JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a show I had heard about for a while before finally getting pushed to watch by some friends and family. Even after seeing a plethora of gifs and references, I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, except one heck of an interesting ride and plenty of extremely manly men.
The anime does not have a very complex or original plot but the delivery is an amusing, enjoyable homage to works of the 1980s that even many who didn’t grow up in that era can recognize. It follows several aspects of a classic bad vs good, black vs white tale with fun villains named after rock bands and the interesting fighting technique of Hamon to liven things up. However what makes JoJo’s story unique is that it follows not just one protagonist, but generations of the Joestar family. Because of this though, the characters, like the plot, are relatively simplistic, each of their individual quirks, seeing how relationships grow as time passes, and watching their legacy unfold makes it easy to get attached.
Similar to the story-telling style of JoJo, the artwork and animation is heavily stylized and influenced by anime of decades past. While this means it may not be as smooth or attractive to most viewers, it does a fantastic job of pulling it off and makes use of atmospheric color palettes to give the visuals a flair you are bound to strictly associate with the show. I would be amiss not to mention the music of JoJo. The soundtrack itself is fun and full of variety that fits well; however what is truly something to write home about are the opening and ending themes. Both openings were incredibly catchy, pumped me up to the fullest for the episode to come, and I would consider them genuinely unskippable. The ending, Roundabout by progressive rock band Yes, is also a peculiarly perfect match that never stopped being enjoyable.
There are things that may grow tiring for viewers such as the constant narration and possibly overbearing explanations and if you’re looking for a masterfully crafted plot full of intrigue you will not find it here, but overall JoJo’s Bizzare Adventure possesses a trait that most shows, from the most comedic to most dramatic, can benefit from. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. I would readily invite any lovers of comedy or those wanting protagonists they can cheer for every step of the way to come follow along with the colorful and bizarrely entertaining adventures of the Joestars.
Miso Rating: 4/5 Soups
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