JJBA: Shining Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak Launches First English Volume

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Summary

  • Shining Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak is the first JJBA spin-off manga not authored by Araki.
  • The spin-off features Hol Horse and other Stardust Crusaders characters in Morioh.
  • SDDH reframes former villains in a sympathetic light, possibly hinting at an anime adaptation.

As a die-hard JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fan since I first laid eyes on Jotaro Kujo back in the ’80s, I must say that Shining Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak has truly captured my heart! Having grown up with the original manga and watching each new arc unfold, it’s always intriguing to see how the universe expands beyond Araki’s direct involvement.

On December 3, 2024, the English debut of “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Shining Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak,” published by Viz Media, took place. This manga is a unique tale that unfolds between the third and fourth storylines of “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,” specifically between “Stardust Crusaders” and “Diamond Is Unbreakable.

Back in the day, I stumbled upon “Shining Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak” and found out it wasn’t the sole JoJo spin-off manga. The one and only Hirohiko Araki had already penned several others, like the ones that eventually blossomed into “Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe.” But here’s the kicker – “Shining Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak” is the first JoJo Bizarre Adventure spin-off manga not written by our beloved Araki himself. Quite a unique take on the series, don’t you think?

What is Shining Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak?

As reported by Anime News Network, the manga titled “Shining Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak” boasts a story penned by Kohei Kadono (known for his work on Boogiepop) and illustrations by Tasuku Karasuma (famous for No Guns Life). Nathan A. Collins, who has previously translated the Diamond Is Unbreakable manga for Viz, resumes his translation duties. Amethyst Xuan provides additional artwork and lettering to complete the work.

The story titled “Demonic Heartbreak of the Radiant Diamond,” started getting published in the January 2022 issue of Ultra Jump, which came out on December 18, 2021. This manga revolves around Hol Horse, a villain from “Stardust Crusaders.” After looking for a parrot that was trained by the same person who raised Pet Shop, Hol Horse finds himself in Morioh where he meets Josuke Higashikata.

In addition to Stardust Crusaders’ original characters, some familiar faces make a comeback in this fresh spin-off. Standout among them is Boingo, whose comic book Thoth becomes pivotal to the plotline of the manga. Also reappearing are Mariah with her magnetic Stand Bastet. Lastly, it seems Noriaki Kakyoin’s cousin might take center stage in this new narrative, potentially as a key adversary.

How might a series like “Shining Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak” impact the future of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure? ANN contributor Christopher Farris suggests that the manga’s narrative aims to present these previous villains in a more compassionate manner. This new spin-off could potentially offer a “Suicide Squad”-like portrayal of Dio’s former allies, focusing on their struggles and complexities.

Could it be possible that “Shining Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak” might become an anime in the future, given that Netflix broadcasted the “Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe” OVAs last year? However, this will depend greatly on how the new spin-off is received by its viewers. Therefore, the key question here is: can “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” continue to thrive without Hirohiko Araki’s direct involvement?

Let’s examine how “Shining Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak” is being received by both fans and experts. According to Christopher Farris’s assessment, this manga receives a B grade. He applauds the innovative take on beloved characters but finds issue with Thoth not serving a clear purpose as a narrative tool in the storyline.

The response from the r/stardustcrusaders subreddit is overwhelmingly positive. Many fans, upon reading an early translation, expressed their amazement as the spin-off exceeded expectations. Other posts express joy at how SDDH addresses long-standing questions that avid JoBros have been wondering about for years. Both critics and fans agree that Araki’s original work is being skillfully handled in SDDH.

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2024-12-15 20:53