JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 3: Stardust Crusaders
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 3: Stardust Crusaders

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It’s hard to believe that this manga was written in 1989, even after three decades it feels modern and stands out way better than some of the popular manga of the current decade. Stardust crusaders at its heart is all about fighting. It’s a battle manga with a new recurring villain every few chapters. While our main characters travel halfway across the year through exotic locations to find their Iconic arch Nemesis Dio.

Art: The art style is very unique with eccentric poses and framing, overly muscular characters and a futuristic fashion sense. I love the art style, but it does suffer a bit from the ... smudginess of 80’s manga art. I feel there wasn’t much crosshatching at that time for darker areas and the darker areas looked a bit muddy. Some of the fast paced action scenes were a bit muddy too, but that happens almost in every manga I’ve read so far.

Story/Characters: Some may say the story here is a bit simplistic, but this manga wasn’t about having a complicated main plot. It’s more about having dozens of complicated sub plots. Each villain presented within the manga is perfect with his own set of unique powers called “Stands”. I’ve always been at the edge of my chair whenever watching or reading part three because of the unique powers and the secret of breaking it down the main characters had to face. Talking about the main characters, each of the four main characters have their unique traits: Jotaro's cool, Joseph’s silliness, Avdol’s insightfulness, Kakyoin’s kindness and Polnareff’s air headedness. The characters are exciting with each having a slightly emotional back story and a huge amount of comic relief which is mostly well balanced.

My favorite villains and showdowns were probably Darby and his poker game and Dio’s final battle. I could feel the intensity seeping out of the manga pages when Jotaro and Dio started walking towards each other for a showdown.

The journey through different countries was pretty epic as well, I loved how the author showed views of the culture that the local people follow. Especially India, it’s like the author had a personal grudge against the country. No offense to my Indian bros, love you from across the border.

Overall, I think this was a great journey and I felt like I was a part of the journey because of the intense psychological fights and beautiful scenery. Definitely the peak of the franchise.

Have you ever felt like someone or something was following you? Watching your every move? Well, Araki-sensei sure did, and then brought to us Stardust Crusaders. A new JoJo along with some familiar faces take flight around the east and make their way to Egypt all while enemy after enemy try to stop them.

Stardust Crusaders seems to be THE JoJo's part people think of whenever someone even mentions JoJo's. Sharp lines and strange proportions, Araki's style during this time is distinct and makes most people doubletake.

Snippets of different asian cultures, and truly bizarre foes and friends alike, Part 3 of JoJo's is a fun trip ... all in one story that gets you feeling for a band of crazy individuals all on a mission to save someone they love.

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure stands, in my opinion, as the greatest manga I've had the pleasure of experiencing. However, Stardust Crusaders, despite being the most iconic part of the series, is not its best offering. It occupies an awkward position where it showcases many of the manga's signature elements but also highlights some of its weaker aspects. Though it's undeniably important for the development of the series, it's not as refined as later parts. The introduction of a new, experimental power system, combined with pacing issues, affects its overall quality. Nonetheless, this part is crucial as it wraps up the original trilogy and lays the groundwork ... for everything that comes after.

With that said, let’s delve into what Stardust Crusaders is about and the themes it explores. We'll also discuss how the beginning might be misleading, how effectively it tackles its thematic elements, and how it compares to other parts of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure as well as its anime adaptation.

So, what is this show about?

Every part of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure revolves around a central theme: a love for humanity, often tied to the concept of karma—how actions shape fate, family, and community. While each part introduces its own thematic elements, they all fit within this larger framework. Stardust Crusaders completes the first trilogy of the saga, primarily exploring the idea of heroism.

Jonathan Joestar embodies the traditional hero, representing honor and courage, albeit in a somewhat dated sense. Joseph Joestar builds on this by arguing that true heroism goes deeper than the simpler ideas symbolized by his grandfather — it only requires the more refined ideas, effort and will. Jotaro Kujo, the protagonist of Stardust Crusaders, goes even deeper, suggesting that the finer essence is rooted in patience and hope. In many ways, the initial trilogy was an exploration of the core values that make a hero.

First things later, let’s talk art direction.

Araki’s artistic talent shines through, and Stardust Crusaders introduces a new visual element: stands. The introduction of stands does wonders for the art, as each character now has both an external design and an inner, symbolic self in the form of their stand. This allows Araki to explore surreal, outlandish scenarios, providing endless creative freedom in how he illustrates battles and interactions.

That being said, there are some awkwardly drawn panels, particularly in the earlier chapters. While Jojo's is known for its exaggerated body proportions, some perspectives in Stardust Crusaders feel a bit off. However, it's important to keep in mind that Araki was working under intense pressure, producing chapters weekly for nearly four years without any significant break (he only took his first hiatus after nine years of serialization). Considering this, the relatively few missteps in the art are impressive. Unlike other mangaka who redraw for volume releases, Araki doesn’t go back to fix his work, making the consistently high quality even more admirable.

So, how does it start?

Unfortunately, the opening chapters are among the weakest in Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. The “monster of the week” formula, often criticized, is especially evident here and poorly executed in the beginning.

The first chapter is exciting, bringing back Joseph Joestar and introducing our new protagonist, Jotaro, as well as a mysterious Egyptian man. The concept of stands is introduced well, and the use of Tarot cards adds an intriguing layer of symbolism. However, after the initial excitement, the narrative falls into a repetitive rhythm, with fight after fight, and little character development to carry it forward. Araki seems to forget to deepen the personalities of the characters, relying instead on the Tarot theme to provide characterization, which leaves much to be desired.

In terms of a starting point for new readers or viewers, Stardust Crusaders is one of the worst places to begin. Its first half is longer and less engaging than the earlier parts, and the second half is much more enjoyable with the context of characters like DIO and Joseph already established. Please, do not start here.

Regarding the anime adaptation, the first half drags out even more than the manga. While the anime does add some character development, the pacing remains an issue. If you're willing to go back and forth, the first half is perhaps best enjoyed while doing something else—watch it while eating or before going to bed. Then continue from JJBA volume 20, chapter 182 (or SC Volume 8, chapter 69).

The second half, however, shines in both the manga and the anime, but the manga offers a more contemplative experience, where you can stop and savor specific moments in a way that the anime doesn’t quite allow. The anime also somewhat misses a bit on the development of our main protagonist, making him seen too Stoic from the beginning.

What about the characters?

The characters in Jojo's Bizarre Adventure are often the hidden gems of the series. They feel like real people who happen to enter and exit the narrative without always completing their arcs. This can leave some characters feeling as though they’ve departed too soon, but it also lends a sense of realism to the story, as though Araki is recounting a tale that actually happened, with characters who have their own stories beyond what we see.

Stands amplify this dynamic. Now, we get a glimpse of both the inner and outer selves of these characters, frequently without needing much dialogue. Stand battles also become puzzles, revealing the complexities of a character’s soul rather than relying purely on physical combat. This form of storytelling is especially strong in the second half of Stardust Crusaders, where character development is more intricately woven into the narrative. Unfortunately, the first half doesn’t achieve this as effectively, frequently relying too heavily on Tarot symbolism, which hampers the development of minor characters and even some major characters.

What about the story itself?

The story is largely episodic. The overarching goal of the journey is often forgotten in the first half, making the structure feel loose. However, the travel aspect adds a unique flavor. The world-building (or should I say exploring?) is excellent, with each new setting offering a chapter where the characters simply explore a foreign culture before being thrust into another bizarre encounter with a new stand user. These moments of cultural discovery are a real highlight and contribute to the appeal of even the weaker chapters.

The second half manages to retain the strengths of the first while adding much-needed depth to the narrative. The pacing improves, and the character dynamics become more engaging as the story draws closer to its climax.

Then, what did I think of it as a whole?

While Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is regularly seen as niche, it has much broader appeal than many realize, offering depth and strong writing beneath its bizarre exterior. Stardust Crusaders is full of suspense, artistry, and philosophical themes, but it’s a mixed bag due to its pacing issues and underdeveloped characters in the first half.

Still, it’s important to remember that this part concludes the first trilogy of the series. The second half hints at the true potential of the masterpiece Jojo's would become. Yet, this doesn’t fully excuse the eight volumes of average-to-poor chapters that precede it. Nonetheless, for fans of the series, this part is essential for understanding the evolution of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure as a whole.

The mixed feelings evaluation relates to it in comparison to the anime adaptation.