The title of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is actually a Beatles reference
As a series, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Western pop and rock music are well-known for referencing characters in the form of names, their stand abilities, and occasionally locations. However, its most secret reference is actually hidden within the franchise’s title itself!
Series creator Hirohiko Araki has been open about listening to Western artists while working on the manga, and what music he often listens to consistently shapes the series. Initially, musical references were mostly limited to character names JoJo’s Bizarre AdventureIts iconic villain Dio Brando takes his name from Ronnie James Dio, an influential heavy metal artist who was popular JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure As the opening series progressed, he shifted from using artist names to song titles, and mainly shifted these references from characters to their stand-up abilities. Araki’s taste has also evolved over time, and he uses references to both classic rock and contemporary rock and pop artists, with more recent standouts from modern-day artists such as Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” taking on recognizable songs. Appearing as a stand-in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Recently finished episode 8.
Taking character names from songs was also being done from the beginning, however, and the biggest and best example is Jonathan Zoster himself. In an interview with Japanese rock musician Kenji Ohsuki Jump Novel As of April 1993, Arky acknowledged that the name “Jojo” originated from the Beatles song “Get Back”, which begins by mentioning Jojo as the first word. The song talks about JoJo going on a trip, while the lyrics urge JoJo to return home, which even seems to align with the idea of JoJo going on a “weird adventure”. This may explain the first part of why JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Phantom BloodSet in England–the birthplace of the Beatles.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7 brings the Beatles reference full circle
Its 7th part JoJo’s Bizarre Adventureknown Steel ball run, a reboot of something, going back to the same time as the first part. It tells the story of a very different Jonathan “Johnny” Zoster, this time an American, bringing back the idea of Stands at the core of the series. Interestingly, this version of Jojo is actually much closer to the song. “Get Back” announces JoJo’s home of Tucson, Arizona and its first chapter Steel ball run Set in Arizona. The next line suggests that JoJo left home for some “California grass” and the Steel Ball Run race, the focus of this story, begins in San Diego, California. The song also fits thematically, as it says “Jojo was a man who thought he was lonely,” an accurate description of Johnny and his character arc. While rebooting the series, it managed to mirror its inspiration.
The JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure The series certainly owes a lot to its musical inspiration, and apparently, its title as well. Although some music references change in the Western release, it just shows that not every reference does JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Can be refined and the connection between musical inspiration and manga can be quite influential.