The Phantom Blood arc ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventurehas just recently celebrated its impressive 35-year anniversary, and this accomplishment has only served to further illuminate the success of the series over the past several decades and proves just why fans keep coming back to the anime again and again. Phantom Blood was where the story officially began, and although it is arguably one of the more underrated of the series' arcs, it deserves far more acclaim than it receives for how effectively it kicks off the compelling story to come.
Although some fans encourageskippingJoJo’sfirst season, in my opinion, Phantom Blood is not just absolutely integral to understanding the power systems and Joestar family, but summarizeswhyJoJo’shas managed to hold up as a classic over 30 years later,highlightingJoJo’sunique art style, truly epic fights, and the development of a distinctive generational story arc that threads throughout the entire series.
JoJo’s Bizarre AdventureBoasts a One of a Kind Art Style, Making It Recognizable
No One Would Dare Mistake Araki’s Style for Anyone Else’s, Adding a Level of Originality to the Story
Whether you love it or hate it,JoJo’sart style is definitely unmistakable and incomparable to that of any other series. With itscomic book style character design, thick line work, and abundant use of bright color, Araki’s artwork stands out, especially when compared to other more subtle and muted anime designs. I was unsure how I felt about the art style when I first watchedJoJo’s,since it was so different from anything else I had ever seen, but that is part of the allure ofJoJo’s,how it defies notions of what anime characters should look like.
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Part of the reasonJoJo’shas achieved such success is itscharacteristic art style that is unafraid to take risks. Even across arcs of the series, the art changes subtly, heavily integrating fashion elements in the outfits of the characters that reflect their personalities and powers. InJoJo’s,the artwork itself tells part of the story, because each character’s design is utterly meaningful and symbolic. From Bruno Bucciarati’s zipper-clad suit that signifies his Sticky Fingers Stand to Jotaro’s boldly stylish coat and hat with a few stars that represent Star Platinum, Araki’s designs are much deeper than they may appear at first glance.
JoJo’sBattles Are Not Just Fights of Might and Strength, but Battles of the Mind as Well
JoJo’sFights Are Not Just Visually Appealing, but Far More Analytical and Expository Than Most Anime Fights
Another aspect ofJoJo’sI love is that Hirohiko beautifully blends elements of history, like Roman and Greek art, as well as pop culture into his art, while still retaining his own originality.Many of the Stands in Part Three and onward are named after musical artists and bands, such as Robert E.O. Speedwagon, named after rock band REO Speedwagon, and a character in Part Six who is named Foo Fighters. Araki draws so much inspiration from other creators, but the resulting product is still unique to himself, while revealing his appreciation for the talented artists and musicians who came before him.
One of the primary reasonsJoJo’shas become so famous is the level of detail and action given to the series' fights. These clashes between characters are animated in a visually intriguing way, with fluid movements, bright colors, and interesting usage of powers, whether the fighters involved are using Stands, Hamon, or just their own fists. These elements are present in a lot of fighting animes though, so what makesJoJo’struly unique is the way the characters do not just fight physically, but with their minds as well, often witha lot of exposition accompanying brawls between heroes and villains.
Stands Are Distinct toJoJo’s, Offering an Outlet for Users To Express Their Personalities
Stands Represent Their Characters, From Their Appearances to Their Mannerisms
Although fans often poke fun at the way Speedwagon dramatically explains Jonathan’s every move in the fights during Phantom Blood, it does help explain how Jonathan learned to use Hamon powers and illuminates important details of these battles that may otherwise go unnoticed. I really enjoy how theJoJo’scharacters typically have internal monologues that speak through their every move and decisionduring a fight, allowing users to go on the journey with them of figuring out the best possible way to defeat any given villain and what specific tactics would be helpful, such as creative maneuvers with their Stand.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Has One Unique Trick To Making Its Villains Anime’s Most Terrifying, & It Also Objectively Proves Which JoJo Is The Strongest
The Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure anime has consistently utilized one fascinating method of conveying the power of its villains–and one of its heroes.
The idea of Stands themselves is also a special characteristic ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventurethat other series could not even attempt to emulate. Stands serve as a tangible manifestation of characters' powers, and in appearance and personality, reflect who their user is. Not only are these Stands essentially tools to be used in battle, butthey shed light on who these heroes and villains are on a deeper level.JoJo’sStands like Star Platinumand Golden Experience make it abundantly evident who their users are, because they look and act so similarly to the person who is wielding them.
The Common Plot Point of the Joestar Bloodline Connects Every Arc With Cohesiveness
The Story Line inJoJo’sIs Generational, Telling the Story of the Joestar Family Throughout Decades
The final aspect ofJoJo’sthat has given the series such staying power over the decades is the complex and interconnected plot woven throughout every season of the series that regards the Joestar family. That first Phantom Blood arc is so pivotal because it introducesprotagonist Jonathan Joestar, the first character in his family to be focused on in the show, and even after his death, his story line continues for the rest ofJoJo’sthrough his ancestors.Every arc is centered around one main member of the Joestar familyand Dio’s continual plots to wipe out the family’s bloodline.
JoJo’sstory line is generational and although every individual season is slightly different in its art style, character designs, setting, and plot,the overarching theme is the story of the Joestar family.In this way, every arc is connected but still unique, making the entire series feel very cohesive. The Joestars often reference those who came before them, incentivized by their ancestors to continue the battle against Dio and those others intent on bringing the family down. This is whyJoJo’sPhantom Blood arc is so crucial and has remained popular for 35+ years: it encapsulates where Jonathan and Dio’s initial feud all started.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Hirohiko Araki. It follows the adventures of the Joestar family, spanning generations, each with unique abilities and battling supernatural enemies. Known for its eccentric characters, distinctive art style, and creative battles, it includes manga, anime, games, and merchandise.
