I also like the fact that with each part that follows you can see Araki’s progression as an artist and seeing how drastically his style has changed over the parts!
I thought you were repeating what was said by the uploaded but you meant the art-style. Yeah, the change of art-style is cool and allows for a refresh in the perception of the parts going forward.
Part 1: Fist of the north star / Dracula Part 2: Indiana Jones and the Pillar men Part 3: Around the world in 80 days Part 4: Murder Mystery / Goosebumps Part 5: Goodfellas Part 6: Shawshank redemption Part 7: western / Cannon Ball Run Part 8: The Curious Case of josuke Higashikata Part 9: Reservoir Dogs
You understand jolyne more than jojo fans. lot of jojo fans were thinking she is the worst joestar when in term of character writing and story writing. she is at least top 3 jojo.
11:11 The man who saved Josuke in the past was a Yanki. A type of high school-aged biker gang that was common in real life 1980s Japan that often wore pompadors and long, colorful jackets. They mostly disappeared in the 90s and were considered goofy and outdated. This scene was to explain why Araki chose to make the main character have a very uncool (at the time of writing) design. This is context that is lost in translation to English, but is very easily understood in Japan. As Yanki Gangs did not exist outside of Japan. It is not a dropped time travel plot thread.
i think it's because koichi is telling the story from a memory of when josuke told him about it, and knowing that josuke modelled his style after the man that saved him, koichi assumed that the man looked like josuke. it's just a flashback from koichi's point of view in mind
I think Pucci is a lot more interesting then you think, like Kira is interesting because he is a near perfect depiction of a serial killer psychopath, Pucci is interesting because being influenced by DIO and his belief in god makes him so self righteous that he thinks that all the people hes hurt, killed is nessecary to his goal despite it going against his religion itself, hes so self righteous that he thinks that he the one able to make the decision for all Humanity to reset the universe and create "Heaven" I think a Crazy religious man is just as interesting as a perfect serial killer personally, also I loved this vid so much.
he stopped believing in God the very moment he went on the lookout for Dio after her sister died, if anything every bit of him not counting the backstory, shapes him into a man of science and maybe satanic (he references things like evolution, has a fixation for prime numbers, the gravity thing althought thi one is more on the phylosophical side, his stand has the (incomplete) human genome all over his body and the black parts resemblance to bdsm leather or something, and he pursueas a ritual sacrificing +30 sinners) im sure there are more things im missing out
@@epicotakugamer4930 nah it didn’t, Pillar Men and Vampires are two separate species in JoJo. Everything in Part 2 was about the lore of Hamon and Pillar Men.
I'd say jojolion really is an evolution of arakis ability to write romance, all of the other jojos and their love interests were pretty basic and felt forced. However josuke and yasuho felt so natural and had so much chemistry over time all you might ever hope is for that one moment when it finally happens. (Idk if it does happen yet rn I'm ch 100)
@@professionalclown7166 Sometimes you just have to rip the band-aid, it's better for someone to know they're going to be disappointed and have their expectations low than to go in hoping for the best only to be let down massively by the end
15:14 I was thinking the same exact thing from part 1-6 Jolyne has had the best character development. You could just tell halfway through the series when she is placed in solitary confinement yet. Jolyne determination in that scene was so powerful the way she tells herself that she refuses to waiver in here because if she does it’ll wear down her mental fortitude and physical strength. Jolyne development was such a beautiful experience to watch.
@@DontCryDontCryGG For 1-6 without a shadow of doubt yes. I’m currently on part 7( Ch.15) so I’ll have to see if that remains true after reading the next two parts. Regardless of how I feel about Johnny and Gappy I will always hold Jolyne up there as one of the best developed characters in the franchise and one of my favorite characters in all of fiction.
@@itayz8440 I've read Parts 1-8. Jolyne is still the best JoJo. This shouldn't even be that controversial of a take. I'm pretty sure The Anime Man also thinks Jolyne is quite obviously the best JoJo. I mention him since he doesn't infinitely wank Part 7 as the best thing since sliced bread, even though it is a top 2 part for him.
I disagree with the idea that the first 6 parts didnt have an over-arcing plot. Although not very deep or complex, Dio is fated to fight the joestars, or rather that the joestars are fated to fight evil in general. And fate is a very strong theme throughout the story especially part 5 with king crimson and the rolling stone
@@cwj_721WTF it is a plot, it's a simple one, plot: the main events of a play, novel, film, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence
The analysis of part 4 was great, but you missed the point of Okuyasu's dad. The reader is supposed to come to the conclusion that Okuyasu could have killed him, but Keicho wanted to spare him the heartache of killing his father. Moreover, he is meant to make the reader empathize with Keicho before his death, making them hate Chili Pepper.
Also.. the achtung baby thing.. like she gets adopted and raised by joseph. The point was that joseph is wrapping up the part of his plotline by actually taking care of a child instead of abandoning it, like he did his own kid.
not to mention the fact that he somehow thinks that a guy who was explicitly stated to have just inspired josuke's style (do people not realize that haircut used to be popular???) and was never suggested to be any form of time travel, especially considering the time travel in part 4 is explicitly stated to only work over short periods of time
Ok I don't get why people thought josuke's backstory was about time travel, him being saved by a good samaritan who seems terrifying on the outside as a yankee delinquent with a heart of gold is such a nice influence for him to have
I was one of those people who thought Josuke's backstory was about time travel. Josuke's Stand Ability allowed him to "reverse" the current state of an object he made contact with. Because both Jotaro and Dio could stop time, I saw Josuke's power as a time-based Stand ability too. When Josuke's backstory was revealed, I thought he pushed his Stand ability to his limit and time travel into the past to save his younger self. Even when Kira unlocked Bites the Dust (another Time-Based Stand ability), I thought that moment where Josuke going back in time was going to happen.... turns out it was really some random guy who saved him and his mom.
You genuinely don't get why people thought two characters with the same silhouette were the same person? In JoJo, a story where time travel would be a pretty natural thing to randomly add into the story? I'm confident the author must have figured out some readers would assume time travel when they both look so similar, but it strikes you as so ridiculous? Sorry for coming off so strongly but 'genuinely don't get' feels like such an odd reaction to this theory
@@somerandomnoob100 changed my wording, I kind of get what you mean but I still thought when I watched that the intention was clear enough, but that's just me obviously
Every part is good. All of them have a charm. His storytelling is the same, though at the same time, it becomes more progressed. Saying this as a fan that has read and watch all parts, but has never read part 9.
I think what makes Araki my main role model is not because he is a genius or hes a master But he evolves over time to where he is right now He learns from his mistakes and improves.
11:12 For the last time, that was never Araki's intention in this scene. He just wanted to explain why Josuke looks the way he does and why he gets so angry when people make fun of his hair
I like how you can appreciate every part in its own unique way. Just because Phantom Blood is "basic", doesnt mean it's not great. They're great getting on points for a series. You could argue that SBR and Jojolion get too complex, some of the stand powers are confusing. That doesn't mean they aren't great either. Diamond is Unbreakable is my favorite because of how simple yet diverse it is with all the craziness in a small town.
Jojolion stands aren't complicated, they're just across the board weaker versions of stands that already exist if not downright unusable and it takes the air out of a lot of fights
@@kevrms Some of the Stands like D4C have multiple abilities and conditional requirements that are more difficult than say stopping time for 5 seconds. I didn't say that's a bad thing, they're just objectively more complicated than other stands and take some explanation to figure out.
@@jackroberts2704 true true. Complicated doesn't necessarily mean worse in any way. The issue though is less how complicated the stands are and more how compelling they are. D4C and several part 7 stands are easily perceived by the audience as a viable threat. Other stands past part 7 aren't like this, being complicated to a point where it becomes jarring in comparison to earlier stands immediate threat level. There is a noticeable power creep downwards and it stretches suspension of disbelief and borders on laughable some of the time
This channel is high key a banger with the well constructed story writing and manga coverage on thematic and distinct core nuances for each manga covered... I love it
MORJJJJJJ! Thank you I’m on part 7 right now and I absolutely LOVE IT. Might have to stop watching early for part 7 and 8 spoilers but I AM REALLY GRATEFUL TO YOU for making a video on Jojo 💙 Much love
Its not a "random Josuke lookalike". The entire point is that Josuke idolized the man who saved his life and then styled himself after that man. I'm tired of people assuming Araki scrapped plans that have no evidence for existing
I think it's a shame there isn't more discussion around the actual writing in JoJo's Bizarre Adventures. It seems most of the discussion is always around memes and funny gags but Araki really is a great writer. Araki may not write as tight a plot as Oda or whoever but the way he ties all the bizarre concepts in his work together with the overarching themes and characters is severely overlooked. The "funny" villain monologues in the series aren't just there for laughs but actually serve purpose in character motives and the overall theme. Which in my opinion is what storytelling is all about. Your story can be as tight and your characters can be super in depth but if the story exist just to exist without purpose then it all means nothing. I can overlook minor plot inconsistencies in JoJo because the themes and meaning of it all is always consistent and the way Araki executes it all is great.
But like, what is there to talk about writing? Stands are considered the best power system ever and that's it. The plots and stories are nothing groundbreaking, it's how those are executed makes them so good. Besides, JoJo's main talks are about how fights work with science and actually thinking how they would be able to manage the situation and defeat the villain along with stands as mentioned above. That's what's mostly talked about writing section. Preservation vs destruction (for Josuke and Kira), Devil vs the son of God(Diavolo and Giorno) and other Christian themes are, as a non Christian (you can guess from my name what's my religion) useless for me atleast.
@@CoolManCoolMan123 I actually don't think stands as a power system are all that crazy good and the fights in JoJo are all almost entirely pseudo science bullshit. That's not to hate on the fights I really enjoy them, but not for scenarios more for the crazy postures and body horror that Araki can illustrate because of it. I'd argue that the writing is really interesting in it's themes and how it's implemented into every aspect from character designs to motives and artwork. I'm not a Christian either but that does not stop me from appreciating the work itself. Many great pieces of art throughout history are influenced by religions that I have no belief in. I understand why a lot of people don't think the writing in JoJo's bizarre adventure isn't anything special. Although for me personally I think there is a lot to be said about it's loose structure, things may not tie together on the surface but because the consistent themes throughout, it is vague enough to warrant discussion that I don't think is being had enough in the fanbase because everyone else is focused on memes and stuff. anyway yeah
@mafi2924 you are absolutely correct. I think between Araki & other shonen mangaka I follow - for me, Araki has the best moment-to-moment implementation out of most of what I've seen, and it's really how the powers are thought through (not even in the battles) that I enjoy more than the Stand powers themselves
The key thing with the Josuke flashback that no one mentions is that it is a retelling from Koichi so it makes sense for the random delinquent guy to look a lot like Josuke.
But what can you do? There are also Araki forgots(with some of them such as Duo's bone not burning actually true) aswell as misinformation spread all over the community because of JoJo meme fans who haven't even watched/read JoJo. And with Josuke flashback, there is one misinformation- BTD was supposed to send Josuke back in time to save himself.
@@CoolManCoolMan123also araki never wanted josuke to be a time traveler, it’s literally in an interview that the person who saved him is just some random delinquent with a popular 80s hairstyle. and BTD doesn’t even work like that at all ☠️
Imo JoJo is the greatest Shonen/Seinin Manga ever. Its stories are mature and even at times emotionally brutal, yet can effortlessly flow into murderously funny. Its fights are unique yet the mist realistic, and I adore the factor of IQ being a very important area in every fight. The real-world kinks are genuinely perfectly executed, from concepts such as Rykiels stand, all the way to the links between the characters and the name of their stands. Every Main JoJo is bare minimum great to follow, and at peak literally flawlessly written. They're relatable in a bizarre setting and it really draws you into the story so much that locations in the real-world are known as JoJo locations. BUT in my opinion, the key factor to JoJos succes in my opinion is the villains. Holy shit. I've NEVER seen a fictional story with such a consistently perfect execution of multiple villains, especially with mist of them having a very short actual presence in the story. I know that "oh Tooru is trash rock human ahhhh" BUT it was Arakis attempt at a twist villain, and each time I look back at it, I realise that it was performed REALLY WELL. The simple twist that Tooru is less of a person and more of a manipulative force taking the form of an entity that has morphed and warped the town of Morioh into a sick version of itself LITERALLY DESCRIBES THE ROCK HUMANS TO A TEE. Tooru represents what a rock human is. And this is the worst written villain. When you go on to villains such as Diavolo, Kira and in that truly perfect tier, where Valentine and (imo) Pucci reside, you truly see the impact of a perfect villain. The story doesn't work if the villain is ANYTHING else apart from Valentine in part 7 As of right now, part 9 has just started. I've read the 1st chapter and it's already had, in my opinion, the best start out of any of the JoJo manga. Everything is pitch-perfect
@@Vellan. one piece is 2nd for me imo. Mainly because One Piece doesn't have an ending (yet) I don't rate unfinished anime/mangas as much as finished one's, mainly after Attack on Titan. That was top 10-15 until the ending, which shot it so far down
berserk is better. I'm sorry but this isn't even an argument. The realistic themes of berserk is what makes it stand far and above every other shonen/seinen out there. Not only are they realistic, but there's something you can relate with deep inside that actually matters in the story. It also has the best artwork and creature design in any manga/anime, bar none. Guts is the best protagonist and griffith is the best antagonist tied with johan from monster. I love jojo, it's my second favorite manga series behind berserk, but berserk manages to transcend the common troupes that hold back shonen/seinen and manages to write what genuienly feels like one of the greatest pieces of fiction ever told. It's a deep study on what makes a human, and why some people are capable of heinous actions.
Also tooru is inexcusably bad, it's not even an argument. Yes it was his ATTEMPT at a twist villain, however he already did that with diavolo and it worked far better. Tooru was never built up, nor is he compelling throughout anywhere in the story. The best thing I can say about him is that his stand is absolutely incredible, it's complex and raises stakes very well, but that's it. Dio is also a generic one dimensional villain, despite being iconic
I would say both perspectives are correct. In Part 4, it is still just “battle people until you get to your goal” and it is more aimless in that the first third and the first half of the last third of Diamond is Unbreakable is also not focused simply because Kira is not within the sights of the main group and/or escaped, but on the other hand it is not a straight shot towards killing Kira and somehow fighting the specific stand user they battle do help them kill Kira. Except Yukako and Tonio.
@@iantaakalla8180 also, the anime had a special arc(kind of, I can't remember the name but it was basically the timer that every episode had in the third half) aswell as the villain being something out of the world for Jojo (literally, he doesn't fit in JoJo, he feels like he's from different anime. Even his design is so much simpler than other characters).
Honestly Part 4 probably has the best world building in all of JoJo (haven't read part 8 yet). At some point in the part Morioh begins to feel like its own separate character who's just as weird as all of its inhabitants and who also sees Kira as a tumor to be excised. That's why his final fate to be completely obliterated by both his first victim and the town he terrorised is so satisfying
In the before & after shots of Jolyne with Romeo. You can tell just by the defined deltoids in the later shot that she’s been enduring some real shit in prison.
Loved it too, Johnathan is unironically my favorite of the original verse Jojos. "Complicated" edgy characters are all the rage nowadays but there's absolutely nothing wrong with a straightforward good guy character, especially since the whole point of Johnathan being so good was to make it clear that all of his decendants would inherit his role/will as a paragon even if they were more flawed Joestars Sometimes it comes off as "superman is boring" type critique, it misses the point
@@kevrms I totally agree with you. Jonathan is one of my favorite JoJo's, precisely because of how simple and straightforward he is. He is simply a good guy who wants to stop evil. That was more than enough for the beginning of the series. Even with such a short appearance, he is still remembered by many.
Steel Ball Run is one of the stories I hold in the highest regard. It, along with seldom few above it. An absolute master-class as a work of art that deserves to be passed down for generations to come. Read Jojo's if you have not. Watching Araki continuously grow as a creative is genuinely satisfying to watch develop over time, and at the very least it stays entertaining throughout the earliest parts. There's always something to like in every Part of Jojo's, even the Parts that end up at the bottom of the pack in terms of quality... and then Steel Ball Run blows the lid off of what you thought to be possible when you get to it. I love Gyro. Also Johnny, but especially Gyro. Gyro is and was a beautiful man until the very end, and his lessons apply directly to how a good life ought to be lived. Again, beautiful.
With just the title, I agree so much. You can see this in the evolution of Joe Bros and side characters. Seeing an artist grow and change is always beautiful. Regardless of medium.
Why I think part 3 excels at is the moment to moment storytelling. I feel like it’s what made the series really popular because the weekly read was so compelling.
tbh (I feel like I am a very small minority) but I think one of Araki's best parts is Part 8 (there is just something about it) and moreso with Kaato Higashikata (I love how everything about her connects, which I could go on about forever, lol [I am the number 1 Kaato fan for a reason]) but I really think that Kaato is one of JJBA's best characters; there is just something about her that feels so human, yes she has done bad things; really bad things, but from what we see she is a genuinely loving person (towards her family) and even within "Kaato's Attack" I feel like she gets humanized even more; she isnt some irredeemable monster, nor is she this perfect saint, she is a person, and I think she is really a testament to how Araki's "side" characters also improved over time, going from one off jokes or entirely evil to complex people who you can feel for and understand
Bro Kaato is in like 10 chapters total lmao there was next to no character to develop. If anything a huge problem with part 8 is that none of the characters really go anywhere besides Jobin
also part 7 isnt a rebooted version of the previous universe, its an universe parallel to the old one, with araki making callbacks to his previous part
josuke litterally made himself look like that guy on purpose by dressing like him and getting his haircut! I hate the theory that it was going to be josuke in the future that’s just a paradox and plothole
lol ok the plots were basic but they werent "severely lacking in basic storytelling" and the josuke time traveling thing? "josuke looks too much like the person he tries to look like, it has to be time travel" autism moment
Especially since the point of the flashback was to explain why Josuke haid that haircut. So it's more like "Josuke looks like the person he is trying to look like. Must be timetravel"
I think what makes Araki a genius are not only the amazing characters, villains, and how well the setting and time period works within the story, but it's how amazing the Stands really are, the fights' structure can get repetitive sometimes, but is so creative, not only the Stand's abilities, but how well Araki writes the conflicts, it's like a puzzle that the character has to solve, it's like he is always challenging himself as a creator.
This is such a basic bitch understanding of everything - "this time Araki added character which means good, this time Araki added plot which means even gooder" But you have to ignore any kind of thematic depth in order for this video to hold together. Yes, the guy who saved Josuke is just some random dude after whom Josuke models his appearance, because Araki wanted to tell a story about how acts of good and kindness can inspire others and that appearances are deceiving - a delinquent can have a heart of gold and a well mannered guy in a suit can be a murderer.
Part 7's my favourite however the one issue I had was how stuff would basically be scrapped like Sandman, so Araki could fully focus on the story of Johnny. Upside of this is how damn good that story is! Part 5's my second favourite. Part 9 has a really confident start which feels like it really knows where it's going, it's got that really powerful beginning similarly to my favourites so I'm really excited to see where it goes!
I started watching this vid when I finished the stone ocean anime and this is such a wonderful analysis of the evolution and narrative elements that make JoJo's such a unique and rewarding story!! I honestly find Araki's growth as an author and artist so inspiring to watch as he's constantly been improving the series for almost 40 years now 🥺💗 I just returned to this vid after finishing the sbr manga and I totally agree with your points about the thematic arc of johnny's growth! Since the series felt like a rebirth from the previous part 1-6 continuity I found that watching johnny's growth really helped convince us readers that this was indeed a fresh story from the past Jojo parts and that we were witnessing his transformation into a Joestar from beginning to end🥺!!
11:20 is not a dropped plot thread. Not every story needs to be a Rube Goldberg machine of setup and payoff, and Japanese media often abides by this lack of restriction compared to western stories. He represents the random, thankless acts of kindness even from the most unexpected sources that defines Josuke and part 4 as a whole, hence why Josuke has the ability to heal and repair things that cannot be seen or understood by 99% of people. He doesn’t do it to be acknowledged. Moreover, he’s seen as a delinquent or a threat and judged on his appearance. Conversely, Kira is the platonic ideal of a Japanese salary man, and harbors one of the most sadistic and evil hearts in the series. I don’t think anything mentioned is a dropped plot thread. The invisible baby is a plot device for Josuke to get closer to Joseph and then for Joseph to have the chance at redemption for being an absent father to Josuke by taking her in. Not everything should be gone into with the expectation of explanation or resolution, usually what it represents is more important.
This and I would actually argue that part 8 has far more dropped plot points than 4 flashback man (people argue this was prototype kira but I'm not sure i agree), the weird symbol in the parlor, saving Holy (after 92 Holy just doesn't matter anymore), Jobin's goals and creating rifts in the family, whatever was going to happen with kaato, and the New Rokakaka probably being the biggest offender of them all these all either are dropped or just don't ever get the resolve or light they deserve. Jobin finally starts shaping up to be a major villain with hurting Norisuke only to be killed a chapter or 2 later in the most disappointing way
I was surprised when he said that. For all Part 4 does to make the world feel alive Part 4’s stuff are still really obviously episodic, meaning while there are further meaning to stuff Part 4 each story is basically ended when the arc is done, meaning that the Nijimura father was not supposed to resolved, nor was the backstory of the kind delinquent. The episodic nature of JoJo does not go away; it is just either better integrated or is Part 7.
not "simply because p1 is the origin", by itself is an excellent reimagination of Bram Stoker's Dracula, plus the care and dedication David's Production give it got to keep a story so incredibly classic, fresh for toy today standards and argubly better than some shonen of their time (anime), "Jonathan being extremely one dimensional" he only becomes truly determined to defeat him after the "how many slices of breads line", becomes the second most badass JoJo after recieving Zeppeli's power and despite everything his shitty brother did he still spares tears of sadness for him the characters aren't in any way simpler than in p2, understanding the source material that inspired the story gives them more lawyers even, like George protecting the one who stole from him, being heavily based on Les Miserables beginning Im in now way saying that is the best part or even better than any of the following ones, just that is incredibly overlooked and reducted to being a simpler work that it actually is PS: is funny how some think that Dio is a simple evil dude, while appraising Diego, being the totallity of the character that is Diego, a reboot of just a tiny part of Dio, specifically the Dio from the first 3 episodes of Phantom Blood from his infancy to the moment when he loses his humanity; Dio (P1 to P6) is up to P8 easily the most complex and deep jojo antagonist
JoJo was determined to defeat Dio ever since he killed George, and DIO isn't that deep or complex either, it's just that Araki does many things with the character, but they aren't satisfyingly tied up imo DIO in Part VI genuinely seems like a different person, and I think Pucci carries the "Heaven" theme better, so he's most definitely deeper I agree with all your other points wrt Phantom Blood though, except for DP's adaptation: although it refreshed the part, it also heavily cut down on it, removing key scenes such as Danny's backstory and dialogue between Erina and JoJo. I even think it's because of this that Phantom Blood is so underrated
Dio from part 1 is one-dimensional and up to part 3 is just two-dimensional. Dio in part 1 basically hates Jonathan and his goal is to screw over Jonathan. Dio becomes a really intriguing criminal boss in part 3, but literally nothing beyond that.
Great stuff all around Morj on this crazy bizarre trippy series I love so much and Araki being a fellow vampire like Dio himself this will go on as long as OP
Seeing how far Jojos has come as a series makes you appreciate/respect part 1 in retrospect. Especially the character that he created in Jonathan, he is the embodiment of every JoJo from 2-6, with their righteous spirits and sense of justice. They are all heroes of good with more layers to their character tacked on top. which is amazing that in part 7 and 8, the main jojos are more nuanced and I can see that also becoming the case with the new one in part 9. great video
Maybe it’s coping, but smaller things like josukes savoir and okuyasus father were small plot points used to establish the characters and their motives, they weren’t really forgotten, they naturally ran their course and ended. Saying we didn’t get to see okuyasus father be cured or something feels like a mute point, since in the narrative they even explained why they stopped trying to cure him. And Josukes savior was never meant to be a major plot point, he was meant to be vague, implying that josukes hero was just an average high school delinquent; and that level of heroism and goodness can exist in anyone, which the good members of morioh have, using that goodness to battle Kira’s evil. No offense, but honestly this videos feels slightly unfair to the earlier parts. Very slightly, but maybe I’m just nit picking
I find part 6 to be the most poetic part and I will be honest it’s my favorite part by far and I will never understand why so many people dislike it like the ending and so many other things like pucci’s ability being used against him more than once and his own brothers stand being the one to do him in is just so beautiful when it comes to it’s ending is also beautiful
@@santiagoargayo778 wdym bad writing? What is bad about it? There is 0 reason to think that it's some kind of setup, all you need to understand what happened is a brain and the ability to read or hear, that's it. There is no way 90% of jojo fans think this way.
@@vasart7974 its pretty easy to see how ppl think it was josuke tho, I don't blame people for thinking there was gonna be some time travel stuff going on
I think that someone who went through just as much character development as Jolyne, maybe even more, was Polnareff. That dude went from only wanting to join the crusaders because he wanted to avenge his sister, to a man who was willing to die for his friends. Then in part 5, he became a shell of his former self, broken and beaten yet still fighting to keep the flames of hope alive and deliver the arrow to Giorno. I’m not saying that he was written better than Jolyne, but he did do it first.
He isn't the Jojo though. You can have the greatest developed character, but if it isn't the main character, it doesn't have as much of a point. Not to say it was useless but Araki started focusing on the main Jojos again after Jolyne.
Trish also had an amazing development, and is incredibly more nuanced than her initial role as the damsel in distress required. while at the start she's sort of a discordant element, basically just a part of the mission, by the end you truly feel like she's part of the main group. her personality is also explored without changing huge parts of it, like her expensive tastes and disgust for anything that isn't pretty. but on top of being slightly spoiled, she's also able to act in high pressure situations to protect her comrades and herself, proud and empathetic. I love Trish
What i like about part 7 is before the mandom arc, Johnny was a cry baby and we were more focused on Gyro, but after the mandom arc, the story goes into Johnny's character and who he is as a person, and he is less of a cry baby
I agree. Part 4 is my favorite but I started noticing emotional complexities from the writing in 5. You really see araki add to his repertoire with each part.
the flashback is quite literly explained in writing as being just some other delinquent and his uniform is entirelt different i dont understand how so many people seem to think it was some dropped time travel arc when it's literally never suggested to be that and thats not even how the time travel in part 4 works
Araki truly become amazing over time. Each part’s endings were more and more amazing to me, with the finsl episode of Stone Ocean GENUINELY making me cry.
Jojo peaked in part 5. Change my mind. I havent read any manga because i do not want to spoil it for myself or pirate this masterpiece lol. EDIT 1: I have read part of SBR and holy crap it's so good.
I thought I recognized that voice, Mr. Morj lol. This video is great because it made me realize something. I used to try to write stories a long time ago but I tried to include all the things that a "good story" is supposed to have and it was just too much. Trying to come up with plot, intersting plot points, character arcs, themes, etc, and having to write it well is just too much especially if you're starting out. But Araki broke all that down and mastered each thing, one at a time. And though his stories didn't have all the "needed elements of story" his were still amazing. So that just goes to show that you don't need all of those things. You can just take your time to master things one at a time and your stories and skill will improve over time rather than trying to carry that huge burden all at once. I wonder if you could include Araki's original story in this? I recall it was also a pretty simple story and the art wasn't what it would became later, so maybe he improved as an artist and planted those seeds of greatness.
absolutely loved this video morj!!! two small nitpicks/differences in interpretation(?): 1. the rokakakas are not connected to the holy corpse (at least at first) - the only rokakaka fruit that is connected is the one fusing josefumi and kira under the walleyes 2. imo the overarching plot of the new universe is the flow of all things and how the spin interacts with this flow - the finale of part 7 is all about johnny using the spin to overcome impossible odds, in early part 8 norisuke references the flow with regards to the fruit parlor and tooru at the end can manipulate it to his will and still gets defeated by what is probably the ultimate version of the spin
Part 1: Fist of the JoeStar vs. Count DIO Part 2: Joseph JoesStar and the Pillar Man Part 3: Stand around the World in 50 Days Part 4: MoriohBumps Part 5: VentoFellas Part 6: the Stone Ocean Redemption Part 7: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in a Bizarre, Bizarre, Bizarre, Bizarre World Part 8: the Curious Identity of Josuke Higashikata Part 9: Hawaiians Dogs
Good video. I think your analysis of the increasing plot depth of each Jojo's part is good, but I think while on the surface the writing of the earlier parts is simpler, the prevailing theme present throughout at least the first 6 parts (I would assume in 7 and 8 as well but I haven't read them) is the concept of destiny/fate. "Give me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference" is I think a good example of how the series develops the concept. In Part 1: Jonathan and Dio both have a defined "fate" in Victorian society based on their social background. Jonathan would become something in society just by virtue of his bloodline being wealthy/powerful. Dio as a member of the underclass in society is basically 'fated' to be nothing. Jonathan believes his destiny is to get married, settle down and continue the family bloodline. Dio rejects his assigned role in society and change his fate, first by rejecting his social standing and usurping the Joestar fortune and then by rejecting his humanity itself along with the accompanying weaknesses. Dio even in Part 1 is more than just a bad guy who wants to make life hell for the protagonist. He believes it's his destiny to rise above humanity in all its natural limitations and petty squabbles. And as a vampire, not even the passage of time can stop him. But fate still can. In the final moments of Part 1, you see Jonathan serenely accepting that his fate was actually to die so the family can survive but Dio basically goes through the five stages of grief. He can't accept the fact that while he thought he 'changed' his fate, he still couldn't decide it.
I feel like every part of jojo sorta feels like an inverse of the previous part. I think many people have pointed out how the jojo of one part tends to have a vastly different disposition to the previous part (going from Jonathan's hero-ism to Joseph's charismatic jerkassery to Jotaro's stoicism, etc), but it's also sorta in the locations and characters too. Like going from the heart of Morioh to mafia-riddled Italy, or from the fairly focused duo of Johnny and Gyro ft. occasional others to the entire Higashikata family. Araki always seems to start by making the part different from the last when writing them. I had a whole point I was trying to make but writing it out I kinda lost it and feel I'm just stating the obvious. Basically I feel a big reason why each part tends to be better than the last is that Araki's always trying to do something different.
I've legitimately never seen a more precise video about Jojo than this one, I truly agree with pretty much everything that was said within his opinion and I think those are the reasons why I love Jojo so much, truly incredible
My favorite aspect of Part 5 is theme. The themes of reaching the truth and resolve are very engaging and makes the villan's defeat that much more interesting. Stands are also more thematic than any other part, with the stand being a metaphor for the personality of each character. With this, the story became so much deeper moving forward.
jojo's was my first anime and part 1 was so mind blowing and amazing to me , i had no idea how good jojo's got after each part , while watching it and made me love it even more even to today jojo's will always be my number 1 not in a baised way its just no anime had me feel the way jojos did im truly so Greatful I decided to watch this masterpiece
I just started part 3, and I think one thing that araki has gotten better and better at is fight quality. Part 1 had some cool fights, and some that were just ok, part 2 was much more complex and offered a lot more thought and strategy instead of just spamming hamon attacks, and part 3 you now have stands which are really cool so far. Can't wait to see what comes next
I think something that's worth mentioning about Stands as a power system is that it consistently manages to avoid power creep without feeling like characters got "nerfed" or making it seem like previous opponents were small fry - even if Jotaro, with his insanely powerful ability can kick DIO's ass, he might just get screwed by a rat with a sniper rifle because Star Platinum simply isn't as good at dealing with an opponent of this sort - meanwhile in Part 2 the power levels got jacked up to 11 compared to Part 1 with Joseph killing a vampire in his very first fight (something that took Jonathan his entire story to accomplish), and then fighting ancient uber-mega-super-duper-vampires
Araki saiys that Jonathan(with zepelli hamon), is more powerful than Joseph,,and dio isnt a normal vampire,but Joseph wins against that demigod kars cause plot armor.
Imma just give thoughts on your video per part. Part 1: You're right about the characteristic style of the series, but I would also say this part is very important BECAUSE of Jonathan. He's the start of this whole story about the Joestar bloodline going against fate, and is thus the foundation and point of comparison for every protagonist that comes after. Despite how brutish or standoffish some future Jojo's may come across as initially, we know they're good deep down, because Jonathan was just the ultimate good boy. Jonathon's tragic ending also sets up the generational aspect of the series, and sets the standard for the wild endings Araki pens. Part 2: Pretty much nailed it here. Joseph was the first truly compelling Jojo, so much so that people forget how basic the plot and villains of part 2 are. Part 3: The ensemble cast is certainly important, but the stands really were the biggest improvement Araki made imo. The thing is, neither of those elements were fleshed out well at this point. The stands in part 3 are the most basic and least creative, and the cast is certainly not handled as well as in parts 4 and 5. Part 4: This is the first part I would actually call great, and I love Jojo's. Its just some goofy fun until you get here, then the series REALLY begins. Tjhe Stands, cast, setting, and plot here genuinely impress. Though your stubbornness about the "clearly set up mysteries" that don't get solved is pretty groan-worthy. The Nijimura's father is there to explain why Keicho is making more stand users with the arrow, and to show how Dio's influence still negatively effects people to this day. That's all. The invisible baby is just a plot device to get Josuke and Joseph closer by experiencing and solving some conflict together. Its just a smaller stakes take on a Stand battle. That's all. The 'flashback' to Josuke's youth is much more contentious so I'll go through it. We're not viewing a real flashback, its just Koichi quickly relaying a story to Okuyasu that Josuke told him before. The story is just there to show that Josuke was in a similar position to Holy back during the events of part 3, meaning he has a similarly gentle heart, and to show not only what inspired Josuke's look but also why he gets so angry about anybody making fun of it. The hairstyle was even more popular back when Josuke was that young, in the 80s, than it is during part 4, which is the 90s. People swear Araki forgot about just because Kira's stand has a weird time-related power, but his stand didn't work like that. You're free to call some of these clumsy, but you're ignoring what these things accomplished plot-wise. Part 5: Idk. To me, part 5 is just a macguffin hunt capped off with a deus ex machina and a jarring mini arc that does more to set up that next part's themes than it does give a satisfying conclusion to the current story. The stand fights in general are still an improvement though, and the ensemble here is arguably the best in the series to this day. Its funny how you're much more charitable with the plot here. What you call "trying to find the secret of his [Diavolo's] past" in reality is just looking, like, looking for a disc, traveling to a new location, then being told to go to another new location. Also completely failing to mention the ACTUAL dropped plot point of Fugo eventually being a villain Girorno would have to take down (hence why Giorno vaccinated himself early on), lol. You are still right about the urgency of the plot and fights though. Nothing can take away from how excellent the train or White Album fights are. Part 6: Maybe the biggest mixed bag of an arc. Highest highs, lowest lows. Jolyne is the clear shining light of part 6 though. She's incredible, and I'd argue Pucci is what props her up so well. We haven't had such an intimate Hero-Villain dynamic since part 1, and Pucci makes the most of it. He meticulously designs these encounters for Joylne to be nearly impossible, yet she still makes it out alive. But even more so than that, it means a constant increase in stakes as the status quo keeps shifting. Jolyne finds herself in increasingly horrible circumstances going from prison cell, to maximum security, to isolation, etc. Its ALL by Pucci's design, so that he can do all the Green Baby stuff for the Heaven plan. He practically succeeds too, only leaving Emporio and the Weather Report disc left. Its for these reason that I think Pucci is a great improvement to the villain writing, and I'd say that does somewhat get carried over to at least part 7. Also worth noting the ensemble really suffers in this part, which is maybe another reason why Araki kept it to essentially 2 MC's for part 7. Part 7: Perfection Part 8: This is certainly the weirdest part, which says a lot. I love the first half, but the second half loses a lot of steam. I think in many ways, writing-wise part 8 is a step down from part 7. Flashback Man, the misleading countdown, Tooru and Go Beyond, and Kaato barely existing are probably my biggest complaints. I do however think that the art in part 8 is the best in the series (towards the end of part 7 Araki got there, but part 8 has it consistently). Part 9 so far is looking to be a lot of fun. I love the new stands, characters, and setting already. It also seems like this will be a more high stakes, action-packed story like a part 5 or 6. I'd say a tighter focus suits Araki's style better. Very excited for the future! Very nice vid Morj!
I really hate how people just treat part 6 like the prelude to part 7 personally it is my favorite part and I hate that they only see it as the part before steel ball run, because people miss out on an amazing part
No one asked, but here is a list of the developments on each part without any spoiler, for people who has not watched/ read some parts: Part 1: Setting the bizarre vibe Part 2: The main change is Joseph's character; unlike being like Jonathan, a cardboard cut pure good guy, Joseph is a trickster and doesn't mind playing dirty to win Part 3: More main characters, and all of them are equally important; Jotaro does not carry the part on his own, because the part is about the group Part 4: Despite having a lot of slice-of-life's vibes, it's the first part to have a more or less well crafted plot. Part 5: This has a more complex plot, and Giorno/ the gang does not have a unique objective through the whole part, it changes as they discover more stuff. Part 6: A good and solid character transformation in Jolyne and more fleshed out villain with an actual backstory I haven't read parts 7,8 and 9, so I can't tell about them because I haven't seen that part of the video 😅😅
There's an important statement from araki's part to have in consideration, according to him, he only plans the beginning and the end of each part, and then comes up with everything that happens in between as he writes his stories.
That was a really old saying I'm pretty sure. For example the breaks between part 6 and 7 along with part 8 and 9 were very long. Being about 286 days and 547 days respectively which gives Araki a great deal to plan out atleast a good chunk of the middle of the story. Which is probably why part 7 is really well regarded in its writing and people are incredibly hype for what part 9 has to offer. Don't get me wrong Araki probably does change,add or remove things whenever he wants to but I don't think its the right thing to say he doesn't plan any of the story and only the start and end.
I also like the fact that with each part that follows you can see Araki’s progression as an artist and seeing how drastically his style has changed over the parts!
I thought you were repeating what was said by the uploaded but you meant the art-style. Yeah, the change of art-style is cool and allows for a refresh in the perception of the parts going forward.
Until he peaks in part 7 and stays at that lvl on part 8
@@yumijandro7761 true. part 7 is peak Araki.
@@yumijandro7761 idk, the artstyle of late Jojolion is better than SBR imo
Araki should definetely become a high fashion brand designer after he has finished jjba
this is why so many people are adamant to never skip parts. You miss out on Araki’s growth as an artist and storyteller
And also it's pretty stupid, let's Be honest
@@laskurtanceixixii very stupid
All the parts are very good although part 1 has major errors
@@crazyfriend50 Such as what tho??
@@crazyfriend50 part 1 is much better than %99 of the cringe stupid high school animes
Part 1: Fist of the north star / Dracula
Part 2: Indiana Jones and the Pillar men
Part 3: Around the world in 80 days
Part 4: Murder Mystery / Goosebumps
Part 5: Goodfellas
Part 6: Shawshank redemption
Part 7: western / Cannon Ball Run
Part 8: The Curious Case of josuke Higashikata
Part 9: Reservoir Dogs
ocean 11🤣
*Oceans 11 with FIlthy Frank character and Lady Dimitresku
I can hear phoon bhopping
@@FlymanMS plus with the essence of breaking bad
@@FlymanMS Man I hope Araki references Pink Guy of Joji.
You understand jolyne more than jojo fans. lot of jojo fans were thinking she is the worst joestar when in term of character writing and story writing. she is at least top 3 jojo.
Facts
Literally saw someone say they didn’t like her because she was whiny and overdramatic. I was so pissed and I still am.
totally agree with you
Too bad he misunderstands Part 4
I wouldn't say Jolyne is top 3. I think Johnny, Gappy, and Jotaro are more compelling as characters.
11:11 The man who saved Josuke in the past was a Yanki. A type of high school-aged biker gang that was common in real life 1980s Japan that often wore pompadors and long, colorful jackets. They mostly disappeared in the 90s and were considered goofy and outdated.
This scene was to explain why Araki chose to make the main character have a very uncool (at the time of writing) design.
This is context that is lost in translation to English, but is very easily understood in Japan. As Yanki Gangs did not exist outside of Japan.
It is not a dropped time travel plot thread.
I think it's absurd how people can't accept that good people can just be good people and keep insisting that Araki wrote that plot point poorly
it's funny how he calls him a josuke look a like as if Josuke isn't the one who is purposefully basing his appearance off of him
Thank you LOL.
It's really annoying when people say "araki did not do the most obvious thing, therefore it is bad writing".
man i can't believe josuke looks like the guy he's trying to look like, it's gotta be a dropped plot point fr fr
For some reason the entire community somehow believed this theory is true, and when you argue with them they pull the excuse " Araki forget "
11:25 the reason he looks like Josuke is bc he modeled his look after the man who saved him, Araki confirmed this so many times 💀
I was thinking it's just cus koichi was telling the story so he just used josuke as a placeholder... for someone who looks like josuke
for real, biggest L take ive seen in my life
@@jrrhduh12wdym
If you think it should have been joskue saving himself then that's dumb
Not only that but koichi is the one telling the story he ain't know what the man looks like
i think it's because koichi is telling the story from a memory of when josuke told him about it, and knowing that josuke modelled his style after the man that saved him, koichi assumed that the man looked like josuke. it's just a flashback from koichi's point of view in mind
I think Pucci is a lot more interesting then you think, like Kira is interesting because he is a near perfect depiction of a serial killer psychopath, Pucci is interesting because being influenced by DIO and his belief in god makes him so self righteous that he thinks that all the people hes hurt, killed is nessecary to his goal despite it going against his religion itself, hes so self righteous that he thinks that he the one able to make the decision for all Humanity to reset the universe and create "Heaven"
I think a Crazy religious man is just as interesting as a perfect serial killer personally, also I loved this vid so much.
Exactly
me too. pucci and Kira are my favourites villains
he stopped believing in God the very moment he went on the lookout for Dio after her sister died, if anything every bit of him not counting the backstory, shapes him into a man of science and maybe satanic (he references things like evolution, has a fixation for prime numbers, the gravity thing althought thi one is more on the phylosophical side, his stand has the (incomplete) human genome all over his body and the black parts resemblance to bdsm leather or something, and he pursueas a ritual sacrificing +30 sinners)
im sure there are more things im missing out
100% Pucci is my favourite villain in anything not just in JoJo
Im glad to see another pucci brethren
I'm still a JoJo boomer I can't stop loving Part 1 to 3. It always feels like the first 3 parts were one big saga between the Joestar family and Dio.
Part 2 had nothing Dio related tho
@@redman27r It kinda did in the sense that it's more of an origin of his entire being along with the death of George Joestar.
@@epicotakugamer4930 nah it didn’t, Pillar Men and Vampires are two separate species in JoJo. Everything in Part 2 was about the lore of Hamon and Pillar Men.
@@redman27r Kars is the reason the stone masks exist indirectly causing Dios vampirism and other events through out the series
Part 1,3, and 6 make also make sense as a complete saga
I'd say jojolion really is an evolution of arakis ability to write romance, all of the other jojos and their love interests were pretty basic and felt forced. However josuke and yasuho felt so natural and had so much chemistry over time all you might ever hope is for that one moment when it finally happens. (Idk if it does happen yet rn I'm ch 100)
it doesn't bro. Not even a kiss. But still, maybe we'll see them again in part 9
@@momolepayo what the fuck, he just said he's at ch. 100 why'd you gotta spoil that!?
@@professionalclown7166 he has 10 chaps left. its not a big deal
@@lunesvet still, let him enjoy those 10 chapters unspoiled
@@professionalclown7166 Sometimes you just have to rip the band-aid, it's better for someone to know they're going to be disappointed and have their expectations low than to go in hoping for the best only to be let down massively by the end
15:14 I was thinking the same exact thing from part 1-6 Jolyne has had the best character development. You could just tell halfway through the series when she is placed in solitary confinement yet.
Jolyne determination in that scene was so powerful the way she tells herself that she refuses to waiver in here because if she does it’ll wear down her mental fortitude and physical strength.
Jolyne development was such a beautiful experience to watch.
I agree 👍
Best JoJo
@@DontCryDontCryGG from 1-6
@@DontCryDontCryGG For 1-6 without a shadow of doubt yes. I’m currently on part 7( Ch.15) so I’ll have to see if that remains true after reading the next two parts. Regardless of how I feel about Johnny and Gappy I will always hold Jolyne up there as one of the best developed characters in the franchise and one of my favorite characters in all of fiction.
@@itayz8440 I've read Parts 1-8. Jolyne is still the best JoJo. This shouldn't even be that controversial of a take. I'm pretty sure The Anime Man also thinks Jolyne is quite obviously the best JoJo. I mention him since he doesn't infinitely wank Part 7 as the best thing since sliced bread, even though it is a top 2 part for him.
I disagree with the idea that the first 6 parts didnt have an over-arcing plot. Although not very deep or complex, Dio is fated to fight the joestars, or rather that the joestars are fated to fight evil in general. And fate is a very strong theme throughout the story especially part 5 with king crimson and the rolling stone
Thats not really a plot though, thats just a small aspect. A plot has to be something a bit more narrow
@@cwj_721WTF it is a plot, it's a simple one, plot: the main events of a play, novel, film, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence
quite literally the same level of plot that connects the zelda games
@@starsong3 yup, & i love zelda & jojo for like the same reasons lol
I agree with this. It can also be seen as a theme but generally these things do hold the parts together.
The analysis of part 4 was great, but you missed the point of Okuyasu's dad. The reader is supposed to come to the conclusion that Okuyasu could have killed him, but Keicho wanted to spare him the heartache of killing his father. Moreover, he is meant to make the reader empathize with Keicho before his death, making them hate Chili Pepper.
Also.. the achtung baby thing.. like she gets adopted and raised by joseph. The point was that joseph is wrapping up the part of his plotline by actually taking care of a child instead of abandoning it, like he did his own kid.
Yeah it's so wierd someone who can put so much effort into a video essay on JoJo would fall into "araki forgot" analysis
not to mention the fact that he somehow thinks that a guy who was explicitly stated to have just inspired josuke's style (do people not realize that haircut used to be popular???) and was never suggested to be any form of time travel, especially considering the time travel in part 4 is explicitly stated to only work over short periods of time
@@boinqity4621 Exactly. It's like he didn't consider that maybe Josuke styles his hair and acts like the man because he looked up to him in the past.
@@7fatrats How do you abandon a child you didn't know existed?
Ok I don't get why people thought josuke's backstory was about time travel, him being saved by a good samaritan who seems terrifying on the outside as a yankee delinquent with a heart of gold is such a nice influence for him to have
Also saying how it was weird that it was a random Josuke lookalike? Bro, Josuke IS the lookalike. That's kinda the point
Plus the hair was a popular style at the time
I was one of those people who thought Josuke's backstory was about time travel. Josuke's Stand Ability allowed him to "reverse" the current state of an object he made contact with. Because both Jotaro and Dio could stop time, I saw Josuke's power as a time-based Stand ability too. When Josuke's backstory was revealed, I thought he pushed his Stand ability to his limit and time travel into the past to save his younger self.
Even when Kira unlocked Bites the Dust (another Time-Based Stand ability), I thought that moment where Josuke going back in time was going to happen.... turns out it was really some random guy who saved him and his mom.
You genuinely don't get why people thought two characters with the same silhouette were the same person? In JoJo, a story where time travel would be a pretty natural thing to randomly add into the story? I'm confident the author must have figured out some readers would assume time travel when they both look so similar, but it strikes you as so ridiculous?
Sorry for coming off so strongly but 'genuinely don't get' feels like such an odd reaction to this theory
@@somerandomnoob100 changed my wording, I kind of get what you mean but I still thought when I watched that the intention was clear enough, but that's just me obviously
I love how he points out the flaws and isn’t one of those people who just goes “araki is a genius and every part is a masterpiece”.
real
Every part is good. All of them have a charm. His storytelling is the same, though at the same time, it becomes more progressed. Saying this as a fan that has read and watch all parts, but has never read part 9.
I think what makes Araki my main role model is not because he is a genius or hes a master
But he evolves over time to where he is right now
He learns from his mistakes and improves.
Its inconsistencies are really charming to me
Well I mean.. you can be a genius and make mistakes. I’m just glad he understands that and doesn’t hail Araki as a perfect person who can do no wrong.
11:12 For the last time, that was never Araki's intention in this scene. He just wanted to explain why Josuke looks the way he does and why he gets so angry when people make fun of his hair
Anyway, what a good video
Also the Nijimura father was supposed to be a motivation for the brothers not a mystery or anything
The "Araki Forgot!!!!!!" mind virus spreads
I like how you can appreciate every part in its own unique way. Just because Phantom Blood is "basic", doesnt mean it's not great. They're great getting on points for a series. You could argue that SBR and Jojolion get too complex, some of the stand powers are confusing. That doesn't mean they aren't great either. Diamond is Unbreakable is my favorite because of how simple yet diverse it is with all the craziness in a small town.
What stands do you find confusing?
Jojolion stands aren't complicated, they're just across the board weaker versions of stands that already exist if not downright unusable and it takes the air out of a lot of fights
@@kevrms Some of the Stands like D4C have multiple abilities and conditional requirements that are more difficult than say stopping time for 5 seconds. I didn't say that's a bad thing, they're just objectively more complicated than other stands and take some explanation to figure out.
@@jackroberts2704 true true. Complicated doesn't necessarily mean worse in any way. The issue though is less how complicated the stands are and more how compelling they are. D4C and several part 7 stands are easily perceived by the audience as a viable threat. Other stands past part 7 aren't like this, being complicated to a point where it becomes jarring in comparison to earlier stands immediate threat level. There is a noticeable power creep downwards and it stretches suspension of disbelief and borders on laughable some of the time
@@plaguedrat1486 dragon's dream
This channel is high key a banger with the well constructed story writing and manga coverage on thematic and distinct core nuances for each manga covered... I love it
MORJJJJJJ! Thank you I’m on part 7 right now and I absolutely LOVE IT. Might have to stop watching early for part 7 and 8 spoilers but I AM REALLY GRATEFUL TO YOU for making a video on Jojo 💙 Much love
Its not a "random Josuke lookalike". The entire point is that Josuke idolized the man who saved his life and then styled himself after that man. I'm tired of people assuming Araki scrapped plans that have no evidence for existing
Yeah thats what koichi envisioned how the story went
I think it's a shame there isn't more discussion around the actual writing in JoJo's Bizarre Adventures. It seems most of the discussion is always around memes and funny gags but Araki really is a great writer. Araki may not write as tight a plot as Oda or whoever but the way he ties all the bizarre concepts in his work together with the overarching themes and characters is severely overlooked. The "funny" villain monologues in the series aren't just there for laughs but actually serve purpose in character motives and the overall theme. Which in my opinion is what storytelling is all about. Your story can be as tight and your characters can be super in depth but if the story exist just to exist without purpose then it all means nothing. I can overlook minor plot inconsistencies in JoJo because the themes and meaning of it all is always consistent and the way Araki executes it all is great.
But like, what is there to talk about writing? Stands are considered the best power system ever and that's it. The plots and stories are nothing groundbreaking, it's how those are executed makes them so good. Besides, JoJo's main talks are about how fights work with science and actually thinking how they would be able to manage the situation and defeat the villain along with stands as mentioned above. That's what's mostly talked about writing section.
Preservation vs destruction (for Josuke and Kira), Devil vs the son of God(Diavolo and Giorno) and other Christian themes are, as a non Christian (you can guess from my name what's my religion) useless for me atleast.
@@CoolManCoolMan123 I actually don't think stands as a power system are all that crazy good and the fights in JoJo are all almost entirely pseudo science bullshit. That's not to hate on the fights I really enjoy them, but not for scenarios more for the crazy postures and body horror that Araki can illustrate because of it. I'd argue that the writing is really interesting in it's themes and how it's implemented into every aspect from character designs to motives and artwork. I'm not a Christian either but that does not stop me from appreciating the work itself. Many great pieces of art throughout history are influenced by religions that I have no belief in.
I understand why a lot of people don't think the writing in JoJo's bizarre adventure isn't anything special. Although for me personally I think there is a lot to be said about it's loose structure, things may not tie together on the surface but because the consistent themes throughout, it is vague enough to warrant discussion that I don't think is being had enough in the fanbase because everyone else is focused on memes and stuff. anyway yeah
@mafi2924 you are absolutely correct. I think between Araki & other shonen mangaka I follow - for me, Araki has the best moment-to-moment implementation out of most of what I've seen, and it's really how the powers are thought through (not even in the battles) that I enjoy more than the Stand powers themselves
The key thing with the Josuke flashback that no one mentions is that it is a retelling from Koichi so it makes sense for the random delinquent guy to look a lot like Josuke.
Ohhhhhhhhh. Holy crap, never thought of that
But what can you do? There are also Araki forgots(with some of them such as Duo's bone not burning actually true) aswell as misinformation spread all over the community because of JoJo meme fans who haven't even watched/read JoJo. And with Josuke flashback, there is one misinformation- BTD was supposed to send Josuke back in time to save himself.
@@CoolManCoolMan123dios bone didn’t burn because it was from jonathan’s body, removed before the body was more vampire than human.
@@CoolManCoolMan123also araki never wanted josuke to be a time traveler, it’s literally in an interview that the person who saved him is just some random delinquent with a popular 80s hairstyle. and BTD doesn’t even work like that at all ☠️
@@themagicsweettartpills9518 about Josuke, yeah. That's why I said a misinformation.
And thanks for clarifying that AF.
Imo JoJo is the greatest Shonen/Seinin Manga ever. Its stories are mature and even at times emotionally brutal, yet can effortlessly flow into murderously funny. Its fights are unique yet the mist realistic, and I adore the factor of IQ being a very important area in every fight. The real-world kinks are genuinely perfectly executed, from concepts such as Rykiels stand, all the way to the links between the characters and the name of their stands. Every Main JoJo is bare minimum great to follow, and at peak literally flawlessly written. They're relatable in a bizarre setting and it really draws you into the story so much that locations in the real-world are known as JoJo locations.
BUT in my opinion, the key factor to JoJos succes in my opinion is the villains. Holy shit. I've NEVER seen a fictional story with such a consistently perfect execution of multiple villains, especially with mist of them having a very short actual presence in the story. I know that "oh Tooru is trash rock human ahhhh" BUT it was Arakis attempt at a twist villain, and each time I look back at it, I realise that it was performed REALLY WELL. The simple twist that Tooru is less of a person and more of a manipulative force taking the form of an entity that has morphed and warped the town of Morioh into a sick version of itself LITERALLY DESCRIBES THE ROCK HUMANS TO A TEE. Tooru represents what a rock human is.
And this is the worst written villain. When you go on to villains such as Diavolo, Kira and in that truly perfect tier, where Valentine and (imo) Pucci reside, you truly see the impact of a perfect villain. The story doesn't work if the villain is ANYTHING else apart from Valentine in part 7
As of right now, part 9 has just started. I've read the 1st chapter and it's already had, in my opinion, the best start out of any of the JoJo manga. Everything is pitch-perfect
One Piece > Everything else
Bro forgot about One Piece
@@Vellan. one piece is 2nd for me imo. Mainly because One Piece doesn't have an ending (yet)
I don't rate unfinished anime/mangas as much as finished one's, mainly after Attack on Titan. That was top 10-15 until the ending, which shot it so far down
berserk is better. I'm sorry but this isn't even an argument. The realistic themes of berserk is what makes it stand far and above every other shonen/seinen out there. Not only are they realistic, but there's something you can relate with deep inside that actually matters in the story. It also has the best artwork and creature design in any manga/anime, bar none. Guts is the best protagonist and griffith is the best antagonist tied with johan from monster. I love jojo, it's my second favorite manga series behind berserk, but berserk manages to transcend the common troupes that hold back shonen/seinen and manages to write what genuienly feels like one of the greatest pieces of fiction ever told. It's a deep study on what makes a human, and why some people are capable of heinous actions.
Also tooru is inexcusably bad, it's not even an argument. Yes it was his ATTEMPT at a twist villain, however he already did that with diavolo and it worked far better. Tooru was never built up, nor is he compelling throughout anywhere in the story. The best thing I can say about him is that his stand is absolutely incredible, it's complex and raises stakes very well, but that's it. Dio is also a generic one dimensional villain, despite being iconic
Just like the JoJo's parts this video kept getting better. Thank you, Morj!
For part 4 i'd say the improvement was the villian. Part 4 is kinda like a slice-of-life,so i wouldn't say that the plot is the most important aspect
I agree, I'd say plot is more part 5
I would say both perspectives are correct. In Part 4, it is still just “battle people until you get to your goal” and it is more aimless in that the first third and the first half of the last third of Diamond is Unbreakable is also not focused simply because Kira is not within the sights of the main group and/or escaped, but on the other hand it is not a straight shot towards killing Kira and somehow fighting the specific stand user they battle do help them kill Kira. Except Yukako and Tonio.
@@iantaakalla8180 also, the anime had a special arc(kind of, I can't remember the name but it was basically the timer that every episode had in the third half) aswell as the villain being something out of the world for Jojo (literally, he doesn't fit in JoJo, he feels like he's from different anime. Even his design is so much simpler than other characters).
Honestly Part 4 probably has the best world building in all of JoJo (haven't read part 8 yet). At some point in the part Morioh begins to feel like its own separate character who's just as weird as all of its inhabitants and who also sees Kira as a tumor to be excised. That's why his final fate to be completely obliterated by both his first victim and the town he terrorised is so satisfying
In the before & after shots of Jolyne with Romeo. You can tell just by the defined deltoids in the later shot that she’s been enduring some real shit in prison.
Hopefully the momentum on this video doesn't get stopped because I love your analysis videos
I can't be the only one who unironicly loved Part 1 😅😅😅
I enjoyed it too!
I liked it as a Victorian novel. Overdramatic and cliche, but with a good vibe
Loved it too, Johnathan is unironically my favorite of the original verse Jojos. "Complicated" edgy characters are all the rage nowadays but there's absolutely nothing wrong with a straightforward good guy character, especially since the whole point of Johnathan being so good was to make it clear that all of his decendants would inherit his role/will as a paragon even if they were more flawed Joestars
Sometimes it comes off as "superman is boring" type critique, it misses the point
I liked it, just nowhere near as much as the others
@@kevrms I totally agree with you. Jonathan is one of my favorite JoJo's, precisely because of how simple and straightforward he is. He is simply a good guy who wants to stop evil. That was more than enough for the beginning of the series. Even with such a short appearance, he is still remembered by many.
11:12 that literally is just a random guy? Josuke literally explains it in the scene 😭
Amazing video! I've got a feeling The JOJOLands is going to be very in depth, so can't wait for the update next decade!
Steel Ball Run is one of the stories I hold in the highest regard. It, along with seldom few above it. An absolute master-class as a work of art that deserves to be passed down for generations to come.
Read Jojo's if you have not. Watching Araki continuously grow as a creative is genuinely satisfying to watch develop over time, and at the very least it stays entertaining throughout the earliest parts. There's always something to like in every Part of Jojo's, even the Parts that end up at the bottom of the pack in terms of quality... and then Steel Ball Run blows the lid off of what you thought to be possible when you get to it. I love Gyro. Also Johnny, but especially Gyro. Gyro is and was a beautiful man until the very end, and his lessons apply directly to how a good life ought to be lived. Again, beautiful.
With just the title, I agree so much. You can see this in the evolution of Joe Bros and side characters. Seeing an artist grow and change is always beautiful. Regardless of medium.
Why I think part 3 excels at is the moment to moment storytelling. I feel like it’s what made the series really popular because the weekly read was so compelling.
tbh (I feel like I am a very small minority) but I think one of Araki's best parts is Part 8 (there is just something about it) and moreso with Kaato Higashikata (I love how everything about her connects, which I could go on about forever, lol [I am the number 1 Kaato fan for a reason]) but I really think that Kaato is one of JJBA's best characters; there is just something about her that feels so human, yes she has done bad things; really bad things, but from what we see she is a genuinely loving person (towards her family) and even within "Kaato's Attack" I feel like she gets humanized even more; she isnt some irredeemable monster, nor is she this perfect saint, she is a person, and I think she is really a testament to how Araki's "side" characters also improved over time, going from one off jokes or entirely evil to complex people who you can feel for and understand
Bro Kaato is in like 10 chapters total lmao there was next to no character to develop. If anything a huge problem with part 8 is that none of the characters really go anywhere besides Jobin
11:18 HOLD IT!
That's not Josuke. That's just a stranger with a good heart. That's literally the point of it.
istg if anyone mentions the "Past Josuke" thing one more time im gonna lose it. No matter how many times you repeat a lie/myth it will stay a lie/myth
11:25 he is not a future josuke, just a delinquent that josuke got inspired from, it never was stated or implied that that dude was future josuke
also part 7 isnt a rebooted version of the previous universe, its an universe parallel to the old one, with araki making callbacks to his previous part
josuke litterally made himself look like that guy on purpose by dressing like him and getting his haircut! I hate the theory that it was going to be josuke in the future that’s just a paradox and plothole
@@douvadouva That's what a reboot is
@@blakchristianbaleI think they meant that the ending of part 6 didn’t create the part 7 universe
nobody ever realizes jolyne's development, thank you for putting into words what i've wanted to tell a lot of part 6 haters for a while now
I never saw a "Jolyne hater' in my 20 years of being a JoJo fan. I just see people complaining about her haters but i still want to find one.
@@lain5858 I ve seen so many already
@@rurumaekawa8944
Where? It's not in TH-cam for sure
@@lain5858Shuckmeister is like the biggest Stone Ocean and Jolyne hater it’s funny
imo I see part 4 and 5 as the best parts of jojo, you see how the art improved and the complexity of each character. And in under 50 episodes as well
lol ok the plots were basic but they werent "severely lacking in basic storytelling"
and the josuke time traveling thing?
"josuke looks too much like the person he tries to look like, it has to be time travel" autism moment
Especially since the point of the flashback was to explain why Josuke haid that haircut. So it's more like "Josuke looks like the person he is trying to look like. Must be timetravel"
Man, this video was beautifully made. You really outdid yourself on this one.
Very interesting stuff, excited for more jojos vids!!
I think what makes Araki a genius are not only the amazing characters, villains, and how well the setting and time period works within the story, but it's how amazing the Stands really are, the fights' structure can get repetitive sometimes, but is so creative, not only the Stand's abilities, but how well Araki writes the conflicts, it's like a puzzle that the character has to solve, it's like he is always challenging himself as a creator.
I actually did legitimately think that was just a Josuke lookalike what are y’all on
This is such a basic bitch understanding of everything - "this time Araki added character which means good, this time Araki added plot which means even gooder"
But you have to ignore any kind of thematic depth in order for this video to hold together. Yes, the guy who saved Josuke is just some random dude after whom Josuke models his appearance, because Araki wanted to tell a story about how acts of good and kindness can inspire others and that appearances are deceiving - a delinquent can have a heart of gold and a well mannered guy in a suit can be a murderer.
This, thats why i love first parts better, they are more deep even if they are not complex
Love this breakdown Morj! The evolution of this series is truly unique.
Part 7's my favourite however the one issue I had was how stuff would basically be scrapped like Sandman, so Araki could fully focus on the story of Johnny. Upside of this is how damn good that story is!
Part 5's my second favourite.
Part 9 has a really confident start which feels like it really knows where it's going, it's got that really powerful beginning similarly to my favourites so I'm really excited to see where it goes!
I see that Josuke/Cazuza pose
I started watching this vid when I finished the stone ocean anime and this is such a wonderful analysis of the evolution and narrative elements that make JoJo's such a unique and rewarding story!! I honestly find Araki's growth as an author and artist so inspiring to watch as he's constantly been improving the series for almost 40 years now 🥺💗
I just returned to this vid after finishing the sbr manga and I totally agree with your points about the thematic arc of johnny's growth! Since the series felt like a rebirth from the previous part 1-6 continuity I found that watching johnny's growth really helped convince us readers that this was indeed a fresh story from the past Jojo parts and that we were witnessing his transformation into a Joestar from beginning to end🥺!!
It goes from another fist of the North Star clone to the strangest and most addicting read ever made. I am so glad to have been a fan of this series.
11:20 is not a dropped plot thread. Not every story needs to be a Rube Goldberg machine of setup and payoff, and Japanese media often abides by this lack of restriction compared to western stories. He represents the random, thankless acts of kindness even from the most unexpected sources that defines Josuke and part 4 as a whole, hence why Josuke has the ability to heal and repair things that cannot be seen or understood by 99% of people. He doesn’t do it to be acknowledged. Moreover, he’s seen as a delinquent or a threat and judged on his appearance. Conversely, Kira is the platonic ideal of a Japanese salary man, and harbors one of the most sadistic and evil hearts in the series. I don’t think anything mentioned is a dropped plot thread. The invisible baby is a plot device for Josuke to get closer to Joseph and then for Joseph to have the chance at redemption for being an absent father to Josuke by taking her in. Not everything should be gone into with the expectation of explanation or resolution, usually what it represents is more important.
This and I would actually argue that part 8 has far more dropped plot points than 4
flashback man (people argue this was prototype kira but I'm not sure i agree), the weird symbol in the parlor, saving Holy (after 92 Holy just doesn't matter anymore), Jobin's goals and creating rifts in the family, whatever was going to happen with kaato, and the New Rokakaka probably being the biggest offender of them all
these all either are dropped or just don't ever get the resolve or light they deserve. Jobin finally starts shaping up to be a major villain with hurting Norisuke only to be killed a chapter or 2 later in the most disappointing way
I was surprised when he said that. For all Part 4 does to make the world feel alive Part 4’s stuff are still really obviously episodic, meaning while there are further meaning to stuff Part 4 each story is basically ended when the arc is done, meaning that the Nijimura father was not supposed to resolved, nor was the backstory of the kind delinquent.
The episodic nature of JoJo does not go away; it is just either better integrated or is Part 7.
Also the rat part taught him how to shoot. Remember the heart shaped bullets that was the call back
@@brace4impact258 quite true. Seems like a generous description of a dropped plot thread used in favor of making an argument.
Bro really made 3 masterpieces and then left
The editing is absolutely beautiful. Maybe he’s waiting for the eventual connection in Part 9.
Part 7 can stand on its own as a masterpiece of a story, separate from the series as a whole!!!
Part 5 as well.
@@truthcrusader360 no
@@MiggyBiggy
It’s just the truth whether you agree with it or not.
@Truth Crusader You could say this for all of them, every part of Jojo is written to be its own self-contained story.
@Kozma 🥴
Part 4*
not "simply because p1 is the origin", by itself is an excellent reimagination of Bram Stoker's Dracula, plus the care and dedication David's Production give it got to keep a story so incredibly classic, fresh for toy today standards and argubly better than some shonen of their time (anime),
"Jonathan being extremely one dimensional" he only becomes truly determined to defeat him after the "how many slices of breads line", becomes the second most badass JoJo after recieving Zeppeli's power and despite everything his shitty brother did he still spares tears of sadness for him
the characters aren't in any way simpler than in p2, understanding the source material that inspired the story gives them more lawyers even, like George protecting the one who stole from him, being heavily based on Les Miserables beginning
Im in now way saying that is the best part or even better than any of the following ones, just that is incredibly overlooked and reducted to being a simpler work that it actually is
PS: is funny how some think that Dio is a simple evil dude, while appraising Diego, being the totallity of the character that is Diego, a reboot of just a tiny part of Dio, specifically the Dio from the first 3 episodes of Phantom Blood from his infancy to the moment when he loses his humanity; Dio (P1 to P6) is up to P8 easily the most complex and deep jojo antagonist
JoJo was determined to defeat Dio ever since he killed George, and DIO isn't that deep or complex either, it's just that Araki does many things with the character, but they aren't satisfyingly tied up imo
DIO in Part VI genuinely seems like a different person, and I think Pucci carries the "Heaven" theme better, so he's most definitely deeper
I agree with all your other points wrt Phantom Blood though, except for DP's adaptation: although it refreshed the part, it also heavily cut down on it, removing key scenes such as Danny's backstory and dialogue between Erina and JoJo. I even think it's because of this that Phantom Blood is so underrated
Dio from part 1 is one-dimensional and up to part 3 is just two-dimensional. Dio in part 1 basically hates Jonathan and his goal is to screw over Jonathan. Dio becomes a really intriguing criminal boss in part 3, but literally nothing beyond that.
Read Jojo Over Heaven, it really brings part 1/3/6 Dio together as one character
@@emblemblade9245 Doesn't that just prove NisiOisiN is better at character writing than Araki? Which isn't surprising
Praying this channel becomes a success. Might honestly like it more than the original one piece channel
Great stuff all around Morj on this crazy bizarre trippy series I love so much and Araki being a fellow vampire like Dio himself this will go on as long as OP
Seeing how far Jojos has come as a series makes you appreciate/respect part 1 in retrospect. Especially the character that he created in Jonathan, he is the embodiment of every JoJo from 2-6, with their righteous spirits and sense of justice. They are all heroes of good with more layers to their character tacked on top. which is amazing that in part 7 and 8, the main jojos are more nuanced and I can see that also becoming the case with the new one in part 9. great video
i loved your video... it's amazing how much can be brought out of jojo's by discussing araki's progression as a mangaka!
Bro really just made 3 banger videos and then left.
Really would love to see more on this channel, hoping that there will be after the Wano video drops.
you notice thath with each season everything gets more and more colorful
Maybe it’s coping, but smaller things like josukes savoir and okuyasus father were small plot points used to establish the characters and their motives, they weren’t really forgotten, they naturally ran their course and ended. Saying we didn’t get to see okuyasus father be cured or something feels like a mute point, since in the narrative they even explained why they stopped trying to cure him. And Josukes savior was never meant to be a major plot point, he was meant to be vague, implying that josukes hero was just an average high school delinquent; and that level of heroism and goodness can exist in anyone, which the good members of morioh have, using that goodness to battle Kira’s evil. No offense, but honestly this videos feels slightly unfair to the earlier parts. Very slightly, but maybe I’m just nit picking
I find part 6 to be the most poetic part and I will be honest it’s my favorite part by far and I will never understand why so many people dislike it like the ending and so many other things like pucci’s ability being used against him more than once and his own brothers stand being the one to do him in is just so beautiful when it comes to it’s ending is also beautiful
Bro really thinks Josuke's flashback was a setup 💀
Like literally 90% of people lmao. I wouldn't say it was an araki forgot moment but it definetely wasn't good writing.
@@santiagoargayo778 wdym bad writing? What is bad about it? There is 0 reason to think that it's some kind of setup, all you need to understand what happened is a brain and the ability to read or hear, that's it. There is no way 90% of jojo fans think this way.
@@vasart7974 its pretty easy to see how ppl think it was josuke tho, I don't blame people for thinking there was gonna be some time travel stuff going on
@@Mal-go5dl The only way to get that opinion is if you can't read
I think that someone who went through just as much character development as Jolyne, maybe even more, was Polnareff. That dude went from only wanting to join the crusaders because he wanted to avenge his sister, to a man who was willing to die for his friends. Then in part 5, he became a shell of his former self, broken and beaten yet still fighting to keep the flames of hope alive and deliver the arrow to Giorno. I’m not saying that he was written better than Jolyne, but he did do it first.
He isn't the Jojo though. You can have the greatest developed character, but if it isn't the main character, it doesn't have as much of a point. Not to say it was useless but Araki started focusing on the main Jojos again after Jolyne.
Trish also had an amazing development, and is incredibly more nuanced than her initial role as the damsel in distress required. while at the start she's sort of a discordant element, basically just a part of the mission, by the end you truly feel like she's part of the main group. her personality is also explored without changing huge parts of it, like her expensive tastes and disgust for anything that isn't pretty. but on top of being slightly spoiled, she's also able to act in high pressure situations to protect her comrades and herself, proud and empathetic. I love Trish
Polnareff goal was also to get revenge on dio for attacking him he had the exact same goal as everybody else
Just commenting to appreciate Jonatharo in the Thumbnail
What i like about part 7 is before the mandom arc, Johnny was a cry baby and we were more focused on Gyro, but after the mandom arc, the story goes into Johnny's character and who he is as a person, and he is less of a cry baby
This video is incredible man!
I agree. Part 4 is my favorite but I started noticing emotional complexities from the writing in 5. You really see araki add to his repertoire with each part.
I was waiting for a sign to start Jojo. Thought deeply yesterday. You posting this video today, is a sign for me
I think araki is probably the happiest manga writer because he gets to do pretty much what he wants, or so i think as a surface level observer.
this was an amazing video. huge jojo fan already and this gave me an even deeper level of appreciation for it
This video is awesome but 17:23 how do you not think pucci is a great villain 💀💀💀
Lmao literally one of the best villains in JoJo
frickin awesome video, dude
the flashback is quite literly explained in writing as being just some other delinquent and his uniform is entirelt different i dont understand how so many people seem to think it was some dropped time travel arc when it's literally never suggested to be that and thats not even how the time travel in part 4 works
Araki truly become amazing over time.
Each part’s endings were more and more amazing to me, with the finsl episode of Stone Ocean GENUINELY making me cry.
Jojo peaked in part 5. Change my mind.
I havent read any manga because i do not want to spoil it for myself or pirate this masterpiece lol.
EDIT 1: I have read part of SBR and holy crap it's so good.
I thought I recognized that voice, Mr. Morj lol. This video is great because it made me realize something. I used to try to write stories a long time ago but I tried to include all the things that a "good story" is supposed to have and it was just too much. Trying to come up with plot, intersting plot points, character arcs, themes, etc, and having to write it well is just too much especially if you're starting out. But Araki broke all that down and mastered each thing, one at a time. And though his stories didn't have all the "needed elements of story" his were still amazing. So that just goes to show that you don't need all of those things. You can just take your time to master things one at a time and your stories and skill will improve over time rather than trying to carry that huge burden all at once. I wonder if you could include Araki's original story in this? I recall it was also a pretty simple story and the art wasn't what it would became later, so maybe he improved as an artist and planted those seeds of greatness.
I love how jojo changed with the times and grew with araki's abilities.
absolutely loved this video morj!!!
two small nitpicks/differences in interpretation(?):
1. the rokakakas are not connected to the holy corpse (at least at first) - the only rokakaka fruit that is connected is the one fusing josefumi and kira under the walleyes
2. imo the overarching plot of the new universe is the flow of all things and how the spin interacts with this flow - the finale of part 7 is all about johnny using the spin to overcome impossible odds, in early part 8 norisuke references the flow with regards to the fruit parlor and tooru at the end can manipulate it to his will and still gets defeated by what is probably the ultimate version of the spin
Great hearing your thoughts on jojo fleshed out
Part 1: Fist of the JoeStar vs. Count DIO
Part 2: Joseph JoesStar and the Pillar Man
Part 3: Stand around the World in 50 Days
Part 4: MoriohBumps
Part 5: VentoFellas
Part 6: the Stone Ocean Redemption
Part 7: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in a Bizarre, Bizarre, Bizarre, Bizarre World
Part 8: the Curious Identity of Josuke Higashikata
Part 9: Hawaiians Dogs
Good video. I think your analysis of the increasing plot depth of each Jojo's part is good, but I think while on the surface the writing of the earlier parts is simpler, the prevailing theme present throughout at least the first 6 parts (I would assume in 7 and 8 as well but I haven't read them) is the concept of destiny/fate. "Give me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference" is I think a good example of how the series develops the concept.
In Part 1: Jonathan and Dio both have a defined "fate" in Victorian society based on their social background. Jonathan would become something in society just by virtue of his bloodline being wealthy/powerful. Dio as a member of the underclass in society is basically 'fated' to be nothing. Jonathan believes his destiny is to get married, settle down and continue the family bloodline. Dio rejects his assigned role in society and change his fate, first by rejecting his social standing and usurping the Joestar fortune and then by rejecting his humanity itself along with the accompanying weaknesses. Dio even in Part 1 is more than just a bad guy who wants to make life hell for the protagonist. He believes it's his destiny to rise above humanity in all its natural limitations and petty squabbles. And as a vampire, not even the passage of time can stop him. But fate still can.
In the final moments of Part 1, you see Jonathan serenely accepting that his fate was actually to die so the family can survive but Dio basically goes through the five stages of grief. He can't accept the fact that while he thought he 'changed' his fate, he still couldn't decide it.
I feel like every part of jojo sorta feels like an inverse of the previous part. I think many people have pointed out how the jojo of one part tends to have a vastly different disposition to the previous part (going from Jonathan's hero-ism to Joseph's charismatic jerkassery to Jotaro's stoicism, etc), but it's also sorta in the locations and characters too. Like going from the heart of Morioh to mafia-riddled Italy, or from the fairly focused duo of Johnny and Gyro ft. occasional others to the entire Higashikata family.
Araki always seems to start by making the part different from the last when writing them.
I had a whole point I was trying to make but writing it out I kinda lost it and feel I'm just stating the obvious. Basically I feel a big reason why each part tends to be better than the last is that Araki's always trying to do something different.
I've legitimately never seen a more precise video about Jojo than this one, I truly agree with pretty much everything that was said within his opinion and I think those are the reasons why I love Jojo so much, truly incredible
My favorite aspect of Part 5 is theme. The themes of reaching the truth and resolve are very engaging and makes the villan's defeat that much more interesting. Stands are also more thematic than any other part, with the stand being a metaphor for the personality of each character. With this, the story became so much deeper moving forward.
I love how part 5 ends with a flashback that ties the theme together
I like how with each part the animation style changes along with it, I love pt 4's color palette
Thank you for giving Part 8 the flowers that it deserves! I see so much hate for JoJolion, & I love it so much & can relate to Gappy so much.
Hey, you too have four testicles ??
great video brah
reading part 8 rn due to jojolands. so far so good. but my ranking goes like this. Part7> part 5> part6> part4>part2>part3>part1
nice ranking
11:36 Holy shit this is the first time i see shigechi in thr clouds, ive never noticed that until now
jojo's was my first anime and part 1 was so mind blowing and amazing to me , i had no idea how good jojo's got after each part , while watching it and made me love it even more even to today jojo's will always be my number 1 not in a baised way its just no anime had me feel the way jojos did im truly so Greatful I decided to watch this masterpiece
I just started part 3, and I think one thing that araki has gotten better and better at is fight quality. Part 1 had some cool fights, and some that were just ok, part 2 was much more complex and offered a lot more thought and strategy instead of just spamming hamon attacks, and part 3 you now have stands which are really cool so far. Can't wait to see what comes next
Disagree, part 2 had the best fights in jojo's, Part 3 was a downgrade in my view at least until the end.
commenting to make this video more powerful
Hope you keep the vids up Morj
Bro really thinks josuke time traveled lmao
I think something that's worth mentioning about Stands as a power system is that it consistently manages to avoid power creep without feeling like characters got "nerfed" or making it seem like previous opponents were small fry - even if Jotaro, with his insanely powerful ability can kick DIO's ass, he might just get screwed by a rat with a sniper rifle because Star Platinum simply isn't as good at dealing with an opponent of this sort - meanwhile in Part 2 the power levels got jacked up to 11 compared to Part 1 with Joseph killing a vampire in his very first fight (something that took Jonathan his entire story to accomplish), and then fighting ancient uber-mega-super-duper-vampires
Araki saiys that Jonathan(with zepelli hamon), is more powerful than Joseph,,and dio isnt a normal vampire,but Joseph wins against that demigod kars cause plot armor.
Imma just give thoughts on your video per part.
Part 1: You're right about the characteristic style of the series, but I would also say this part is very important BECAUSE of Jonathan. He's the start of this whole story about the Joestar bloodline going against fate, and is thus the foundation and point of comparison for every protagonist that comes after. Despite how brutish or standoffish some future Jojo's may come across as initially, we know they're good deep down, because Jonathan was just the ultimate good boy. Jonathon's tragic ending also sets up the generational aspect of the series, and sets the standard for the wild endings Araki pens.
Part 2: Pretty much nailed it here. Joseph was the first truly compelling Jojo, so much so that people forget how basic the plot and villains of part 2 are.
Part 3: The ensemble cast is certainly important, but the stands really were the biggest improvement Araki made imo. The thing is, neither of those elements were fleshed out well at this point. The stands in part 3 are the most basic and least creative, and the cast is certainly not handled as well as in parts 4 and 5.
Part 4: This is the first part I would actually call great, and I love Jojo's. Its just some goofy fun until you get here, then the series REALLY begins. Tjhe Stands, cast, setting, and plot here genuinely impress. Though your stubbornness about the "clearly set up mysteries" that don't get solved is pretty groan-worthy.
The Nijimura's father is there to explain why Keicho is making more stand users with the arrow, and to show how Dio's influence still negatively effects people to this day. That's all.
The invisible baby is just a plot device to get Josuke and Joseph closer by experiencing and solving some conflict together. Its just a smaller stakes take on a Stand battle. That's all.
The 'flashback' to Josuke's youth is much more contentious so I'll go through it. We're not viewing a real flashback, its just Koichi quickly relaying a story to Okuyasu that Josuke told him before. The story is just there to show that Josuke was in a similar position to Holy back during the events of part 3, meaning he has a similarly gentle heart, and to show not only what inspired Josuke's look but also why he gets so angry about anybody making fun of it. The hairstyle was even more popular back when Josuke was that young, in the 80s, than it is during part 4, which is the 90s. People swear Araki forgot about just because Kira's stand has a weird time-related power, but his stand didn't work like that. You're free to call some of these clumsy, but you're ignoring what these things accomplished plot-wise.
Part 5: Idk. To me, part 5 is just a macguffin hunt capped off with a deus ex machina and a jarring mini arc that does more to set up that next part's themes than it does give a satisfying conclusion to the current story. The stand fights in general are still an improvement though, and the ensemble here is arguably the best in the series to this day. Its funny how you're much more charitable with the plot here. What you call "trying to find the secret of his [Diavolo's] past" in reality is just looking, like, looking for a disc, traveling to a new location, then being told to go to another new location. Also completely failing to mention the ACTUAL dropped plot point of Fugo eventually being a villain Girorno would have to take down (hence why Giorno vaccinated himself early on), lol. You are still right about the urgency of the plot and fights though. Nothing can take away from how excellent the train or White Album fights are.
Part 6: Maybe the biggest mixed bag of an arc. Highest highs, lowest lows. Jolyne is the clear shining light of part 6 though. She's incredible, and I'd argue Pucci is what props her up so well. We haven't had such an intimate Hero-Villain dynamic since part 1, and Pucci makes the most of it. He meticulously designs these encounters for Joylne to be nearly impossible, yet she still makes it out alive. But even more so than that, it means a constant increase in stakes as the status quo keeps shifting. Jolyne finds herself in increasingly horrible circumstances going from prison cell, to maximum security, to isolation, etc. Its ALL by Pucci's design, so that he can do all the Green Baby stuff for the Heaven plan. He practically succeeds too, only leaving Emporio and the Weather Report disc left. Its for these reason that I think Pucci is a great improvement to the villain writing, and I'd say that does somewhat get carried over to at least part 7. Also worth noting the ensemble really suffers in this part, which is maybe another reason why Araki kept it to essentially 2 MC's for part 7.
Part 7: Perfection
Part 8: This is certainly the weirdest part, which says a lot. I love the first half, but the second half loses a lot of steam. I think in many ways, writing-wise part 8 is a step down from part 7. Flashback Man, the misleading countdown, Tooru and Go Beyond, and Kaato barely existing are probably my biggest complaints. I do however think that the art in part 8 is the best in the series (towards the end of part 7 Araki got there, but part 8 has it consistently).
Part 9 so far is looking to be a lot of fun. I love the new stands, characters, and setting already. It also seems like this will be a more high stakes, action-packed story like a part 5 or 6. I'd say a tighter focus suits Araki's style better. Very excited for the future! Very nice vid Morj!
It just somehow keeps getting better and better, im very very excited for part 9
I really hate how people just treat part 6 like the prelude to part 7 personally it is my favorite part and I hate that they only see it as the part before steel ball run, because people miss out on an amazing part
No one asked, but here is a list of the developments on each part without any spoiler, for people who has not watched/ read some parts:
Part 1: Setting the bizarre vibe
Part 2: The main change is Joseph's character; unlike being like Jonathan, a cardboard cut pure good guy, Joseph is a trickster and doesn't mind playing dirty to win
Part 3: More main characters, and all of them are equally important; Jotaro does not carry the part on his own, because the part is about the group
Part 4: Despite having a lot of slice-of-life's vibes, it's the first part to have a more or less well crafted plot.
Part 5: This has a more complex plot, and Giorno/ the gang does not have a unique objective through the whole part, it changes as they discover more stuff.
Part 6: A good and solid character transformation in Jolyne and more fleshed out villain with an actual backstory
I haven't read parts 7,8 and 9, so I can't tell about them because I haven't seen that part of the video 😅😅
There's an important statement from araki's part to have in consideration, according to him, he only plans the beginning and the end of each part, and then comes up with everything that happens in between as he writes his stories.
That was a really old saying I'm pretty sure. For example the breaks between part 6 and 7 along with part 8 and 9 were very long. Being about 286 days and 547 days respectively which gives Araki a great deal to plan out atleast a good chunk of the middle of the story. Which is probably why part 7 is really well regarded
in its writing and people are incredibly hype for what part 9 has to offer.
Don't get me wrong Araki probably does change,add or remove things whenever he wants to but I don't think its the right thing to say he doesn't plan any of the story and only the start and end.