In a world where people are encouraged to rush through life, it’s good to be reminded that there’s plenty of time to peak. Hirohiko Araki was already a well-respected and popular manga artist in Japan. But before 2012,Jojo’s Bizarre Adventurewas just another cult series. Some may have seen the 1990s OVA series, the Capcom fighting game, or scanslations. YetJojowas nowhere nearNarutoorDragonball’slevel of fame.
That all changed when David Production’s anime series went into full swing, covering all ofJojo’sparts up toStone Oceanthus far. Now the series can be found everywhere. Yet, with just two parts left to animate, there’s a risk the well could run dry. Luckily, there are side works that could fill the void, including novels! Here are sevenJojo’s Bizarre Adventurebooks fans would love to see animated.
7Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Over Heaven
Stone Ocean’s plot involved Father Pucci tracking down the details of Dio’s Heavenly Ascension plan from his diary.Stardust Crusaders’hero Jotaro Kujo burned it, but Pucci found a way around that. However, what would Dio have written in it? Would it just be his life story? Events from the manga from his perspective? That’s what Nisio Isin ofBakemonogatarifame planned to sort out withOver Heaven.
The book detailsDio’s backstory, his family relationships, his philosophy concerning Heaven, meeting other stand users like Daniel J.D’Arby and Noriaki Kakyoin, and other events in the vampire’s life. It’s since been rendered non-canon; however, there is something fascinating about Dio’s side of things that would make for an interesting TV special or OVA.
6Jorge Joestar
Being non-canon doesn’t mean a story can’t be entertaining or worthwhile.Jorge Joestaris a good example, as it’s perhaps the strangest side-story in the franchise. Written by Otaro Maijo for the franchise’s 25th anniversary, the story alternates between following Joseph Joestar’s father George, and his alternate universe teenage equivalent, Jorge Joestar.
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George’s chapters are a fairly straightforward account of his life, from growing up with Lisa Lisa to joining the RAF. Jorge’s chapters are a wild, universe-hopping tale where he has to solve a murder in Morioh with the help of weird versions of the Nijimura Brothers (one of whom has three dolphins for a Stand). This somehow leads Jorge to take on 37 versions ofBattle Tendency’svillain Karsbefore joining George in taking on Dio Brando to stop his Heavenly Ascension plan.
5Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan Short Story Collection
Everyone knows about Araki’sThus Spoke Kishibe Rohanside-series. It’s essentially his version ofThe Twilight Zone, whereDiamond is Unbreakable’sRohan recounts a weird horror or mystery story. Araki has kept the series going on and off since 1997, and it’s even received an anime series and a live-action TV drama. One of the TV drama’s episodes covered a story that seemed to come out of nowhere, about people being possessed by a phrase: ‘kushagara’.
That’s because this came from theThus Spoke Kishibe Rohan Short Story Collection. It was released in two volumes, and contained eight other stories by Ballad Kitaguni, Ryo Yoshigami, Yusuke Iba, and Mirei Miyamoto. They have some interesting premises, like Rohan taking on a monkey that renders its victims mute, or a puzzle box that brings people happiness. Chances are that more of these stories may appear in the live action series. Thus far, none have been animated yet.
4Rohan At the Louvre
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It’s a tantalizing tale as Rohan faces off against his fears, desires, and his past. It was even written by Araki himself, though it suggests Rohan always had his Stand, contradicting how he got it inDiamond is Unbreakable. With some clarification, it would be a great addition to the otherThus Spoke Kishibe Rohanstories.
3The Book: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure 4th Another Day
Rohan has more than enough side stories, so how about one focused onhis (begrudging) friend Koichi? Written by Otsuichi,The Bookis a non-linear tale split between following Koichi and three original characters: Chiho Futaba, an aspiring writer; her friend Takuma Hasumi, a man with an extremely accurate memory; and Akari Hirai, a woman trapped in an alleyway by a vengeful architect called Teruhiko Ōgami.
The storylines all come together via a series of bizarre killings that occur throughout Morioh, and how they all connect to Takuma and his Stand, the Book, which can collect Takuma’s memories and implant them in other people’s heads. For example, he can take out a page detailing how he had the flu, and use it to infect others with the same virus. Josuke, Rohan, and the rest of the gang aid Koichi as he figures out the mystery behind the deaths. It makes for a fascinating story with plenty of twists and turns.
2Golden Heart, Golden Ring
The full name of this story is listed asGioGio’s Bizarre Adventure II, but it’s more of a 1.5. Before Giorno and his crew set off to get Diavolo, they befriend a young woman named Coniglio, or Coni for short. She’s a cleaning lady with a Stand that can heal any injury or disease (accurately named ‘The Cure’). It’s the only thing that saved her when her hotel was struck by a deadly disease that killed everyone else in the building. Bucciarati and the gang think Fugo was behind this event, triggering it with Stand Purple Haze and some help from Seppia, one of Diavolo’s loyalists. They help Coni track Fugo down, unaware he’s been following Coni the whole time.
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Originally written by Miya Shotaro and Gichi Otsuka, the story retellsFugo’s departure from the groupusing elements Araki dropped from the main story, like Giorno’s immunity to Purple Haze’s disease. It’s a nice way of closing off Fugo’s involvement in the plot. However, there’s a more popular novel about him that usually comes to fans’ minds first.
1Purple Haze Feedback
Kōhei Kadono’s tale continues whereVento Aureoleft off. With Giorno as the boss of Passione, he gets Mista to track down Fugo and give him a mission to redeem himself for leaving the group. Aided by fellow rogues Shiela E and Cannolo Murolo, Fugo must kill off Maximo Volpe and his Narcotics Team, the last limb of the group loyal to Diavolo.
The story provides a fascinating villain in Volpe and his Stand Manic Depression, which can alter the body’s chemical makeup and synthesize drugs. It also explains what happened to other characters inVento Aureo. While the novel hasn’t been animated, part of it did feature in the video gameJojo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle. Fugo’s Great Heat Attack is named after the book and re-enacts its finale.
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