JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is manga series written by Hirohiko Araki. The manga is separated into eight parts, five of which have been adapted into anime so far, with another season on the way.

Origins
JoJo's was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1987 until 2004, then to Monthly Ultra Jump from 2004-present.

There are 130 volumes currently published in Japan. English publication started in 2015, with only four out of the eight parts currently released.

Premise
JoJo is separated into two continuities, one that went from 1987-2004 that stretched across six of the eight parts, and the other from 2004-present day that go across the seventh and eighth parts.

The series is an anthology that follows a new protagonist with new supporting allies and villains in each part. The protagonists of the eight parts are all nicknamed "JoJo," and are part of the extensive Joestar lineage. These characters, in order of appearance, go as follows: In the original continuity, Jonathan Joestar, his grandson Joseph Joestar, his grandson Jotaro Kujo, illegitimated son of Joseph, Josuke Higashikata, son of Dio Brando, Giorno Giovanna, and daughter of Jotaro Kujo, Jolyne Cujoh. In the second continuity: Johnny Joestar, and Josuke Higashikata, the fusion of two characters, one of which is the distant descendant of Johnny Joestar.

In summary, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is about the strange and bizarre adventures that follow the Joestar bloodline, as they defeat enemies with the use of supernatural abilities such as Hamon, Stands, and Spin.

Phase 1: The Dio VS. Joestar Trilogy (1987-1992)
The origins of Dio and the Joestar's eternal struggle with each other, and introduction to Stands and the Joestar lineage.

Part 1: Phantom Blood (1987)
The first part of JoJo, set in England 1880, follows Jonathan Joestar in his training of Hamon in order to defeat his evil adopted brother Dio, who is transformed into an immortal vampire by an ancient Stone Mask. Jonathan uses Hamon, an ancient breathing technique passed down through the Zeppeli family, to defeat Dio and his horde of zombies and other vampires. At the end of the story, Jonathan sacrifices himself to defeat his adopted brother once and for all, helping his pregnant wife to live another day.
 * JoJo: Jonathan Joestar
 * Main antagonist: Dio Brando
 * Villainous faction: Dio's Zombies
 * Final Arc: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio
 * McGuffin: The Stone Mask
 * Anime Adaptation: 2012
 * OP: Sono Chino Sadame
 * ED: Roundabout
 * Chapters: 44
 * Episodes: 9
 * Genre: Horror
 * Released: 1987
 * Pilot: Dio the Invader
 * Finale: The Final Ripple!

Part 2: Battle Tendency (1987-1989)
The second part, set in the year 1938, follows Jonathan's grandson Joseph Joestar. He too is trained in Hamon through Hamon master Lisa Lisa, who happens to be his own mother. Joseph comes face-to-face with the creators of the ancient Stone Mask, the Pillar Men, who are much stronger than a typical vampire. He must defeat this ancient race of super-beings with the help of Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli, Lisa Lisa, and Rudol Von Stroheim before they can recover the Red Stone of Aja and become rulers of the world. Battle Tendency ends with Joseph defeating Kars, at the expense of losing his right hand, and ending the story of the Stone Mask for good.
 * JoJo: Joseph Joestar
 * JoJo's Stand: Hermit Purple (Part 3)*
 * Main antagonist: Kars
 * Villainous faction: The Pillar Men
 * Final boss: The Ultimate Life Form
 * McGuffin: The Red Stone of Aja
 * Anime Adaptation: 2012
 * OP: Bloody Stream
 * ED: Roundabout
 * Chapters: 69
 * Episodes: 17
 * Genre: Martial Arts
 * Released: 1987-1989
 * Pilot: New York's JoJo
 * Finale: The Ascendant One

Part 3: Stardust Crusaders (1989-1992)
The third part, set in 1989, follows Joseph's grandson Jotaro Kujo as he journeys across the globe in 50 days in order to save his mother from a curse. This part introduces the concept of Stands, supernatural abilities that manifest as the form of the user's fighting spirit. Because DIO has been revived, he has unlocked his own Stand, giving everyone in the Joestar family an ability as well due to their psychic connection to Jonathan's body, which DIO now inhabits. The part concludes with the defeat of DIO at the hands of Jotaro and his Stand, Star Platinum, however at the cost of losing several allies on the long journey.
 * JoJo: Jotaro Kujo
 * JoJo's Stand: Star Platinum; The World
 * Main antagonist: DIO
 * Villain's Stand: The World
 * Villainous faction: DIO's Agents and the Egypt 9 Glory Gods
 * Final boss: Awakened DIO
 * Mission: Defeat DIO in 50 days
 * Anime Adaptation: 2014
 * OPs: Stand Proud, End of the World
 * EDs: Walk Like an Egyptian, Last Train Home
 * Chapters: 152
 * Episodes: 48
 * Genre: Save the world/ road trip
 * Released: 1989-1992
 * Pilot: A Man Possessed by an Evil Spirit
 * Finale: The Faraway Journey, Farewell Friends 

Phase 2: The Arrow Trilogy (1992-2003)
This phase introduces the Stand Arrow and how it plays a role in the Joestar's history, and how it ends with them as well. This arc also finished off the story that began with the Joestars and DIO all the way back in 1880.

Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable (1992-1995)
The fourth part is set in 1999 in the fictional city of Morioh Japan, and follows Joseph Joestar's illegitimate son, Josuke Higashikata. The story revolves around the mysteries of the small town that Josuke and his friends inhabit, as well as discovering the truth about the Stand Arrow and how it tempts the people of Morioh. Josuke and his friends also track down the illusive murderer, and Stand User, Yoshikage Kira. The story ends at Yoshikage Kira's defeat, and the golden heart of Morioh being preserved.
 * JoJo: Josuke Higashikata
 * JoJo's Stand: Crazy Diamond
 * Main antagonist: Yoshikage Kira
 * Villain's Stand: Killer Queen; Sheer Heart Attack; Bites the Dust
 * Villainous faction: Enemy Stand Users
 * Final boss: Killer Queen: Bites the Dust
 * McGuffin: The Bow & Arrow
 * Anime Adaptation: 2016
 * OPs: Crazy Noisy Bizarre Town, Chase, & Great Days
 * ED: I Want You
 * Chapters: 174
 * Episodes: 39
 * Genre: Slice of life/ mystery
 * Released: 1992-1995
 * Pilot: Jotaro Kujo! Meets Josuke Higashikata
 * Finale: Goodbye, Morioh Town - The Golden Heart

Part 5: Vento Aureo' (1995-1999)'''
The fifth part, set in 2001 in Italy, follows DIO's son Giorno as he dismantles the Italian mob from the inside. Giorno is blessed with the good fortune and chivalry of a Joestar, technically being a descendant of Jonathan due to DIO inhabiting his body, as well as blessed with a Stand ability. Giorno joins Bruno Bucciarati, Guido Mista, Leone Abbachio, and the other members of Passione, attempting to take down the mob's illusive boss: Diavolo. The plot goes much deeper, as the lore behind the Stand Arrows is revealed, and the secrets that the Arrow's possess are finally brought out. The part ends with Giorno using the arrow to transform his Stand into Gold Experience Requiem, and defeating Diavolo once and for all, taking his place as the leader of Passione.
 * JoJo: Giorno Giovanna
 * JoJo's Stand: Gold Experience; Gold Experience Requiem
 * Main antagonist: Diavolo
 * Villain's Stand: King Crimson; Epitaph
 * Villainous faction: La Squadra Esecuzioni e Unita Speciale
 * Final battle: King Crimson VS. Gold Experience Requiem
 * McGuffin: Stand Arrow
 * Anime Adaptation: 2018
 * OPs: Fighting Gold, Traitor's Requiem
 * EDs: Freak'n You, Modern Crusaders
 * Chapters: 155
 * Episodes: 39
 * Genre: Crime
 * Released: 1995-1999
 * Pilot: Gold Experience
 * Finale: Sleeping Slaves

Part 6: Stone Ocean (2000-2003)
The sixth part, set in Florida in 2011, follows Jotaro Kujo's daughter Jolyne Cujoh after she is sent to prison for a crime she did not commit. While learning about the bizarre rules and prisoners in the Green Dolphin Street Prison, Jolyne discovers the evil plot perpetrated by Enrico Pucci to steal her father's memory, and read the contents of a diary left behind by DIO, which tell of a way to reach "Heaven" and let Pucci be able to change fate. Jolyne is accompanied by Ermes Costello, Emporio Alniño, Foo Fighters, Narciso Anasui, and Weather Report, as they attempt to save Jotaro and stop Pucci. The story ends with five of them, including Jotaro, being killed by Pucci, as his plans come to fruition and the universe is reset. He is ultimately defeated by Emporio, which causes the universe to be reset again, creating a new world untouched by Pucci's influence, ending the curse of the Joestar bloodline for good.
 * JoJo: Jolyne Cujoh
 * JoJo's Stand: Stone Free
 * Main antagonist: Enrico Pucci
 * Villain's Stands: Whitesnake, C-Moon, & Made in Heaven
 * Villainous faction: Prisoners of Green Dolphin Prison
 * Final boss: Made in Heaven
 * McGuffin: Jotaro's memories/ "Heaven"
 * Anime Adaptation: 2021
 * OPs: TBA
 * EDs: TBA
 * Chapters: 158
 * Episodes: TBA
 * Genre: Prison break
 * Released: 2000-2003
 * First Chapter: Stone Ocean, Part 1
 * Final Chapter: What a Wonderful World

Phase 3: SBR Timeline (2004- )
Set in a totally new universe, this new lineage of Joestars and Higashikatas are caught up in a story that revolves around one fateful cross country race all the way back in 1890. Each part in this phase are "retellings" of some of the previous parts, with several easter eggs and references to them.

Part 7: Steel Ball Run (2004-2011)
Steel Ball Run is the seventh part in the JJBA series, and the first set in a new continuity. The part is set in America in 1890 and follows paraplegic jockey Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli on a cross-country horse race from San Diego to New York for the prize money of $50,000,000. Johnny is taught the power of Spin through Gyro, and develops his own Stand ability as well. Johnny and Gyro eventually uncover the dark truth of the Steel Ball Run race, which is for US President Funny Valentine to uncover the pieces of the corpse of Jesus Christ, and put the United States at the forefront of the world. The part ultimately ends with Valentine's defeat, at the loss of Gyro and many of Johnny's other friends, and Johnny learning to walk again. Although he does not win the race, on his way to Italy to deliver Gyro's corpse to his family, Johnny meets Rina Higashikata, who will eventually become his wife.
 * JoJo: Johnny Joestar
 * JoJo's Stand: Tusk (ACT1, ACT2, ACT3, & ACT4)
 * Main antagonist: Funny Valentine
 * Villain's Stand: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap; Love Train
 * Villainous faction: Valentine's Agents and Seekers of the Corpse
 * Final boss: THE WORLD
 * McGuffin: The Saint's Corpse
 * Anime Adaptation: TBA
 * OPs: TBA
 * EDs: TBA
 * Part correlations: Phantom Blood, Battle Tendency, and Stardust Crusaders
 * Chapters: 95
 * Episodes: TBA
 * Genre: Western/ race
 * Released: 2004-2011
 * First Chapter: The Steel Ball Run: Press Conference
 * Final Chapter: The World of Stars and Stripes - Outro

Part 8: JoJolion (2011- )
The eight part, and second in the new continuity, is once again set in the fictional town of Morioh Japan, and follows an amnesiac man that goes by the name Josuke Higashikata. Josuke is first discovered lying in the dirt of the mysterious Wall Eyes by Yasuho Hirose, and the story revolves around the two of them attempting to find out Josuke's true identity. After meeting the bizarre Higashikata family, it is revealed that Josuke is the fusion of Yoshikage Kira and Josefumi Kujo as a result of being eveloped by the Wall Eyes and consuming the mysterious Locacaca fruit. The second half of the story revolves around Josuke, Yasuho, and their ally Rai Mamezuku, attempting to uncover the mysteries of the Locacaca and the Rock Humans that hunt it, as well as to save Josuke's mother Holly Kujo.
 * JoJo: Josuke Higashikata
 * JoJo's Stand: Soft & Wet; Go Beyond
 * Main antagonist: Tooru(?)
 * Villain's Stand: Wonder of U(?)
 * Villainous faction: Locacaca Organization
 * Final confrontation: Soft & Wet: Go Beyond VS. Wonder of U (?)
 * McGuffin: The Locacaca
 * Anime Adaptation: TBA
 * OPs: TBA
 * EDs: TBA
 * Part correlations: Diamond is Unbreakable and Vento Aureo
 * Chapters: 107+
 * Episodes: TBA
 * Genre: Mystery
 * Released: 2011- Ongoing
 * First Chapter: Welcome to Morioh Town
 * Final Chapter: TBA

Part 9: TBA
An unreleased part. All that is known is that it will happen at one point.
 * JoJo: TBA
 * JoJo's Stand: TBA
 * Main antagonist: TBA
 * Villain's Stand: TBA
 * Villainous faction: TBA
 * Final confrontation: TBA
 * McGuffin: TBA
 * Anime adaptation: TBA
 * OPs: TBA
 * EDs: TBA
 * Part correlations: Stone Ocean(?)
 * Chapters: TBA
 * Episodes: TBA
 * Genre: TBA
 * Released: TBA
 * First Chapter: TBA
 * Final Chapter: TBA

Cast

 * Jonathan Joestar - Johnny Yong Bosch
 * Joseph Joestar - Ben Diskin (Part 2,) - Richard Epcar (Parts 3-4)
 * Jotaro Kujo - Mathew Mercer
 * Josuke Higashikata - Billy Kametz
 * Giorno Giovanna - Philip Reich
 * Jolyne Cujoh - TBA
 * Johnny Joestar - Johnny Yong Bosch
 * Josuke Higashikata - Billy Kametz

Premise
The Stand Arrow that appears in Part 5: Vento Aureo, stylized with a beetle design not present in other Stand Arrows, is a special arrow with different powers from the regular Stand Arrows. It is dubbed the "Requiem Arrow" because of its apparently unique ability to evolve existing Stands into Requiem Stands.

This is a list of several arguments I have heard in favor of this theory:


 * The stylized beetle arrow is the only one of its kind, and due to its unique design it is implied to be special in some way.
 * The beetle arrow has "more virus" in it that gives it its special abilities.
 * During the Black Sabbath Arc, Giorno's hand is stabbed with a Stand Arrow of the typical design, and Giorno does not unlock Gold Experience Requiem.
 * The "Requiem Arrow" has the specific ability to dominate people's souls, and that Polnareff makes this distinction in his flashback revealing Chariot Requiem's first appearance.
 * Giorno acknowledges, when he first sees the "Requiem Arrow" that it is "similar" to the arrow he encountered fighting with Black Sabbath, and therefore implies it is special.

Rebuttal
There's a lot to tackle here so strap in. Before I really get into it, I want to preface this argument by noting that nothing is confirmed if there is no specific written word about the matter. Meaning, unless someone in Part 5 or Araki himself noted the difference between the beetle arrow and the others, then everything for either side should not be taken as fact. This just so happens to be my current stance on the matter.

My opinion, which I have held since I first watched Part 5, is that all the arrows, beetle or not, have the same ability. The thing that differentiates Requiem Abilities is when a Stand Arrow pierces a Stand, rather than a person. On a slightly off topic note, arguments could be made whether or not Killer Queen Bites the Dust is a Requiem Stand, but the distinction there is that the Stand Arrow stabbed the user, rather than the Stand in this instance.

The most common argument I have found in favor of the Requiem Arrow is that Araki specifically differentiates this arrow from the other ones because of the beetle emblem on it. My argument is, if there is a difference between the two, why isn't it ever specifically mentioned? Araki is very explicit in his writings, and more often than not, he explains to us a plot point several times over. He rarely ever leaves things to mystery, which is why I highly doubt he would leave something so important about the details of the mcguffin for this part out of the story entirely. I don't personally believe the beetle emblem has any other significance other than the fact that Araki wanted to stylize the focal point of Part 5 to give it a special characteristic to differentiate it from the arrow in Part 4.

Another thing I see a lot is that the beetle arrow has "more of the Stand virus in it" compared to the other arrows, which gives it its Requiem-giving abilities. This is absolutely ludicrous, because that's not only not how viruses work, but makes no sense at all. Going back to the point I mentioned before, if there really was "more virus" in this arrow stored in that beetle, I feel like that would be a pretty important thing to mention. People have brought up several character quotes from the series, such as Giorno mentioning that the beetle arrow is "similar" to the one he saw during the Black Sabbath fight, but that, I feel, isn't evidence enough that it's special in any way, it just proves that yes, it looks very different from the other arrows, but besides that it doesn't mean much.

Another quote that gets passed around a lot is Polnareff mentioning that "If this arrow were to be used by someone with power... That person would be able to dominate the souls of all life!" The argument here is that the Requiem Arrow gives all Stands the ability to manipulate souls. This is one of the strangest arguments I've seen arguing for the existence of the Requiem Arrow, since only one of the two Requiem Stands we ever see has the distinct ability to manipulate souls. Gold Experience Requiem is never explicitly stated to have this ability, and even when you analyze it, it really seems like a reach. Another thing to note is that Enrico Pucci (and by extension Weather Report,) also get their Stands from a beetle arrow, as shown in the flashback in Stone Ocean Chapter 127. Whitesnake, Pucci's Stand, can absolutely manipulate souls, but the same can not be said about Weather Report, which leads me to chalk that up to coincidence and discredits the theory. What Polnareff is referencing in that quote is the fact that his specific Stand, when evolved into Requiem, has the ability to manipulate souls. The same cannot be said for GER, so it seems like Polnareff was only speaking on very limited knowledge at the time, seeing as Chariot Requiem was the only Requiem Stand he has every truly seen (as far as we know.)

The final piece of evidence they have against me, which I also think is the hardest to debunk, is the fact that Giorno's hand is cut open with a regularly designed arrow back in the Black Sabbath fight, and no Requiem ability is drawn out. I honestly cannot give a concise reason as to why this happens, as this is the most damning piece of evidence against me, but I have a few theories of my own. One is that, if you pay attention, Giorno's hand starts emitting smoke after he is stabbed. This is a pretty minor detail, and it isn't proof of anything, but it makes you wonder why this detail was ever added. When Koichi gets stabbed with the Stand Arrow in Part 4 he doesn't emit smoke at all, and I think that the difference here is that Gold Experience was stabbed instead of Giorno, and GER was going to be awakened, but hadn't the time to because of the circumstances. The smoke being indication that the ability was going to be drawn out, but wasn't.

Another theory I have about the situation is that the Stand Arrow was in possession of Black Sabbath at the time, and was not meant to choose a host and become a Requiem Stand. The trend with the two Requiem Stands we've seen is that the Stand Arrow has always been incorporated into its design, whether its on GER's forehead or being held in Chariot's hands. In both cases of these Stands evolving, the Arrow was in the position to become one with its new host. In the case of the Black Sabbath fight, the arrow was already in possession of BS, so it transferring into Giorno to form GER couldn't be possible unless the arrow was separated from BS.

The final idea I have, and this is the least credible, is that the Arrow had just yet to choose Giorno in that moment to evolve his Stand. The arrow has been shown on multiple occasions to be sentient, first we see this happen in Part 4 when it literally points to its next victim while in possession of Yoshihiro Kira, as well as when the arrow literally climbs up Yoshikage Kira's arm when giving him Bites the Dust. It is also flat out said by Diavolo himself that fate chooses the arrow's next host. My theory is that Giorno was not fated to unlock Requiem in that moment because he was fated to unlock it later in his battle with Diavolo. Why didn't he get GER at that very moment? Because otherwise there would be no plot.

Also... Araki might not have written Requiem Stands into the part yet... but that isn't a good argument...