16 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 17 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 18 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 20 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 22 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 23 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 29 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 30 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 31 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 32 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 35 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 36 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 37 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 38 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 39 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 42 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 45 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 48 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 49 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 50 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 51 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 52 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 56 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 58 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 59 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 60 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 62 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 65 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 67 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 69 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 70 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 73 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 74 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 75 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 78 (Mentioned only)
- Chapter 79 (Mentioned only)
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 1: Tsukumojuku (Mentioned only)
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 3: Wounds (Mentioned only)
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 5: Box (Corpse only)
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 7: Airplanes (Mentioned only)
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 9: Cliff (Mentioned only)
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 11: Gremlin (Mentioned only)
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 12: Rhinoceros Beetle (37th universe) (Photo only)
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 13: Enemy (Mentioned only)
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 15: Beyond (Mentioned only)
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 16: Beyond II
Live Action AppearancesQuotes
Quotes- “I strive to be a true gentleman! There are times when a gentleman has to be courageous and fight, even when his opponent is bigger than he is and he knows he's going to lose! (ぼくは本当の紳士をめざしているからだ！相手が大きいヤツだからって負けるとわかっているからって紳士は勇気を持って戦わなくてはならない時があるからだぞッ！！)”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 1: Prologue
- “What are you doing? I won't forgive you! (何をするんだァーッ ゆるさんッ!)”—Jonathan Joestar to Dio, Chapter 1: Prologue
- “I... I'm no match for Dio... but I can't afford to lose now! If I lose, I'll be living in Dio's shadow for the rest of my life! Above all else, I have to fight to reclaim Erina's honor! (か…かなわない… で…でも負けられない…もしこのケンカで負けたらこれから一生ディオの影でオドオドと生活しなくてはならない！ な…何よりもエリナの名誉を取りもどすため戦わなくてはならない！)”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 4: Dio Brando the Invader, Part 3
- “I'll protect my father! I'll protect the Joestar family! (ぼくは父を守るッ！ジョースター家を守るッ！)”—Jonathan Joestar to Dio, Chapter 7: A Letter from the Past, Part 2
- “Dio! What are you planning now?! Whatever you do, I'll fight! I am a Joestar―Jonathan Joestar! (ディオ！ 今度は何を考えている！？ だが 君がどう出ようとぼくは戦うぞ！ ぼくはジョースター家のジョナサン・ジョースターだッ！！)”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 7: A Letter from the Past, Part 2
- “Th- That Stone Mask... It's given birth to a monster! Frankly, I'm scared! But I can't let you remain in this world, Dio! I'll put an end to you! I never expected the Stone Mask that I was inquisitively researching to be a tool for creating demons... It's my fault... I have to fight! (か…怪物を生み出したのか…あの石仮面は！…正直ぼくはこわい だが ディオ 君をこの世にいさせちゃあいけない！かたをつける！ぼくが好奇心で研究していた石仮面が魔物を作り出す道具だったなんて…ぼくの責任だ…戦わねばならない！)”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 13: Youth with Dio, Part 2
- “This is not a "plan"! This is "courage"! (「策」ではないッ！「勇気」だ！！)”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 14: Youth with Dio, Part 3
- “My youth was a youth with Dio! I'll settle that youth here and now! (ぼくの青春はディオとの青春！これからその青春に決着をつけてやるッ！)”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 15: Youth with Dio, Part 4
- “There you are, vampire zombie! Ripple through the wall! Sendō Hamon Overdrive! (そこだァーッ！吸血
屍生人 ッ！！壁を伝われ！波紋！仙道波紋疾走 ッ！！)”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 23: Ripple Overdrive, Part 1 - “How bizarre... The Dark Knight Bruford, who I learned about in school, is filled with hate and heading straight for me!”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 28: Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford, Part 3
- “With this one breath...! Cut finely, beat of my blood! You’re the one who's at a disadvantage underwater―Ripple travels easily though water! GRAAAHHH! Underwater Turquoise Blue Overdrive!”—Jonathan to Bruford, Chapter 28: Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford, Part 3
- “Even while under Dio’s control, he still hasn’t forgotten his pride-- and that pride is in his ability to fight!”—Jonathan about Bruford, Chapter 29: Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford, Part 4
- “My heart is resonating! With the heat of a raging fire! Feel the pounding beat of my pulse! Sunlight Yellow Overdrive! (震えるぞハート！燃え尽きるほどヒート！！刻むぞ血液のビート！
山吹き色の波紋疾走 ！！)”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 29: Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford, Part 4 - “What irony! What a bizarre fate! I had to kill him in order to save his soul! He stood so proud, even though he resented the world that put him to death! Such a noble heart was driven mad with hatred! It’s all because of the mask! And I’ll stop Dio, the man behind it!”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 30: Sleep as a Hero
- “Not one of your bones will remain! I'll erase your evil spirit from this world! Sink into the darkness of history forever! (おまえの骨ひとつとてこの世に残さん！邪悪な魂を絶ってやる！！歴史の闇に永遠に沈め！)”—Jonathan Joestar to Tarkus, Chapter 35: Pluck for Tomorrow and the Successor, Part 3
- “There's no need to share my prideful name with a zombie! (
屍生人 になど誇りある我が名を教える必要なし！)”—Jonathan Joestar to Doobie, Chapter 37: The Three from a Faraway Land, Part 2 - “Dio! I'll reveal my feelings to you... It's disgraceful as a gentleman, but to be honest, right now, Jonathan Joestar... will kill you, Dio, for the sake of revenge! (ディオ！ぼくの気持ちをきかせてやる…紳士として恥ずべきことだが正直なところ 今のジョナサン・ジョースターは…恨みをはらすためにディオ！きさまを殺すのだッ！)”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 38: The Three from a Faraway Land, Part 3
- “Who will win and who will lose? We're about to find out, Dio!”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 40: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 2
- “I feel the same way. When my heart was dark and cold, you were the one that gave it warmth. That’s why I'm glad to have saved this world with you in it... I wish I could have introduced you to my father.”—Jonathan to Erina, Chapter 42: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 4
- “The final Ripple remaining in my body... I'll release it, no matter how small! (体内に残されたかすかな最後の波紋…すべてを一気に放出するかすかていい！)”—Jonathan Joestar, Chapter 43: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 5
- “It’s okay... to cry... but... you have... to live... That mother... Sh- She died... to protect... her... child... My... mother... did the... same... for me...”—Jonathan to Erina, Chapter 44: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 6
- “Maybe we really are two as one... I even feel a bizarre friendship between us. And now, our fates have truly become one and the same... We'll disappear together as this ship explodes. (ぼくらはやはり ふたりでひとりだったのかもしれないな 奇妙な友情すら感じるよ…そして 今 ふたりの運命は完全にひとつとなった… そして…船の爆発で消える…)”—Jonathan Joestar to Dio, Chapter 44: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 6
- “Be happy... Erina. (幸…わ…せ…に……エリナ)”—Jonathan Joestar's last words to Erina, Chapter 44: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 6
Creation and Development
Jonathan's name was derived at a Denny's where Araki and his first editor, Ryosuke Kabashima, had their first meeting pertaining to the JoJo series.[25] The two had decided on "Jonathan" as the series's protagonist, however, Araki also wanted the initials to match in a way similar to the American filmmaker, Steven Spielberg (S.S). They eventually landed on the name, "Jonathan Joestar" (J.J) and thus the nickname "JoJo" was born.[26] Araki mentions he was not referencing anything in particular when he chose the first name.[27] Jonathan was rumored to be named after "Jonathan's Family Restaurant"; however, both Araki and Kabashima confirm this is an urban myth. Araki had brought up the name during a 2006 interview, but he states the interviewer had mentioned it and he just echoed it by accident.[25]
Araki wanted Jonathan to exude an aura of strength like in the manga Karate Baka Ichidai after the protagonist did martial arts training alone in the mountains.[16] Additionally, his appearance and physique are similar to Hokuto no Ken's Kenshiro. Although this specific similarity has not been directly confirmed by Araki, the Hokuto no Ken manga was at the very least used as visual reference for some panels of Jonathan.
Casting
In the 2000 Stardust Crusaders OVA, Jonathan's voice actor, Jurota Kosugi, voiced Jotaro Kujo in the 1993/2000 OVA adaption. He later voiced Norisuke Higashikata IV in Eyes of Heaven.
Jonathan's voice actor in the 2007 Phantom Blood film, Katsuyuki Konishi, also voices Diavolo in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind.
References
- ↑ Chapter 1: Prologue - Chapter 5: Dio Brando the Invader, Part 4
- ↑ Chapter 6: A Letter from the Past, Part 1 onwards
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 JoJo 6251, page 148
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chapter 44: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 6
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Chapter 1: Prologue
- ↑ Chapter 29: Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford, Part 4
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Chapter 6: A Letter from the Past, Part 1
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chapter 41: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 3
- ↑ Dio Brando the Invader (Story Arc)
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 A Letter from the Past (Story Arc)
- ↑ Chapter 20: Jack the Ripper and Zeppeli the Strange, Part 3
- ↑ Ripple Overdrive (Story Arc)
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio (Story Arc)
- ↑ Chapter 2: Dio Brando the Invader, Part 1
- ↑ Chapter 4: Dio Brando the Invader, Part 3
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 JoJonium Volume 1 (Jonathan Joestar) - Special Interview
- ↑ Chapter 43: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 5
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Chapter 8: The Stone Mask, Part 1
- ↑ Chapter 9: The Stone Mask, Part 2
- ↑ Chapter 38: The Three from a Faraway Land, Part 3
- ↑ Chapter 37: The Three from a Faraway Land, Part 2
- ↑ Chapter 39: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 1
- ↑ JOJO A-GO!GO! appendix note
- ↑ Chapter 28: Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford, Part 3
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 JOJOVELLER (September 2013)
- ↑ Phantom Blood PS2 (October 2006)
- ↑ JOJOnicle: Long Interview with Ryosuke Kabashima
Early Life
As an infant, Jonathan was involved in a carriage accident, resulting in the death of his mother, Mary Joestar. That same accident indirectly brought Dio Brando into his life as his father, George Joestar I, assumed Dio's thieving father saved his life and vowed to repay that debt. Twelve years later, Jonathan comes to the aid of young girl named Erina Pendleton, despite lacking the strength to defend her honor properly. He reveals his intentions of becoming a bonafide gentlemen having opted to help her only to pursue that goal. After meeting Dio, Jonathan's life spirals into hell as Dio attempts to break Jonathan's spirit through dominance and isolation.[1]
At that time, Jonathan crosses paths with Erina; the two become close and eventfully fall in love. Dio learns of this and decides to deny Jonathan any chance of romance by forcibly taking Erina's first kiss, instilling deep shame in the girl. After learning of Dio's deed, Jonathan confronts him at the Joestar Mansion where his resolve for Erina's honor and his dignity gives him the strength to overpower Dio. Jonathan briefly notices the Stone Mask reacting to Dio's blood, but is distracted by his father who attempts to stop the fight before it escalated any further. Despite standing up to Dio, Jonathan was unable to find Erina afterwards, while learning that his beloved dog, Danny, had died after being "accidentally" placed in the incinerator. Jonathan expected Danny's death to be Dio's doing, but Dio had noted the kind of person Jonathan was and decided to feign peace between them for the time being.[2]
Phantom Blood (1888-89)
Seven years later, Jonathan attends Hugh Hudson Academy where he intends to graduate as an archaeologist. During that seven-year span, Jonathan was still wary towards Dio despite his façade. When George fell ill, Jonathan found a letter from Dio's father, Dario, and realized that Dio was poisoning his father to steal the Joestar family fortune.[3] Though he had no physical proof other than Dio's clear animosity towards his biological father, Jonathan left his own in the care of physicians while attempting to find an antidote. Jonathan's search takes him to Ogre Street, where he manages to win over the friendship of a local thug named Robert E. O. Speedwagon, who had attempted to mug him before realizing the kind of person he was. With Speedwagon's help, Jonathan finds Dio's poison supplier, Wang Chan, and obtains the antidote for his father.
Dio arrives at the estate and sees Jonathan, Speedwagon and George waiting for him along with constables to take him away for attempted murder. Dio, having learned the power of the Stone Mask, attempts to kill Jonathan and use his blood to transcend humanity and become an immortal Vampire.[4] George takes the stab wound meant for Jonathan, prompting the constables to open fire on Dio, supposedly killing him. As Jonathan laments, Dio is revealed to be alive and uses his new vampiric state to incapacitate Speedwagon and slaughter the constables. Noting Dio's newly gained regeneration, Jonathan is forced to set fire to his home in hopes that the amassed heat would kill him. After a long struggle, Jonathan plummets Dio into the inferno and impales him on a statue of the goddess Venus, effectively trapping him in the flaming building. As Dio curses him, Jonathan is blasted outside the manor by an explosion and is remains alive despite many burns and injuries.[5] Speedwagon manages to take Jonathan to a hospital, where the protagonist ends up seeing Erina for the first time in seven years. Despite Dio's actions in the past, it did not change Erina's feelings for Jonathan as she nursed him back to health.[6]
After being discharged from the hospital a few days later, Jonathan meets William Anthonio Zeppeli, an Italian martial artist trained in the art of Sendō. After completely healing Jonathan's body, Zeppeli reveals that Dio survived the estate burning and offers to teach Jonathan to utilize a respiratory-based solar energy called Ripple in order to defeat Dio and destroy the Stone Mask. After a time of training, Jonathan learns from Speedwagon that Dio had apparently set up base at Windknight's Lot, resulting in the disappearance of several of its citizens. Drawing near to the village, the group is attacked by a newly zombified Jack the Ripper sent by Dio. Zeppeli offers the zombie's defeat as a final test for Jonathan, giving him glass of wine and ordering him to defeat Jack without spilling a drop. Jonathan eventually realizes he can use the glass to detect Jack before defeating him by transmitting Ripple through the wall.[7] Once at Windknights' Lot, Jonathan and his group are unknowingly led by a hypnotized boy named Poco to a graveyard where Dio's large number of minions ambush them the moment night falls.
Dio reveals himself at that time, having learned of the Ripple fighting style and uses his flash-freeze ability to render bare-handed attacks with Ripple useless. Dio then reveals his strongest zombie warriors, the knights Bruford and Tarkus.[8] Bruford senses Jonathan's fighting nobility, requesting Dio to let him fight the human in a duel. Taking their battle underwater, Jonathan is at a disadvantage as he is unable to maintain proper breathing and thus is unable to use Ripple. Recalling a lesson from his late father, Jonathan dives deeper into the water where he finds air bubbles trapped underneath rocks; using these to breath, Jonathan is able to generate enough Ripple to force Bruford out of the water. Bruford tries to finish off Jonathan, but Jonathan channels Ripple through the zombie's sword to literally disarm him before unleashing a flurry of 'Sunlight Yellow Overdrive' punches. As Bruford breaks down, he regains his human soul and in respect for Jonathan leaves him his sword.[9]
After experiencing Tarkus' power, Jonathan and company decide to retreat into a canyon on a leaf-based hang-glider that Jonathan and Zeppeli magnetize with Ripple. Landing within an ancient knight's battleground, Tarkus ambushes the group and manages to trap Jonathan in the "Lair of the Two-Headed Dragon", forcing him into a Chain Neck Deathmatch. Jonathan is nearly killed by the more experienced combatant, but is briefly saved by Zeppeli who ends up sacrificing himself. It is only after the dying Zeppeli infuses Jonathan with his remaining ripple that the youth revives with the strength necessary to defeat Tarkus.[10] Afterwards, Jonathan cremated Zeppeli's body before resuming the search for Dio.
Soon after meeting the Ripple masters Tonpetty, Straizo, and Dire, Jonathan saves Poco's sister from Doobie before confronting Dio. After Dire is killed by Dio's freezing powers, Jonathan gets the idea to counter Dio's freezing by channeling his Ripple through Bruford's sword.[11] Dio, livid over Dire's last attack, summons his zombies to take care of the others while he deals with Jonathan one-on-one. Jonathan lands a couple of sword attacks on Dio but he survives them with his inhuman powers. Jonathan is able to land a Sunlight Yellow Overdrive on Dio but he quickly puts himself together. Dio grabs hold of Jonathan's carotid artery but Jonathan is able to escape and the two clash one last time. Jonathan set his fists on fire to remove Dio's advantage and lands a Ripple-infused punch into Dio's stomach while sending him plummeting off the edge of the balcony. Believing Dio dead along with most of his minions, Jonathan's group destroys the Stone Mask.[12]
Two weeks after the Windknights' Lot incident, Jonathan marries Erina and two board a ship heading to America for a honeymoon. During the trip, Jonathan is led to the ship's hull by Wang Chan, where he encounters the embodied head of Dio, whose epiphany of their fates deeply woven together motivated him to take the Joestar's body as his own. Dio then shoots beams of eye humor at Jonathan's throat in an attempt to instantly kill him, but the attack only fatally wounds Jonathan with his stopped breathing preventing him from using his Ripple. Regardless, Dio orders Wang Chan to rip off Jonathan's head while warning him to be both respectful and wary of his new body. Using the last of his Ripple, Jonathan destroys Wang Chan's head and manipulates his body to obstruct a piece of the cruise ship's mechanism. Jonathan intended this to cause an explosion that would sink the ship and hopeful put an end to Dio for good.
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While Erina was content to die with him in his final moments, Jonathan beseeches her to escape with an infant whose mother died protecting her from the zombies that Wang Chan sired. Dio makes a last-ditch attempt to take Jonathan's body at that time, only to be stabbed and restrained by Jonathan who felt at peace in his final moments. Dio attempts to convince Jonathan to let him go with promises of immortality, only to learn that he had already died before the two were consumed in the inferno caused by the ship's explosion.[13] With his death, Jonathan was survived by Erina and their unborn son.
Legacy
Jonathan's story was known only to a few, namely his son George Joestar II and later his grandson Joseph Joestar and his descendants. Despite Jonathan's last act, Dio manages to take the headless body of his rival for his own and resurfaces from the ocean depths a century later.[14] Once freed, the renamed DIO uses Jonathan's body to impregnate a few women: resulting in the births of Giorno Giovanna, Donatello Versus, Ungalo, and Rikiel. DIO then pierces his new body with the Bow and Arrow, awakening the ability to use a Stand. DIO also gave Enrico Pucci one of Jonathan's finger bones to enact his dream of 'ascending to Heaven'.
During the events of Stardust Crusaders, DIO decides to completely integrate Jonathan's body to perfect his Stand by using Joseph's blood as a catalyst, but ends up being utterly defeated by Jonathan's great-great-grandson, Jotaro Kujo. After DIO's death by Jotaro's hand, he and Joseph expose what remained of Jonathan's body to the sun as an apparent end to their feud with Dio, allowing Jonathan to rest in peace.
Steel Ball Run
Jonathan's counterpart in Steel Ball Run is Johnny Joestar, formally named "Jonathan". Johnny's family also bears noble lineage, but makes its residence in America instead. However, Johnny's appearance and personality are very different from Jonathan's.
References
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