JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’spop culture references are no secret; it is one of the aspects that the series is known best for. Hirohiko Araki, author of the manga, has always been very open about drawing inspiration from musical artists, fashion brands, movies, television shows, art, books, history, and a nearly uncountable number of other aspects of culture, adding his own twist to these established icons.
Some ofJoJo’smost notable references are, by far, its musical references, of which there are hundreds, making it easy for more than a handful to go unnoticed by fans.Many characters, Stands, and Stand attacks share names with artists, bands, and songsthat Araki enjoys, beautifully connecting them with important pieces of pop culture while still standing on their own as distinctive characters, and these are ten of the coolest in the series.
10Ungalo’s Stand
His Stand Is Named After the Queen Song, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Ungalo,one of Dio’s sons, was not introduced until the latest Stone Ocean arc of the anime, during which he fought Jolyne to help Enrico Pucci defeat her and her friends.His Stand, which allows him to bring fictional characters into the real world, is named Bohemian Rhapsody. To fans of the band Queen, this name will sound awfully familiar.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” was one of the British rock band Queen’s top songs, gaining even more newfound popularity after Freddie Mercury’s death. Ungalo’s Stand of the same name allowed him to give life to characters like Mickey Mouse, Spider-Man, Peter Pan, and Tinkerbell, adding another level of cultural references to this ability. His powers are only one of many Queen references inJoJo’s,since the band was a frequent source of inspiration for Araki.
9Ermes Costello’s Name and Stand
She Is Named after Elvin Costello, and Her Stand Is Named After The Band, KISS
Many aspects of Ermes Costello, a character Jolyne met in Green Dolphin Street Prison, are based on references. When it comes to musical easter eggs specifically,she is named after Elvin Costello, who is an English singer-songwriter. This not the only music-related aspect of Ermes though.
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Her Stand, Kiss, has not one, but two secret meanings behind its name. It shares a name with bothKISS, the rock band, and “Kiss,” a song by Prince.Apart from musical references, her first name was derived from French fashion brand, Hermès, so it is clear to see that Ermes was heavily influenced by Araki’s other interests.
8Names of Horses and Riders in the Steel Ball Run Race
Some Examples Are Axl RO, Billy White, Zenyatta Mondatta, and Dixie Chicken
Theyet to be animated Steel Ball Run arc ofJoJo’sis one of its most popular, and perhaps the one that is most filled with clever references. Particularly in the names of the horses and riders, Araki’s borrowing from other sources can be seen, becausemost of them share names with either musical artists or songs.
A few of the best examples include Zenyatta Mondatta, named after a Police album, Dixie Chicken, named after a Little Feat album, Kanye, named after American rapper Kanye West,Billy White, named after the song “White Wedding,” by Billy Idol, and Axl RO, named after lead singer of Guns N' Roses,Axl Rose. Some of these titles are more subtle than others, and only the most knowledgable music fans will recognize the origins of all of them.
7Diavolo/Doppio’s Stand and Attack
His Stand Is Named After the Band, King Crimson, and Its Epitaph Attack Is Named After the Same Band
The bandKing Crimson is very present in the deadly Standshared by Vinegar Doppio and villain Diavolo. King Crimson is an English progressive rock band, and that is where the Stand got its bold name. Not only is its title a brilliant reference,it also properly conveys Diavolo’s true power and the way he views himself as a kingover others.
The Stand’s name is not the only King Crimson easter egg, its Stand attack also relates to the band. The name of its power is Epitaph, allowing the being to predict future occurrences and prepare for them accordingly so its user can better evade attacks.“Epitaph” is also a song on King Crimson’s 1969 album, In the Court of the Crimson King, adding another level of connection between the Stand and the band.
6Bruno Bucciarati’s Stand
His Stand, Sticky Fingers, Is Named After a Rolling Stones Album
Bruno Bucciarati’s Stand, Sticky Fingers, is one ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’sbest, with the memorable power to create zippers on any surface. What is lesser known about Sticky Fingers is how it received its unforgettable name.English rock band, The Rolling Stones, released an album titled “Sticky Fingers"in April 1971, explaining the Stand’s origins.
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To avoid potential copyright issues, Sticky Fingers is sometimes called Zipperman or Zipper Man instead in certain translations. There are quite a few Rolling Stones' references inJoJo’s,such as the Stand Jumpin' Jack Flash in the Stone Ocean arc, named after a song by the band. One unbelievably brilliant detail that contributed to the name of Bruno’s Stand in particular is thatthe physical copy of the “Sticky Fingers” album had a zipper on it, which subsequently became Bucciarati’s Stand’s primary method of fighting.
5Rohan Kishibe’s Stand
His Stand, Heaven’s Door, Is Named After the Song, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan
Rohan Kishibe, first introduced in Part 4, Diamond Is Unbreakable, is a mangaka just like the series' creator and even received his own spin-off,Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan.Because ofRohan’s prevalence inJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,it is evident thatAraki put great effort into designing his character, and his Stand, Heaven’s Door, is no exception.
Heaven’s Door lets its user control another person through writing, opening up endless possibilities. Not only are the Stand’s skills virtually limitless,its name was derived from a very famous song, “Knockin' on Heaven’s Door” by American singer-songwriter, Bob Dylan.Bob Dylan has sold more than 125 million records, making him a fantastic choice for Araki’s character inspiration.
4Josuke’s Stand and Design
His Stand, Crazy Diamond, Is Named After “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” by Pink Floyd, While His Design Was Modeled After Prince
Josuke Higashikata, the main hero of the Diamond Is Unbreakable arc, boasts quite a few musical easter eggs in his Stand and character design. His Stand, named Crazy Diamond, isa reference to “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” the 1975 song by British rock band, Pink Floyd.
One musical reference was just not enough for aJoJo’scharacter as bold and exciting as Josuke, so Araki blended elements of another musical artist into the hero.Aspects of American singer-songwriter Prince’s appearance, like his pompadour hairstyle and stylish suits,show up in Josuke’s look too, revealing that his character pays tribute to more than one musical artist.
3Robert E.O. Speedwagon’s Name
He Is Named After the Band, R.E.O. Speedwagon
Jonathan’sJoJo’sPart One sidekick,Speedwagon was loyal almost to a fault,standing by the Joestar through whatever situations he found himself in and offering eager encouragement from the sidelines of battles. Because of his unwavering support and outspokenness, manyJoJo’sfans have a special affection for Speedwagon, understandably so due to his continual assistance to the Joestars even after Jonathan died.
Speedwagon’s full name is Robert E. O. Speedwagon, which shortened, is R.E.O. Speedwagon.REO Speedwagon is one of the most famous American rock bands, with songs nearly everyone knows like “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Keep On Loving You.” For a character as helpful and faithful as Speedwagon, he certainly deserves such an impressive musical reference like this one to explain his name.
2Trisha Una’s Stand and Stand Cry
Her Stand Is Named After the Spice Girls, and Her Stand Cry, “Wannabeee~,” Is From a Spice Girls Song
The Spice Girls are not just a beloved British girl group formed in 1994, they also helped Araki name Trish Una’s Stand. TheJoJo’sPart 5 character’s Stand is able to soften objects at will, and unlike most Stands,operates as her own being rather than just an extension of her user, Trish.
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Many Stands have a “Stand cry,” which is a recognizable phrase that they always shout during battles, such as Star Platinum’s familiar “ORA ORA ORA!” Spice Girl’s Stand cry is another musical easter egg that pop music listeners are sure to pick up on.The exclamation is “WANNABEEE~,” which most Spice Girls fans will recognizeas the title of a hit song released by the group in 1996.
1Yoshikage Kira’s Stand and Attacks
His Stand, Killer Queen, Is Named After Queen, While Its Attacks “Bite the Dust” and “Sheer Heart Attack” Are Named After Their Songs
Yoshikage Kira is one ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’smost evil villains, with an equally cruel Stand, Killer Queen, that is just as murderous as he is. Killer Queen is known for its nearly unstoppable might and catlike appearance, but its character alsopays respect to the British rock band, Queen.In 1974, Queen released a song entitled “Killer Queen,” which Araki used for Kira’s Stand.
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The references do not end there;the Stand’s attacks also each have names based on popular Queen songs, specifically, Sheer Heart Attack, Killer Queen, and Bites the Dust. Since Araki has used other Queen song references often in his work, such as Pucci’s Stand, Made in Heaven, and Ungalo’s Stand, Bohemian Rhapsody, he seems to have a particular soft spot in his heart for the band.
Source:JoJo Fandom Wiki
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Hirohiko Araki. It follows the adventures of the Joestar family, spanning generations, each with unique abilities and battling supernatural enemies. Known for its eccentric characters, distinctive art style, and creative battles, it includes manga, anime, games, and merchandise.
