JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Product brand

A Japanese manga franchise by Hirohiko Araki that developed into a large international entertainment and merchandising brand.

Last updated October 14, 2026

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Overview

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a Japanese manga franchise created and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki. It began serialization in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump in 1986 and is structured as a sequence of connected but individually focused story arcs, or parts. Each part generally follows a different member of the Joestar family or an ally connected to that bloodline, often in a new historical period, country, and genre framework. This format has allowed the property to change protagonists, settings, visual styles, and narrative priorities while retaining recurring ideas such as inherited will, supernatural conflict, theatrical posing, inventive combat, and the meaning of personal identity. The first part, Phantom Blood, established the rivalry between Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando in a Victorian-era setting. Battle Tendency moved to the early twentieth century and followed Joseph Joestar, combining supernatural adventure with a more playful and tactical tone. Stardust Crusaders introduced Jotaro Kujo and the concept of Stands, manifestations of an individual's life energy that provide the central combat system for much of the later franchise. Diamond Is Unbreakable shifted toward a small-town mystery story, while Golden Wind, Stone Ocean, Steel Ball Run, and JoJolion broadened the setting and structure further. The ongoing ninth part, The JOJOLands, continues the franchise's multigenerational approach. The original manga is the core product, but the brand has expanded into television animation, theatrical and direct-to-video animation, video games, novels, art books, exhibitions, apparel, jewelry, figures, trading goods, food and beverage collaborations, and other licensed merchandise. Its visual identity is especially important to the commercial brand. Araki's distinctive character designs, fashion references, dramatic silhouettes, unusual color combinations, and stylized action poses have made JoJo suitable for collaborations beyond conventional manga publishing, including fashion, cosmetics, luxury goods, museums, and public promotional campaigns. A 1993-2002 original video animation adaptation of Stardust Crusaders introduced the series to many viewers outside Japan. David Production's television adaptation began in 2012 with Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency, subsequently covering Stardust Crusaders, Diamond Is Unbreakable, Golden Wind, and Stone Ocean. The anime helped turn an established Japanese comic into a more visible global entertainment property, particularly through streaming distribution and localized releases. English-language publication, digital manga services, home video, games, and licensed consumer products further extended its international reach. The franchise is associated with Shueisha as its original publisher and with a broad network of animation, licensing, distribution, and merchandising partners. It is not a separately incorporated company and does not have a public stock listing. Its commercial value is therefore expressed through publishing circulation, adaptation rights, licensing, collaborations, ticketed events, and merchandise rather than through standalone corporate financial reporting. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure remains active through continuing manga serialization, new adaptations and releases, anniversary projects, exhibitions, collaborations, and licensed products.

History

Hirohiko Araki launched JoJo's Bizarre Adventure in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1986. The series was conceived as an extended adventure centered on the Joestar family and its recurring conflict with supernatural or extraordinary opponents. Rather than maintaining one protagonist indefinitely, Araki divided the work into parts, with each part changing its lead character, period, setting, and often its genre emphasis. This structure became one of the franchise's defining creative and commercial characteristics. Phantom Blood introduced Jonathan Joestar, Dio Brando, the Joestar-Dio rivalry, and the supernatural mechanics associated with the Stone Mask and Ripple. Battle Tendency followed Joseph Joestar and adopted a more improvisational action style. Stardust Crusaders moved the story across an international journey and introduced Stands, psychic or spiritual abilities with highly individualized rules. The Stand system gave Araki a flexible basis for strategic battles and became central to the identity of the later franchise. Diamond Is Unbreakable relocated the action to the fictional Japanese town of Morioh and combined supernatural combat with mystery, neighborhood life, and character comedy. Golden Wind placed the story in Italy and followed Giorno Giovanna's ambition within a criminal organization. Stone Ocean, set largely in a Florida prison, continued the principal continuity before Steel Ball Run and JoJolion developed a separate continuity with new versions of familiar names and concepts. The JOJOLands began in 2023 as the ninth part and continued the series' pattern of reinvention. The manga was initially known primarily as a long-running Shonen Jump title, but adaptations and reissues gradually widened its audience. An original video animation of Stardust Crusaders was produced in the 1990s and early 2000s. A short theatrical animated film based on Phantom Blood was released in Japan in 2007, although it was not broadly distributed. A live-action film adaptation of Diamond Is Unbreakable was released in 2017. David Production's television anime began in 2012 with Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency. Later seasons adapted Stardust Crusaders, Diamond Is Unbreakable, Golden Wind, and Stone Ocean. The television project gave the franchise a consistent animated identity and made it substantially more accessible to international audiences through localization, home video, and streaming. Its opening sequences, music, poses, visual effects, and stylized presentation also became important parts of the brand's public recognition. JoJo expanded beyond publishing and screen media into games, novels, exhibitions, apparel, figures, jewelry, food promotions, museum programs, and collaborations with fashion and lifestyle companies. Araki's interest in clothing, art, architecture, and international popular culture has supported this expansion. The franchise's commercial model combines manga publishing with adaptation licensing and a wide range of character and design-based products. The property remains active. Manga publication continues through The JOJOLands, while the official portal and rights holders continue to support anime, games, merchandise, events, and collaborations. Because JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a fictional-media property rather than a standalone corporation, ownership, executive management, and financial performance are generally distributed among the creator, publisher, animation producers, licensors, and individual commercial partners rather than reported under one listed brand entity.

2023
The JOJOLands begins
[3]The JOJOLandsen.wikipedia.org
The ninth manga part begins serialization in Ultra Jump.
2021
Stone Ocean international streaming release
[8]Stone Ocean international streaming releaseen.wikipedia.org
Stone Ocean becomes the next major television anime adaptation and receives an international streaming rollout.
2017
Live-action Diamond Is Unbreakable film
[7]Live-action Diamond Is Unbreakable filmen.wikipedia.org
A live-action film adaptation of the first portion of Diamond Is Unbreakable is released in Japan.
2012
Television anime launches
[2]JoJo's Bizarre Adventure television seriesen.wikipedia.org
David Production begins the modern television anime project with Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency.
2007
Phantom Blood theatrical animation
[1]JoJo's Bizarre Adventureen.wikipedia.org
A theatrical animated adaptation of Phantom Blood is released in Japan.
1993
Original video animation begins
[6]Original video animation beginsen.wikipedia.org
An OVA adaptation of Stardust Crusaders begins release, later covering the complete part in two production segments.
1989
Stardust Crusaders begins
[1]JoJo's Bizarre Adventureen.wikipedia.org
The third part introduces Jotaro Kujo and the Stand concept that becomes central to the later franchise.
1987
Battle Tendency begins
[1]JoJo's Bizarre Adventureen.wikipedia.org
The second part introduces Joseph Joestar and shifts the series to a new period and adventure format.
1986
Manga serialization begins
[1]JoJo's Bizarre Adventureen.wikipedia.org
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure begins publication in Weekly Shonen Jump with Phantom Blood.

Products and positioning

A creator-led Japanese manga and anime franchise positioned around distinctive visual design, multigenerational storytelling, supernatural action, fashion-conscious character presentation, and extensive licensing potential.

Manga · 1986
Original manga
The manga is the foundation of the franchise. It is divided into numbered story parts, each with a distinct protagonist, setting, supporting cast, and narrative mode. The collected volumes, digital editions, reprints, special editions, and international translations form the core publishing product.
Television animation · 2012
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure television anime
David Production's television adaptation began in 2012 and has covered Phantom Blood, Battle Tendency, Stardust Crusaders, Diamond Is Unbreakable, Golden Wind, and Stone Ocean. The series is distributed through Japanese broadcast, home video, licensing, and international streaming arrangements.
Original video animation · 1993
Stardust Crusaders OVA
The early OVA adaptation presents the principal journey of Stardust Crusaders in a darker, condensed format. It was released in stages during the 1990s and early 2000s and helped establish an animated version of the franchise before the later television series.
Interactive entertainment
Video games
JoJo games have included fighting games, action titles, role-playing formats, adventure games, and mobile products. Notable adaptations include All Star Battle, Eyes of Heaven, and mobile or online titles, with availability varying by territory and platform.
Consumer products
Licensed merchandise
The licensing program includes apparel, figures, plush goods, accessories, jewelry, stationery, food and beverage items, collectibles, and limited collaboration products. Products commonly use character likenesses, Stand designs, logos, memorable poses, and Araki-inspired visual motifs.

Marketing campaigns

2021Stone Ocean global streaming rollout
Japan · International
Stone Ocean was promoted as a major new anime installment with international streaming distribution and subsequent broadcast and home-video activity.
Outcome. The rollout expanded the reach of the fifth animated story part and reinforced the franchise's streaming-era international presence.
Source
2017Diamond Is Unbreakable live-action promotion
Japan
The live-action film was promoted through theatrical marketing, cast appearances, and franchise-related publicity around the Morioh setting.
Outcome. The film served as a live-action extension of the property, although no continuing film series has been established.
Source
2012JoJo's Bizarre Adventure television anime launch campaign
Japan · International
The launch of the David Production television series was supported by broadcast promotion, music releases, home video, publishing tie-ins, and later international distribution.
Outcome. The television adaptation became the principal gateway for many new domestic and overseas audiences and supported further adaptations and licensing.
Source

Brand decisions

2021
International streaming distribution for Stone OceanStrategy
Background
Global streaming had become an important route for anime distribution and audience discovery.
Action taken
Stone Ocean was released through an international streaming arrangement before and alongside later broadcast distribution.
Aftermath
The property adopted a more globally coordinated release model for a major anime installment.
Source
2012
Creation of a continuing television anime lineProduct launch
Background
Earlier animation projects had adapted only selected material, leaving much of the long-running manga without a modern television version.
Action taken
David Production launched a television series designed to adapt the parts in sequence, beginning with Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency.
Aftermath
The television format supported subsequent adaptations, international licensing, streaming releases, and a larger global consumer-products program.
Source
1989
Adoption of the Stand battle systemGeneration change
Background
The first two manga parts primarily used Ripple-based supernatural combat, while the third part required a more flexible system for individualized abilities.
Action taken
The franchise introduced Stands in Stardust Crusaders and made them the dominant supernatural mechanism in subsequent parts.
Aftermath
Stands became one of the property's most recognizable concepts and provided a durable basis for manga plots, anime battles, games, and merchandise.
Source

Recent events

2023
The JOJOLands begins serialization[3]The JOJOLandsen.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Product generation
The ninth manga part began publication in Ultra Jump, introducing a new setting and cast while continuing the franchise's broader Joestar-linked continuity.
2021
Stone Ocean anime is distributed internationally through Netflix[8]Stone Ocean international streaming releaseen.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Product generation
The adaptation of Stone Ocean received an international streaming release strategy, followed by additional episode distribution and Japanese television broadcasting.
2018
Golden Wind anime adaptation premieres[9]《黄金之风》动画改编首播en.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Product generation
The fifth part was adapted for television, following Giorno Giovanna and his allies in Italy and extending the international reach of the animated franchise.
2014
Stardust Crusaders receives a television anime adaptation[10]《星尘斗士》获得电视动画改编en.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Product generation
The television series continued with Stardust Crusaders, bringing Jotaro Kujo and the Stand-based battles to a broad broadcast and streaming audience.
2012
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure television anime begins with Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency[2]JoJo's Bizarre Adventure television seriesen.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Product generation
David Production's television adaptation premiered in Japan, adapting the first two manga parts and establishing a new long-running anime format for the franchise.

Sources12 sources

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