Dragona Joestar
Dragona Joestar (ドラゴナ・ジョースター, Doragona Jōsutā) is a primary ally featured in the ninth part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, The JOJOLands.
Dragona is Jodio Joestar's older brother and works alongside him as a gangster in Honolulu, Hawaii. They are a Stand user who wields Smooth Operators, a colony-type Stand that can displace anything.
Appearance
Dragona is a slim 18 year-old with a feminine silhouette, tanned skin, and long locked hair. They wear a crown of flowers, some having elongated petals that are reminiscent of hands, with a few locs swept over the crown as bangs.[1]
Their gender is somewhat ambiguous, as while they live their life as a woman and use Japanese feminine first-person pronouns, their brother Jodio refers to them as his "big brother".[2] They have had some cosmetic injections to increase the size of their breasts as well.[3] They wear feminine outfits such as two-piece bikinis and dresses, most of which include many dragon-themed tattoos and accessories, such as stylized dragon tattoos on their shoulders and left thigh and triple claw-like tattoos on their chest, arms, and left thigh.
During their first appearance, they wear a plain dark bikini with a belt, arm rings, and a necklace bearing a plate engraved with a stylized "D" which is made to look like a dragon. Later, they wear a sleeveless and collared one-piece romper with a serrated hem, a chest accessory with the same stylized "D" their previous necklace had, slouch socks, and sneakers. The chest accessory also has a pocket on the back.[4]
As a descendant of the Joestar Family, Dragona has the Star Birthmark on their left shoulder.
Personality
Dragona is an jovial, amiable and active person who nonetheless participates in various crimes alongside their brother.
Their Stand Smooth Operators doesn't have the same offensive capabilities as Jodio's Stand. Thus, Dragona seems more inclined to talk their way out of trouble or at least use guile and surprise attacks instead of rushing headfirst into conflicts.[5] Dragona has a close relationship with Smooth Operators, referring to the Stand as their kids.[6]
Dragona tends to act as the cautious one among their allies, warning them whenever they go too far. Dragona disapproves when Jodio needlessly stomps on a police officer,[7] though they thank Jodio afterward.[8] Despite their criminal life, Dragona also takes their legitimate job at the fashion boutique seriously and heavily disapproves of their fellow gangster Paco stealing from the clients, scolding him and even pulling his ear to punish him.[9] Unlike Paco and Usagi, Dragona acts warily while searching for the diamond in Rohan's villa, berating the two for stealing things they don't need.[6]
From Jodio's narration, it can be inferred that Dragona is physically active. They jog every morning and follow yoga courses. Their motto, which they picked up from an Indian yoga instructor, is to "never push themselves too hard, but never give up either," indicating a preference for steady effort. One of Dragona's favorite foods is papaya, and it is the only thing they eat for breakfast.[3]
Abilities
Stand
Dragona wields Smooth Operators, a colony of small Stands on tank treads that are able to grab and displace anything, even if the object affected is supposed to be fixed in place.
History
Background
Dragona is the grandchild of Joseph Joestar and Suzi Q, and the child of Barbara Ann Joestar and an unnamed man. Their family initially lived in Atlantic City and they moved to Honolulu before Barbara got separated from her husband for unknown reasons. Dragona works at a fashion boutique in Kalihi called Iko Iko. At some point, they joined a gang in the neighborhood.
One day, Dragona and their younger brother Jodio go on a job to smuggle drugs in surfboards. They steal a pickup truck and Dragona creates a fake driver's license using their Stand, replacing the original photo on the license with their own.[1]
The JOJOLands
Jodio sits in the passenger seat of the pickup truck while Dragona drives, blasting music from Dua Lipa. They are suddenly stopped by police officers. Dragona is sure they have not done anything wrong and constantly questions the officer, annoying him. The police officer thus forces Dragona out of the car and molests them under the pretense of searching them for drugs. Jodio decides to intervene and steps out of the car, ignoring the officers' orders to stop. Instead, he demands that the officer takes his hands off of his big brother, threatening to kill him otherwise. The officers point their guns at Jodio but he summons his Stand, causing rain droplets to pin the officer behind him to the ground, flattening him.
Just before the other officer fires at Jodio, Dragona uses their Stand to slide the officer's eyes to the back of his head, throwing off his aim. Finally, Jodio attacks the officer with rain drops as well, crushing him. He continuously stomps on the cop before Dragona stops him, calming him down so that Jodio doesn't kill the man.
Jodio then burns the officers' body cameras and dashboard camera along with their car, so that the officers would have no evidence and wouldn't be able to go after them. This initially shocks Dragona but Jodio tells them that he is erasing evidence and Dragona thus agrees with Jodio's actions. Moreover, Dragona uses their Stand to change the numbers on the truck's license plate and gets rid of their fake license before they head to their gang's rendezvous point. One of the gang members praises them for doing well but reprimands them for being late. He also asks them if they heard about a police car being burned down but Jodio and Dragona pretend to be ignorant. They walk until they get to a major road and then call an Uber to go home.
Later, 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 Mei 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 24-carat natural blue diamond worth $6 million. It is owned by a lone Japanese tourist who also owns a villa on the Big 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 Mei 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 Mei guarantees that he will be useful to them.[1]
The Heist
After the group arrives at the Kona Airport in Hawaii, Dragona scolds Usagi for being late and not providing a car, reminding him that they need to get back before the last plane of the day departs. 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. After arriving at the villa of the japanese tourist, Dragona tells their brother to reveal the gathered intel. They also notice that the owner might come out to the pool. Following the briefing, 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 MATTEKUDASAI, 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.[10]
Jodio splits up with Paco, Dragona, and Usagi, with the three infiltrating through the front door. Dragona picks the lock with their Stand and they enter the house. Inside, they remind Paco and Usagi to obtain a diamond and nothing else as to not arouse unwanted attention. Despite of this, the two still take several antiques and bottles of wine. Dragona warns them to put back their theft and look for a safe. The group continues to explore when they enter a strange room scattered with volcanic rocks around laboratory equipment. Paco and Dragona assume that Rohan Kishibe, the manga artist, purifies drugs with the flasks and smuggles them illegally. Usagi explains that the rocks were cooled 'a'ā lava inside the flasks which are used for heating.
Jodio soon reports to Dragona that Rohan is returning with a strange stray cat that seemingly leads him inside the house. He warns them to return to look for the diamond another time, but Paco and Usagi had already found the safe hidden behind a bookcase. Ignoring their brother, Dragona reaches to open it immediately with their Stand, confident that they can open it as Rohan doesn't know where they are and will be coming from the living room. However, the lock is heavier than what Smooth Operators can manage. While keeping watch, Paco and Usagi spot and recognize the stray cat which stares at them before walking away. Dragona successfully opens the safe which reveals the diamond worth 6 million dollars, then noticing the same volcanic rocks in the laboratory inside it as well. When the group escape the room, a plastic string resembling a fishing line wraps and tightens around Paco's foot. Dragona trues 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 strings, which were tightening around Paco and Dragona, when it went down the hallway.[6]
Paco takes Usagi's scissors, prompting the latter to suggests to Dragona that they wish THE MATTEKUDASAI make a copy for them. Usagi repeats his warning about an enemy Stand, but the cat looks harmless to Dragona and Paco. They suddenly receive Jodio through their transceiver and hear Jodio warn them that Rohan has entered the house and has figured out the situation. The group puts their masks on then Dragona simply uses Smooth Operators to slide the string off their wrist. After Paco also gets rid of the wire around his ankle, he and Usagi quickly start to get out of a window but Dragona notices that Paco's backpack is open. This puzzles Dragona, who clearly remembers closing the backpack and they quickly go back to take the diamond which lays on the floor.
As Dragona crouches and moves their hand to grab the diamond, Rohan suddenly appears, his hand close to Dragona's. Rohan warns Dragona to not pick up the diamond or else they'll be in danger, but they only think of tying Rohan up now. Rohan picks the diamond as Dragona's arm suddenly opens up into pages showing information about them. From that, Rohan can learn Dragona's identity and learn about the presence of Jodio. Rohan seems relieved to read that the group is merely a quatuor of fairly ordinary burglars and wishes to know how they learned about the diamond. Rohan manages to subdue Paco and Usagi by turning them into books but during the struggle, Rohan tosses the diamond at Usagi and Dragona, the stone rebouncing in Usagi's hand before Dragona catches it. Only Dragona remains able to move, but they are more disturbed at the sight of the diamond laying again on the ground although they were sure they caught it.[11]
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. He then turns his attention to Dragona, intending to immobilize them as well. As panic sets in, Dragona hastily tries to seize the diamond, stowing it in a pouch before attempting to flee. However, an unexpected clinking sound from a cup on the table halts them in their tracks. The diamond has mysteriously ended up in the cup, and the shock of losing it leaves Dragona bewildered. Adding to the confusion, Rohan's money, which was previously in Paco's possession, spills onto the floor. Rohan calmly retrieves it, commenting on how everything returned. Overwhelmed with fear, Dragona questions Rohan's identity, to which Rohan retorts that he should be the one questioning his assailants. He advances towards the paralyzed Dragona, almost succeeding in restraining them.
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. Dragona informs Jodio that Rohan knows their identities, rendering their planned airport escape impossible. Additionally, Dragona points out how the diamond cannot be stolen, leaving the gang bewildered. Adding to their uncertainty, 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.[12]
Jungle Warfare
Dragona and the gang run across the jungle back towards their car but Paco trips on a root, forcing the group to stop. Suddenly, Dragona sees that the diamond has fallen on the ground, which surprises Paco who is sure that he put the gem in his backpack and zipped it. Then, Jodio also sees the precious artwork Usagi had stolen earlier near him beneath some leaves. Somehow, the drawing has left Usagi's backpack. Dragona also remembers how several bank notes that Paco had stolen mysteriously fell out of his pocket earlier and realizes that this is not a matter of being careless or any trick on Rohan's part, but rather it seems that precious items are drawn towards the Lava Rock. Since Jodio was holding the lava, Dragona tells him to pick up the diamond, assuming it wouldn't fall again.
However, when Jodio approaches the diamond, he touches a wire that was hidden in the grass. It coils around his ankle and lifts him up, leaving him dangling upside down from a tree. Surprised, Jodio drops the Lava Rock. The rest of the group is just as surprised as Jodio to see the wire attack continue even after they left the house. Jodio warns his companions about an animal lurking around. The wire digs into Jodio's leg and he is unable to break free. Thus, Dragona approaches to help him. Usagi tries to warn them but Dragona is still caught in a trap. Two other wires stealthily approach Dragona from behind, bind to each other, and then pierce their stomach. Paco rushes to Dragona's aid but when he grabs Dragona, the wires start to sew themselves into his arm, binding him and Dragona together.
Jodio sees more wires flying towards them from upwind and warns his companions. Worse, it seems that Usagi has taken all the goods and fled. As the wires approach Paco and Dragona, Jodio, still dangling from the tree, estimates the distances between him, the branch from which he's hanging, and the tree trunk. Satisfied, he tells Paco and Dragona to get under him and then summons November Rain. November Rain creates a rain right underneath it which pushes the floating wires onto the ground and disintegrates them while Jodio shields Paco and Dragona.[13]
As the trio struggles against the wire onslaught, Drgona attempts to use Smooth Operators, but fails to slide the wires off. After Paco uses THE Hustle to free Jodio, his November Rain manages to fend off one cat. The remaining two cats ensnare them in a net made of wires, which is revealed to come from their fur. Just as the situation seems dire, Usagi intervenes by crashing the rental car into the tree. He reveals he had fed the cats expensive caviar he stole from Rohan's villa. Usagi has Dragona ask THE MATTEKUDASAI to transform into a net and lures the cats toward him. He then drops the Lava Rock he was holding, causing the cats to fall down since they would be drawn toward the Rock due to its properties.[14]
Testing the Lava Rock
Dragona and the others wind down after escaping from the jungle. They drive to a cafe, where Usagi begs Dragona to lend him $20. Dragona wonders if his family is poor, so Usagi divulges that his father was a construction worker in Oahu who passed away after getting hit by a bus, but they aren't cost-burdened since his mother received insurance money. Dragona agrees to lend the money, which Usagi uses to test the Lava Rock's ability to attract valuables. Usagi places the Rock on top of the bill while they talk for a few minutes, then marks the bill with a symbol using a pen before throwing the cash to the ground. A man steals the bill and uses it to pay for food, angering Dragona that their money was stolen. However, the money eventually returns to the group after Paco gets a refund from a shop, confirming the Lava Rock's power. Dragona then suggests a test at a luxury watch store, Diamotch, so they can fully figure out how the Lava Rock's powers work before boarding the plane. Dragona and Usagi act nervously inside, making the salesman suspect them. Dragona shows the clerk a glimpse of the diamond in their wallet, so the clerk agrees to let them try on watches in the back room. However, the Lava Rock's power leads to a tense situation as one of the watches on the table goes missing, and the clerk assumes the pair stole it.[4]
Usagi and Dragona show the clerk all of their possessions. Dragona is baffled about the missing watch, wondering if it moved on its own. After touching all four watches, it's unclear why only one vanished. They beg the clerk not to call the police, leading to a deal to check the security footage for proof of innocence. The first camera misses the incident, but the second shows the watch under Dragona's wrist before it disappeared. Dragona finds the watch inside their pendant's pocket being held by Smooth Operators, but doesn't remember taking it, reminiscent of when the diamond kept rolling away from Dragona at Rohan's villa. The security guards search Dragona's body, but the watch disappears again, as they only find the Lava Rock. Usagi points out that the watch isn't on Dragona but tangled in the clerk's shoelaces. It then starts traveling on its own toward the elevator, leading to a chase. The clerk and guards successfully retrieve it and apologize for accusing them, blaming the watch's slippery strap. As it falls again, Usagi and Dragona decide to leave. Dragona speculates on the Lava Rock's ability to draw riches toward it by controlling people with unconscious actions and through the connections between people, thinking the watch might return to them due to its mysterious pull. Despite the chaos, Usagi thinks their shopping trip was fun and suggests to cherish the memory.[15]
Relationships
Family
- Jodio Joestar: Dragona's younger brother. The two have a close relationship, working together to earn money and protect their mother. Dragona seemingly makes efforts to restrain his more violent impulses, but still shows appreciation for his efforts to keep them safe.[1]
- Barbara Ann Joestar: The mother of Dragona and Jodio, who raises them alone. Jodio and Dragona love her and ensure her social safety by helping her behind the scenes with their gang work.[1]
Gangmates
- Paco Laburantes: Dragona and Paco seem to have a strained relationship. 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: Upon being introduced at first Dragona believed Usagi to be irresponsible, having an odd personality and being late to arrive at Kona Airport. Usagi responds to this by being more exuberant and giving them humorous codenames like "Pink-chan".[10]
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"
- The JOJOLands Chapter 6: Hualalai - Cat Size, Part 1
- The JOJOLands Chapter 7: Hualalai - Cat Size, Part 2
- The JOJOLands Chapter 8: Hualalai - Cat Size, Part 3
- The JOJOLands Chapter 9: Kailua-Kona - Flight Waiting Time, Part 1
Quotes
Quotes- “Paco! Can you hear me? You'd better get the heck outta here before I wrap your ear around your head! Don't you dare mess with the customers in my shop! You asshole!”—Dragona Joestar, The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure
- “Shut up, idiot! Go [to the gym] yourself if you want to!”—Dragona Joestar, The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure
- “I'm just feeling bad for you. Now we'll need to tie you up. You really would've been better off hanging out by the side of the pool.”
Gallery
Jodio and Dragona's first appearance in a pick up truck
Dragona taking out their license
Jodio and Dragona laughing about Dragona being too excited from Dua Lipa's music
A photo of Dragona for their fake license
Hugging Jodio
Jodio introduces Dragona
Dragona's preferences and favorite motto
Masking up after becoming aware of Rohan
Still able to feel the diamond despite it being on the floor
The gang waiting in front of Diamotch
TJL Chapter 1 Cover B
TJL Chapter 3 Cover
TJL Chapter 4 Cover
TJL Chapter 6 Cover
TJL Chapter 8 Cover
TJL Chapter 9 Cover
Ultra Jump March 2023 Back Cover
Ultra Jump April 2023 Back Cover
- Ultra Jump September 2023.jpg
Ultra Jump September 2023 Cover
Ultra Jump January 2024 Cover
TJL Volume 2 Cover
TJL Chapter 2 Tailpiece
Ultra Jump February 2023 Next Issue Preview
Wall mural in Shibuya Station advertising The JOJOLands
Ultra Jump November 2023 Stickers
Notes
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure, p.15
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure, p.42
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The JOJOLands Chapter 8: Hualalai - Cat Size, Part 3
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure, p.27-28
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 The JOJOLands Chapter 3: The Villa on Hawaii Island, Part 1
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure, p.30
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure, p.35
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 1: Departure, p.56
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 The JOJOLands Chapter 2: South King Street
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 4: The Villa on Hawaii Island, Part 2
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 5: "Rise Up"
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 6: Hualalai - Cat Size, Part 1
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 7: Hualalai - Cat Size, Part 2
- ↑ The JOJOLands Chapter 9: Kailua-Kona - Flight Waiting Time, Part 1
