JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Why Jolyne Is So Important for Shonen

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JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Why Jolyne Is So Important for Shonen

Highlights

  • Jolyne Kujo was a groundbreaking female protagonist in Shōnen Jump, challenging traditional gender norms in manga and anime.
  • Hirohiko Araki’s creation of Jolyne was a bold move that paved the way for more strong female leads in mainstream Shōnen series.
  • Stone Ocean’s “Stone Free” theme was inspired by Jimi Hendrix’s quest for freedom, mirroring Araki’s rebellion against male-focused manga standards.

As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Jolyne Kujo from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean is a game-changer in the world of manga and anime. Back in 1999, the idea of a female protagonist in a Shōnen series was as common as finding a unicorn at a gaming convention. But Jolyne, the rebellious daughter of Jotaro Kujo, shattered that norm and paved the way for more strong female leads.

Back in December 1999, Hirohiko Araki introduced an exciting new chapter of his popular manga, “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.” However, Shōnen Jump readers were taken aback by a surprising twist: the lead character JoJo was none other than a girl. The story revolves around Jolyne Kujo, daughter of Stardust Crusaders’ Jotaro Kujo. At that time, having a female protagonist in a Shōnen magazine was seen as impossible due to traditional editorial thinking. They presumed their primary audience, adolescent boys, would not be interested in a girl lead, especially one in a series as testosterone-laden as “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.”

Jolyne’s character marked Araki’s bold strategy to stir things up within the Shōnen Jump series. Despite initial resistance from both editors and fans, Jolyne proved to be a significant milestone for strong female protagonists in manga and anime.

Legend Inspired by a Legend, Jolyne’s Creation

“Stone Free, I Do What I Please”

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Why Jolyne Is So Important for Shonen

Hirohiko Araki, known for his deep affection for Western music, especially Rock & Roll, often incorporates elements from his favorite artists, bands, and songs into JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. These references aren’t just surface-level homages; they deeply impact Araki’s creative process, shaping characters based on these musical works. For instance, the song “Holy Diver” by Ronnie James Dio served as the inspiration for the setting and a character’s transformation in Stardust Crusaders. However, for Stone Ocean, Araki drew inspiration not just for aesthetic reasons, but also from his personal emotions.

Jimi Hendrix, renowned as the exceptional guitarist par excellence, is a legend unparalleled in music history. However, beyond his musical prowess lies a deeper story. “Stone Free” served as Hendrix’s anthem of liberation, a cry for freedom from the prejudiced and discriminatory gaze he faced consistently as a black artist during the 1960s. The lyrics in his songs echoed his defiance against the established system and his spirit of rebellion, symbolizing his longing for freedom.

I’ll call it Stone Free, I shall break free from this sea of stone

Initially, when Araki proposed the concept of Jolyne as the main character, his editors at Shonen Jump strongly objected. They found it implausible to have a female lead in a publication primarily aimed at males. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure initially gained fame for its macho action hero characters. However, during Diamond is Unbreakable, Araki began to portray his characters more tenderly, reflecting a change in his art style and sensibilities. This trend became even more noticeable with the release of Golden Wind, a series featuring men who were not strictly heterosexual and aesthetically pleasing. The cast of Golden Wind demonstrated that Araki was challenging traditional gender roles.

Stone Ocean, a new JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure series, is set in a female prison, featuring predominantly female characters who break away from typical stereotypes often found in Shōnen manga. Hirohiko Araki, the creator, dared to challenge Shōnen Jump norms by steering his storyline into fresh territories and liberating himself from their traditional male-centric guidelines. The main Stand user in this arc, Jolyne Kujo, is a tough, shades-wearing character whose ability is named “Stone Free”.

Women Can Lead

How Jolyne Changed Things

Following the debut of Stone Ocean, we’ve noticed a surge in female characters taking significant roles in anime and manga. Series like Kill La Kill, Burst Angel, Violet Evergarden, Vivy’s Fluorite Eye Song, Blood + and Blood C, Claymore, Carole and Tuesday, and Nana are some of the popular shows with female leads that have made a mark. Moreover, even when not the main characters, there are many robust female figures in Shōnen genres. Examples include Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach, Mikasa Ackerman from Attack on Titan, Maki Zen’Nin from Jujutsu Kaisen, Shinobu Koucho from Demon Slayer, Makim from Chainsaw Man, and others.

It’s undeniable that Jolyne wasn’t the first female protagonist, as Motoko Kusanagi had already paved the way in “Ghost in the Shell.” However, Jolyne’s role as the main character in a popular Shōnen series served as an inspiration for numerous other strong and fearless women. This demonstrated that boys can equally admire and adore these empowered female characters. With Jolyne, Hirohiko Araki and others broke free from the conventional mold, offering a refreshing change of pace in a previously stagnant landscape.

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2024-08-12 19:33