The flair and extravagance of Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure are unparalleled. Araki has spoken about the main theme of JoJo countless times over the years. A simple idea about the power of humanity is the driving force of the Joestars’ story. An extremely simple, yet profound theme paired up with everything bizarre has become one of the most cherished anime-manga series of all time.
The crazier the plot gets, the more the simplicity shines and this is something that sets JoJo apart from other shonen anime.
JoJo is All About the Power of Humanity
Hirohiko Araki’s faith in humanity reflects in his works. Throughout JoJo, the creator has made an attempt to ensure that the power of the human spirit shines through. Araki shared (during an interview with Anime News Network) that JoJo is essentially an affirmation of the power of humanity.
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’.
In Phantom Blood, Jonathan was the embodiment of humanity. Despite countless betrayals, he always extended a helping hand to Dio. With subsequent seasons, the story got more eccentric and over the top.
However, beyond the glitz and shimmer, everything was still driven by humanity. Stands and Hamon, the two powers that support the characters are the manifestation of soul and energy respectively.
There wasn’t an outer force or weapon that could alter the fates of the characters. The Stands were also in alignment with the characters’ personalities. The aim wasn’t restoring peace outright in the initial parts, but in Golden Wind, Giorno’s goal was quite noble.
With Giorno’s Stand, Araki incorporated some elements of nature that coincided with his goal. Similarly, Josuke was kind-hearted and his ability could restore and repair damage. During the darkest of moments, the characters fight through their spirit, the best instance that supports this is the final fight of Stardust Crusaders.
The Reliance on Machines and Divine Beings in Typical Shonen
The style and aesthetics of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure can’t be replicated. There’s a layer of melodrama Araki has added to his story that has now become a huge part of it.
While the bizarre mood and atmosphere of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure sets it apart from other Shonen, that’s not all there is to it. Most Shonen anime bestow their protagonists with a special power, one that puts them above the rest.
From supernatural powers that far exceed the human capabilities, to machines that are more than enough to overwhelm a squadron, there are various elements present in Shonen anime.
Another key aspect of Shonen anime is the power of determination and the human will. JoJo takes it a step further by centering the whole story around this idea, without glorifying it. We see subtle instances where the characters push each other to achieve their goals.
The final scene of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind is the perfect depiction of how the human spirit overcomes struggles without any external aid. Giorno’s internal strength saved the day, when Gold Experience got in the way right when Giorno was about to get stabbed.
The greed of Dio, the kindness and naivete of Josuke, the determination of Jotaro, and similar human emotions are at the forefront during all the fights. The brawls occur between the manifestations of their innate desires. When one of them falters, the others fight instead, and even if its faint, there’s always a flicker of hope.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is available to stream on Netflix.
