JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (JoJo no Kimyo na Boken), is a classic manga by creator Hirohiko Araki finally got the anime series it’s deserved for a long time. Originally started in the 1980′s JoJo has seen some anime action in form of OAVs. If you are unfamiliar with the series there was a U.S. manga release a few years back that can still be found and which we covered on our site a little while back. The manga release was based on the third installment of the series. The newer anime takes us back to the first and second installments in the series.
Some Spoilers Ahead:
The first nine episodes covers the original story which starts in the late 1800′s. Jonathan “JoJo” Joestar is the only child in the Joestar household. He gets a new brother when his father adopts the son of a man who pretended to save Jonathan’s father after a tragic horse carriage accident that left Jonathan’s mother and the carriage driver dead. The money hungry thief was in the middle of looting what he thinks are dead bodies Jonathan and his father actually survived. At first Jonathan’s father believed the thief, Dario Brando, saved his life. He later learns otherwise when Dario is put in jail. But despite that he wants Dario to keep what he stole and start a better life. He never does. He lived on in poverty and mistreated his own family. On his deathbed Dario tells his son Dio to seek out the Joestar family who are sure to take him in since they owe him for the “rescue” long ago. Dio is the same age as Jonathan but where Jonathan is caring and friendly Dio is ambitious and full of malice.
Years later the boys are grown up. Despite being adopted into the family and fully supported in his endeavors Dio has bigger plans. He wants the Joestar fortune for himself. After being discovered switching Jonathan’s father medication Dio gets desperate to advance his plans to get rid of the Joestars. He discovers Jonathan’s research on a mysterious mask. The mask is a catalyst which requires the wearer to put blood on it to trigger a transformation. When completed the person ceases to be human and becomes a vampire. After being outed as a criminal who tried to poison and kill Jonathan’s father Dio puts on the mask and kills Jonathan’s father. He gets shot up by the police. But when they go check on the body it’s gone. As if out of a nightmare Dio rises from the dead with incredible abilities. He slaughters everyone in the house. Jonathan barely escapes with his life and the family home is destroyed in an immense fire. Dio seems to have perished in the flames. But we learn otherwise. With the help of his new friend Robert E.O Speedwagon and his childhood sweetheart Erina he begins his recover. Jonathan’s real recovery happens when he runs into a Hammon Master Will A. Zeppoli who teaches Jonathan the art of the ripple. With it Jonathan can fight the threat of the vampires which Zeppoli himself has dedicated his life to. Jonathan along with his allies will have to face great opposition in Dio’s minions and finally Dio himself. And so begins one of the greatest legacies of the Joestar Family.
I love the manga to this series as well as the previous OAV’s. While the animation for the new series isn’t the best quality and at moments too over dramatic I enjoyed the show. The episodes leading up to the final battle were intense. The music at the opening of the show is cool, but I wasn’t a fan of the song itself. I found the ending song and music better and much more fitting for the series. I’d would love to see this series come out officially in the U.S.A. The characters and stories are really quirky and creative. If it gets enough attention maybe more manga can see the light of day here. I won’t hold my breath but if this does come out on our side of the world I’d welcome a Blu-Ray set. For now I may just have to consider buying a set on my next trip to Japan.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure – Television Opening
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure – Television End