BYOND Anime

- Group shot of all the main protagonists from each part.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is an ongoing Japanese comic-book series written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki since 1987. It's split up into 7 seperate parts, that each focus on a different member of the Joestar bloodline with all of their names being able to be read as JoJo.

The first 10 volumes of Part III: Stardust Crusaders (Volumes 12-22 for the Japanese version) is currently released in English by Viz, with them re-continuing releases starting this year (it was widely believed they dropped the series).


-Dio Brando and his stand (Wryyyyy is the sounds Vampires make in JJBA apparently)

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a large spanning comic book series split into seven parts. Each part is it's own story that can be read independently from each other, and stars a different member of the Joestar Bloodline. I've actually so far only really read the first three parts, so I can't comment on parts IV-VII as of this writing, though from what I understand they're all worth reading if you enjoyed the first three parts.

The series starts off with the struggles between Jonathon Joestar and Dio Brando in Victorian England, which ultimately results in Dio Brando becoming a vampire. Part II stars Jonathon's grandson Joeseph Joestar, and the families continuing battles against immortal vampires during the late 1930s. Part III, the most famous part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure involves the return of Dio Brando, and the mysterious development of Stand Powers in the Joestar Family.

The stands are probably the most unique thing about JJBA. It's hard to explain them but they're like seperate bodies that come out of people that have certain powers (and they come in all different shapes and forms).



- Gyro, one of the protagonists of Part 7: Steel Ball Run

The story isn't really anything amazing, but the comic is certainly very enjoyable, and the battles are usually fun to read and really nuts. Like some of the stuff is just ridiculous ranging from dropping steamrollers on people to battling a Gorilla on a battleship, where the battleship is part of the Gorilla. The Art is hit or miss with people, and it's pretty flamboyant, though I personally think it adds to the charm of JJBA. I really recommend this series.


-Clips of the Dio vs. Jotaro battle

There is currently no anime adaption of the series (which is strange considering how popular it is in Japan, and how long it is), but there is a 12 episode OVA series of Part III, which is pretty well done, and it has been dubbed into English for those that are wondering.


-5 minute trailer of the JJBA movie they released a few years ago based on part 1. I don't know if this will ever come stateside, and no one has bothered to fansub it. *sigh*

-Links and other info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoJo%27s_Bizarre_Adventure
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/ manga.php?id=1900 <- OVA
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/ manga.php?id=1900 <- Comic
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/ manga.php?id=5564 <- Steel Ball Run (Part 7 of JJBA)

For those of you that do not wish to wait years and years for Viz to get around to releasing the rest of the volumes in English (if they don't drop it), there are currently fan-translated versions floating around of every single chapter (aside from chapters of Part 7 which haven't been done yet). Generally all of Part 1 and 2 have good versions, as well as Part 6 and Part 7. Part IV and V are horribly done, and no one has bothered to re-do them yet.

I might also do a more in-depth post on some of the seperate parts since this post is just a broad overview. Hope those that give this comic a shot enjoy it.