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Jump Ultimate Stars (ジャンプアルティメットスターズ, Janpu Arutimetto Sutāzu) is a 2D fighting game developed by Ganbarion in 2006 for the Nintendo DS. It is the sequel to Jump Super Stars and a crossover of a large number of Jump titles, including JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

Gameplay

The gameplay is largely similar to that of Jump Super Stars, with the koma (panel) system returning. The gameplay has also been changed slightly from Jump Super Stars. The game gives battle characters the ability to dash and attack while guarding, which, instead of breaking the guard of the opponent, forces them to change characters, and can be identified by a green glow coming out of the characters which executes it. Battle characters now have a new ability known as Ultimate Actions. The Ultimate Actions are different for each character, as some either recover health, recover SP, or can be used to dodge enemy attacks.

Another new feature added is the Evolution Chart. This area allows players to upgrade their characters by spending gems to buy a new koma. Each character has a chart, starting from the one block Help koma and branching off into the two to three block Support koma and the four to eight block Battle koma. Some characters have alternate block paths which unlock a different type for that character, while others can be used to unlock koma for characters from the same series, quizzes for the series, and new worlds in the Story Mode.

JoJo characters in the game

Playable

Expand/Collapse All

JotaroDIO

Jotaro Kujo appears as 1 of the 2 playable characters from the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series in Jump Ultimate Stars: In the game Jotaro is a Power type character and uses his Stand Star Platinum, wielding techniques like Ora Ora and Star Finger as featured in the manga.

His passive effects are:

  • Takes less damage from Special Attacks.
  • Does the same damage to opponents of opposing Nature types

Josuke, Jolyne and Yusuke from Yu Yu Hakusho Komas give Jotaro a boost in-game.

Normal Moves
Weak Attack

Jotaro throws a right-hook.

Damage: 8

Strong Attack

Star Platinum unleashes a barrage of punches. Press repeatedly for more hits.

Damage: 12 ~ 21

Weak Side Attack
ASBDPad4.png/ASBDPad6.png +
Jotaro dashes forward and delivers a low kick.

Damage: 9

Strong Side Attack
ASBDPad4.png/ASBDPad6.png +
Star Platinum charges forward and swings down with an overhead punch.

Damage: 18

Weak Down Attack
ASBDPad8.png +
Star Platinum stabs upwards with Star Finger.

Damage: 10

Strong Down Attack
ASBDPad8.png +
Star Platinum directs a barrage of punches upwards diagonally.

Damage: 12 ~ 21

Forced Change
ASBDPad2.png +
Star Platinum charges for a moment and then punches. Forces your opponent to change characters.

Damage: 10

Guard Break
ASBDPad2.png +
Star Platinum charges for a moment and then pounds the ground with his fist. Breaks the opponents guard.

Damage: 20

Jumping Weak Attack
+
Star Platinum performs an rising punch.

Damage: 10

Jumping Strong Attack
+
Star Platinum directs a barrage of punches downwards diagonally.

Damage: 12 ~ 21

Special Attacks (Battle Komas)
4 Koma5 Koma5 Koma Alternative6 Koma
Power Nature. 152 Health. Can be unlocked from Jotaro's Evolution Chart for: 60 Red, 40 Green, 15 White.
Special Attack A - ORAAA!

Power Nature. Jotaro poses and Star Platinum charges forward, grabs the opponent and punches them, sending them flying to the side. Similar to his 2 Koma but deals greater damage.

Damage: 40 to Power and Laughter characters, 60 to Knowledge characters

Special Attack B - Cross Fire Hurricane Special!
ASBDPad8.png +
DescReferences

Power Nature. Avdol with his stand, Magician's Red, appears beside Jotaro and fires four flaming ankhs with Cross Fire Hurricane Special. Afflicts Burn status.

Damage: 30 to Power and Laughter characters, 54 to Knowledge characters

Power Nature. 168 Health. Can be unlocked from Jotaro's Evolution Chart for: 200 Red, 200 Green, 20 White.
Special Attack A - Star Platinum & Silver Chariot

Power Nature. Polnareff and his stand, Silver Chariot, appears behind Jotaro, then both of them unleash a barrage of attacks with their stands. Press repeatedly for more hits.

Damage: 13 ~ 34 to Power and Laughter characters, 19 ~ 42 to Knowledge characters

Special Attack B - Emerald Splash!
ASBDPad8.png +
Power Nature. Kakyoin and his stand, Hierophant Green, appears in front of Jotaro and fires dozens of emeralds in a wide arc across the screen.

Damage: 14 ~ 52 to Power and Laughter characters, 21 ~ 84 to Knowledge characters

Knowledge Nature. 168 Health. The path to this Koma can be unlocked on Joseph's evolution chart for 100 Red and 50 Blue; it can then be unlocked from Jotaro's Evolution Chart for: 200 Red, 200 Green, 20 White.
Special Attack A - Star Platinum & Silver Chariot

Power Nature. Polnareff and his stand, Silver Chariot, appears behind Jotaro, then both of them unleash a barrage of attacks with their stands. Press repeatedly for more hits.

Damage: 13 ~ 34 to Power and Knowledge characters, 19 ~ 42 to Laughter characters

Special Attack B - Emerald Splash!
ASBDPad8.png +
Power Nature. Kakyoin and his stand, Hierophant Green, appears in front of Jotaro and fires dozens of emeralds in a wide arc across the screen.

Damage: 14 ~ 52 to Power and Knowledge characters, 21 ~ 84 to Laughter characters

Power Nature. 184 Health. Can be unlocked from Jotaro's Evolution Chart for: 500 Red, 100 Green, 30 White.
Special Attack A - Ora Ora of Anger!

Power Nature. Star Platinum delivers a barrage of punches, that eventually aim upwards and knock the opponent up and away diagonally. Press repeatedly for more hits.

Damage: 26 ~ 49 for Power and Laughter characters, 39 ~ 73 for Knowledge characters

Special Attack B - Star Platinum: The world!
ASBDPad8.png +
DescReferences

Knowledge Nature. Jotaro is engulfed in a purple aura for a second, then stops time for 3 seconds: All items and projectiles on screen cease moving and all opponents frozen in place and completely unable to act, leaving Jotaro free to move and attack.

Support Komas
2 Koma3 Koma
Power Nature. Can be unlocked from Jotaro's Evolution Chart for: 30 Red, 20 Green, 5 White.
ORAAA!
Tap on the Koma on the bottom screen
Jotaro poses and Star Platinum charges forward, grabs the opponent and punches them.

Damage: 24 to Power Characters, 36 to Knowledge characters and 24 to Laughter characters

Knowledge Nature. Can be unlocked from Jotaro's Evolution Chart for: 80 Red, 20 Green, 10 White.
Iggy Pitching
Tap on the Koma on the bottom screen
Jotaro points whilst Star Platinum launches Iggy forward. If he hits an opponent, Iggy will hold the opponent in place and The Fool delivers a blow that inflicts the "Battle Seal" status, preventing the opponent from switching characters.

Damage: 24 to Power Characters, 36 to Knowledge characters and 24 to Laughter characters

Help Koma
Unlocked in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure World, Mission 2, Part 5.
Decreases damage taken from Special Attacks.
Ultimate Action
Jotaro poses then gains SP.
Evolution Chart


DIO appears as 1 of the 2 playable characters from the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series in Jump Ultimate Stars: In the game DIO is a Power type character and uses his Stand The World, being able to stop time as one of his main abilities in game.

His passive effects are:

  • Gradually regains Health.
  • Immune to Judgment effect.

Jonathan, Giorno and Taizo from Taizo Mote King Saga Komas give DIO a boost in-game.

Normal Moves
Weak Attack

DescReferences

DIO uses a sideway punch.

Damage: 10

Strong Attack

The World swiftly performs a 1-2-punch attack.

Damage: 20

Weak Side Attack
ASBDPad4.png/ASBDPad6.png +
DIO uses Space Ripper Stingy Eyes.

Damage: 12

Strong Side Attack
ASBDPad4.png/ASBDPad6.png +
The World rushes forward and throws a sweeping punch.

Damage: 18

Weak Down Attack
ASBDPad8.png +
DIO does a backflip kick that launches him in the air.

Damage: 10

Strong Down Attack
ASBDPad8.png +
DIO swings at the opponent and then jabs his hand into the opponent to drain their blood.

Damage: 14

Forced Change
ASBDPad2.png +
The World swiftly performs a turning-kick. Forces your opponent to change characters.

Damage: 10

Guard Break
ASBDPad2.png +
DIO dashes forward and turns his back to the opponent. The World then charges forward and strikes with a strong jab.

Damage: 20

Jumping Weak Attack
+
The World punches downwards.

Damage: 10

Jumping Strong Attack
+
Dio launches a knife towards the opponent. Can be done twice in-air.

Damage: 15

Special Attacks (Battle Komas)
4 Koma5 Koma5 Koma Alternative6 Koma
Power Nature. 144 Health. Can be unlocked from DIO's Evolution Chart for: 55 Red, 35 Green, 15 White.
Special Attack A - MUDA MUDA!

Power Nature.

Damage: 15 to Power and Laughter characters, 22 to Knowledge characters

Special Attack B - Circle Knives
ASBDPad8.png +
Power Nature.

Damage: 30 to Power and Laughter characters, 45 to Knowledge characters

Power Nature. 160 Health. Can be unlocked from DIO's Evolution Chart for: 70 Red, 230 Green, 20 White.
Special Attack A - MUDA MUDA MUDAAA!

Power Nature.

Damage: 19 ~ 43 to Power and Laughter characters, 22 to Knowledge characters

Special Attack B - Road Roller
ASBDPad8.png +
Power Nature.

Damage: 30 to Power and Laughter characters, 28 ~ 64 to Knowledge characters

Knowledge Nature. 160 Health. The path to this Koma can be unlocked on Jonathan's evolution chart for ; it can then be unlocked from DIO's Evolution Chart for: 140 Red, 360 Green, 30 White.
Special Attack A - MUDA MUDA MUDAAA!

Power Nature.

Damage: 19 ~ 43 to Power and Laughter characters, 22 to Knowledge characters

Special Attack B - Road Roller
ASBDPad8.png +
Power Nature.

Damage: 30 to Power and Laughter characters, 28 ~ 64 to Knowledge characters

d

Support Komas

aa

Help Koma
Unlocked in Planet X: Boss Tower, Mission 7, Part 5
SP Gauge regenerates if you don't change characters or use Support characters.
Ultimate Action
DIO takes out a book and opens it for a short moment. When attacked while reading, DIO will teleport behind the opponent.
Evolution Chart


Non Playable

Other JoJo aspects of the game

DIO's Mansion
  • Red Stone of Aja: The second mission in the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure world involves getting the Red Stone of Aja and holding onto it for at least 15 seconds.
  • Intro Sequence: The intro sequence to the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure world features manga panels from parts 1-7, centering on the characters who appear in the game. Others who show up in the panels used are Erina, Kars, Lisa Lisa and Santana.
  • DIO's Mansion: Featured in the background image for the stages, with "ORA" written around the mansion. It also appears as the representative place for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure world on the J-Galaxy Adventure Mode.
  • Manga moments: The characters' komas and the techniques they use on the field reference some important moments of the Manga, like DIO obtaining new strength by sucking Joseph's blood or Jotaro stopping his heart to simulate his death. The gallery shows some of the panels that inspired the komas.
  • Dialogue: On the Deck Creator, if you link certain characters, they will have special dialogue between themselves. Most of these dialogues are references to the character's manga series or common aspects. The characters and their translated dialogue are:
    • Josuke to Jotaro : "Mr. Jotaro and me in a team? That's a great combination, even in Taro terms!"
    • Jolyne to Jotaro : "I'll watch the stars until I meet you, I want to see the light of your stars."
    • Yusuke (from Yu Yu Hakusho) to Jotaro : "The more fights, the more wins!"
    • Giorno to DIO : "You're two in one body... But which part is my father?"
    • DIO to Jonathan : "It's futile! I hate the futility of the futile... Really futile..."
    • Taizo (from Taizo Mote King Saga) to DIO : "Do you remember how many pairs of underpants you have worn up to now?"
    • DIO to Freeza (from Dragon Ball) : "You also seek for immortality?"
    • DIO to Dr.Mashirito (from Dr.Slump) : "You were thinking this too doctor? After we win, World Domination!"
    • Jonathan to Kazuki Mutou (from Busou Renkin) : "I feel the power of shining sun in you"
    • Joseph to Franky (from One Piece) : "You aren't burping after so much cola?"
    • Joseph to Yoh Asakura (from Shaman King) : "Damn you, a new Stand user!?"

Trivia

  • The JoJo's Bizarre Adventure stage (DIO's Mansion) and the Yu Yu Hakusho stage (Dark Tournament) share the same background stage song, called "Sweat with Pain".
    • Jotaro Kujo and Yusuke Urameshi (from Yu Yu Hakusho) appear as playable characters on the premade deck called "Trouble maker students".
  • DIO appears as one of the villains faced on the final stage, alongside Freeza, Majin Buu (both from Dragon Ball), Raoh (from Hokuto no Ken), Dr.Mashirito and Caramelman (both from Dr.Slump), along with several other Support-Koma villains.
  • This is the second game in its time to feature every previous JoJo protagonist from parts 1 to 7 in some way. Jotaro being a playable character, Jonathan, Joseph, Josuke, Giorno and Jolyne as Support characters and Johnny as a Help character.
  • In the previous game, Jump Super Stars, the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure franchise had two representative stages (DIO's Mansion and Mexico), as at the time JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and Steel Ball Run were considered different franchises.
    • In Jump Ultimate Stars, the Mexico stage was removed, leaving DIO's Mansion as the only representative stage.

Gallery

Interview

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"You won't find a more Royal Road manga." - The reason why Hirohiko Araki continues to draw 'JoJo' 8/17 (Fri) 9:26 P.M. Distribution


From August 24th, the "Hirohiko Araki JoJo Exhibition: Ripples of Adventure" will be held at the National Art Center, Tokyo. It is the first solo exhibition of a manga artist in 28 years since Osamu Tezuka at the National National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure", which has continued for more than 30 years, supports the golden age of Weekly Shonen Jump. There are more than 120 volumes of the tankōbon with spin-off works also produced. There are many creators representing various fields and people in the manga world who profess they're fans. Despite being called a 'Heretic in Jump' due to its unique designs and storyline, Araki-san asserts that "You won't find a more Royal Road manga." The keyword is 'walking on the path of belief' And 'the power to open up'. (Satoshi Ishido / Yahoo! News Feature Editor)

'Heretical' goes against the Royal Road

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Araki-san inking at his usual work desk.(Photo: Seiji Tonomura)


Hirohiko Araki, 58, was running a pen at a large desk by the window. On the desk there is a horse figurine and an origami frog that he used as a reference for drawing. It is for pick it up as an object.

The 'reality' of the details is the lifeblood of the work that is supporting the world. It is a desk where you can catch a glimpse of such a strong commitment.

"All I need is this desk. And then I can draw manga..."

He was drawing the latest episode of 'JoJolion', which is the eighth part of the series 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure'. Before the exhibition, the mysterious story is nearing its end.


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The figure that became the key horse motif in Part 7 of 'JoJo'. (Photo: Seiji Tonomura)


Araki-san has been drawing the story of 'JoJo' for more than 30 years, mainly for Shōnen manga magazines which mercilessly discontinued if they are not popular. Many people now profess to be fans, but for a long time it was a "heretical" existence. Rather than a work that most of the class talked about, it was the kind of manga where a few people would gather in secret and confide in each other, saying "Actually, I like 'JoJo'" and "Me too." The reason for this is it's unique setting and storyline.

The serialisation began in 1987. Four years earlier, 'Fist of the North Star', which began serialization, became a major breakthrough when it was adapted into an animated television series.'Dragon Ball had started three years earlier and Saint Seiya two years earlier. According to Araki, it was a time when blockbusters by "Geniuses in Shōnen manga" were made one after another.


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A number of manga that Araki found interesting are lined up on the top shelf of the bookshelf.(Photo: Seiji Tonomura)


The hero defeats the enemy. Then, even stronger enemies appear, and even stronger enemies appear after them, and manga that develops the story in a so-called 'Tournament Format' is the 'Royal Road' of Shōnen manga, and the number of copies and popularity were concentrated. The main character is often a Japanese boy or young man, to make it easier for readers to identify with them. The setting was regularly a town or school with a sense of familiarity.

'JoJo' went against the Royal Road in all respects.

The story, which has been going on for more than 30 years, begins like this. The setting is in England in the 19th century, 1880. Dio Brando, a boy from the favelas who is adopted by Sir George Joestar, a prestigious aristocrat, after the death of his father, secretly plans to take over the Joestar family. Little by little, he hunts down George's only son, Jonathan Joester - but...


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From "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" Part 1, "Prologue". Jonathan (above) and Dio meeting scene © Hirohiko Araki / Shueisha


However, Araki-san asserts.

"You won't find a more Royal Road manga"

Why is that?

Overcoming the heyday of the 'Tournament Format'.

Ryosuke Kabashima, who was the first editor in charge of 'JoJo' and had seen Araki's work before his debut, looks back on those days.

"We were prepared to cancel it early on, and we were concerned about the setting."


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Bookshelves in the studio lined with materials of various genres.(Photo: Seiji Tonomura)


There was a reason for this. All of Araki-san's serials before 'JoJo' were short-lived. Kabashima-san analyzes the reasons for this.

"There weren't enough engaging characters. No matter strong the protagonist is, it will not be possible if there are no rivals or enemy characters who can stand alongside him or her. Then he says that his next work is set in 19th century England and has an nobleman as the main character. I became worried. There's no way a foreign protagonist could possibly succeed."

However, Araki-san did not fold.

"So, I started. The storyline was originally highly praised, so the editor-in-chief at the time gave the OK. What I thought was different was the villain. The villain, Dio, was really good."

Kabashima-san says that it is the villains that enhance the appeal of Shōnen manga characters.

"The nobleman Jonathan can't do anything wrong, he must be a gentleman at all times. A 'Good Boy Character' who is only righteous will not win sympathy. The story shines when Dio, the villain who wants to surpass human beings, is placed in contrast."

Even so, 'JoJo' was slow to gain popularity.


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Tools that support the drawing of JoJo. (Photo: Seiji Tonomura)

Here, Araki-san makes a move that surprises even Kabashima-san. It's a change of protagonist.

In the first part, Jonathan was the main character, and in the second part the story was livened up to a bright adventure drama with Joseph Joestar as the main character, a descendant who inherits Jonathan's will.

At the same time, this also had the effect of avoiding the Tournament Format. Since then, "JoJo" has been portrayed through eight main characters leading up to "JoJolion".

Araki-san recalls.

"At that time, we were heading towards the bubble economy, so the atmosphere of the times was going up, up, up. Manga that adopted the Tournament Format coincided with the prevailing mood of the times. I couldn't get into that atmosphere. What should I do if I go up and eventually plateau? That's what I think."

That is why it was important for him to draw the manga he wanted to draw without being carried away by the times.

"I want to draw suspense, and that (Tornament Format) is not the manga I want to draw. If you wobble around what you want to draw, the manga is over."


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(撮影:殿村誠士)


そして「スタンド」でブレーク

信じたものを描き続けることで、やがてブレークの時がやってくる。

ロードムービーの手法を取り入れ、ジョースター家の血統を継ぐ日本の高校生・空条承太郎が仲間とともに、よみがえった一族の宿敵・DIO(ディオ)を倒すべくエジプトに向かう第3部が転機になる。

「ジョジョ」の世界観を象徴する、超能力を擬人化した「幽波紋(スタンド)」というアイデアが初めて使われた。椛島さんは「これでヒットだ」と思ったという。

「1部と2部で使っていた『波紋』という超能力は地味で、荒木さんのストーリーの面白さを引き立てるのに、これではダメだと思った。だから3部では新しいアイデアにしてくれ、と言いました。そうして誕生したのがスタンド。誰も見たことがない発想だし、3部にして主人公も悪役もハマっている」


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スタンドが初めて詳しく語られるシーン。第3部「空条承太郎 その③」から©荒木飛呂彦&LUCKY LAND COMMUNICATIONS/集英社


スタンドの能力は人それぞれ違う。力と力がぶつかり合い、力が強いものが勝つという少年漫画のパターンをなぞるのではなく、能力同士の相性や知恵を使う頭脳戦というメソッドを確立した。

弱すぎるがゆえに逆に手ごわくなる敵キャラクター、トランプやテレビゲームまでバトルのなかに取り入れた。頭脳戦は今でこそ、多くの少年漫画が採り入れている方法だが、その道を切り開いたのは「ジョジョ」だ、と言えるかもしれない。

荒木さんは言う。

「波紋はダメだと言われたので、どうしたらいいのだろうと考えました。超能力を漫画で表現するという発想の延長で擬人化はどうだろうと思い付いたのです。ジャンプでは、他の先生方のアイデアを使ったと思われることもNGでしたから、絶対にやってないことをやろうと思った。それもあってか、はじめはスタンドとは何かがほとんど理解されなかった。『スタンドってなんなの?』ってよく聞かれましたよ」


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第8部『ジョジョリオン』まで、「ジョジョ」シリーズは30年以上続いている(撮影:殿村誠士)


承太郎たちがエジプトに向かうまで、インドなどをすごろくのように訪れ、そこで戦う。トーナメント方式のように次から次へ強いキャラクターやスタンドが出てこなくてもストーリーはうまく展開する。

荒木さんは戦いに「必然性」があればいいと考えていた。力が強い敵が単純に出てくるより、能力を生かした敵のほうが「怖い」。怖さがあれば、物語は前に進んでいく。

大人気となった第3部でもDIOを倒して、物語は潔く完結する。第4部では設定も大胆に切り替え、日本の杜王町という小さな町を舞台にした。高校生の主人公・東方仗助が町に潜む連続殺人犯を探し出すという、サスペンス色を強めた展開を採り入れた。

荒木さんは、2000年に出版された画集『JOJO A-GO!GO!』のなかで、好きなキャラクターの1位に東方仗助を選んでいるほど思い入れが強い。

「第4部は初めて日常を描くことができたって思ったんですよね。それまでは神話を描いているような気分だったんです。承太郎はクールで、ある意味で完成されている。でも仗助はその辺(空いている椅子を指さす)にいるような感じ。すぐそばにいるキャラクターなんです」


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第4部の主人公・東方仗助。普段は温厚だが、髪形をけなされると「プッツン」する。「ジョジョの奇妙な冒険」第4部「空条承太郎!東方仗助に会う その①」から©LUCKY LAND COMMUNICATIONS/集英社


日常に潜む恐怖を描ける力を付けたことで、「ジョジョ」の型は完成し、第8部まで新しい要素を貪欲に取り入れながら物語は進む。

「常に前向きでなくてはいけない」

主人公も設定も変わるのに、なぜ一本の漫画として続けているのか。それは「人間賛歌」という一貫したテーマがあるからだ。過去の著作で荒木さんはこう語っている。

「『人間は素晴らしい』という前向きな肯定です。何かの困難に遭ったとき、それを解決し、道を切り拓いていくのは人間の力によるのであって、そこで急に神様が来て助けてくれたり、魔法の剣が突然落ちてきて、拾って戦ったら勝ってしまった、という都合のいい偶然は『ジョジョ』ではけっして起こりません」(『荒木飛呂彦の漫画術』から)

作品を貫くテーマがあり、少年漫画のルールにのっとっているからこそ、ジョジョは「王道」なのだと荒木さんは語る。


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(撮影:殿村誠士)


「僕が『ジョジョ』を王道だと呼ぶのは、主人公、悪役であってもキャラクターの志は前向きだからです。そこに悩む人物は描かない。人生に悩むのは普通のことなので、退屈になってしまう。前向きな志同士がぶつかり合うことで、化学変化やサスペンスが生まれると思って描いています。登場人物のベクトルは常にプラスに向かっていないといけない。大原則は成長すること。闘うことに悩まないこと。そして、闘うときは孤独であることです」

「ジョジョ」の登場人物は主人公であれ、悪役であれ、「血統」や「運命」といった自分の力ではどうすることもできない現実に直面しながら、それに抗い、自らの力で道を切り開こうとする。

「少年漫画の登場人物は常に前向きでなくてはいけないというのがルールです。後ろ向きになる、闘うことを悩み続けるというマイナスな要素を入れ込むと、読者はうんざりしてしまう。『ジョジョ』はこのルールに忠実にのっとっている。だから、王道だと言ってきました。主人公たちを過酷な状況に追い込み、成長しながら道を切り開かせる。闘うときに、偶然や誰かに頼っているようでは『ジョジョ』は成立しません。1人で立ち向かわなければいけないのです」


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第8部『ジョジョリオン』が進行中(撮影:殿村誠士)


悪役さえ前向き

荒木さんは、悪役であってもこのルールを適用している。

「例えば第4部のボスである連続殺人犯、吉良吉影がそうです。吉良がやっていること自体は許されないのですが、彼には反省も迷いもありません。自分自身を認めているんですね。自分自身の平穏な生活のために、主人公たちに追い詰められてもなお闘いに挑み、自分で道を切り開こうとする。だからスタンド能力も成長していくんです」


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スタンド「キラークイーン」を駆使する殺人鬼・吉良吉影。第4部「シアーハートアタック その⑨」から ©LUCKY LAND COMMUNICATIONS/集英社


善か悪かは実のところは「表裏一体」なのだと荒木さんは言う。敵には敵なりの信念があり、闘うべき理由がある。第7部最大の悪役である大統領も彼には彼なりにアメリカという国を繁栄させたいという私欲を超えた動機があった。

「最終的な善悪の判断は読者の視点次第でいくらでも変わります。キャラクター次第で変わり、それが激突する。『ジョジョ』の登場人物はとにかく成長したいと思っています。陰湿な敵であっても自分の信念を貫いていたり、高潔だったりすれば読者からの共感は得られる。ここが重要なんですね。前向きだと怖いんです」

主人公とベクトルが同じ前向きな悪役を配置することで、「ジョジョ」の世界観に不可欠な恐怖感は増す。


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(撮影:殿村誠士)


「ただし善悪を分ける、守るべき一線はあります。『ジョジョ』の悪役は自分の理念を実現するために他人を利用することをよしとする。いくら高潔な理念があったとしても、これは許されないという視点で描いています。連載開始時よりも悪役を複雑に描けるようになりましたが、その一点はぶれていないですね。理念を実現したいなら一人であってもやらないといけない。他人を利用してはいけない」

ジョジョは常に主人公側の勝利ばかりが描かれる漫画ではない。敗北もまた勝利と同じくらい重要なシーンとして描かれる。そこにジョジョに込めた、もう一つのテーマがあると荒木さんは言う。

「敗れはしても、決して負けていないと描いています。僕が描きたいのは勝利のカタルシスでは無いんです。そのほうがウケがいいのかもしれないけど、僕が描きたいものからはずれてくる。戦う過程のなかで、その人間が何を選択するのかに僕は興味がある。人は死んで終わりではない。残された人に意志を残し、受け継がれていくというのが『ジョジョ』のもう一つのテーマなのです。敗北したとしても、誰かが意志を継いでいく。僕はそれを人間の美しさだと思っています」

漫画家も「画家」である

「王道」とセットで荒木さんがよく使う言葉がある。それは「サスペンス」だ。サスペンスとは、荒木さんが考える「良い物語」「おもしろい物語」の基礎にあるもの。いったい、この後どうなってしまうのか。読者がドキドキしながら、ページをめくらずにはいられなくなる要素だ。


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第8部もドキドキの展開が続く(撮影:殿村誠士)


「漫画家としてデビューしたころにトリュフォー(1950年代末からのフランスの映画運動「ヌーベルバーグ」を代表する映画監督)がヒチコックにインタビューをした本『映画術』が出たんですよ。そこで、サスペンスの巨匠であるヒチコックが自分の映画を一作ごとに細かく解説しているんです。カメラの位置から心理描写のテクニック、映画の撮り方が本当に細かく書いてある。これを読みながら、ビデオや名画座でヒッチコックの映画をまた見て勉強しましたよ」


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(撮影:殿村誠士)


サスペンスを描きたい。その一心で好きな映画から理論を抽出し、自身の漫画に取り入れた。普遍的な「おもしろい」ものを求めて今でもインプットは欠かさない。

荒木さんはレオナルド・ダビンチらによるイタリア絵画の影響も公言している。ルーブル美術館全面協力のもと、ルーブルを舞台にした作品を描いたこともある。

「漫画家も『画家』です。絵を描いていますからね。絵として見てほしいんです」と荒木さんは言う。

「印刷された漫画とはまったく違うものが見えてくると思います。原画には印刷されたものとは違う魅力があります。もともと、印刷されるという意識で僕は描いていないんです。どんな形で印刷されるかに関係なく、きちんと描いてきました。原画からその魅力を感じ取ってもらえると思います」

ファンがこぞって真似する独特のポージング「ジョジョ立ち」も原画で見るとかっこいいですよね、と言うと、荒木さんは間髪をいれずにこう返す。


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作業机の傍らには、お気に入りのカレンダーが。女性の姿はどことなく「ジョジョ立ち」風に見える(撮影:殿村誠士)


「ありがとうございます。本当に細かいところまで見てほしいです」

時代に流されず、しかし、しなやかに変化を取り入れながら30年以上にわたって荒木さんは新しい漫画を描き続ける。

最後に、いよいよクライマックスに突入しそうな第8部「ジョジョリオン」の展開を聞いてみた。

「僕は細かく展開を決めながら物語を描くことはありません。最初からゴールを決めるのではなく、描きながら考えています。全体の構成も、一つ一つの闘いも同じ。これから第8部の舞台は病院に移っていきます。いよいよ物語が収れんしていくと思います」

まだ決まっていないクライマックスに向かい、荒木さんは今日も考えながら机に向かい、ペンを走らせている。[2]

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