Summary
With nine different protagonists and dozens of beloved side characters and villains, Jotaro Kujo remains the face ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Jotaro is the protagonist of Part Three - Stardust Crusaders. He then appeared as a supporting cast member in Diamond is Unbreakable and Stone Ocean, with a short appearance in Golden Wind. Making Jotaro the character with the most appearances in the series. Jotaro is beloved by most fans. However, there’s an ongoing debate or, rather, a criticism of him in the fandom. Many fans claim that Jotaro is a one-note and boring character and that he never changes throughout the story. But if you pay attention, Jotaro is one of the best-written characters in Hirohiko Araki’s work.
Jotaro’s development is notable when you compare his first appearance in Stardust Crusaders versus his final outing in Stone Ocean. The finale of the Joestar Saga inJoJo’s Bizarre Adventurepaints him in a completely different light that gives fans a new appreciation for the character.
The following contains spoilers for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Part 3, 4 and 6.
Stardust Crusaders, A Teenage Delinquent
The Beginnings of a Troubled Hero
Jotaro Kujo is introduced by immediately yelling and insulting his own mother in prison. Araki established that his protagonists were going to be different from each other, but Jotaro was such a radical turn from Jonathan and Joseph that to this day, his introduction takes audiences by surprise. Jotaro is known for being a problematic delinquent, constantly getting into street fights, and being a troublemaker at school. Jotaro’s mother, Holly Kujo Joestar, is in mortal danger because of DIO’s presence. And so, Jotaro, Joseph, Avdol, and Kakyoin embark on a crusade to defeat DIO and save Holly.
“There’s only one reason why you lost…because you pissed me off”
Jotaro’s brash personality continues throughout the story, while also remaining silent during many encounters. Jotaro is a man of few words, and when he does talk to others, especially strangers, he’s often rude and insulting. However, as the story progresses, Jotaro’s attitude towards his friends changes. He begins to treat them better and with more respect and is seen distressed when they’re in peril. Jotaro and the Crusaders battle DIO in Cairo. And this experience would change the boy.The battle against such a terrifying monster, the death of his friends and grandfather. No matter how tough Jotaro is, he is still just 17 years old.
Diamond is Unbreakable, A Responsible Protector
An Adult Jotaro with a Mission
Jotaro Kujo is now 28 years old and a marine biologist. Travels to Morioh, a small town in Japan. To investigate the killings in the town, as they may involve Stand powers influenced by DIO.He meets Josuke Higashikata, the illegitimate son of Joseph Joestar and his uncle. Jotaro is immediately seen to act completely differently. He still keeps his calm and collected demeanor. However, his past rude treatment of others is no more. Besides a few exceptions, Jotaro doesn’t yell and insult others like he did before. He constantly treats Josuke and the others with respect, feeling like a sort of older brother figure.
Jotaro becomes good friends withHirose Koichi, one of Josuke’s friends. Some fans theorize this is because Koichi reminds Jotaro of the late Kakyoin. There’s a notable instance where Jotaro’s trauma seems to be triggered. When Yoshikage Kira viciously attacks Koichi, Jotaro responds by beating Kira almost to death with Star Platinum. Fans noted that Jotaro witnessed a blonde, extremely powerful Stand user punch a hole through a gentle high school boy with a green uniform. This may have triggered what could be Jotaro’s post-traumatic stress disorder.
Stone Ocean, A Distant Father
The Fallen Crusader
Many years later, Jotaro enters the Green Dolphin Street Prison to rescuehis daughter, Jolyne Kujo. However, fans are shown that Jotaro was far from a good parent, as he spent most of Jolyne’s life far away, causing her to have a troubled upbringing. When Jotaro tries to rescue Jolyne, she wants nothing to do with him, as she holds great resentment towards him. However, Jotaro is adamant about fighting for her safety. When he’s attacked by Whitesnake, Jotaro nearly dies, telling Jolyne what may be his final words.
“Jolyne…I always cherished you”
Her father’s apparent death sends Jolyne on her own mission. Just like Jotaro risked his life to save his mother, Jolyne now does the same to save him. Jolyne and her crew battle Enrico Pucci and his followers until she miraculously recovers Jotaro’s Stand and Mind Disc, saving his life. During their intense battle with Pucci at the Kennedy Space Center, Jotaro returns to save her. Jolyne’s crew and Jotaro do their best to battle Pucci,but his newfound power, Made in Heaven, is too much for them. As an act of extreme cruelty, Pucci throws knives at Jolyne, mirroring DIO’s attacks in Cairo, causing Jotaro to scream in terror and panic for the first time in his life.
Jotaro grows from a delinquent to a responsible hero to a father seeking to make amends. Jotaro spent so long away from his family because DIO’s followers hunted him for years, and to protect his wife and daughter, he had to stay away from them. Behind Jotaro’s cold exterior lies a man doing his best to protect his family. He is also a man with an innate sense of justice, inherited from his great-grandfather, Jonathan Joestar.
While Jotaro’s collected demeanor may give the impression he never changed, his attitude and actions prove the opposite. After his battle with DIO, he dedicated the rest of his life to fighting evil. Jotaro is the face ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventurefor a reason. He is the embodiment of the Joestar spirit.
