JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is over the top in every way possible from the fashion choices to the mannerisms of the characters. There’s so much vibrance yet the occasional gore and darkness which makes it an ensemble of different elements tied together with an overarching theme. The cult-like following of the JoJo series can be accredited to all these aspects but that’s not all.
The air of optimism that can be felt throughout the series reflects in the persona of Hirohiko Araki as well, every time he speaks about his creation. Beyond the glitzy appearance of the characters and the setting, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has a simple yet profound idea as its most prominent theme. A theme that is unique, invigorating, and reminiscent of all the Joestars and their journeys.
The Power of the Human Spirit
Hirohiko Araki adds a layer of melodrama to every aspect of his creation. Amidst the eccentricities and the supernatural lays a simple foundation that holds true for every protagonist throughout the series. Araki shared (via Anime News Network) that the main theme of his series is the wonderful nature of humanity. Despite the dire circumstances, humans continue to grow and move forward.
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’.
His statement instantly takes us back to the power system of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, which is entirely reliant on the human spirit. The only way of fighting an opponent is with a Stand (a manifestation of the user’s life energy). We see numerous stands; some good, some evil. With their own motivation, they seek out other Stand users and battle it out with them.
Despite physical and emotional constraints, their Stand always shows up to save the day. Joestars always find great comrades in the form of schoolmates or random strong men from France and Italy who are willing to sacrifice their life for a shared goal. Their companionship is a symbol of how humans are dependent on one another for their survival. Besides that, there are no other weapons or mighty beings to determine the outcome of a fight.
The Omnipresence of the Theme Throughout the Story
Araki conveys the theme through different ways in the different installments of the JoJo series. He beautifies everything he draws. He says that the dissonance of colors in different scenes is intentional. Conveying a spectrum of feelings is more important than the consistent appearance of his characters. When the character’s world is shaken up, the scenery evidently reflects it.
I put more emphasis on giving readers different feelings and impressions through different color combinations.
From the colorful landscapes in Diamond is Unbreakable to the depiction of India and Egypt in Stardust Crusaders, there’s beauty in everything. The way he depicts his world in bright colors ensures that the darkness isn’t overwhelming. The beauty is accompanied by some flaws but in retrospect it’s the former that takes precedence over the rest. After all, at the end of every tunnel there’s always hope.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
