8.5/10
Few manga have left as bold and lasting a mark on global pop culture as JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, created by Hirohiko Araki. First serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1987 and later moving to Ultra Jump in 2005, the series has grown into a multi-decade epic with nine story arcs spanning multiple generations of the Joestar family. As of December 2024, the saga has been compiled into 136 tankōbon volumes, making it the longest-running series ever published by Shueisha in terms of collected volumes. With over 120 million copies in circulation worldwide, JoJo is not just one of the best-selling manga series of all time — it’s also one of the most recognizable, thanks to its flamboyant art style, iconic poses, and the supernatural Stand battles that have become its signature.
Beyond the manga, JoJo has blossomed into a multimedia franchise. It has inspired anime adaptations, films, OVAs, video games, light novels, spin-offs, and even high-fashion collaborations with brands like Gucci. From the gothic, vampire-driven Phantom Blood to the surreal modern conflicts of The JoJoLands, Araki’s work pushes boundaries of storytelling, art, and genre. JoJo’s reputation for “bizarre” creativity has earned it both critical acclaim and cult devotion, ensuring its place in the pantheon of manga and anime greats.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood – Official Trailer
What is JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure About?
At its core, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a generational epic. Each story arc follows a member of the Joestar family, whose descendants all inherit a star-shaped birthmark and a name that abbreviates to “JoJo.” Across time and alternate universes, they are locked into battles with forces of evil — most famously tied to the rivalry with Dio Brando, one of manga’s most iconic villains.
The series blends supernatural combat, gothic mystery, and flamboyant style. Early arcs revolve around Hamon, a martial art harnessing energy like sunlight, while later arcs introduce Stands, spiritual manifestations that grant each user unique abilities. Each part of JoJo offers a new protagonist, setting, and tone, creating a saga that is both interconnected and refreshingly varied.
Is JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Worth Watching (or Reading)?
Absolutely. JoJo is celebrated not just as entertainment but as a genre-defining experience. For fans of long-running shōnen manga, it offers evolving characters and themes that grow more daring with each arc.
Timeless storytelling: From 19th-century England to modern Japan and alternate worlds, JoJo constantly reinvents itself.
Unique powers: Stand battles remain some of the most inventive and strategic fights in manga history.
Stylish artistry: Araki’s evolving art blends realism, surrealism, and fashion in ways unmatched by other manga.
Cultural impact: Its influence spans anime, music, video games, memes, and even haute couture.
Whether as a reader of the manga or a viewer of the anime, JoJo offers a one-of-a-kind journey.
Why Should I Watch (or Read) JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure?
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure isn’t just popular — it’s influential. Araki’s fearless approach to creativity has allowed JoJo to explore themes of destiny, legacy, morality, and identity across decades. It pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling, often using surreal colors, unconventional anatomy, and operatic compositions inspired by classical art and Western music.
For manga readers, JoJo is a visual spectacle unmatched in variety.
For anime viewers, David Production’s adaptations faithfully recreate Araki’s vision while introducing JoJo to new generations.
For culture lovers, JoJo represents how Japanese pop culture merges with global influences in fashion, music, and art.
It’s a series that continues to reinvent itself, rewarding long-time fans while welcoming new ones.
Cast and Characters
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure spans nine parts, each with its own Joestar protagonist:
Jonathan Joestar (Phantom Blood) – A noble gentleman who begins the Joestar legacy.
Joseph Joestar (Battle Tendency) – A trickster with sharp wit and unorthodox tactics.
Jotaro Kujo (Stardust Crusaders) – The stoic delinquent whose Stand, Star Platinum, became iconic.
Josuke Higashikata (Diamond Is Unbreakable) – A kind-hearted youth in Morioh with the healing Stand, Crazy Diamond.
Giorno Giovanna (Golden Wind) – Dio’s son, seeking to reform the mafia from within.
Jolyne Cujoh (Stone Ocean) – The first female JoJo, and Jotaro’s daughter.
Johnny Joestar (Steel Ball Run) – A paraplegic racer who grows into a complex, layered protagonist.
Josuke Higashikata (alternate) (JoJolion) – A young man uncovering mysteries in a post-disaster Morioh.
Jodio Joestar (The JoJoLands) – A teenager in Hawaii navigating crime and destiny.
Every JoJo brings a fresh style and story, but all remain united by courage, family ties, and the bizarre adventures that define the saga.
Episodes / Seasons / Release Order
The anime adaptations have steadily covered JoJo’s story arcs:
Phantom Blood & Battle Tendency (2012–2013) – Season 1, introducing the Joestar legacy.
Stardust Crusaders (2014–2015) – Season 2, Dio’s return and the rise of Stand battles.
Diamond Is Unbreakable (2016) – Season 3, a small-town mystery with unforgettable characters.
Golden Wind (2018–2019) – Season 4, mafia intrigue in Italy.
Stone Ocean (2021–2022) – Season 5, debuting worldwide on Netflix.
Steel Ball Run (announced 2025) – The highly anticipated adaptation of Part 7.
With manga arcs still ongoing, JoJo remains a long-term franchise with more adaptations to come.
Production and Development
Creator Hirohiko Araki approached JoJo with a unique artistic philosophy — blending classical art, surreal colors, and Western influences. Inspired by artists like Paul Gauguin and Michelangelo, Araki crafted a series where anatomy, color, and posing were as important as plot. His love for music and fashion also shaped JoJo, with countless characters and Stands named after bands, songs, and designers.
Araki initially envisioned JoJo as a trilogy but expanded it into a multi-generational epic after seeing how readers embraced its evolving protagonists. His shift from Hamon energy to Stands marked a defining change in manga battles, influencing countless series after JoJo. The combination of mystery, legacy, and flamboyance made JoJo unlike anything else in Weekly Shōnen Jump.
Reception and Critical Response
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is hailed as one of manga’s great cultural treasures. Critics praise its inventive storytelling, endlessly creative battles, and fearless art style.
Manga acclaim: IGN called it a “must-read,” while Anime News Network praised its mix of horror tension and outrageous creativity.
Anime acclaim: David Production’s adaptation has been praised for its faithful art direction, pacing, and soundtrack.
Cultural longevity: Even decades after its debut, JoJo continues to draw new readers and viewers worldwide.
Although some critics note its early anatomy and pacing quirks, most agree these eccentricities are part of its charm. JoJo remains a series that thrives on being unapologetically bold.
Sales and Accolades
Over 120 million manga copies sold worldwide (as of 2023).
Consistently ranked among the top-selling manga franchises in Japan and the U.S.
Winner of the 2013 Japan Media Arts Festival Grand Prize for JoJolion.
Ranked among the Top 10 Manga of All Time by Japanese readers in multiple surveys.
A staple of Shueisha’s global reach, translated into multiple languages and consistently popular abroad.
Its blend of commercial success and critical prestige ensures JoJo’s place among the greatest manga of all time.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
JoJo has transcended manga to become a global cultural phenomenon. Its poses (“JoJo-dachi”), fashion sense, and musical references have become memes, artistic references, and cosplay staples. Scientists have even named new species after Stands, while high-profile collaborations — including with Gucci and the Louvre Museum — underline JoJo’s influence in art and fashion.
Beyond that, JoJo has inspired countless creators, from anime directors to Hollywood filmmakers. Its fearless reinvention across arcs shows how long-running stories can remain fresh without losing their core identity. For fans, JoJo is more than a series — it’s a style, a philosophy, and a celebration of the bizarre.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure FAQ
How many parts does JoJo have?
As of 2025, there are nine parts, from Phantom Blood to The JoJoLands.
Is the anime caught up with the manga?
No. The anime currently adapts through Stone Ocean (Part 6), with Steel Ball Run (Part 7) announced in 2025.
What makes JoJo different from other manga?
Its unique mix of art, fashion, music references, and Stand battles makes it unlike any other shōnen or seinen series.
Do I need to read from the beginning?
Not strictly — each part has its own protagonist and story — but starting from Phantom Blood offers the full generational experience.
Is JoJo still ongoing?
Yes. The JoJoLands (Part 9) began in 2023 and continues serialization.
Conclusion
For nearly four decades, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has been at the cutting edge of manga and anime, defying conventions and constantly reinventing itself. From Jonathan Joestar’s chivalry to Jolyne Cujoh’s resilience, and from Dio Brando’s immortal villainy to the surreal twists of alternate universes, JoJo has built a sprawling yet cohesive narrative that feels timeless.
Its staying power lies in Araki’s willingness to take risks — stylistically, narratively, and thematically. JoJo is at once strange and profound, playful and serious, over-the-top and deeply human. It is no exaggeration to say that JoJo is not just a manga or anime, but a cultural legacy, shaping how generations view storytelling, art, and even fashion. For fans and newcomers alike, JoJo remains an adventure worth taking.
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