veemonjosh
Stone free, do what I please
Characters
Josuke Higashikata
Voiced by: Billy Kametz
Stand: Shining Diamond (JP: Crazy Diamond)
Ability: Strength, Speed, Precision, and Restoration
Stats: Destructive Power - A / Speed - A / Range - D / Durability - B / Precision - B / Developmental Potential - C
Namesake: “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” (Pink Floyd song)
Josuke is a high school student in the small Japanese town of Morioh, a kind teenager towards those he cares about and a badass toward those who get him angry (especially when insulting his hair). The son of Joseph Joestar from an affair, Josuke was tracked down by Jotaro to inform him of being included in Joseph’s will, but is now caught up in the family business of dealing with bizarre threats. More recently, he is now on the hunt for a serial killer lurking in Morioh who murdered his friend Shigechi. Josuke’s Stand, Crazy Diamond, fits his personality to a T, being a destructive force similar to Star Platinum, but also capable of compassion by healing as well. However, it cannot heal Josuke, cannot revive the dead or heal illness. Also, if Josuke tries to “fix” something while upset, it may come out looking a bit weird.
Hayato Kawajiri
Voiced by: Laura Stahl
The son of Kosaku Kawajiri, the man who Kira killed and stole the identity of. He’s a quiet boy who has a strained relationship with his parents. Upon discovering the Stray Cat plant and overhearing Kira muttering to himself, Hayato realized the man now living with his father’s face isn’t really his father, and is set out to prove it. However, Kira caught onto his plan and, upon gaining the ability of Bites the Dust, placed Hayato into a time-loop that will continually reset any time either he tries to tell someone about Kira or someone finds out through his actions.
Koichi Hirose
Voiced by: Zach Aguilar
Stand: Reverb (JP: Echoes)
Ability: Sound Generation, Sound Effect, and 3 Freeze
Stats: Destructive Power - E (ACT 1) C (ACT 2) B (ACT 3)/ Speed - E (ACT 1) D (ACT 2) B (ACT 3)/ Range - B (ACTs 1 & 2) C (ACT 3)/ Durability - B / Precision - C / Developmental Potential - A
Namesake: The Hirose River (a river in Sendai, Hirohiko Araki’s hometown and the real life basis for Morioh) / “Echoes” (song by Pink Floyd)
A classmate of Josuke, Koichi is friendly and courageous, polite towards others, and possesses a gentle heart. This allows him to see the good side of people, even his girlfriend Yukako, who thought kidnapping and holding him hostage was a romantic gesture. Unique among Stands, his Stand, Reverb, can alternate between three different “Acts”, each progressively more powerful than the last. ACT 1 can generate physical words that can be used to create sounds (examples include creating a simulated dial sound to use a payphone or influencing someone to believe Koichi). ACT 2 takes this one step further by creating physical sound effects that create an effect similar to the sound produced when touched (such as the word “hot” creating a hot surface). The strongest, ACT 3, his the ability “3 Freeze”, which greatly increases the weight of whatever it punches.
Okuyasu Nijimura
Voiced by: Jalen K. Cassell
Stand: The Hand
Ability: Elimination
Stats: Destructive Power - B / Speed - B / Range - D / Durability - C / Precision - C / Developmental Potential - C
Namesake: The Band (band)
Okuyasu Nijimura met Josuke under rocky circumstances involving his brother Keicho, but they’ve become fast friends. He’s not too smart, but has a strong heart. His Stand, The Hand, is an extremely dangerous one capable of erasing space with its hand and closing the gap between, with its user having no knowledge where the erased material goes. While this Stand seems overpowered, it’s balanced out by the fact that Okuyasu is an idiot.
Rohan Kishibe
Voiced by: Vic Mignogna
Stand: Heaven’s Door
Abilities: Book Transmutation, Memory Removal, Written-In Commands
Stats: Destructive Power - D / Speed - B / Range - B / Durability - B / Precision - C / Developmental Potential - A
Namesakes: “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (Bob Dylan song)
Rohan Kishibe is a manga artist, passionate and dedicated to his craft, with his wish being to have as many people as possible experience his work. As a teenager, he became the author of the popular Shonen Jump series, “Pink Dark Boy”, which Koichi is a fan of. For those who do manage to meet the man himself, they’ll find he is generally unpleasant to be around, being rather arrogant and impolite towards others. He actively seeks new experiences and information, in an effort to gain inspiration for his manga. His Stand, “Heaven’s Door”, helps him do this by turning a person into a living book of sorts, with their skin peeling away like pages to reveal written information detailing their life, including their darkest secrets. Rohan can also write information on the inside to make someone do what he wants, or to erase their memory of an event.
Jotaro Kujo
Voiced by: Matthew Mercer
Stand: Star Platinum The World
Abilities: Strength, Speed, Precision, and Time Stop
Stats: Destructive Power - A / Speed - A / Range - C / Durability - A / Precision - A / Developmental Potential - A
Namesakes: The Star and The World (tarot cards)
The previous JoJo, Jotaro Kujo was a high school student when his grandfather Joseph took him on a global trek from Japan to Egypt in order to take down the vampire DIO, who had been a plague on his family’s bloodline for over a century. On the journey, he came to learn and master his Stand, Star Platinum, eventually gaining the same time-stopping abilities as DIO’s own Stand, The World, which he used to put an end to the demon once and for all. Now, a decade later, Jotaro is a marine biologist, and was helping his grandfather put together his will, when the discovery of his illegitimate son Josuke brought Jotaro to the small town of Morioh. Currently, he is helping to deal with the elusive serial killer Yoshikage Kira, who possesses an extremely dangerous Stand. Jotaro’s Stand, Star Platinum, has amazing strength, speed, and precision, which on its own makes it one of the most powerful Stands around. On top of this, with its added ability The World, which Jotaro learned during his fight with DIO, he can stop time for a second.
Reimi Sugimoto
Voiced by: Kira Buckland
Namesake: “See Emily Play” (Pink Floyd song)
Reimi was Rohan’s babysitter when he was a child, and was taking care of him when a man broke into her home, killing her parents and her dog Arnold. She managed to get Rohan to safety, but was tragically stabbed in the back and died. However, she and Arnold found no peace in death, both stuck as ghosts in a realm between the living and spirit worlds, where they would witness over the next decade the tormented souls of other victims of the same serial killer that took their lives. Reimi was unable to do anything, until Rohan and Koichi went investigating the alleyway she haunts, where she was finally able to tell her story and warn them of the danger still lurking inside Morioh from the man who killed her all those years ago, Yoshikage Kira. Now she's been assisting them in any way possible to catch Kira, including nudging them in the direction of investigating Hayato Kawajiri and his "father" Kosaku.
Yoshikage Kira
Voiced by: D.C. Douglas
Stand: Deadly Queen (JP: Killer Queen)
Ability: Bomb Transmutation and Bites the Dust
Stats: Destructive Power - A / Speed - B / Range - D / Durability - B / Precision - B / Developmental Potential - A
Namesakes: “Killer Queen” (song by Queen) / “Another One Bites the Dust” (song by Queen)
Yoshikage Kira was an office worker who lead the most ordinary life possible, something he intentionally strived for in order to maintain a quiet peaceful lifestyle. This facade he had created masked his true nature, a serial killer with a sexual fixation on women’s hands, and he will go to any lengths to hide it and eliminate those who discover it. He maintained this cover for decades, until a run-in with (and subsequent murdering of) Shigechi brought him to the attention of Morioh’s Stand community. After they uncovered his name, he managed to change his appearance and successfully took on the identity of another man, Kosaku Kawajiri, as well as his family. His Stand, Deadly Queen, has the power to turn any surface into a bomb which detonates when someone touches it, vaporizing the victim to the atomic level with an explosion completely silent to those around them. After being stabbed by the Arrow a second time, Kira has gained the additional ability of “Bites the Dust”, a time bomb which can reverse time to one hour prior to its detonation. Kira placed this bomb on Hayato, trapping him in a temporal loop that resets any time he reveals, by choice or not, who Kira is. However Kira, in his own arrogance, revealed himself while in earshot of Josuke, resulting in having to cancel Bites the Dust so he could use Deadly Queen against Josuke in a fight to the death.
Tama
Stand: Stray Cat
Abilities: Reincarnation, Plant/Cat Constitution, Aerokinesis
Stats: Destructive Power - B / Speed - E / Range - Null (within line of sight) / Durability - A / Precision - E / Developmental Potential - C
Namesake: Stray Cats (rockabilly band)
Tama was originally a blue British Shorthair cat who lived his life as a stray. One day, he was stabbed in the neck by the Arrow, and shortly after found his way to the basement of the Kawajiri residence. However, after a run-in with Shinobu, he was accidentally killed and buried in the backyard. The next day, strangely, a flower sprouted on his grave, which turned out to be Tama reincarnated as a Stand, Stray Cat. Now being a Stand (though visible to non-Stand users), his ability is the power to create pressurized air bubbles that are fast and deadly, but completely invisible. He initially reacted with murderous intent towards Shinobu, recognizing her as the person who killed him, and attacked Kira when he attempted to protect her. But he eventually took a liking to Kira, who put him in the attic and brings him cat food. Hayato tried to use him as a weapon against Kira, but it backfired when Deadly Queen began using Stray Cat's power to create near-invisible bubble bombs. These caused devastating power until Okuyasu used The Hand to separate Stray Cat from Kira.
Episode 39 (113)
“Goodbye, Morioh - The Heart of Gold”
Chapters adapted: 436-439
Previously on JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure:
The skies cleared up on Morioh as the battle between Yoshikage Kira and Josuke Higashikata continued. Beforehand, Kira called his boss and deeply apologized for his anticipated delay. Eyeing the house where Josuke and Hayato were hidden inside, Kira was surprised by a suspicious neighbour who suspected him of being a panty thief. Annoyed, Kira baited said neighbour into picking up the panties he secretly coveted and turned him into dust.
Meanwhile, Hayato tried a phone to call outside, but it was broken. Josuke finally acknowledged that Okuyasu Nijimura was dead and vowed to avenge his friend. The two expected Kira to come and wait in ambush, but Hayato suddenly felt a gust of wind and realized that one of Deadly Queen's air bombs had slipped into the house and was heading toward Josuke. Indeed, Kira knew where Josuke was through undisclosed means. Josuke scattered some ashes to go out of the path of the bubbles, but the bubbles also somehow followed him. Unable to guess Kira's methods while Kira was standing just outside the property, Josuke willingly took the explosion head-on, guarding himself with Shining Diamond. His left leg and stomach were impaled by wooden debris for the trouble.
At the same time, Josuke broke a vase and threw a glass shard at Kira, who was on guard and deflected it with Deadly Queen. This resourcefulness was exactly why Kira was keeping his distance, but Josuke outsmarted Kira as he created his own automatic homing attack by making the dried blood on the shard be attracted to the dried blood on Kira's jacket. Kira took the shard on the back as a result.
As Kira took cover, Josuke saw through the window that Kira was still holding his mobile phone. Deadly Queen then sent another bubble inside the house while Shining Diamond shot a shard again. However, Josuke then asked Hayato to give him his lighter. Burning Hayato's jacket, Josuke forced Yoshihiro Kira out of his hiding spot. Indeed, Josuke had guessed that Kira was calling his father for help and that Yoshihiro had been hiding and leaking Josuke's location. As revenge, Josuke whispered on the phone and tricked Kira into killing his own father. Josuke revealed himself to Kira and at the same moment, the second shard hit Kira again.
Josuke then came out of the house; despite their injuries, both Stand Users were determined to win the fight. Another close quarters fight ensued, but Stray Cat used his bubbles to protect Deadly Queen and himself from Shining Diamond's attacks. Just as Josuke was about to be hit by another air bomb, he was saved by a very much alive Okuyasu who teleported the bomb and erased it.
Okuyasu then explained that at the edge of the afterlife, he was visited by the spirit of his brother Keicho Nijimura who, despite Okuyasu's wish to join his brother, told him to think for himself what he wants the most. For the first time, Okuyasu chose for himself and came back to life. Okuyasu then effortlessly stole Stray Cat from Deadly Queen, and drove Kira further into a corner as Jotaro and the others arrived on the scene. Injured and surrounded on all sides, it seems as if Kira's luck has finally run out.
Meanwhile, Hayato tried a phone to call outside, but it was broken. Josuke finally acknowledged that Okuyasu Nijimura was dead and vowed to avenge his friend. The two expected Kira to come and wait in ambush, but Hayato suddenly felt a gust of wind and realized that one of Deadly Queen's air bombs had slipped into the house and was heading toward Josuke. Indeed, Kira knew where Josuke was through undisclosed means. Josuke scattered some ashes to go out of the path of the bubbles, but the bubbles also somehow followed him. Unable to guess Kira's methods while Kira was standing just outside the property, Josuke willingly took the explosion head-on, guarding himself with Shining Diamond. His left leg and stomach were impaled by wooden debris for the trouble.
At the same time, Josuke broke a vase and threw a glass shard at Kira, who was on guard and deflected it with Deadly Queen. This resourcefulness was exactly why Kira was keeping his distance, but Josuke outsmarted Kira as he created his own automatic homing attack by making the dried blood on the shard be attracted to the dried blood on Kira's jacket. Kira took the shard on the back as a result.
As Kira took cover, Josuke saw through the window that Kira was still holding his mobile phone. Deadly Queen then sent another bubble inside the house while Shining Diamond shot a shard again. However, Josuke then asked Hayato to give him his lighter. Burning Hayato's jacket, Josuke forced Yoshihiro Kira out of his hiding spot. Indeed, Josuke had guessed that Kira was calling his father for help and that Yoshihiro had been hiding and leaking Josuke's location. As revenge, Josuke whispered on the phone and tricked Kira into killing his own father. Josuke revealed himself to Kira and at the same moment, the second shard hit Kira again.
Josuke then came out of the house; despite their injuries, both Stand Users were determined to win the fight. Another close quarters fight ensued, but Stray Cat used his bubbles to protect Deadly Queen and himself from Shining Diamond's attacks. Just as Josuke was about to be hit by another air bomb, he was saved by a very much alive Okuyasu who teleported the bomb and erased it.
Okuyasu then explained that at the edge of the afterlife, he was visited by the spirit of his brother Keicho Nijimura who, despite Okuyasu's wish to join his brother, told him to think for himself what he wants the most. For the first time, Okuyasu chose for himself and came back to life. Okuyasu then effortlessly stole Stray Cat from Deadly Queen, and drove Kira further into a corner as Jotaro and the others arrived on the scene. Injured and surrounded on all sides, it seems as if Kira's luck has finally run out.
Now:
At his wits end, Yoshikage Kira launches one final desperation move as the fate of Morioh is decided.
JOJO'S JUKEBOX
For the final Jukebox song of Part 4, it’s time to end with a party for the year this entire adventure was set in, sung by the man who inspired Josuke’s design. Here’s “1999” by Prince:
Notes:
- The chapters which this episode covers can be found in volumes 46 and 47 of the Japanese manga release.
- This is the end of Part 4. At the moment, we don’t know when Part 5 will air. We’ll likely hear something later in the year, but for now, JoJo is leaving Toonami after tonight.
- In the meantime, if you want to keep getting your JoJo fix, here’s a few recommendations:
- Viz is now releasing the Part 4 manga in two-in-one hardcovers. The first volume is out now, and the second will be releasing August 6th.
- They’ll also be releasing the first BD set (episodes 1-20) for the Part 4 anime on July 2nd.
- As for things that aren’t yet licensed, I’ll start by recommending the “Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe” spin-off series. It’s a series of special manga chapters by Hirohiko Araki centered around Rohan’s adventures after Part 4. So far there’s ten chapters with an average of one release per year (most recent was released in February 2018). Two of the chapters have also been adapted in anime form by David Production as OVAs.
- I’ll also suggest “Dead Man’s Questions”, a three chapter manga by Araki that, without spoiling too much, sort of acts as an epilogue to Part 4.
- Additionally, there’s “The Book: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure 4th Another Day”, a light novel sequel to Part 4. Its canonicity is debatable as Araki didn’t contribute to it beyond illustrations, but it exists if you want to read it (and there is a complete fan translation, but I’ll leave it to you to find it).
- Lastly, if you really can’t wait for Part 5, it’s currently being simulcasted every Friday on Crunchyroll. We have a discussion thread over on the Anime board which hasn’t been getting much attention, so show it some love.
- As always, no spoilers for future parts except just one: See you again in Italy, in the year 2001!
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