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Anime reviews: Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

"Jojo's Bizarre Adventure" is a thirteen episode Japanese anime series which as been made into an OVA. The series had been split into two OVAs. The last six episodes were released back in 1993 with the first seven episodes being released back in 2001. Still, both OVAs have been directed by four people: Hideki Futumura, Hiroyuki Kitakubo, Kazufumi Nomura, and Noburu Furuse. Studio A.P.P.P. had produced both OVAs.

The OVA is adapted from the manga authored by Hirohiko Araki with its original run back in 1987. So far, the manga is still ongoing. However, the OVA is adapted from the third series of the manga. There is a 2D fighting video game with the same time that was released back in 2000 that too is adapted from the third volume of the Jojo manga.

Like the game and the third series of the manga, the OVA revolves around the concept of a "Stand" which is a supernatural power. It is the manifestation of one's innate power over the power of hamon, which is known as wave energy and can extend into the individual's psyche.

Stands are invisible to normal people. Only Stand users can see the Stands of other users. The series starts out in a prison in Japan as the main character, Jotaro Kujo, has imprisoned himself thinking that he is possessed by a ghost. He tries to kill himself with a gun. However, his Stand known as the Star Platinum grabbed the bullet just as it was fired from the barrel.

It is revealed to Jotaro what happened. There are tie-ins with the first two volumes of the manga as it will be explained why Jotaro and his family had developed Stands. Soon, the adventure takes Jotaro and his friends across the globe from Japan to Egypt to confront the main antagonist, Dio Brando who has been rallying other Stand users to his side.

In a sense, the characters and their Stands have been inspired by the tarot cards, Egyptian mythology, and pop culture.

The majority of the Stand users in volume 3 have Stands named after the Tarot Major Arcana cards. Then, another set of Stand users has Stands with names based off the Egyptian gods such as: Anubis, Bast, Set, Horus, Thoth, and Osirus.

The character names and the Stand names were pretty interesting. There is one character named Kenny G with the Stand called the Tenor Sax. However, a lot of names had to be changed when dubbed into English to avoid copyright infringement.

Regardless of the wackiness of the names, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is pretty gruesome and violent. My most favorite thing of the OVA would be the Stand battles. In a sense, it feels like the "Persona" franchise. Instead of Personas, there are Stands.

Learn more about this author, Can Tran.
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    by Can Tran

    "Jojo's Bizarre Adventure" is a thirteen episode Japanese anime series which as been made into an OVA. The series had been

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