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The information below derives from a source not written by Araki. As such, it may or may not be considered canon.
Background
Growing Up in the Slums
Young Dio Brando
Dio Brando was born and raised in an impoverished town. He and his family would often struggle from starvation, struggling to find money and food. His mother would often give away the little she had to those in need, such as children, the elderly, and sometimes animals. These acts of charity unfortunately would only result in mockery, as the residents of the town considered such actions to be foolish. Despite agreeing with them, Dio, being her son, could not stand people making fun of his mother; but whenever he would fight back, she would scold him, saying that he won't go to heaven relying on violence. To Dio she appeared to be obsessed with the concept of heaven, as she took every opportunity to remind him of it, which earned her a great deal of contempt from her son.
The young Dio Brando respected his father significantly more than his mother since it appeared to him that Dario's way of living was more honest and correct given their circumstances. Whenever Dario in his drunken frenzy would beat her, Dio saw it as a justifiable punishment for her foolishness. Whenever his father got drunk, Dio would try to be quiet and get away from him in an attempt to minimize the damage he received.[1]
Sometimes his mother would sing a lullaby to Dio before sleep. The lullaby contained 14 phrases: Spiral staircase, rhinoceros beetle, Desolation Row, fig tart, rhinoceros beetle, Via Dolorosa, rhinoceros beetle, singularity point, Giotto, angel, hydrangea, rhinoceros beetle, singularity point, secret emperor.[2]
At one point Dio told his mother that her way of life was impractical and that heaven does not exist. She, looking somewhat upset, explained to him that he'll understand it when he gets older, claiming heaven exists and there is a way to get there, so one must live for the purpose of doing so.
His mother died abruptly. She was buried in a crude funeral by Dio and Dario who even at this time was drunk. Though he thought that his mother didn't go to heaven, he didn't feel sad as she escaped hell and could finally rest.[3]
After his mother's death, Dario became even more cruel to Dio. He took any opportunity to abuse his son, he would beat him for misbehaving, for doing well, often seemingly for no reason at all. Dio began to realize that his mother was not beat for her foolishness, Dario was simply the kind of man who tyrannized the weak to affirm his own dominance. To escape the violance Dio began to work and gamble, making use of his mother's education, to buy liquor for Dario in hopes of him drinking himself unconscious. Overtime his father would hit him less and less as he seemingly prioritized alchohol over everything else.[4] Wanting more booze, Dario pawned off the dress of his deceased wife, in spite of the protests of his son. After this act Dio lost the little hope and respect he had for his father. Dio, who previously thought that he skillfully and cleverly survived, realized that this whole time he was exploited by Dario. From this point on Dio began planning his father's murder.[5]
Conveniently, Dario fell ill and became bedridden giving Dio an opportunity to discreetly kill him. He acquired a poison from a Chinese man from a nearby city and steadily fed it to his father disguising it as medicine. In the moment, Dio finally felt like could go to heaven, he was convinced that killing his father was a good and noble deed that would lead him to a happier life. In the moment Dio finally felt like could go to heaven, he was convinced that killing his father was a good and noble deed.[6] Strangely, the act itself felt unsatisfactory. He felt no sense of accomplishment; Dario had simply died like an insect.[7]
Rivalry With Jonathan
Dio inherited his father's resentment of nobles. He planned to destroy Jonathan's life since they first met. Dio couldn't forgive the cheerful attitude of Jonathan, who didn't know suffering and who would simply inherit vast wealth.[8]
Through bullying Dio was almost able to completely crush Jonathan, though similarly to his father's murder he did not feel fulfilled. Attempting to go after Jonathan's girlfirend, Erina Pendleton, resulted in a fist fight with him, which Dio humiliatingly lost. After this incident Dio bacame interested in Erina because of her strong will and foolishness befitting of his mother. He would later state that, if not for her, he would easily succeed in crushing Jonathan's soul.[9]
For the following seven years Dio lived with the Joestar family gaining trust and the right to inheritance in preparation to kill George Joestar. Though fooling those around him was an easy task, Dio found such life to be extremely dull compared to what he was expecting from the much hated nobility, so much so that he thought of giving up on the plan as he sometimes thought that it is a waste of time. Even after adopting the Joestar last name, at school he was still being called by the last name Brando which he never bothered to correct.[10]
DIO initially planned to assassinate George Joestar using the Stone Mask which would direct the suspicions on Jonathan. After realizing that such a gruesome incident would taint the Joestar name he was planning to inherit, he decided to murder him the same way he murdered his father.[11] His attempt to poison adoptive father failed; since George, a proper gentleman, kept all the letters Dario sent to him, Jonathan, after seeing the letters, was able to notice similiar symptoms and figure out Dio's plan.[12]
Dio as a vampire
After returning to the mansion, following the discovery of the workings of the Stone Mask in a street fight, Dio was confronted with Jonathan and Robert E. O. Speedwagon, a criminal from Ogre Street. Jonathan revealed that he has uncovered Dio's plan. Dio attempted to earn sympathy from Jonathan, but Speedwagon cut him off, saying that Dio was born evil and is not to be trusted. Dio agreed with the assertion. This affirmation of his evil nature pushed Dio further into rejecting his humanity.[13] Having no other choice, he donned the mask, becoming a vampire. As a result of the confrontation, Dio was impaled by the Statue of the Goddess of Love and buried by the rubble of the burned down mansion. After recovering, Dio settled in Windknight's Lot and used the prisoners to build his army, since wicked souls produce more powerful zombies.[14]
Awaking From the Slumber
After returning to the surface DIO impregnated numerous women who were offerred to him as food. He chose the most evil and wicked women as he believed that they would make for better mothers for his offspring. He chose to do so in hopes that decades in the future, a short time for him, his offspring would help him reach heaven. However, he wasn't sure if the women he impregnated chose to abort the child, if he, a vampire, could not procreate with humans, or if the children inherited Jonathan's blood instead.[15]
DIO recieved the Bow and Arrow from Enya which awakened his Stand, The World. Witnessing the immense power of his Stand further cemented his belief in heaven.[3]
He once asked Enya about the reason humans live. She answered that humans live to get what they desire. DIO stated that to live is to conquer fear, to which she responded, asking what would someone as great as him have to fear. DIO said that the Joestar bloodline is not to be taken lightly. Enya scoffed at the answer.[16]
Writing the Diary
About four years after escaping from his coffin, DIO begins writing his diary. He begins with a recollection of his childhood and the origin of his idea of heaven. DIO states that when he first got exposed to it thanks to his mother he acted dismissive of it, but over the course of his life he adopted similar beliefs.[1] DIO admits that despite his great power, he can not reach his goal on his own. To get to heaven he would need a friend he can trust, one without desire for power, hunger or for fame, or
lust, one who holds God's laws in higher esteem than he does man's. The diary is being written for the purpose of recording information about heaven and imparting it to those who he can trust.[17]
He meets a gambler named Daniel J. D'Arby who he intuitively understands to be a Stand user. DIO takes interest in him and wonders if he could be the trusted friend but quickly dismisses it since he doesn't think that a gambler can have a pure soul.[18] In a later meeting, DIO recruits D'Arby and discovers his Stand, Osiris. Though he may not be the "yet-unfound friend", his ability can help DIO acquire 36 souls of sinners. DIO explains that the souls of those who have committed heinous acts have great power. He mentions that, a few days prior, Kakyoin Noriaki stated his theory that the one who loses a conflict is the one that is evil. DIO is convinced of the opposite; the desire to be happy, to go to heaven that wicked people possess propels them to victory.[19]
For a while DIO had a feeling that he is being watched, but acted dismissive thinking of it as paranoia. His suspicions however are proven true when, to the shock of DIO, his subordinates learn of the living descendants of the Joestar bloodline. He discovers that he is being photographed by the Stand of Joseph Joestar, that resembles Jonathan's Hermit Purple which DIO now controls. He orders Kakyoin, whose Stand is weakened by a flesh bud, to exterminate the Joestars as they currently reside in his homeland.[20]
Although DIO was planning to go to America to see Enrico Pucci, the trip was postponed after he recieving a report from Nijimura. Holy Kujo has broken into a fever caused by the awaking of her Stand, meaning that Joseph Joestar and Jotaro Kujo will travel to Egypt to defeat DIO and lift the curse. DIO plans to bring Pucci to Egypt like he did several times before. To defeat the Joestar Group DIO sends out Gray Fly.[21]
DIO meets Pucci at a separate hideout away from Enya and the D’Arby brothers. He learns about his Stand, Whitesnake, and its ability to extract Stands and memories from people, which essentially allows him to collect souls. DIO is disappointed to learn that a person can only possess five souls at once, far from the desired 36. Nevertheless, he is sure that Pucci will be the one to pave the way to heaven.[22] The next day DIO realizes that, since he isn't human, there is a possibility that Whitesnake’s restrictions don't apply to him. But, because he is yet to fully adapt to Jonathan's body, he isn't yet ready to perform such experiment. DIO decides that, for now, he will perform his experiments on zombies.[23]
After DIO learns of the defeats of Jean Pierre Polnareff and Impostor Captain Tennille, he begins to doubt his methods. He decides that he will no longer use flesh buds since the subordinates will be more likely to betray him after their defeat. He also decides to deal with the Joestar group on his own, but is met with considerable opposition from Enya who says, that she had already sent seven Stand users to assassinate them. DIO also mentions that he is yet to reveal the heaven plan to Enya expecting her to oppose it.[24]
Soon after their previous meeting, DIO contacts Pucci and requests him to come to Egypt again. On the phone DIO happens to bring up a question he had for some time: the difference between humans and animals. Pucci answers that humans are defined by their desire to go to heaven.[25]
After the defeats of Forever, Devo the Cursed, and Rubber Soul, DIO comes to the conclusion that the reason for his agents' numerous losses is the lack of team work caused by their unwillingness to reveal their powers, a common occurance when it comes to Stand users.[26] Enya suggests to simply kill Holy and drink her blood while the Joestars are away from home, having already dipatched several Stand users there. Although DIO finds the proposition to be wise and cunning, he regects it, believing that it would only serve as a greater motivation for Joseph and Jotaro.[27]
DIO receives the news about the defeat of J. Geil and Hol Horse as well as the alleged death of Muhammad Avdol from an agent who overheard it. Enya, the one who was supposed to deliver the report, was driven to madness by the loss of her son, becoming unable to perform her duties.[28] DIO pierces her with a flesh bud in a vain attempt to return her to her senses. After recieving the news about the failures of Nena and ZZ, she goes after the Joestar group on her own.[29] He later receives the news of her defeat and sends out Steely Dan to finish her off.[30]
Steely Dan, Arabia Fats, and Mannish Boy have been defeated. Cameo and Midler, the two remainig Stand users gathered by Enya, now without a leader, went after the Joestar group with no input from DIO. DIO also learns that the Speedwagon Foundation had secured Iggy who will be joining the Joestar group in the near future.[31]
After gathering the Egypt 9 Glory Gods as well as Hol Horse in his mention, DIO learns that the Speedwagon Foundation had discovered his hideout, forcing him to move.[32] DIO finds Boingo's ability to predict future to be the most interesting among his agents. DIO asks him what he would do if Tohth predicted an unavoidable tragedy. Trembling, yet with a strong will, Boingo responds that it will give one a chance to prepare. Impressed by his answer’s wisdom, DIO feels inspired by the idea.
DIO writes down the explanation of his plan. D’Arby’s Stand, Osiris, is able to divide a soul into 10 chips. White chips represent righteousness while black chips represent wickedness. 36 souls can be divided into 360 chips, a number which represents a circle or a clock, completing a full revolution. To achieve heaven DIO must sacrifice his Stand, which will absorb the 36 souls and give birth to a new being. The trusted friend must utter the 14 phrases to gain its trust.[33]
Quotes
Quotes
“
I wonder if my mother, who always used to tell me that, did indeed to go heaven in the end? Although she lived at the bottom rung of society, she lived with a pride that she never lost over the whole course of her life. But while that may be true, being so, especially being so, no, rather because she was so, I do not think she obtained a ticket to heaven.
It really does seem foolish looking back on it now, but...... I was not in my proper senses, but I thought of the way he lived as very skillful. He was always taking from the weak. And in response to necessity, or even not in response to necessity, he would beat other people. For me, a still-innocent child, one could not be "stronger".
The information below derives from OVER HEAVEN which was not written by Araki. As such, it may not be considered canon.
Dario's wife believed that he is a good man who just needs to stop drinking.[1]
Dario deeply detested the noble, they were, perhaps, the only thing he saw as truly evil. He would often rave about their arrogance and self-importance, about them being the reason that he and his family are so poor and their lives were so awful.[8]
Concludes non-canon section.
OVER HEAVEN
The information below derives from OVER HEAVEN which was not written by Araki. As such, it may not be considered canon.
According to Dio, Dario never works; anything that he "earns" is gained through thieft, gambling, and extortion. At the time this earned him respect of his young son, as he thought that in that impoverished crime-riddem town his father's way of living was honest and correct.
His wife, in spite of the contempt from her husband and son, would always attempt to steer them in the right direction only receiving abuse in return. Once, as a result of the beatings, she miscarries. Whenever Dario got drunk, Dio would try to be quiet and get away from him in an attempt to minimize the damage he received.
His wife dies abruptly. She is buried in a crude funeral by Dio and Dario who even at this time is drunk.[3]
After his wife's death, Dario becomes even more cruel to Dio. He now takes any opportunity to abuse his son, he would beat him for misbehaving, for doing well, often seemingly for no reason at all. Dio begins to realize that his mother was not beat for her foolishness, Dario is simply the kind of man who tyrannizes the weak to affirm his own dominance. To escape the violance Dio begins to work and gamble, making use of his mother's education, to buy liquor for Dario in hopes of him drinking himself unconscious. Overtime his father would hit him less and less as he seemingly prioritized alchohol over everything else.[4]
Wanting more booze, Dario pawns off the dress of his deceased wife, in spite of the protests of his son. After this act Dio loses the little hope and respect he had for his father. Dio, who previously thought that he skillfully and cleverly survived, realizes that this whole time he was exploited by Dario. From this point on Dio begins planning his father's murder.[5]
Concludes non-canon section.
Quotes
“
You can't help what's dead. What, do you think because if you have a funeral, they'll come back to life? You idiot...
The information below derives from OVER HEAVEN which was not written by Araki. As such, it may not be considered canon.
Enya the Hag in OVER HEAVEN
DIO once asks Enya about the reason humans live. She answers that humans live to get what they desire. DIO states that to live is to conquer fear, to which she responds, asking what would someone as great as him have to fear. DIO says that the Joestar bloodline is not to be taken lightly. Enya scoffs at the answer.[16]
When DIO decides to deal with the Joestar group on his own, following the defeats of Jean Pierre Polnareff and Impostor Captain Tennille, Enya greatly opposes it and tells him that she had already sent seven Stand users to assassinate them.[24]
After the defeats of Forever, Devo the Cursed, and Rubber Soul, Enya suggests to simply kill Holy Kujo and drink her blood while the Joestars are away from home, having already dipatched several Stand users there. Although DIO finds the proposition to be wise and cunning, he regects it, believing that it would only serve as a greater motivation for Joseph and Jotaro.[27]
DIO receives the news about the defeat of J. Geil and Hol Horse as well as the alleged death of Muhammad Avdol from an agent who overheard it. Enya, the one who was supposed to deliver the report, was driven to madness by the loss of her son, becoming unable to perform her duties.[28] DIO pierces her with a flesh bud in a vain attempt to return her to her senses. After recieving the news about the failures of Nena and ZZ, she goes after the Joestar group on her own.[29]
The information below derives from OVER HEAVEN which was not written by Araki. As such, it may not be considered canon.
When the Joestar Group begins their journey to Cairo, DIO asks Pucci to meet in Egypt instead of America like he previously planned. Their meeting was held at a separate hideout away from Enya and the D'Arbybrothers. He learns about his Stand, Whitesnake, and its ability to extract Stands and memories from people, which essentially allows him to collect souls. DIO is disappointed to learn that a person can only possess five souls at once, far from the desired 36. Nevertheless, he is sure that Pucci will be the one to pave the way to heaven.[22]
Soon after their previous meeting, DIO contacts Pucci and requests him to come to Egypt again. On the phone DIO happens to bring up a question he had for some time: the difference between humans and animals. Pucci answers that humans are defined by their desire to go to heaven.[25]
The information below derives from OVER HEAVEN which was not written by Araki. As such, it may not be considered canon.
The D'Arby brothers in OVER HEAVEN
When DIO first met D'Arby, he intuitively understands him to be a Stand user. DIO takes interest in him and wonders if he could be the trusted friend but quickly dismisses it since he doesn't think that a gambler can have a pure soul.[18] In a later meeting, DIO recruits D'Arby and discovers his Stand, Osiris. Though he may not be the "yet-unfound friend", his ability can help DIO acquire 36 souls of sinners.[19]
D'Arby plays a significant role in DIO's plan to reach heaven. His Stand, Osiris, is able to divide a soul into 10 chips. White chips represent righteousness while black chips represent wickedness. 36 souls, needed for the plan, can be divided into 360 chips, a number which represents a circle or a clock, completing a full revolution.[33]
The information below derives from OVER HEAVEN which was not written by Araki. As such, it may not be considered canon.
DIO finds Boingo's ability to predict future to be the most interesting among his agents. DIO asks him what he would do if Tohth predicted an unavoidable tragedy. Trembling, yet with a strong will, Boingo responds that it will give one a chance to prepare. Impressed by his answer’s wisdom, DIO feels inspired by the idea.[33]
Quotes
