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Phantom Blood

Phantom Blood is the first of the series , written and illustrated by . Serialized in Shueisha's from December 1986 to October 1987, it consists of 44 chapters collected into five volumes between 1988 and 1989. The arc centers on Joestar's coming-of-age and his intense rivalry with the adoptive brother in 1880s , introducing the series' themes of conflict and the Joestar family legacy. Set against the backdrop of Victorian-era England, the narrative follows , the noble heir to the Joestar estate, whose peaceful life is upended by the arrival of the ruthless orphan . Dio's ambition and cruelty escalate as he acquires vampiric abilities through an ancient stone mask, forcing Jonathan to train in the ancient martial art of () to combat the undead threat. Their confrontation culminates in a battle that spans continents and defines the multi-generational saga of the Joestar bloodline against otherworldly foes. Phantom Blood laid the foundation for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, one of the longest-running manga series with 137 volumes as of 2025, influencing global pop culture through its distinctive art style and eccentric characters. The arc received an anime adaptation in the first nine episodes of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Season 1, aired in 2012 by David Production, praised for its faithful rendition and dynamic animation. Additionally, it inspired a 2007 anime film directed by Junichi Hayama and a 2024 stage musical production by TOHO, highlighting its enduring appeal in various media formats.

Story and Setting

Plot Summary

The story of Phantom Blood is set in late 19th-century , centering on the Joestar family, a prominent aristocratic lineage headed by Sir George Joestar. The narrative unfolds primarily during the , exploring themes of rivalry, honor, and supernatural conflict within this historical backdrop. It begins with a in ancient , where an Aztec warrior uses the Stone Mask in a to achieve , piercing victims' brains to absorb their life energy. Jonathan Joestar, the only son and heir to the Joestar estate, grows up in the family's grand mansion near , raised with a strong sense of and gentlemanly conduct by his father. At age 12, Jonathan's life changes when George adopts , a sharp-witted but ruthless boy from the slums of , whose father, , had once saved George's life during a carriage accident. , harboring ambitions of social ascension and resentment toward the privileged, quickly establishes dominance in the household by bullying —poisoning his dog , seducing his childhood sweetheart Erina Pendleton, and undermining his confidence. This rivalry intensifies as the two young men mature into their late teens, with excelling in boxing and academics at while manipulates others to maintain his edge. Dio discovers and tests the Stone Mask, an Aztec artifact from the Joestar collection, by using it on a vagrant, awakening its vampiric powers. Meanwhile, investigates Dio's influence and discovers that Dio has been using a poison from a ring obtained from an ancient statue to slowly poison . confronts and exposes Dio's patricide and poisoning plot using evidence from Dario's letter, but Dio then activates the Stone Mask on himself using blood to become a . The mask pierces the , granting and superhuman abilities but turning the wearer into a vulnerable to sunlight and a special energy technique. As a , Dio can create from humans using his blood, and begins a campaign of terror to seize the Joestar fortune. Seeking a way to combat Dio's supernatural threat, Jonathan travels to Ogre Street in , where he encounters Robert E. O. Speedwagon, a former thug who reveals Dio's zombie minions terrorizing the slums. Together, they confront Dio's forces, but Jonathan is gravely wounded until he is rescued by Will A. Zeppeli, a mysterious Italian gentleman and master of , an ancient breathing technique that channels life energy (also known as Ripple) to produce destructive waves capable of harming vampires and their undead servants. Zeppeli destroys the Stone Mask at the Joestar mansion using to prevent further vampire creation. He then trains Jonathan in at a remote estate, teaching him to harness this supernatural energy through rigorous exercises like the "Sardine Oven" and "Sunlight Yellow Overdrive," transforming Jonathan into a capable fighter. Armed with , and his allies—including Speedwagon and Zeppeli—launch assaults on 's growing army of , including notable undead knights like and Bruford, whom revives from historical graves using his vampiric blood. In a pivotal in the cursed Windknight's Lot, Zeppeli sacrifices himself, transferring his to , allowing him to defeat the zombie duo. Enraged, unleashes his full vampiric might, freezing and slicing through Jonathan's allies, but presses on, ultimately forcing Dio to flee. The climax occurs aboard a cruise ship bound for America with Erina and other passengers, where Dio ambushes Jonathan in a desperate bid for victory. In their brutal final confrontation, Dio impales Jonathan through the heart with a blood spear, but Jonathan channels his remaining Hamon into a self-destructive punch that incinerates Dio's body from within, reducing the vampire to his severed head. As the ship catches fire and sinks, Dio's head curses the Joestar bloodline before sinking into the ocean, seemingly ending his threat. In the , Erina survives the and gives birth to Jonathan's son, George Joestar II, vowing to uphold the Joestar legacy of justice and resilience amid the family's continued prominence in English society.

Characters

serves as the gentlemanly protagonist of Phantom Blood, embodying honor, determination, and chivalry throughout his journey. Born into the affluent Joestar family as the son of George Joestar I, he is depicted as a tall, muscular young man with dark hair and a refined appearance, initially portrayed as somewhat naive but evolving into a resolute hero through personal growth and trials. His key abilities include mastery of , a breathing-based spiritual energy technique that enhances physical prowess and counters supernatural threats. Dio Brando is the primary antagonist, originating from a background of extreme poverty as the son of the abusive and opportunistic Dario Brando. Driven by unquenchable ambition and a desire for power, he transforms into a using the ancient Stone Mask artifact, granting him , , and signature techniques such as the Space Ripper Stingy Eyes—a pressurized fluid projectile from his ocular membranes—and vampiric regeneration that allows rapid healing from severe injuries. His ruthless personality and manipulative nature define his role as Jonathan's adoptive brother and eternal rival. Will A. Zeppeli acts as Jonathan's mentor, a charismatic and wise figure who is a pioneer in the art of , having developed its foundational principles through years of study under Tibetan masters. He imparts detailed training methods to Jonathan, including controlled breathing exercises to channel life energy, physical conditioning like with weighted boots, and techniques to infuse objects with for offensive and defensive purposes. Zeppeli's ultimate sacrificial role underscores his commitment to eradicating evil and passing on his legacy. Erina Pendleton functions as Jonathan's devoted love interest, a compassionate and resilient woman from a family of medical practitioners, whose strong moral compass and emotional support highlight the interpersonal bonds central to the narrative. Robert E. O. Speedwagon emerges as a key ally, transitioning from a street-tough in London's Ogre Street slums to a steadfast companion and occasional narrator-like figure, providing , loyalty, and practical aid with his hat-based throwing knives and razor expertise. Among Dio's undead minions, the knights and Bruford stand out for their formidable abilities rooted in their historical origins as 16th-century retainers of . possesses overwhelming physical strength, capable of cleaving through stone with his massive sword, and enhanced durability as a , while Bruford wields razor-sharp wires manipulated through graceful, dance-inspired movements for ensnaring and slicing foes. These contrasting father figures—George Joestar Sr., a benevolent and aristocratic patriarch who instills values of kindness in , and Brando, a cruel, debt-ridden thief who fosters resentment and survival instincts in —profoundly shape the protagonists' motivations and worldviews.

Production

Development

Hirohiko Araki made his professional debut in with the one-shot manga Poker Under Arms in January 1981, which was selected as a runner-up in that year's competition. Following this success, Araki published several short stories and one-shots before achieving his first serialization with Cool Shock B.T. in 1983. He transitioned to longer narratives with Baoh: The Visitor and Gorgeous Irene in 1984, both serialized in , building his reputation for blending action, horror, and dramatic storytelling. Phantom Blood, Araki's first major serialized work and the inaugural part of , was conceived as a grand epic inspired by Western films, classic horror tropes, and the atmospheric historical settings of 19th-century . The series began serialization in on January 1, 1987, in the combined issue #1–2, and ran until October 26, 1987, spanning 44 chapters. He incorporated elements like vampires and the breathing technique, transforming the initial into a battle of otherworldly powers. For authenticity, Araki researched Victorian-era England extensively, focusing on architecture, social customs, and period costumes to ground the supernatural narrative in a believable historical context.

Themes and Structure

Phantom Blood is structured as a 44-chapter serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump from January 1987 to October 1987, divided into distinct story arcs that build narrative tension. The initial arc focuses on the rivalry buildup between Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando, establishing their personal conflict amid Victorian England. This progresses to the Hamon training arc, where Jonathan learns the ancient martial art under Will A. Zeppeli, and culminates in the vampire war arc, featuring escalating battles against Dio's undead forces across Europe. The manga employs frequent cliffhangers at chapter ends to heighten suspense and progressively raises stakes from interpersonal drama to global supernatural threats, creating a serialized rhythm suited to its magazine format. Central themes explore the conflict between fate and , illustrated through the Joestar lineage's curse originating from Dio's vampiric survival, which burdens descendants yet allows protagonists like to assert agency through moral resolve. This duality underscores good versus evil, with embodying , honor, and self-sacrifice in contrast to Dio's ruthless ambition and pursuit of dominance. described the story's core as "not denying one's " and an "affirmation that is wonderful," emphasizing characters' growth and resilience amid adversity. Hamon symbolizes vital life energy, generated through precise breathing techniques that channel a sunlight-like power to heal, enhance physical abilities, and destroy undead entities by mimicking solar energy's purifying effects. In opposition, vampirism represents corruption and unnatural immortality, granting superhuman strength and regeneration at the cost of vulnerability to sunlight and Hamon, highlighting a thematic binary of natural vitality versus parasitic decay. The narrative draws from Gothic traditions, incorporating vampires, zombies, and atmospheric dread in a historical setting, while blending adventure genre elements through episodic battles and quests that build toward a serialized climax. Araki characterized Phantom Blood as "Romantic ," influenced by horror films and emphasizing taboo-breaking human pursuits like and . A key narrative innovation is the Stone Mask, an ancient Aztec artifact that pierces the skull to awaken vampiric potential when activated by blood, serving as the origin of supernatural conflicts and foreshadowing the expansive JoJo universe by linking early horrors to recurring motifs in subsequent parts.

Character Creation

Hirohiko Araki's character designs in Phantom Blood were shaped by his desire to create visually striking figures that embodied the muscular heroism popular in late 1970s action cinema, leading him to emphasize broad, athletic builds for protagonists like . This approach was directly influenced by the era's icons, such as and , whose films inspired Araki to depict characters with exaggerated musculature to convey strength and dynamism. Jonathan's attire, featuring tailored Victorian-era suits, reflected the story's 1880s English setting while highlighting his gentlemanly archetype through formal, Western-inspired clothing that contrasted with more rugged elements in the narrative. The antagonist began as a concept of a scheming driven by overwhelming ambition, drawn from Araki's interest in real-world , including FBI profiles of manipulative killers who exerted psychological control over victims. Araki named him "," meaning "" in , to phonetically oppose "" and amplify his god-like . As the story progressed, Dio's design evolved to incorporate vampiric traits for heightened menace, including elongated fangs and yellow , transforming his initial human form—often shown nude to emphasize physical allure—into a more monstrous silhouette that underscored his supernatural threat. Hamon users like Will A. Zeppeli were crafted to evoke the classic mentor figure, with Araki incorporating a distinctive handlebar mustache and silk adorned in a curved diamond pattern to add three-dimensional depth and sophistication. Araki noted that the was essential to Zeppeli's identity, enhancing his charismatic yet mysterious aura, while visual cues such as bulging vein patterns during techniques illustrated the flow of life energy, blending anatomical detail with dramatic exaggeration. Supporting characters received designs that nodded to their backgrounds without overshadowing the leads; Robert E. O. Speedwagon's scarred face and signature signified his rough, streetwise origins in London's underbelly, grounding him as a loyal ally from the slums. Female characters, such as Erina Pendleton, were outfitted in period-accurate Victorian dresses to maintain historical fidelity, yet Araki empowered their roles through expressions of and , avoiding passive stereotypes common in the genre. Araki's in Phantom Blood underwent noticeable evolution over its from 1987 to 1988, starting with simpler linework and basic shading in early chapters that echoed influences like , then progressing to more intricate details, dynamic angles, and textured shading by the finale as Araki refined his technique and incorporated broader artistic inspirations. This growth reflected his ongoing experimentation, transitioning from rigid, muscle-focused forms to fluid, expressive poses that better captured emotional intensity.

Publication History

Serialization

Phantom Blood was originally serialized in Shueisha's magazine, beginning in the combined issue #1–2 on January 1, 1987, and concluding in issue #46 on October 26, 1987, for a total of 44 chapters. This marked Hirohiko Araki's first extended serialization following his earlier short series, including Poker Under Arms (1980), Cool Shock (1981–1982), Gorgeous Irene (1984), and (1984–1985). The story appeared alongside established hits like Akira Toriyama's , which was in its ongoing run during this period, contributing to the magazine's diverse lineup of action-oriented . Araki navigated the rigors of weekly publication deadlines with editorial support, adjusting elements such as the introduction of supernatural aspects like vampirism and the Ripple energy technique to align with reader expectations and maintain momentum. Chapters were released on a standard weekly schedule, occasionally featuring color pages for pivotal scenes, including Dio Brando's transformation into a vampire, to heighten visual impact in the magazine format. The arc concluded intentionally after 44 chapters to wrap up Jonathan Joestar's storyline as a self-contained narrative, paving the way for the immediate sequel, , which began in the following on November 2, 1987.

Collected Editions

In Japan, Phantom Blood was first compiled into five volumes by under the Jump Comics imprint, released between August 10, 1987, and August 10, 1988; these editions incorporated minor revisions to chapter pacing and panel layouts from the original . A deluxe bunkoban edition followed in 2002, condensing the story into three smaller-format volumes released simultaneously on February 15, with updated artwork in select panels, new cover art by , and author afterwords reflecting on the series' origins. Subsequent Japanese releases included the 2012 Shueisha Manga Sōshūhen edition, which packaged the entire into a single oversized on October 5, featuring restored color pages from the run and additional commentary; a reissued bunkoban set in the same A6 format appeared on September 21, 2012, with enhanced print quality. Digital versions became available starting in 2014 via 's Jump Comics+ platform and e-book services like , preserving the content with selectable color options where applicable. Viz Media licensed the English-language release, publishing the JoJonium edition digitally from September 2, 2014, and in three hardcover volumes from February 24, 2015, to August 18, 2015; this format combined the original five into larger omnibus-style books with a full translation, extensive cultural and historical notes, and 25th-anniversary extras like new color inserts. The digital edition remains accessible on the VIZ Manga app and Shonen Jump service into 2025, with no new physical printings announced. Internationally, the edition by Tonkam released five volumes from July 2014 to March 2015, adapting the Comics format with localized covers emphasizing Victorian-era themes and full translation. In Italy, Star Comics issued the series in five volumes starting October 21, 2009, following earlier partial releases, featuring custom artwork on covers to align with local tastes.

Adaptations

Anime Adaptation

The Phantom Blood arc of was adapted into the first nine episodes of the 2012 anime television series produced by . The adaptation aired weekly on from October 6 to December 1, 2012, covering the complete storyline of the manga's first part. Naokatsu Tsuda served as chief director, with Kenichi Suzuki handling series direction, ensuring a dynamic visual style that captured the dramatic tone of the source material. Takako Shimizu adapted Hirohiko Araki's designs, incorporating fluid to enhance the action sequences and character expressiveness. The musical score, composed by , featured orchestral elements to underscore the dramatic confrontations and emotional depth of the narrative. Voice acting included as and as in the Japanese version, with English dubbing provided by and , respectively. The remains faithful to the manga's major plot points, including the Joestar family rivalry and the introduction of techniques, while adding expanded scenes to the training arcs for greater visual clarity and pacing. These nine episodes consolidated the original 44 chapters into a streamlined structure, culminating in the climactic battle and an animated epilogue that bridges to subsequent events. releases began in with Blu-ray volumes in March 2013, distributed by Warner Bros. Japan. By 2025, the adaptation is available for streaming on platforms including and , offering both subtitles and dubs in multiple languages.

2007 Anime Film

The 2007 film adaptation of Phantom Blood is an movie directed by Junichi Hayama and produced by Studio A.P.P.P., released theatrically in on February 17, 2007, with a of approximately 90 minutes. It was created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Hirohiko Araki's manga serialization, which began in 1987. The cast featured prominent voice actors, including as , as , as Erina Pendleton, and as Will A. Zeppeli. The screenplay by Mitsuhiro Yamada adapted the manga's core narrative, condensing the multi-volume story into a focused tale of Jonathan's rivalry with the vampiric Dio, emphasizing key vampire confrontations, the Stone Mask's origins, and the breathing technique's role in battles against zombies and undead foes. combined 2D cel animation with early 3D CGI for elements like the Stone Mask activation and supernatural transformations, though the production's modest budget resulted in criticism for uneven pacing, simplistic character designs, and outdated CGI that aged poorly even at release. At launch, received a brief limited theatrical run in select cinemas, promoted alongside a of the same arc, but it transitioned directly to obscurity without a DVD or release. By 2025, it has gained notoriety as "vaulted" or partially , with withholding any public digitization or re-release due to unresolved rights complications and underwhelming commercial performance; only promotional trailers, a few excerpt clips, and fan-recorded snippets from the original screenings remain accessible online. Intended as a low-risk test to revive interest in animating the franchise following the mixed reception of the 1990s OVA series, the film's poor box office returns and critical feedback on its execution led to its shelving, preventing planned expansions into further arcs and contributing to a decade-long hiatus in major Phantom Blood adaptations until the 2012 David Production series.

Other Media

Phantom Blood characters and settings from the first part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure have appeared in several video games within the franchise, though no standalone title exists. In JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle (2013), playable characters include Jonathan Joestar, Will A. Zeppeli, Robert E. O. Speedwagon, and Dio Brando, with stages such as the Joestar Mansion and Ogre Street representing key locations from the arc. Similarly, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Eyes of Heaven (2015) features Jonathan Joestar, Will A. Zeppeli, and Dio Brando as playable fighters, alongside stages like the burning Joestar Mansion to evoke pivotal battles. A stage musical adaptation, titled JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood, was produced by and ran from February 12 to April 14, 2024, in theaters across , including , , and Hyogo. Directed by Kohei Mochizuki, it featured Ryotaro Okiayu as and Takahiro Sakurai as , recreating key scenes with live performances, , and special effects to capture the manga's dramatic essence. Merchandise for Phantom Blood has proliferated in the , particularly through Bandai's S.H.Figuarts line, which offers highly articulated action figures capturing the muscular designs of characters like . For instance, the S.H.Figuarts figure, announced in April 2025, includes interchangeable faces, hands, a sword, and a display stand to recreate iconic poses from the story, with release scheduled for late 2025. Trading cards featuring Phantom Blood elements, such as Jonathan, Zeppeli, and Speedwagon, have been included in promotions tied to exhibitions and Bandai's Adventure Battle Card series. Art books and novels extend Phantom Blood's lore through supplementary materials. Hirohiko Araki's 2015 art collection includes sketches and illustrations from the early era, highlighting character designs and concepts from Phantom Blood. tie-ins appear in anthologies, providing brief expansions on the arc's world, such as side narratives involving supporting characters. Crossovers in the broader universe reference Phantom Blood elements, notably the Stone Mask. In the novel Purple Haze Feedback (2011), the artifact is central to the plot, where it is retrieved and destroyed in a cathedral, unveiling deeper insights into its vampiric origins and tying back to the mask's role in Dio's transformation. As of 2025, no major adaptations for Phantom Blood have emerged beyond the aforementioned, but digital comics platforms like the app offer bonus content, including exclusive sketches and behind-the-scenes notes on the arc integrated with the full digital library.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reception

Upon its serialization in from January 1987 to October 1987, Phantom Blood garnered mixed initial reception for its innovative fusion of Gothic elements with shōnen tropes, though it faced for uneven pacing and underdeveloped early character arcs, often ranking in the mid-tier of reader popularity polls during its run. In retrospective analyses from the , the has earned greater acclaim for its character work, particularly Dio Brando's portrayal as a sadistic, manipulative whose cruelty and class-driven ambition make him an iconic shōnen villain, influencing subsequent antagonists through his blend of and unrelenting evil. Scholarly examinations highlight the story's Gothic underpinnings, including Victorian-era class transgressions in Dio's vampiric ascent, which critique imperial social hierarchies, while the technique serves as a for personal and moral fortitude against . The narrative's cultural hybridity, merging Western Gothic motifs like vampirism with Japanese shōnen dynamics, further underscores its postmodern appeal in blending Occidental aesthetics with Eastern storytelling. The 2012 anime adaptation by significantly elevated the manga's visibility, earning praise for its faithful reproduction of Araki's dynamic art and dramatic pacing, with the Phantom Blood arc receiving positive user scores around 7.9 on for its fidelity to the source material's horror-action balance. However, persistent criticisms include reliance on early-1980s character stereotypes, such as the noble yet naive protagonist , and a perceived rushed conclusion that prioritizes climactic battles over deeper resolution, views that position Phantom Blood as a foundational yet comparatively unpolished entry in the broader series.

Commercial Performance and Legacy

Phantom Blood, serialized from 1987 to 1987, marked the debut of Hirohiko Araki's JoJo's Bizarre Adventure franchise, which has since become one of the best-selling manga series globally. As of December 2021, the overall series had surpassed 120 million copies in circulation worldwide, with over 120 million copies as of August 2023, a milestone reflecting sustained demand across its multiple parts. The initial five-volume tankōbon edition of Phantom Blood contributed to early success in Japan, with the series' longevity driven by re-editions like the 2002 bunkoban, which reprinted the first three parts in a compact format. In the English market, Viz Media's release starting in 2015 achieved strong performance, with volumes frequently appearing on bestseller lists such as the New York Times Manga Best Sellers, where Phantom Blood Vol. 3 ranked No. 1 in September 2015. By 2025, the English edition of Part 1 had exceeded 400,000 units sold, bolstered by ongoing digital sales through Viz's platforms, while no new physical re-releases of Phantom Blood have occurred since the 2015 edition. Although Phantom Blood itself received no major awards at launch, Araki's subsequent accolades have retroactively highlighted the arc's foundational role in his career. The arc's commercial viability was further amplified by adaptations, such as the 2012 anime, which tied into manga sales spikes. Phantom Blood established key elements of the JoJo franchise, including the vampire-Hamon duality—a supernatural energy system contrasting vampiric immortality—that influenced subsequent vampire-hunting narratives in media. This dynamic echoed in works like the Castlevania video game series and its Netflix adaptation, which incorporated direct references such as a stone mask artifact mirroring Phantom Blood's Stone Mask. The antagonist Dio Brando emerged as an enduring icon, fueling 2010s internet meme culture with catchphrases like "It was me, Dio!" and "WRYYYY!", which proliferated on platforms and parodies, embedding JoJo in online humor. The 2012 anime adaptation significantly expanded Phantom Blood's reach, introducing Araki's distinctive —marked by muscular poses and dramatic flair—to international audiences and revitalizing interest in the original . In 2025, amid hype for the (Part 7) adaptation slated for in 2026, Phantom Blood retains cultural relevance as the origin of the Joestar family lineage and the series' multigenerational epic structure.

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