Summary
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventureis characterized bymiraculous beings called Stands. These Stands are shared by heroes and villains alike and appear in the series beginning in the third story arc, Stardust Crusaders. These creatures are used in a variety of ways, primarily to assist their owners as they fend off enemies and battle for their lives against other Stand users. These fights are fought using Stands and the character’s own might,rather than the characters' relying on machines or the supernatural.
This Hirohiko Araki quote from anAnime News Networkinterviewbeautifully summarizes the theme ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. He explained that his story inspires him to believe “humanity is wonderful”, since the characters fight solely with their own strength and physical abilities, not using “machines and divine beings.”
I believe that people are able to grow by overcoming obstacles through the power of the human spirit and strength, and that, I believe is “an affirmation that humanity is wonderful”. Within ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’, there are fights and stories that involve various elements. However, in the end, people pull through without relying on machines and divine beings to determine fate themselves. Drawing people like that is my ‘affirmation that humanity is wonderful’. - Hirohiko Araki,Anime News Network
Although many characters do use Stands, these are more like physical manifestations of the character’s powers, not otherworldly beings, and largely, anything that happens in the story is the direct result of human actions and efforts. For the most part,JoJo’sis a story abouthumans who “determine fate themselves” as Araki puts it.
Araki Creates Characters Who Fight Without “Machines and Divine Beings”
This Quality of Independence From Technology and the Supernatural Sets JJBA Apart From Other Series
Araki’s characters rely on themselves,without bringing in machines or supernatural influences.This quality makes the series truly unique compared to other anime that focus on humans fighting with the help of technology or the supernatural. These other shows are excellent in their own ways, butJoJo’sdefinitely does benefit from this element of humanity that makes the story feel more relatable and connected to the real world in some ways. It is far more impactful and moving when humans achieve greatness of their own accord, not through the assistance of otherworldly, supernatural beings or monstrous machines.
A Stand may seem to be a supernatural or magical creature, but they are actually very different from those. Stands representcharacters' “life energy” or inner power, rather thandrawing their strength from the divine or from some form of technology. This fact proves why Stands are just another extension of the Users' own inherent powers, rather than an outside form of help, like some other anime series' characters call upon. Araki’s comments about “machines and divine beings” could apply to a great number of other popular anime franchises that incorporate these elements into their narratives, with tremendous success.
10 Scariest Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Stands That Are an Absolute Nightmare in Battle
While the series has memorable Stands that range from adorable to majestic, it also has some truly terrifying ones that act as nightmare fuel.
JoJo’sBattles Are Often Close Combat & Reliant On the Human’s Own Abilities
This Is Different From Series Like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Which Rely On Robots or Supernatural/Divine Powers
Neon Genesis Evangelionis an excellent example of these other series Araki speaks of,mixing the supernatural with the technological advancements of humanity. Its heroes' greatest enemies are Angels, and the humans fight withgigantic mecha robots called Evas. Both the divine and machines are brought into this story and the series' most intense battles occur between the otherworldly and the human-created machinery.Evangelionis a phenomenal and award-winning series in its own right and benefits from these intriguing elements, but the way characters fight and the tools they use are markedly different from the story Araki has created inJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
A lot of the fights inJoJo’sare very physical, up-close melee encounters.Close combat is a hallmark of the series, allowing characters to show off their own personal strength and throw their own punches. Some noteworthy examples of close range Stands are Kira Yoshikage’s Killer Queen, Dio Brando’s The World, Jotaro Kujo’s Star Platinum, Enrico Pucci’s Made In Heaven, and Fugo Pannacotta’s Purple Haze. These Stands require users to get within striking distance, taking away the ability for them to attack from a distance. This makes the battles more personal and dependent on humans' own abilities.
Stands Reflect Araki’s Profound Appreciation for Humankind and People’s Own Abilities
These Beings Highlight the Humans’ Own Personal Powers and Cannot Stand on Their Own
Araki made a point of emphasizinghis appreciation for humankind in the series' power source, and that is definitely reflected through the characters he creates and the battles he writes. Impressive Stand powers are definitely present in the story and receive starring moments during the brutal battles. However, these Stands are not completely independent machines or divinely controlled. Even the power sources in the series must be carefully instructed and maneuvered by humans, because without a person, a Stand cannot act on its own. Most of the characters also sustain any damage inflicted on their Stand, further linking them together.
The Stand is perhaps themost intriguing and creative power source in any animebecause of how connected Stands are with their Users. Without the initial User, no Stand would exist. Furthermore, if a human dies, so does their Stand. This makes them different from other supernatural creatures that aid heroes and villains in other animes, since these other beings can stand on their own and exist apart from their wielders. InJoJo’s,human life is what is ultimately highlighted as most integral, and Stands are just useful tools that further reflect humankind’s abilities and skills in battle.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: The 8 Best (& 7 Worst) Stand Abilities
Heroes and villains alike wield stands, but not all stands are created equal. Today we’re checking out the best and worst of them.
The Variety Present in Stands Further Proves Araki’s Admiration for Humankind
No Two Stands Are the Same, and Each One Reflects Its User Well
Stands are all unique and different, matching aesthetically and stylistically with their user’s fashion and personality. It is typically easy to pick out which Stand belongs to which character, since they alwaysmirror their respective User perfectly. The diversity of Stands further proves Araki’s point in the interview, that “humanity is beautiful.” The way he designed each Stand so differently and made them fit their User’s persona and interests proves how much he appreciates humanity. By choosing to focus on people, with this creative Stand twist, Araki madeJoJo’s Bizarre Adventureuniquely personal and distinctive, illuminating humankind’s power.
Source: Hirohiko Araki,Anime News Network
JoJo Bizarre Adventure
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is an anime adapted from Hirohiko Araki’s manga, following the Joestar family whose members discover their unique supernatural abilities. Spanning multiple generations and diverse settings, each arc explores different members' battles against malevolent forces, blending action, horror, and fantastical elements.
