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Manga has been so bland lately. I’ve found something, however, that I knew would provide some good eye candy; Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure and it didn’t disappoint.

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is one of the longest running manga series in Japan. First published in 1987, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure still has new issues coming out today in their latest story arc Steel Ball Run. The most popular story arc of Jojo is the third one known to some as Stardust Crusaders, which has spawned many video games and a short anime OVA.

The popularity of the third story arc has even crossed into America as Viz has licensed the manga for a new generation of fans. This third series of the long running Jojo manga was released in the US in November of 2005. The original series starts with the story of young Jonathan Joestar and the circumstances surrounding his meeting a young man named Dio Brando in 1868. But this is not our story.

Jotaro Kujo is a 17 year old delinquent/ punk/ high school student who has recently forced himself into jail. Jotaro believes an evil spirit inhabits his body and that he’ll be able to tame it given time. However, the “evil spirit” is actually the personified form of his psychic power known as a “Stand”. It’s only now manifesting itself to protect Jojo from the recently resurrected evil that pursues his bloodline.

The name of this evil is Dio Brando (the villain from the original story arc). Dio’s vampiric powers have finally allowed him to rise from the watery grave Jotaro’s great, great grandfather sent him to 100 years ago.

The threat of Dio aside, Jotaro must also help save his mother, Holly . Holly, who also has a stand, is dying since she has no will to fight. The stand within her is slowly killing her because she doesn’t want to use it. Before it’s too late, Jotaro and his posse must stop Dio before time runs out for him and his mother.

Jojo is actually an iconic image for anime. It shows how it’s stood the test of time with how well this story is written. One of the smartest ploys in this manga are the clever ways the characters defeat their opponents. They do so by using the craziest, improvised plans seen in manga history.

The stands are very creative. Not all of them are humanoid in appearance and some have “add-ons”. Some stands have turned out to be guns, cars, even skin; it’s just too crazy.

I love Jotaro and his personality makes him a hero with attitude. Each part of the story has a formula:

• Get closer to Egypt.
• Find out you’re being attacked by a stand user.
• Find out the power of the stand.
• Kick ass in the most unrealistic way possible.

Despite this being the case, I loved every minute of it.

Hirohiko Araki art is where I’m completely won over. I love Jojo in part because of the great designs Araki-dono has brought to the manga industry. The style can only be described as, “Muscular men in odd positions that look cool”. Each design has a slightly abstract look to it that makes the overall character design hard to explain. It’s beautifully done with almost no hint of an anime style in it what so ever. When Jotaro’s stand, Star Platinum, throws a mass amount of punches, the artwork looks like it will move on its own.

What I Liked About the Manga:

• The art.
• The well thought out battles.
• The clever way of defeating other stand users.
• The interview with artist Hirohiki Araki in the back of vol. 5 & 6.

What I Disliked About the Manga:

• That Viz licensed the third story arc first.

Also, Studio A.P.P.P. has recently made a Jojo movie based on the first story arc. I can’t wait to see this movie because the same animation studio that did the Jojo anime created the movie and I think they did great job with anime. I hope we’ll see the Jojo movie in the states soon. With all the new Jojo to come it will be interesting to see how America will take it.