JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
This manga series is one of the most popular in Japan and around the world. Created in 1987 by Hirohiko Araki, it has gone on to enjoy a host of adaptations, each more popular than the last. Now let's plunge into this parallel universe filled with spiritual energies and mysteries, and follow the many protagonists as they embark on their... bizarre adventures.
JoJo's 9 story arcs
While the title suggests that the story simply follows the journey of a character called JoJo, in reality this name is borne by several consecutive characters. And this takes place in a veritable saga that begins at the end of the 19th century and runs right up to the present day (2010-2020).
The name "JoJo" comes from the very first protagonist, Jonathan Joestar. So it's a simple contraction. Jonathan was the son of a wealthy landowner in late Victorian England. He was destined simply to inherit the family fortune... until an adopted brother called Dio Brando appeared on the scene. He hoped to overthrow Jonathan and become heir to the family fortune.
This rivalry gave rise to a conflict that spanned several generations, with Jonathan Joestar's descendants, all known as "JoJo", constantly having to battle evil forces linked to Dio Brando, known as "DIO".
The first six story arcs follow Jonathan's direct descendants:
The last three story arcs take place in a parallel universe that DIO had always hoped to create. We return to the 19th century to follow the adventures of members of the Joestar family, but a completely altered family.
A supernatural universe
Hirohiko Araki's work was published in 134 Tankobon volumes. It takes place in a world based on the real world, but with supernatural manifestations. Some characters are able to materialise their psychic energy in the form of a "Stand" (or Sutando in Japanese). Stands can take any form, such as a mini-sun, a giant insect, a power socket... or anthropomorphised characters. These Stands appear in the immediate vicinity of their user, and possess special powers.
One of the most famous and popular stands is Star Platinum. This is Jotaro Kujo's stand in the 3rd story arc. As well as being very strong and fast in close combat, he has the ability to stop time. Other notable stands are :
The main human characters have mastered a supernatural martial art called 'Hamon' (or Ripple). Its practitioners are able to concentrate their energy in the form of sunlight by breathing.
Numerous successful adaptations
Initially published in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, it was then transferred (2004) to Ultra Jump magazine, marking an evolution in the series from Shonen (aimed at teenagers) to Seinen (aimed at young adults), in line with its fanbase.
The first anime adaptation began in 1993 and focused solely on the 3rd story arc, entitled Stardust Crusaders, considered to be the most popular. In 2007, the first story arc, Phantom Blood, was adapted as an anime film. In 2012, this arc was adapted into an animated series by David Production. This series was also successful, leading to the production of 190 episodes covering the first six story arcs.
Whether in manga or anime form, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is recognisable thanks to its visual style, which is strongly influenced by Western style and popular Western music. So much so that the famous Italian brand Gucci, to celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2011, organised an exhibition in collaboration with Araki in its Shinjuku shop, featuring a life-size mannequin of the character Rohan Kishibe, an ally of the Joestar family who appears mainly in the 4th story arc entitled "Diamond is Unbreakable". His Stand is called "Heaven's Door" and his power is to turn people into books, which he can then read for inspiration.
You can find this character in the form of figurines and other goodies in our geek shop, along with other popular characters from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.