“Humanity Is Wonderful” – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Creator Explains the True Inspiration Behind Its Iconic Power System

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is characterized by miraculous beings called StandsThese Stands are shared by both heroes and villains and appear in the series starting with the third story arc, Stardust Crusaders. These creatures are used in a variety of ways, primarily to help their owners fend off enemies and fight for their lives against other Stand users. These battles take place using Stands and the character's own power, rather than having the characters rely on machines or the supernatural.

This quote from Hirohiko Araki is taken from a Anime News Network interview beautifully sums up the theme of JoJo's Bizarre AdventureHe explained that his story inspires him to believe that “humanity is wonderful,” since the characters fight only with their own strength and physical abilities, without using “machines and divine beings.”

I believe that people are able to grow by overcoming obstacles through the power of the mind and human strength, and this, I believe, is “an affirmation that humanity is wonderful.” In “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure,” there are battles and stories that involve various elements. However, in the end, people come through without relying on machines and divine beings to determine their own destiny. Drawing people like this is my “affirmation that humanity is wonderful.” – Hirohiko Araki,
Anime News Network

While many characters use Stands, they seem more like physical manifestations of the character's powers, rather than otherworldly beings, and largely everything that happens in the story is a direct result of human actions and efforts. JoJo is a story about humans who “determine their own destiny,” as Araki puts it.

Araki creates characters who fight without “machines or divine beings”

This quality of independence from technology and the supernatural sets JJBA apart from other series.

Araki's characters rely on themselves, without resorting to machines or supernatural influences. This quality makes the series truly unique from other anime that focus on humans fighting with the help of technology or the supernatural. Those other series are great in their own way, but JoJo The film definitely benefits from that element of humanity that makes the story more relevant and connected to the real world in some ways. It's much more impactful and moving when humans achieve greatness on their own, without the help of supernatural beings or monstrous machines.

A Stand may seem like a supernatural or magical creature, but they are actually very different from those. Stands represent “vital energy” or inner power of the charactersrather than drawing their strength from the divine or from some form of technology. This fact proves why Stands are just another extension of the users' inherent powers, rather than a form of outside help, as some characters in other anime series call upon. Araki's comments about “machines and godlike beings” could apply to a great many other popular anime franchises that incorporate these elements into their stories, with enormous success.

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JoJo's Battles are often close combat and depend on the man's own abilities

This is different from series like Neon Genesis Evangelion, which rely on robots or supernatural/divine powers.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a great example of these other series that Araki talks about, mixing the supernatural with humanity's technological advancesThe greatest enemies of his heroes are the angels, and humans fight with giant mecha robots called EvasBoth the divine and the machines are involved in this story, and the most intense battles in the series take place between the otherworldly machines and those created by humans. Evangelization is a phenomenal, award-winning series in its own right and benefits from these intriguing elements, but the way the characters fight and the tools they use are markedly different from the story Araki created in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

Lots of fighting in JoJo are very physical and close-quarters clashes. Close combat is a hallmark of the seriesallowing characters to display their personal strength and land their own attacks. Some notable examples of short-range Stands are Kira Yoshikage's Killer Queen, Dio Brando's The World, Jotaro Kujo's Star Platinum, Enrico Pucci's Made In Heaven, and Fugo Pannacotta's Purple Haze. These Stands require the user to be within striking distance, removing the ability to attack from a distance. This makes the fights more personal and dependent on the humans' own abilities.

The stands reflect Araki's deep appreciation for humanity and people's abilities.

These beings highlight the personal powers of humans and cannot be sufficient in themselves.

Araki was keen to point out his appreciation for humanity in the series' source of powerand this is clearly reflected in the characters he creates and the battles he writes. The impressive powers of the Stands are very present in the story and occupy important moments during the brutal battles. However, these Stands are not completely independent machines or controlled by God. Even the power sources in the series must be carefully instructed and maneuvered by humans, because without people, a Stand cannot act alone. Most of the characters also suffer the damage inflicted on their Stand, which binds them even more.

The Stand is perhaps the the most intriguing and creative power source in all of anime because of the way Stands are connected to their users. Without the initial user, no Stand would exist. Additionally, if a human dies, their Stand dies as well. This differentiates them from other supernatural creatures that aid heroes and villains in other anime, as these other beings can stand on their own and exist independently of their wielders. JoJo, human life is what is ultimately highlighted as most integral, and Stands are merely useful tools that further reflect humanity's abilities and skills in combat.

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The diversity present in the stands once again proves Araki's admiration for humanity.

No two stands are the same and each one reflects its user well.

Stands are all unique and different, adapting aesthetically and stylistically to the fashion and personality of their user. It is usually easy to determine which Stand belongs to which character, as they are always perfectly reflect their respective user. The diversity of Stands further proves Araki's point in the interview that “humanity is beautiful.” The way he designed each Stand so differently and matched it to the personality and interests of their user proves how much he values ​​humanity. By choosing to focus on people, with this creative Stand twist, Araki has made JoJo's Bizarre Adventure unique, personal and distinctive, illuminating the power of humanity.

Source: Hirohiko Araki, Anime News Network

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is an anime adaptation of Hirohiko Araki's manga, which follows the Joestar family as its members discover their unique supernatural abilities. Spanning multiple generations and in diverse settings, each arc explores the struggles of different members against malevolent forces, blending action, horror, and fantasy elements.

Casting

David Vincent, Matthew Mercer, Daisuke Ono, Unshô Ishizuka, Tôru Ohkawa

Release date

October 4, 2012

Seasons

5