Created by Toshiyuki Araki, better known as Hirohiko Araki, the long-running manga series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is known for its flamboyant characters, and distinct styles. But among them, perhaps the most iconic part is the character’s poses. These unique poses have become the trademark of the series, even making it as a source of gags frequently. However, many fans might not know is that the inspiration behind these poses comes from real-life female fashion models.
Hirohiko Araki’s approach to character design and posing is evidence to his unconventional creative process. Needless to mention, major fashion brands like Gucci have even collaborated with JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure before. As an avid fan of fashion, this artistic choice of Araki not only sets the series apart from other Shonen series but also challenges traditional gender norms in the portrayal of male characters.
The Origins of the Iconic Poses of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure‘s Characters
The impact of fashion on Hirohiko Araki’s art and his obsession with it are widely known. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is infused with Araki’s passion for fashion, from the characters’ extravagant attire to their carefully crafted poses. What really sticks out though, is the way he references women’s fashion for his male characters.
In 2018, Araki shared insights into the series’ creative process as well as inspirations behind the character designs in an interview with the fashion magazine SPUR. Upon asking whether he puts different perspectives in designing male and female characters’ poses or not, he revealed,
There is no specific difference in the way I draw male and female characters. Rather, I like to use women’s poses as a reference when drawing. So I often end up drawing male characters by looking at the models in women’s fashion magazines.
This glimpse inside Araki’s creative process reveals his preference for the more versatile and expressive views of women’s fashion over the simpler ones typical of men’s. According to Araki, male models “just stand around,” while women “are always doing interesting poses, like twisting their hips or bending their necks.” Regardless of a character’s gender, Araki wanted to convey these subtle and expressive gestures.
The Glamorous World of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Through Hirohiko Araki’s Eyes
Even in terms of fashion, Hirohiko Araki exhibits more of a gender-neutral approach in his work. Rather than designing the attires for the characters based on their respective genders, Araki puts more emphasis on their personalities and preferences. In his own words,
In terms of fashion, I think there’s a major difference between men and women. When I think up a character, I create kind of a portfolio for them. There are about 60 boxes in total, and by adding various details about them, such as their personality, habits, favorite foods, etc., the character becomes more and more three-dimensional and fleshed out, just like a real person.
Despite acknowledging the significant differences between men’s and women’s fashion, he rarely takes them into consideration when crafting a character.
The use of women’s fashion as a reference is evident in the elegance and intricacy of poses and outfits of the characters. From the exaggerated hand gestures of Jonathan Joestar to the serpentine twists of Dio Brando, these poses have become associated with the series itself. Each pose is carefully thought out to convey not just the flamboyance of the character but also their personality, mood, and even their role in the narrative.
As JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure continues to captivate fans with its bizarre and flashy world, Araki’s unorthodox approach to character design remains one of the most iconic and influential aspects of the series. It serves as a reminder that some of the most memorable and influential works of art in any media may arise from breaking the mold and that true creativity often lies in the unexpected.
You can watch JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure on Crunchyroll as of 18th August, 2024.
