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From songs and literature to films and people,JoJo’s Bizarre Adventureis full of iconic pop culture references. What makes Hirohiko Araki’s manga different is its outlandish naming system coupled with unique abilities. It may not be your run-of-the-mill shonen manga but it stands out through its novelties.
What’s even more interesting is the author’s love and admiration for Clint Eastwood is reflected in his characters. The famous Hollywood star is one of his biggest inspirations for the protagonist in the series. This was revealed in a special interview that also featured the Hollywood actor.
Hirohiko Araki based his series’ protagonist on Clint Eastwood
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventuremay be bizarre but it’s truly unique for the most part. Written byHirohiko Araki, the series underscores the Joestar family’s journey in eradicating supernatural villains through their abilities. For the most part, the characters in the series are inspired by real-life people. This includes Jonathan JoJo Joestar, Jotaro Kujo, and so on.
It is no surprise that the author is a big fan of Western culture. Be it music, fashion, or Hollywood references, the series has its unique way of paying tribute to it. This also holds for the author’s love forClint Eastwood. From watching his movies to basing a character on him, the author lived his dream through his manga.
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From watching his idol’s movies to meeting him in real life, he lived his dream. In an interview withJoJomenon, the author revealed Eastwood as his inspiration for the character of Jotaro Kujo. He quotes:
I like his standing pose the most. It’s not macho, but it’s a stance that makes you feel his intelligence and good upbringing. He has elegance. The image of Eastwood standing alone in the wilderness overlaps with the protagonist of the manga Babel II, leading to Jotaro, who fights in the desert wearing a school uniform.
Eastwood’s influence in the author’s work is nothing short of iconic. This interview was a milestone for the author in every way. From meeting the legendary actor topaying tributeto him, for the author, it was a dream come true. However, there’s more to the pop-culture referencing in the series than just a single instance.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is ridden with pop culture references
FromNotorious B.I.G to Jack the Ripper, the series is ridden with pop-culture references. Be it movies, music, films, or people, the series draws inspiration from iconic artworks. Although it may seem bizarre at first, the naming system in the series is an interesting hook for the readers and viewers. It also serves as a trip to nostalgia for most people.
The series transcends the binaries of age through its unique naming system and character designs. Be itDio Brando’sinspiration from Marlon Brando and Ronnie James Dio or Zeppeli’s allusion to Led Zeppelin, it creates a sense of familiarity through this move. Furthermore, thecontroversial natureof the series has garnered and aided its popularity.
Hirohiko Araki Would Never Let JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Succumb to “Machines and divine beings” that are Taking Over the Shonen Genre
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventureis full of pop culture references and controversies. While the anime may not be as canonical as other Shonen, it most certainly sets itself apart with its unique power scaling, character design, and illustration style. Moreover, the referencing of iconic bands, films, and actors is a cherry on the cake.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventureis available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available for reading on Viz.
Himanshi Jeswani
Anime Writer
Articles Published :993
Himanshi Jeswani is an anime writer at Fandomwire, with her work spanning over 900 articles. Her articles cover shojo, shonen, seinen, and all things beyond. Her interests, however, aren’t limited to simply anime. She has a penchant for exploring different genres of manga, be it horror, yanki, music, and food. She brings out her specialization and expertise in the performing arts through her articles. As a writer, she strives to bridge the gap between the viewers and the medium itself. To her, anime is a revolutionary medium that is capable of creating communities and stories after all.
