JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean
A short review of the anime series.
A long-running manga series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 created by Hirohiko Araki 荒木 飛呂彦. I’ve never read the manga or watched the anime until Stone Ocean ストーン オーシャン, the latest instalment of anime adaptation starts streaming on Netflix. It was bizarrely absurd to watch by its unexpected storytelling and creepy visuals. It kept me intrigued from start to finish and didn’t want it to end. In this post, I try to recap the story and put some of my thoughts on the anime series in general.
Image Credit
Image is credited by 「ジョジョの奇妙な冒険」公式ポータルサイト.
Minor spoilers ahead.
I’ve only discussed the main plot where it can be seen in trailers.
Plot
The story begins as our protagonist Jolyne Cujoh 空条徐倫 got involved in a car accident with her boyfriend. She was being framed for murder and sentenced to 15 years in a high security prison. Her father Jotaro Kujo 空条承太郎 sent her a pendant and the contents inside pierces her finger which has awaken Jolyne’s 徐倫 superpower inherited from the Joestar Family. She then discovered her ability with Stand スタンド—Stone Free ストーン フリー and uses it to fight against different Stand users in order to survive in prison.
Jotaro 承太郎 pays a visit to prison and tells her daughter a guy named Dio ディオ and his agents were trying to kill her. While a series of mysterious events follows in a very unexpected way. Jolyne 徐倫 has to find out who’s behind all this as her father lost his Stand—Star Platinum 星の白金 and memories. Their lives are in danger and turned upside down and our lead character uses her wit, power and everything it takes to save her father and get revenge.
Impression
My first impression of the show was very negative and I was shocked by its ugly and unusual character designs. And by ugly I mean they all dressed in strange clothes with outdated fashion sense. I watched it in Japanese voice over and the way that characters’ speaks and yells had me scared for a while. They all acted so strangely and their weird body movements along with its gruesome and visceral graphic presentation. I wanted to quit watching but turns out I binge-watched all 12 episodes three days in a row.
The main factor that had kept me watching was no doubt the lead character. I think the part that interests me was the way Jolyne 徐倫 uses her power very creatively to solve problems and overcome obstacles she’s facing. I got hooked after the first episode. She is strong and determined which makes me become a fanboy of her. What strikes me most was the fact that she decided to go back to the prison she has just escaped to rescue a boy who once helped her even she has the chance to be free again. She’s having a strong will even in the near life and death moment. She’s a badass.
Final Words
It has been a long time since I watched a whole season of an anime series. I’ve never finished watching a complete season from beginning to the end after Fullmetal Alchemist 鋼の錬金術師 in 2009. Until recently, a very popular anime series Demon Slayer 鬼滅の刃 almost makes me want to pick up anime again. But I dropped it after the second episode.
To sum up, this is a wacky, absurd and insanely unique experience. I was not expecting how good it actually is. The story tells in a way that keeps you excited all the way. It has been a wild ride.
Stone Ocean ストーン オーシャン will be on my top 10 list. The CV 声優 of Jolyne 徐倫 is Fairouz Ai ファイルーズ あい. She’s very cute and her voice acting portrayed the character perfectly. I enjoyed the show and you probably should watch it as well.