The problem with a story as expansive asJoJo’s Bizarre Adventurehas is thatthe ending becomes more important than ever before. Sure, in an ordinary series, the ending might have implications for the story as it stands. ForJojo, though, its ending will implicate two universes,nine Joestar-blooded protagonists, two versions of very similar bloodlines, and all the characters who have been pulled into the fray during its decades of publication.
A long-standing joke in theJojocommunity is that, with his clear skin and youthful disposition, creator Hirohiko Araki might just be a vampire himself. In reality, of course, the mangaka is getting on in years—he’s 64 as of the time of writing, which is the average retirement age in Japan.Fans are on the edge of their seats to see how his multi-decade story will close, and they’ve come up with a pretty decent theory explaining whyThe JoJoLandsmight be the series' final part—but one interview from Araki years ago pokes a hole in it.
Jojo’s Trilogy Theory: Why Some Fans Think Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Will End Soon
The Trilogy Theory Is an Interesting Premise, but It’s Unlikely to Hold Water
One of the most prominent fan theories for the conclusion ofJojo’s Bizarre Adventure, popularized by YouTube channels like Hamon Beat, is what can be called the “trilogy theory”. The logic goes like this:Jojo’s Bizarre Adventurecan roughly be divided into sets of three parts, where each set has an overarching theme. WithThe JoJoLandsbeing the third part of the third trilogy, it makes sense that it could be the capstone. For reference, the typical arrangement is like so:
The Parallel Universe trilogy also mostly featuresJojoas a seinen, rather than shonen, manga. Early inSteel Ball Run, Araki moved fromWeekly Shonen JumptoUltra Jump, a seinen magazine with monthly releases.
Some fans add spice to the theory byspeculating that a very brief tenth part might happen—one which could, for example, tie together the first and second universe inJojo. There are two big problems with this theory. The first is that, for better or worse, mangaka often work their whole lives without explicitly retiring, and Araki certainly hasn’t given any indications of his intentions to retire. That’s an assumption on the part of fans. But there’s also the fact that Araki himself has given one big reason to doubt thatThe JoJoLands,despite being a remake ofGolden Wind, will be the series' last complete part.
Araki Discussed How Jojo Could Have Ended After Part 4
Stardust Crusaders Marked a Major Change for Araki
In an interview from 2012 for the bookJoJomenon,Araki went into excruciating detail aboutJojo’s history, past, and future. In so doing, he covered a couple of topics that really throw a wrench into the idea thatThe JoJoLandsmight be the last part of the series. Firstly, in addressing howJojocould have ended after Part 4 (Diamond is Unbreakable),Araki discusses a fascinating thematic shift. It’s also noteworthy, but shouldn’t be overanalyzed, how Araki sees parts 1 through 4 as a continuity, rather than seeing part 4 as its own separate project:
So, if you think back to the original concept, you could say that JoJo could have ended with Part 4. From Part 5 onward, there’s still the bloodline that serves as a pillar of JoJo, but I wanted to depict the sadness of people who were betrayed by the organization they trusted, or rather, the sadness of having been born. The very fact that a person exists in this world is a bit sad. But that’s why I think we find joy and meaning in our lives. The epilogue, Sleeping Slaves, is a perfect example of this, but I think, in my desire to depict that sort of thing, the shape of the story changed from Part 5 onwards.
Araki describes how, in part 5,Jojoshifts focus toward inspiration through the task and burden of being born—and how, in spite of this (or because of this), joy and meaning have to be discovered on their own. In part 5,Golden Wind, this theme is obvious: protagonist Giorno Giovanna is himself the bastard child of Dio, an unlucky accident thrust into the Italian underworld and who, despite that misfortune, creates meaning for himself by attempting to take down Passione’s leadership and reforming the gang.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean’s Ending Explained: How the Original JoJo Universe Ends
The ending of Stone Ocean represents the end of the universe seen in parts 1-6 of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. Here’s how the original comes to a close.
The thematic intention recurs inStone Ocean, where Jolyne is largely separated from her father and even rejects him outright at the start, yet finds meaning to her life in the prison that was supposed to crush her spirit and discipline her. it also pokes through inSteel Ball Run(where Johnny has to construct meaning in the face of a disabling incident that obstructed him from his previous purpose in life) andJojolion(where Josuke Higashikata has to build out a new life for himself after waking up as the amnesiac product of an accidental fusion of two other people).
Araki Is Not Planning to Give Up Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
The Series Is Part of How Araki Defines Himself
It’s too early to say precisely how this theme works inThe JoJoLands, but what’s certain from the same interview is that it’s unlikely to be the lastJoJopart. At the end of the interview, Araki is asked outright whether he “intends to draw the JoJo series forever”. His response won’t necessarily come as a surprise, butit becomes all the more poignant in the context of his reflections onJoJo’s continuation:
Do you intend to keep drawing the JoJo series forever?
Araki: I do wonder whether I’m really only capable of drawing the JoJo series. But on the other hand, I don’t think it’s worth it to go to so many different places. I hate it when celebrities become politicians. I would never vote for someone like that. you’re able to write that down, I don’t mind (laughs). A person has something akin to a stake in a company. I don’t like people who go past that and do all kinds of things. I’m not saying everyone should mind their own business, but Hirohiko Araki will always be JoJo, and that’s alright with me. I might only be able to draw JoJo, but I won’t stop drawing JoJo.
In short,Araki sees himself as uniquely identified withJoJo. In fact, Hirohiko Araki “will always beJoJo”. Araki is quite generous with his interviews, yet he’s never undermined his statements here. The only reasonable conclusion is that, within his own “meaningless” life, Araki has found his very own source of joy and meaning: drawingJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
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Steel Ball Run is JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s next part to be animated. The manga is already great, but five scenes will be legendary when animated.
It’s understandable that fans are quite worried about the end of the series.There remain so many things to wrap up: how, if at all, do the two universes tie together? Will readers ever get to revisit the Joestar lineage of the original universe? Will the fan-service interactions between, say, Part 4 and Part 8’s respective Josuke Higashikatas in media likeEyes of Heavenever bear out some canonical truth by way of Araki’s pen? It’s also only natural to assume that Araki might call it quits someday—but there’s been no indication so far.
It seems Araki has no plans to quit drawingJoJo, let alone pick up some other series. For as long as he creates, he’ll be creatingJojo. He doesn’t seem very happy to giveJoJo’s Bizarre Adventureup any time in the near future, either.
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.
