Straizo
Straizo (ストレイツォ, Sutoreitso) is a secondary ally featured in the first part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, Phantom Blood, and a secondary antagonist in the second part, Battle Tendency.
He is a seasoned Ripple user and a disciple to the Ripple master Tonpetty alongside Dire. Straizo eventually seeks to become a vampire to obtain eternal youth and is revealed to be Lisa Lisa's adoptive father.
Appearance
Phantom Blood
Straizo is a male of average height and athletic build with long, straight dark hair. During the group's battle with Dio, his attire consisted of a thick tunic complete with wristbands, knee pads, and a large cloak.
Color Schemes
Battle Tendency
His outfit undergoes very little alternations as an old man, but after regaining his youth, he dons a double-breasted jacket and scarf. The scarf is revealed to be made up of the dried intestinal fibers of 30,000 Satiporoja beetles.[8]
Color Schemes
Personality
When Straizo appears alongside Tonpetty and Dire, he initially has the impression of being a noble Ripple user who wants to put an end to Dio's ambitions of world domination in order to protect humanity. He also has the habit of uttering the phrase "I, Straizo will show no mercy".[9] Straizo then becomes an acquaintance of Speedwagon during the 50 years leading up to Battle Tendency, with the latter trusting him to destroy Santana before he had reawakened.[10]
Straizo was, however, revealed to be a villainous person with gerascophobia. Straizo explained that he trained in the Ripple to become stronger, but his powers only made him even more aware of his human limitations.[11] He admits having admired Dio's overwhelming strength as a vampire and when the Ripple proved insufficient to preserve his youth, decided to use a Stone Mask. In his search for a way to stop his aging process, Straizo killed friends and followers. He was ready to die for it, which was demonstrated when he killed the expedition group, along with his disciples, and nearly ended Speedwagon's life.[12] He died satisfied, knowing he would go to Hell as a young man rather than die of old age.[13]
He claimed that, unlike Dio, he would not toy with his enemies to explore the limits of his powers and would eliminate any potential threat as soon as possible,[14] going after Erina and Joseph because they knew of the Stone Mask. He was also aware that Joseph could become a potential threat to him in the future. Straizo's carefulness in his actions is further proved when he is revealed to have brought a scarf made of beetles from Tibet in order to negate Joseph's Ripple.[15] He also repeatedly shot the same pressurized eye liquid Dio used to mortally wound Jonathan. He further showcased his ruthlessness in order to test Joseph's spirit by taking a woman hostage and tearing out one of her teeth to show how serious he was about the threat.[16]
However, Straizo did maintain some good within him, as he didn't want to bring a bigger danger to Earth just to maintain his youth and warned Joseph about Santana's awakening in order to prepare him for the upcoming threat.[13] In spite of his faults, he managed to be a good enough adoptive parent to Lisa Lisa to have her become conflicted when she learned about his death.
Abilities
Straizo is a skilled human trained in the art of the Ripple by Tonpetty. He is capable of channeling the Ripple through solid objects to destroy multiple zombies.
After becoming a vampire, Straizo shares their basic characteristics of regeneration and increased strength. He has the advantage of also knowing how to use the Ripple, being the only vampire to do so. Although using the Ripple as a vampire would kill him, his knowledge allows him to easily bypass the tricks of a Ripple user like Joseph.
His regeneration is notably much quicker and more efficient than Dio's as he was able to pull himself together from being blown to several pieces by Joseph's hand grenades at a quick pace without the need of having to drain the blood of a person first.
Constant exercising of the Ripple can slow one's aging process, as Ripple breathing imbues the user with life force. However, aging isn't completely stopped. Speedwagon points out that Straizo appears a lot younger than him even though they are both 74 years old. Despite this, Straizo misses his youth and desires to use the Stone Mask.
Straizo's arms and legs are strong enough to kill anyone with single chops or kicks. He slices the bodies of his disciples and the Speedwagon Foundation excavators with only his arms. When he kicks Speedwagon, the force slices Speedwagon's head open, although Speedwagon remains alive.
After becoming a vampire, the strength of his finger pressure is stated to be 235kg/cm2, and he can jump up to 4.22m while in his weakened state.[17]
Techniques
The most basic application of the Ripple. Straizo attacks with either his limbs or an object imbued with the Ripple. He uses it directly onto a chandelier to destroy Page, Jones, Plant, and Bornnam.
A Ripple Master can use cloth woven from the dried intestinal fibers of the Satiporoja Beetle. The cloth is capable of conducting the Ripple at 100%. Straizo and Lisa Lisa use scarves that are made of 30,000 beetles. As it conducts and disperses the Ripple far better than the human body, it acts similarly to a lightning rod and can completely absorb an opponent's Ripple attack.
History
Phantom Blood (1888-89)
Straizo is, along with Dire and Will Anthonio Zeppeli, one of Tonpetty's followers. During the events of Phantom Blood, Straizo accompanies Tonpetty to the English town of Windknight's Lot after they have received a letter from Will asking for help in destroying the Stone Mask, but they arrive too late to prevent his death. He helps Jonathan in the fight against Dio Brando and his minions, easily defeating Page, Jones, Plant, and Bornnam to protect Poco and his sister. During the fight, Straizo witnesses the power of a vampire firsthand. He later appears to wish Jonathan and Erina a good honeymoon.
Post Phantom Blood
After giving birth to George Joestar II, Erina gives the infant she saved from the night of Jonathan's death to Straizo to raise as his own daughter. Later succeeding Tonpetty as head of their order, his Ripple skills allowing him to slow his aging, Straizo raises the girl Elizabeth as the Ripple user later known as Lisa Lisa. Called by Speedwagon to meet him in Mexico, Straizo gives Lisa Lisa the flawless Red Stone of Aja known as the Super Aja to guard it in his place.
Battle Tendency (1938-39)
After giving Lisa Lisa the Super Aja, Straizo is welcomed by Speedwagon upon answering his call to meet him in Mexico. Soon after, he is brought to an underground chamber under a recently discovered pyramid where he sees various stone masks and the figure that Speedwagon needs his help to destroy. However, having checked Speedwagon's translation notes the night before and asking about Joseph Joestar's Ripple mastery, Straizo suddenly kills his disciples and Speedwagon's men. After kicking Speedwagon to the ground, Straizo admits that he's envied the youth and vigor Dio kept from using the stone mask. Straizo then helps himself to one of the masks, using the blood of his victims to activate it while explaining his intent to eliminate all loose ends starting with Speedwagon and then the Joestars. The vampirized Straizo then dumps Speedwagon and the corpses into the nearby river, assuming the former will drown while ensuring the Pillar Man will not be revived by his victims' blood.
Once at New York City, Straizo stalks Joseph Joestar while he is eating out at a dinner after sunset. Joseph notices Straizo, feigning ignorance of his identity as he leaves the dinner to inspect him before taking out a concealed Tommy Gun to blast Straizo through the bar's window. As a vampire and using a special scarf to safely neutralize Joseph's Ripple attacks, Straizo thinks that he has the upper hand but underestimate Joseph's resourcefulness, who ties several grenades to his scarf. The resulting explosion blows Straizo into several pieces, which gradually reassemble as Joseph runs off. Once fully regenerated, the naked Straizo kidnaps a lady reporter and intercepts Joseph at the Brooklyn Bridge where he threatens to kill the girl if Joseph runs again. Explaining that he is testing Joseph's character to deem if he is truly a threat to him or not, Straizo rips a tooth out of the girl's mouth to prove he means business and provoke the Joestar into fighting him. Infuriated, Joseph climbs one of the cables holding the bridge to confront Straizo. The fight is won decisively when Joseph uses Ripple-infused shot glasses to redirect Straizo's eye beams, which takes Straizo by surprise as his attack pierces his face. Joseph then knocks the vampire off the bridge with a punch to the face.
But Joseph catches him at the last second, demanding answers concerning Speedwagon's death. Straizo reveals the existence of the "Pillar Man" that he and Speedwagon found, telling Joseph that he will cross paths with the being and learn the meaning of evolution. Straizo then releases the Ripple stored in his body to self-destruct, revealing he has no regrets for his actions and prefers going to hell in his prime.
Novels
JORGE JOESTAR
Straizo has a supporting role in the light novel JORGE JOESTAR. Straizo adopts Lisa Lisa when she is a baby but doesn't officially live with her until she turns twelve. He lets Erina Joestar raise Lisa Lisa and George Joestar II together while they are young. They decide that after Lisa Lisa turns twelve in 1900, she will celebrate Christmas with Erina and George and then Straizo will come pick her up after the New Year.
After the incident with Antonio Torres and Alejandro Torres, Straizo informs George that the remains of the two had been cleaned up. While the villagers of La Palma spent a terrifying night locked in their homes, Straizo, Lisa Lisa, and the other Ripple warriors travelled around the island killing other monsters. George feels ashamed of himself for getting in Lisa Lisa's way while she battled Alejandro but Straizo comforts George and encourages him to grow up to be a fine young man.
Straizo and his friends decide to stay in La Palma until it is time to take Lisa Lisa back to Italy. They train her while ensuring the island is kept safe. On New Year's Eve, the Ripple warriors all have dinner at Erina's house, eating and drinking a lot. The next morning, he heads off to Italy with Lisa Lisa and the others.[18]
Five years later, Straizo and Lisa Lisa return to La Palma. He sips tea with Erina at her home while Lisa Lisa goes out to find clues about the Mothman. Erina eventually reveals the story of Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando to George, Lisa Lisa, and Penelope de la Rosa. Straizo mentions after the story that ever since Dio opened the door to the land of the dead, monsters have been popping up in many countries and they've been unable to completely stop the fallout.[19]
Several months later, Straizo is surprised to see George suddenly with Lisa Lisa in Rome after her quest to retrieve the Red Stone of Aja, since George should be in England. Straizo praises Lisa Lisa for reaching the treasure room and questions how she wasn't afraid. He also mumbles with the other Ripple warriors about how it was possible George suddenly arrived in the underground temple since they were standing by the entrance the whole time.[20]
In 1915, Straizo questions how they could fight zombies flying in fighter planes since they can't lace bullets with the Ripple, and they wouldn't be able to touch the zombies directly while sitting in a cockpit. Lisa Lisa remarks that George can simply shoot them all down. In 1920, Lisa Lisa becomes pregnant with Joseph Joestar and George wonders how Straizo will react. Lisa Lisa thinks he won't care and decides to wait a while before telling him.[21]
After Joseph is born, Straizo occasionally checks up on Erina and Joseph to make sure everything is okay with them.[22]
Chapters / Episodes
- 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 44: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 6 (Flashback)
- Chapter 45: Joseph Joestar of New York, Part 1
- Chapter 46: Joseph Joestar of New York, Part 2
- Chapter 47: Joseph Joestar of New York, Part 3 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 48: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 1
- Chapter 49: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 2
- Chapter 50: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 3
- Chapter 51: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 4
- Chapter 52: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 5 (Death)
- Chapter 53: The Pillar Man (Mentioned)
- Chapter 55: The Pillar Man, Santana, Part 2 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 56: The Pillar Man, Santana, Part 3 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 59: The Pillar Man, Santana, Part 6 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 60: The Pillar Man, Santana, Part 7 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 62: The Pillar Man, Santana, Part 9 (Flashback)
- Chapter 63: Joseph Joestar of Rome (Mentioned)
- Chapter 96: The Wind, the Chariot, and Wamuu, Part 2 (Photo)
- Chapter 97: The Wind, the Chariot, and Wamuu, Part 3 (Photo)
- Chapter 108: JoJo: The Final Ripple, Part 2 (Mentioned)
- 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!
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 10: JoJo of New York
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 11: Master of the Game (Death)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 12: The Pillar Man (Mentioned)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 13: JoJo vs. the Ultimate Being (Mentioned)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 14: Ultimate Warriors from Ancient Times (Mentioned)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 21: The Hundred vs. Two Strategy (Photo only)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 24: The Bond That Binds JoJo (Flashback)
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 1: Tsukumojuku
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 3: Wounds
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 5: Box
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 7: Airplanes
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 11: Gremlin (Mentioned)
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 13: Enemy
- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 14: Desolation Row (Mentioned)
- El Aleph Chapter 14: XIV - Final Arc (Mentioned)
- El Aleph Chapter 19: XIX - Final Arc (Mentioned)
Quotes
- “And I am Straizo, also his disciple. (同じくストレイツォ)”—Straizo introducing himself, Chapter 36: The Three from a Faraway Land, Part 1
- “No fighter has even beaten it! (これをやぶった格闘者は一人としていない!)”—Straizo boasting about Dire's Thunder Cross Split Attack, Chapter 38: The Three from a Faraway Land, Part 3
- “I, Straizo will show you no mercyǃ (このストレイツォ容赦せん!)”—Straizo, Chapter 39: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 1
- “A rose is a living thing, so the Ripple can reside within it. Metal, however, is inanimate. (薔薇は生き物だからその樹液中に「波紋」を帯びさせたまま放つことができるが 金属は生物ではないので…)”—Straizo, Chapter 39: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 1
- “During the fight with Dio 50 years ago, I admit that I admired him... that power, that beauty, that immortality! I want the power of the Stone Mask for myself! Now that I've grown old, I want to become a being that surpasses all! (わたしは50年前の戦いの時 ひそかにディオにあこがれた…あの強さに 美しさに 不老不死に!わたしもあの石仮面の力が欲しいと思う!老いた今!なにものをも超えた生き物となりたいと願う!)”—Straizo to Speedwagon, Chapter 46: Joseph Joestar of New York, Part 2
- “Did you forget who I am? I am the successor to the 4000 year-old Ripple technique! I know all its strengths and weaknesses - and I use that knowledge in battle! (Unlike Dio!) (このわたしが誰だか忘れたのか!四千年の歴史をもつ「波紋法」の後継者ストレイツォだ!その長所も短所も知りつくしている―知りつくした上での戦いよ!(ディオとはちがう))”—Straizo to Joseph, Chapter 50: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 3
- “Joseph! You will likely meet "him" soon. You will probably understand "his" identity and the meaning of evolution! Like destiny handed down by God...”—Straizo, Chapter 52: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 5
- “I have no regrets... rather than aging pathetically I'd rather go to hell with the excitement of getting my youth back... (わたしは後悔していない…醜く老いさらばえるよりも一時でも若返ったこの充実感を持って地獄へ行きたい…)”—Straizo, Chapter 52: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 5
Video Games
Phantom Blood (PS2)
Straizo appears as a playable character during Chapter 21, 77 Rings Knights Mode, and some battles in Extra Battle Mode. As Straizo's role in Phantom Blood was fairly minimal, his game appearance and moveset is based on his only fight scene. Straizo's moveset consists solely of kicks, and his special attack is a series of kicks that finishes with a downward drill kick.
Stardust Shooters (Android/iOS)
Straizo's Part 2 incarnation possesses a Metal Striker in the game. His FINISH move is based off of the action he performed on the young journalist, removing one of her teeth with his immense strength. Stardust Shooters marks the debut of Battle Tendency Straizo in a video game.
Diamond Records (Android/iOS)
Straizo (ストレイツォ, Sutoreitso) appears in Diamond Records as a playable character in both the Action Battle and Tactical Battle game modes. He has one 'Solitary' type 5 star statue.
Straizo's moveset in both game modes is comprised of various ripple-based attacks inspired by the anime. As a ripple user, Straizo has an advantage over vampires, zombies, and pillar men.
JoJo's Pitter-Patter Pop! (Android/iOS)
容赦のない波紋使い ver.
Cooldown: 70
Cooldown: 70
Cooldown: 65
Cooldown: 65
Cooldown: 60
吸血鬼と化した波紋使い ver.
Cooldown: 60
Cooldown: 60
Cooldown: 55
Cooldown: 55
Cooldown: 50
Gallery
Trivia
- After the release of Chapter 52 in January 1988, a fan sent a letter to Hirohiko Araki bawling over Straizo's death. Her letter was published in the reader submission section of Volume 5, where she refers to Straizo as "Suto-sama" (ストさま). The letter later became popular on the internet on Japanese forums and resulted in several memes being made in the same format.
"I'll make a Suto-sama doujin & Suto-sama fan club!" I thought to myself, and yet...
Sniffle... What a cruel fate for such a beautiful man... Ahhh!
Uuuurgh... You're a meanie... Hmph!!
It's only been two weeks since I sent you that postcard saying "It's finally Straizo's time!"
Whyyy, whyyyy?! It's already over?! You're lying, right?!
I can't believe it.... To have that pathetic JoJo kill him!! That's such a fall compared to Dio!! He's coming back to life, right? Right? Right? ......I'm gonna cryyy...
He was frighteningly apathetic (even though he's from the country! Hmph!) and I loved him so much!!
Suto-samaaaa! I hate it that you're deeaaaaad!!
You're a hippo, sensei! Waahh!
P.S. In WSJ 1988 Issue #1-2, the young lady was too close!!
ストさまよいしょ本&ストさまF.Cつくろー!って思ってたのに…
くすん…美形薄命だ… あーん
うっうっう…ひどいよお…ふえーん!!
この間「今、時代はストレイツォだ!」の葉書きを出してまだ2週間じゃないですか!
どーして、どーして!?あれで おわり!?嘘でしょ!?
信じられないよおっ あんなJOJOごときに殺られるなんてっ!! ディオと差がありすぎるわっ!!生き還りますよね?ね?ね? ……泣いてやるぅ
私はあのおそろしく鈍い彼が(たとえド田舎人でもさ! ヘン!)大好きだったんですよおっ!!
ストさまあっ!死んじゃ嫌だああああああっ!!
先生のカバッ!!え~ん
P.S '88 1・2号は娘さんとくっつきすぎだ!!
References
- ↑ Joseph Joestar - Vol.1 "Shueisha Jump Remix Battle Tendency Edition" P44 The Secret of JOJO Characters
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chapter 45: Joseph Joestar of New York, Part 1
- ↑ Speedwagon's birthday is on October 16th, in Chapter 113.pg 7, Smokey stated he met Joseph 6 months prior to March 1939, meaning Straizo fought Joseph and met Speedwagon in September.
- ↑ Chapter 47: Joseph Joestar of New York, Part 3
- ↑ Chapter 36: The Three from a Faraway Land, Part 1 P.12.
- ↑ Chapter 45: Joseph Joestar of New York, Part 1 P.3.
- ↑ Chapter 97: The Wind, the Chariot, and Wamuu, Part 3
- ↑ Chapter 50: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 3
- ↑ Chapter 39: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 1 P.5.
- ↑ Chapter 45: Joseph Joestar of New York, Part 1 P.1.
- ↑ Chapter 48: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 1 P.12.
- ↑ Chapter 46: Joseph Joestar of New York, Part 2 P.18.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Chapter 52: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 5 P.6.
- ↑ Chapter 49: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 2 P.10-11.
- ↑ Chapter 50: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 3 P.7.
- ↑ Chapter 51: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 4 P.8.
- ↑ Chapter 51: Straizo vs. Joseph, Part 4
- ↑ JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 1: Tsukumojuku
- ↑ JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 3: Wounds
- ↑ JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 7: Airplanes
- ↑ JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 13: Enemy
- ↑ JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 14: Desolation Row