Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure x Gucci Collaboration

Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure x Gucci Collaboration

Aiden Henson, Reporter

What is JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure? 

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, also sometimes called JoJo or JJBA, is a Japanese Ani-Manga created by Hirohiko Araki. The manga was first published on October 26, 1987 under the title of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 1 Johnathan Joestar: His Youth. The manga follows the journey of Johnathan Joestar and his descendants as they fight a number  of diverse  enemies.

JoJo’s Unique Art Style and Character Design 

            Not only does the anime/manga display countless incredible fights, it is also known to have one of the most unique character art and fashion styles. This has given JJBA an excellent reputation in the fashion industry. Because of this, Hirohiko Araki caught the attention of Gucci. In 2013, they reached out to Araki and asked to do a collaboration with them. They enjoyed his fashion designs and knew that combining an anime with a real world fashion brand would give them better recognition by a new community. 

Jolyne, Fly High with Gucci!

Jolyne, Fly High with Gucci!, the official name of the 25-page collaboration, tells a story of the main character of Stone Ocean, the 6th part of the series. In this non-canonical story, Jolyne loses her mother who, prior to her death, ordered for all of her clothes to be tailored to Jolyne. She waits at the airport when she notices an injured unicorn who approaches her seeking aid. Two agents Bruno Buccirati and Leone Abbacchio, two supporting side characters from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Golden Wind, the 5th part of the series, approach her, saying that the unicorn is significant to the government. 

Jolyne touches the unicorn and her attire changes as well as the unicorn disappears.  She is then struck by the realization that she is dreaming. She takes this as a sign of good luck, like her mother is making her presence known. The story has a theme of the art and importance that fashion displays in society, and Araki is aware of this. 

Inside the Mind of Hirohiko Araki

Araki is a genius and has taken huge leaps into creativity and did what has never been done before, as well as, paved the way for manga artists for generations to come. He dived into territory that was seen as unknown and was usually avoided. Most notably, the iconic “JoJo Poses” which show character poses that are unusual but also stylish. 

Araki is also well known for his many references to popular Western culture, specifically music. A few examples of this include character names such as AC/DC, Green Day, The Notorious B.I.G, Vanilla Ice, Pearl Jam, Killer Queen, Foo Fighters,  and hundreds of others. This is something that has never been done before, at least not to the levels that Araki takes it to, which shows his immense creativity and perilous mind.

 To many, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a masterpiece. To some, it is seen as out of the ordinary and maybe even displeasing. Some people simply cannot appreciate the art that Araki displays. Regardless of your views of the show, both sides can agree that the series is, in every aspect, truly bizarre.