Franchise / JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

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The Western audience's history with JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is an interesting one. For a long time, the manga only had a small following, and the west at large was more familiar with the Capcom fighting game Heritage for the Future and OVA adaptations of Stardust Crusaders, mainly due to all the memes both produced. With the advent of the David Productions anime, the JoJo franchise's popularity skyrocketed worldwide, bringing in legions of new fans and spawning even more memes.

The manga's 30th anniversary in 2017 saw the release of a live action film based on Part 4, directed by Takashi Miike. Principle photography began in late 2016 in Sitges, Spain, which doubled for the fictional town of Morioh.

The hub page for the manga can be seen here. The series is (currently) broken down to nine parts:

1. Phantom Blood (Ran from Jan. 1, 1987 to Oct. 26, 1987; originally titled Jonathan Joestar: His Youth)^note Manga volumes 1-5; TV anime season 1 episodes 1-9.
2. Battle Tendency (Ran from Nov. 2, 1987 to Mar. 27, 1989; originally titled Joseph Joestar: His Proud Lineage)^note Manga volumes 5-12; TV anime Season 1 episodes 10-26.
3. Stardust Crusaders (Ran from Apr. 3, 1989 to Apr. 27, 1992; originally titled Jotaro Kujo: Heritage for the Future)^note Manga volumes 12-28; OVA episodes 1-13; TV anime Season 2.
4. Diamond is Unbreakable (Ran from May 4, 1992 to Dec. 4, 1995; occasionally referred to as Diamond is not Crash/Crush and originally titled Josuke Higashikata)^note Manga volumes 29-47; TV anime Season 3.
5. Golden Wind (Ran from Dec. 11, 1995 to Apr. 5, 1999; originally titled Giorno Giovanna: Golden Heritage; commonly referred to as Vento Aureo)^note Manga volumes 47-63; TV anime Season 4.
6. Stone Ocean (Ran from Jan. 1, 2000 to Apr. 21, 2003; originally titled Jolyne Cujoh: Stone Ocean)^note 17 manga volumes; beginning with this part, each part is treated as a separate book from the last and restarts the volume numbering at 1; TV anime Season 5.
7. Steel Ball Run (Ran from Feb. 2, 2004 to Apr. 19, 2011; from this part onward, the manga switched from weekly installments in Weekly Shonen Jump to monthly installments in Ultra Jump)^note 24 manga volumes
8. JoJolion (Ran from May 19, 2011 to Aug. 19, 2021)^note 27 manga volumes
9. The JOJOLands (Began on February 17, 2023)

There is also the series of spinoffs of one-shots chronicling the adventures of the eccentric Author Avatar manga-artist Rohan Kishibe, Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan, which sometimes gets serialized either in Weekly Shonen Jump, Jump SQ, Shōnen Jump+ or Bessatsu Margaret. The chapters/one-shots (the first one published back in 1997) were compiled in two trade paperbacks. Also important to remark is that Kishibe has also starred in similar special one-shots such as Rohan at The Louvre (in collaboration with the Musée du Louvre) and Kishibe Rohan Goes to Gucci as a special collaboration between Araki, Gucci and Spur Magazine in 2011. An OVA of this spinoff series was made available to anyone who purchases the entire Blu-Ray set of the Diamond is Unbreakable anime, a second one was released in a bundle with pre-orders of the limited edition of the second manga volume.

Several Light Novels set in the universe of the series have been written over the years, usually to celebrate a milestone of the series.

1. The Genesis of Universe (November 4, 1993; written by Mayori Sekijima and Hiroshi Yamaguchi): Two short stories featuring original Stand users who encounter the Joestar Group during the events of Stardust Crusaders.
2. Golden Heart, Golden Ring (May 28, 2001; written by Miya Shotaro, Gichi Otsuka with Araki's involvement): A story narrating Pannacotta Fugo's adventures in Venice after he is left behind by Bucciarati's team, during which he saves a girl and manages to help his former teammates without betraying Passione.
3. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure 4th Another Day (November 2007; written by Otsuichi and illustrated by Araki): Six months after the events of Diamond is Unbreakable, a new Stand user is discovered in town: Takuma Hasumi, a teenager with a tragic past looking for revenge.

As part of the series' 25th anniversary, the "VS JOJO" project created three dubiously canon Light Novels, each written by a different author and illustrated by Araki:

1. Purple Haze Feedback (September 16th, 2011; written by Kouhei Kadono): Six months after Golden Wind, Pannacotta Fugo returns to the Passione gang, where he is given a new assignment to earn his trust.
2. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Over Heaven (December 16th, 2011; written by Nisio Isin): A defictionalization of DIO's diary (as revealed in Part 6), retelling his life up through the end of Part 3. invoked
3. Jorge Joestar (September 19th, 2012; written by Otaro Maijo): This novel covers two arcs: one concerning the life and times of George Joestar II, nicknamed Jorge during his adolescence on the Spanish island of La Palma; the other telling an especially bizarre story about a young detective named Joji Joestar trying to stop an Eternal Recurrence of Cosmic Retcons (a plotline which liberally borrows and toys with elements from every other part).

In 2021, two manga spinoffs were announced for the 2022 serialization of Ultra Jump, and were both released on December 18, 2021. These are notable for being neither written nor illustrated by Araki:

1. Fujiko's Bizarre Worldly Wisdom -Whitesnake's Miscalculation- (written and illustrated by Sho Aimoto): A one-shot spinoff of Stone Ocean, it tells of Jolyne Cujoh's encounter with a peculiar prisoner having a knack for art in Green Dolphin St. Prison.
2. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Crazy Diamond's Demonic Heartbreak (December 18, 2021 - May 19, 2023; written by Kouhei Kadono and illustrated by Tasuku Karasuma): Set 10 years after the ending of Stardust Crusaders, but before the start of Diamond is Unbreakable, this story features Hol Horse exploring the impact that DIO left on him and his comrades, and crossing paths with Josuke Higashikata.

Additionally, announced in late December 2021 was JOJO magazine, a bi-annual mook that would dedicate itself exclusively to news and materials regarding the franchise. Included in these issues are short stories that, like the "VS JOJO" stories beforehand, were written by different authors with Araki providing illustrations:

1. El Aleph (March 19, 2022 - April 18, 2024; written by Junjo Shindo): A midquel story starring Lisa Lisa after the events of Battle Tendency as she works with the Speedwagon Foundation to deal with a new age of invisible spirits called "Stands".
2. Iggy the Stray Dog (March 19, 2022 - July 17, 2025; written by Otsuichi): A prequel story told from the eyes of Muhammad Avdol, describing the events regarding his discovery of Iggy. A paperback edition released with a bonus story of Iggy facing an alligator Stand user in the sewers beneath Manhattan Island.
3. Testimone di Gangster (December 19, 2022; written by Keiji Ando): A short story featuring Squalo and Tizzano prior to the events of Golden Wind as they deal with a traitor of Passione among other issues.
4. There's No Love Like a Parent's (December 19, 2023; written by Ballad Kitaguni): A short story starring Melone and Ghiaccio prior to the events of Golden Wind, the two deal with Melone's Stand: Baby Face entering a rebellious phase.
5. My Prized Needle and Thread (December 18, 2024; written by Yoshihito Okita): A short story starring Prosciutto and Pesci prior to the events of Golden Wind, as they take care of a mission in Southern Italy and resolve a grudge directed their way.
6. Toshikazu Hazamada's Questionable Adventure (December 18, 2024; written and illustrated by Kyosuke Usuta): A one-shot spinoff of Diamond is Unbreakable, it tells a comedic story focused on a day of Hazamada's life shortly after he became a Stand user.
7. Echoes ACT50 (May 23, 2025; written and illustrated by Kosuke Masuda): A one shot spinoff of Diamond is Unbreakable, it stars Koichi Hirose uncovering his rapidly evolving Stand, shenanigans ensue.
8. Risotto Nero Observes (May 23, 2025; written by Ayato Toya): A short story starring Risotto Nero prior to the events of Golden Wind, it focuses on Risotto trying to carry out an assassination.
9. The Stray Cat Leaves with the Spring Breeze (May 23, 2025; written by Ballad Kitaguni): A short story starring Illuso and Formaggio prior to the events of Golden Wind, telling a story about Formaggio's adopted cat.
10. Synchronicity in Morioh (May 23, 2025 - March 23, 2026; written by Hotate Shinkawa): A story starring Rohan Kishibe and Josuke Higashikata dealing with mysteries in Morioh, with Koichi's elderly dog Police caught between them.
11. Enya the Hag's Fangirl Diary (March 23, 2026; written and illustrated by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro): A one-shot spinoff of Stardust Crusaders, it stars Enya the Hag and her fanaticism for DIO.
12. Lonesome Tim —Lasso, Bullets, and Hexed Maiden (March 23, 2026; written by Kira Tsukinami): A prequel story of Steel Ball Run starring Mountain Tim.

In addition, several video games based on the series have been released:

1. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: An RPG by WinkySoft, loosely covering the events of Part 3.
2. Heritage for the Future: A fighting game by Capcom, also covering the events of Part 3.
3. GioGio's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind: A PlayStation 2 game based on Part 5.
4. Phantom Blood: Another PlayStation 2 game, this time based on Part 1.
5. All Star Battle: A PlayStation 3 fighting game by CyberConnect2 featuring characters from all over the series' timeline. Received an Updated Re-release titled All Star Battle R with new features and additional characters.
6. Eyes of Heaven: Sequel to All Star Battle, adding 2v2 battles and an original Bat Family Crossover storyline.
7. Last Survivor: A multiplayer arcade Battle Royale Game by historia Inc. featuring characters from all animated parts in the series.

The series additionally released and collaborated with games on mobile devices:

1. Stardust Shooters: A Medal Shooting Action game that originally existed as a spinoff of All Star Battle. Originally focused on the first three parts of the series, it expanded as a marketing tie-in for the anime: incorporating Diamond is Unbreakable on December 2015 and Golden Wind on September 2018. The game had its servers shut down on April 13, 2021.
2. Diamond Records: A beat-em-up action game that released on February 20, 2017 as a tie-in to the Diamond is Unbreakable anime. It rebranded to Diamond Records Reversal on August 29, 2018 and tied in to the Golden Wind anime, changing genres to a tactical turn based game. The game had its servers shut down on November 18, 2019.
3. JoJo's Pitter-Patter Pop!: A puzzle game that existed as apart of the JoJo SD Project as a tie-in for the Golden Wind anime announcement. It released on October 10, 2018 and had its servers shut down on September 2, 2021.
4. Monster Strike: A monster-catching puzzle game. Various characters from Stone Ocean were added as units through July 15, 2022 to August 2, 2022. For a second collaboration, various characters from Stardust Crusaders were added as units through October 15, 2023 to November 2, 2023. A third collaboration happened two years later with Golden Wind characters being added as units through January 11, 2025 to February 2, 2025.
5. Puzzle & Dragons: A puzzle/role-playing game. Several characters from the first six parts were added through December 26, 2012 to January 9, 2023.
6. Tower of Saviors: A puzzle game. The first collaboration focused on Phantom Blood, Battle Tendency, and Stardust Crusaders happened on January 1, 2024 to January 28, 2024. A second collaboration featuring Diamond is Unbreakable, Golden Wind, and Stone Ocean happened on April 21, 2025 to May 18, 2025.
7. Path to Nowhere: A Science Fantasy Tower Defense game. Jolyne, Foo Fighters, and Weather Report were added as playable characters in the first event on April 30, 2024. A follow-up event was made with Jotaro, Ermes, and Anasui added as playable characters on December 26, 2024.
8. Ora Ora Overdrive: A tactical RPG featuring parts 1 through 6 at launch on September 25, 2025.
9. Golden Spirit: A strategic idle battling card game featuring parts 1-6, with a heavy focus on Golden Wind. Launches in Q4 2026.

The series has also appeared in several Shonen Jump crossover video games:

1. Famicom Jump: Hero Retsuden: An RPG. Joseph (in his Battle Tendency incarnation) is a playable character, while Santana and Esidisi are bosses.
2. Famicom Jump II: Saikyo no Shichinin: A sequel to Hero Retsuden. Jotaro replaces Joseph as a playable character, and an original Stand user appears as a boss.
3. Jump Super Stars: A Platform Fighter. Jotaro and DIO appear as playable characters, while Gyro shows up as an Assist Character.
4. Jump Ultimate Stars: A sequel to Jump Superstars. Jotaro, DIO, and Gyro return in their respective roles, while Jonathan, Joseph, Josuke, Giorno, and Jolyne appear as Assist Characters.
5. J-Stars Victory VS: An arena fighter. Jonathan and Joseph (in his Battle Tendency incarnation) appear as playable characters.
6. Jump Force: Another arena fighter. Jotaro, DIO, and Giorno (as a DLC) are playable characters.