From songs and literature to films and people, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is 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 Adventure may be bizarre but it’s truly unique for the most part. Written by Hirohiko 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 for Clint Eastwood. From watching his movies to basing a character on him, the author lived his dream through his manga.
From watching his idol’s movies to meeting him in real life, he lived his dream. In an interview with JoJomenon, 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.
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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 to paying tribute to 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
From Notorious 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 it Dio Brando’s inspiration from Marlon Brando and Ronnie James Dio or Zeppeli’s allusion to Led Zeppelin, it creates a sense of familiarity through this move. Furthermore, the controversial nature of the series has garnered and aided its popularity.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is 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.