Paco Laburantes
Paco Laburantes (パコ・ラブランテス, Pako Raburantesu) is a primary ally featured in the ninth part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, The JOJOLands.
Paco is a gangster working in the same gang as Jodio and Dragona Joestar. They are assigned to the same team in order to steal a diamond belonging to Rohan Kishibe. Paco is a Stand user possessing The Hustle, which allows him to grab objects with his muscles anywhere on his body.
Appearance
Paco is a 19-year-old teenager with an athletic build. Despite his youth, he has rugged features making him look more mature. A piece of his left ear is chewed off.[1] He has light hair that goes down to his neck, finishing in a square cut. His hair is mostly covered by his cap, which bears a stylized plate with "P∆CO" engraved on it. Paco has distinctive dark marks and spots below his eyes that extend vertically to his chin, and also has a chain of triangles split into dark and bright halves tattooed along his arms from hands up to shoulders.
Paco does not wear a shirt but instead wears a harness comprised of two wide straps with several grommets that cross each other over his solar plexus. There is a hood attached by the two grommets over his shoulders. On the strap crossing over his right pectoral is a large brooch-like object resembling a melting ice cream cone stylized to spell out his name "PACO". He also wears plain trousers with "P∆CO" engraved on the belt buckle, as well as several straps at the waist and knee pads. Finally, he wears sneakers, wristbands and, in earlier appearances, a necklace.
Jodio notes that Paco used to be sort of chubby but lost weight and became more muscular two years prior to the start of the story.[1]
Personality
Paco Laburantes is a loud, somewhat dim-witted teenager who is not afraid to speak his mind. He often comes across as rude or ill-mannered[3][4][4], and maintains an aloof demeanor. Socializing mainly with other members of Meryl's gang, Paco develops a particular fondness for Jodio[5] and Dragona. Recognized for his skills as a kleptomaniac, his thrill for theft is described by Jodio as almost "game-like"[6], leading him frequently into trouble.
Having been held back a year in high school, Paco doesn't exhibit many talents beyond his knack for theft. His speech is also notable for the use of child-like words, such as "ouchi" (おうち) for "home" and "otete" (お手手) for "hand".[7] This style of speech, characterized by the duplication of syllables, is often found in toddler language or 'baby talk', serving to create simplified or affectionate versions of words.
Abilities
Stand
Paco's Stand The Hustle allows him to bulge his muscles to grab objects and attach them to his skin.
History
Background
Paco lives in Honolulu, Hawaii. He suffered from domestic violence and in one incident, his dad bit off a piece of his left ear. At some point, Paco joined a gang in his neighborhood. Despite being 19, he is still in high school as he was held back for a year.[1]
The JOJOLands
At school while riding his electric scooter, Paco covertly tells a customer that he could find the drugs he ordered deep inside the rain gutter. Later that day, Jodio, Dragona, and Paco are summoned by their boss, Meryl Mei Qi, to the fashion boutique named Iko Iko. Paco attempts to steal from one of the customers but Dragona stops him by grabbing his ear. Meryl makes an announcement to close the shop and then orders the three gang members to turn off their phones before showing them her own phone. On the screen is a natural blue 24 carats diamond worth 6 million dollars. It's owned by a Japanese tourist who owns a villa on the Island of Hawaii and plans to stay there for around 12 more days. Their group will be getting a 2% split all together, while Meryl gets an 18% cut after they sell it on the black market. She also informs them that they will be going as a team of four. The student who Jodio and Paco sold drugs to at school in the morning arrives as their fourth member, as Meryl guarantees that he will be useful to them.[1]
During another drug deal with a supposed college student, Paco drives by and tells her that she just stepped on the drugs hidden under some leaves and drives away. After recovering the drugs, the woman pulls out her gun and declares that it was a drug bust and that they are being arrested. DEA agents tackle Paco off his scooter and Jodio is thrown to the ground. Jodio then uses November Rain's ability to destroy the evidence of the drug exchange and makes the police flee, impressing Paco. Both of them safely get away.
The Heist
After the group arrives at the Kona Airport in Hawaii, Dragona scolds Usagi for being late and not providing a car. Usagi reassures the group about the mission by stating that he knows a safe car rental that does not have tracking devices or cameras. In the end, they trust him due to the recommendation from Meryl Mei Qi and depart, with Paco driving their rental. After arriving at the villa of the Japanese tourist and getting briefed, Paco starts devising a plan on how to get the diamond. Paco decides the group will strike when the owner comes out to the pool and steal the diamond from the master bedroom in 15 minutes or less. Dragona instructs the group to put their earphones and masks on, and not to say each other's names on the radio. As they approach the estate, Usagi tells Dragona to wish to have the camera installed on the side of the house. This activates Usagi's Stand, The Matte Kudasai, which copies the camera. He uses the cameras to create two distinct videos, making the recorded evidence useless. The group continues on its way in.[2]
Jodio splits up with Paco, Dragona, and Usagi, with the three infiltrating through the front door. After successfully picking the lock and entering the house, Dragona reminds them to obtain a diamond and nothing else as to not arouse unwanted attention. However, Paco tries to take several antiques and money. Dragona warns both him and Usagi to put back their stolen items and look for a safe, although he still secretly pockets some money. They continue to explore when they enter a strange room scattered with volcanic rocks around laboratory equipment. Paco assumes that Rohan Kishibe, the manga artist, purifies drugs with the flasks which he initially assumes to be beakers. Usagi corrects him with a lesson on the properties of lava, much to Paco's chagrin, and scolds him to continue looking for the safe.
They subsequently find the safe hidden behind a bookcase just as Jodio reports that Rohan is returning with a strange stray cat seemingly leading him inside the house. They yell for Dragona to immediately open it with their Stand, despite Jodio's warning, since they had already come this far in the plan. While keeping watch, Paco and Usagi spot and recognize the stray cat which stares at them for a while before walking away. Paco dismisses it to be nothing problematic as long as it doesn't make a noise. Dragona successfully opens the safe which reveals the diamond worth 6 million dollars. However, they notice the same volcanic rocks inside it as well. Just as they escape the room, a plastic string resembling a fishing line wraps and tightens around Paco's foot. Dragona runs to help before a string also wraps around their arm. Usagi manages to dodge a string that almost wraps around his foot, and it floats back into the hallway before disappearing. Usagi tells the two that the cat must be a Stand user and set up the string when it went down the hallway.[7]
Paco quickly asks for Usagi's scissors and takes it out of Usagi's hands to cut the string with them. However, the string is so tough the scissors' blade snaps. Feeling the string, Paco sees that it is made of stainless steel and is amazed at what he thinks is an unusual security system. Usagi insists the cat must be an enemy Stand user but Paco looks at it and sees the cat ignoring them and leaving. Skeptical about Usagi's theory, he even asks why would a cat attack them. The argument is interrupted when Jodio calls the group and warns them that Rohan has entered the house and has realized the situation. While Dragona slides the wire off their wrist with Smooth Operators, Paco wedges the broken scissor blade into the wire and vibrate his leg muscles at a high speed, managing to snap the wire this way.
Paco and Usagi almost get out of a window when Dragona realizes that Paco's backpack is open and that the diamond has fallen on the floor. When Dragona goes to pick the diamond up, Rohan appears and confronts the group. Rohan turns Dragona's arm into a book and reads their bio, but wants to learn more. Paco confronts Rohan who confidently approaches him despite a warning. Thus, when Rohan tries to touch Paco, Paco has no qualm attacking Rohan back. He suddenly jumps to the ceiling and grabs Rohan by the neck from behind, his muscles allowing him to cling to an air vent with his back. Rohan tries to touch Paco again but Paco deftly uses his arm muscles to grab Rohan by the wrist and orders Dragona and Usagi to use zip ties to immobilize Rohan. However, Rohan distracts Usagi by tossing the diamond at him, allowing him to turn Usagi into a book. Shocked, Paco can't avoid Rohan, who manages to graze his arm and turns him into a book as well.[8]
After tying up Paco and Usagi, Rohan promptly contacts the police to report the robbery. He's instructed to stay on the line until help arrives. Displaying his phone as evidence of his ongoing communication with the police, Rohan estimates a patrol car's arrival within ten minutes. Rohan's money, which was previously in Paco's possession, also spills onto the floor. Rohan calmly retrieves it, commenting on how everything returned to him. Rohan's focus is disrupted by rain suddenly appearing inside his living room. This distraction and a trap set by Jodio allows him to capture and bind the manga artist. Jodio unties Paco and Usagi, who both threaten to beat him up in anger. However, Jodio prevents them from doing so, stating that he respects Rohan and wants this day to remain a great day. Rohan points out that they would have been safer had he been the one to capture them, since they are being followed.
Having discerned Rohan's motive for staying in Hawaii, Jodio utilizes the two pieces of lava from Rohan's safe as leverage. He goes far as to crush one of them to emphasize his point, causing Rohan to panic. The gang speculates on the potential value of the lava, but no one understands its significance to Rohan. Regardless, it serves as effective leverage for the moment. Jodio forces Rohan to deceive the police about the burglary to secure a safe passage back to O'ahu for the gang. Feeling incapable of stealing the diamond, Dragona instructs Paco to steal it instead. Paco nonchalantly takes the diamond, and the group departs. Outside, Paco brazenly shows off the diamond to Dragona, oblivious to its peculiar properties. Unbeknownst to the gang, a group of cats begin to tail them.[9]
Relationships
Family
- Father: Paco has a strained relationship with his father, who bit off a piece of Paco's ear at one point.[1]
Gangmates
- Jodio Joestar: Although they work together, Jodio does not consider Paco as his friend.[1] Paco starts to appreciate Jodio after seeing his ability in action.[2]
- Dragona Joestar: Dragona and Paco seem to fight often. When Paco tries to steal from customers at Iko Iko, Dragona reprimands him and threatens to wrap his ear around his head. Paco also challenges Dragona to fight afterwards, though Dragona refuses.[1]
- Usagi Alohaoe: Paco despises Usagi, often telling him to shut up. Paco claims Usagi is a drug addict based on his energetic personality.
Chapters
Manga Appearances- The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure (1st appearance)
- The JOJOLands Chapter 2: South King Street
- The JOJOLands Chapter 3: The Villa on Hawaii Island, Part 1
- The JOJOLands Chapter 4: The Villa on Hawaii Island, Part 2
- The JOJOLands Chapter 5: "Rise Up"
Quotes
Quotes- “Dragona! There's a gym on the other side of the street! Wanna go there with me?”—Paco Laburantes, The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure
- “So what you're saying is you don't know shit, right? Well thanks for the pointless lava lesson! Now go find the damn safe!”
- “The Hustle! Time to do your stuff!”—Paco Laburantes, The JOJOLands Chapter 4: The Villa on Hawaii Island, Part 2
- “Nice! Screw off! I beat your shitty trap, asshole!”—Paco Laburantes, The JOJOLands Chapter 4: The Villa on Hawaii Island, Part 2
- “I said don't move! You asshole! Otherwise, things are gonna have to get violent!”—Paco Laburantes, The JOJOLands Chapter 4: The Villa on Hawaii Island, Part 2
Gallery
Paco's first appearance on his electric scooter
Paco's introduction
Hole in Paco's ear
Smooth Operators grabbing Paco's ear
Paco and his new allies receive their mission
Masking up after becoming aware of Rohan
Paco using The Hustle to strangle Rohan from the vent
Ultra Jump March 2023 Back Cover
Ultra Jump April 2023 Back Cover
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The JOJOLands Chapter 2: South King Street
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 2: South King Street P.27.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The JOJOLands Chapter 2: South King Street P.34.
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 2: South King Street P.22.
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure P.54.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 The JOJOLands Chapter 3: The Villa on Hawaii Island, Part 1
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 4: The Villa on Hawaii Island, Part 2
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 5: "Rise Up"
