Where to even begin with Jojo's Bizarre Adventure... I was introduced to Jojo's by my husband - and at the time I was not very interested in Shonen as a genre (or Anime in general - I was into a few in middle and high school, but I fell out of it) so I wasn’t too confident I would be into it. Oh how naive of me.
For the majority of our initial watch-through I was going through an all time low in terms of mental health - I was processing trauma, I had lost a few jobs in a row, and I was absolutely ready to kick the bucket and just give up. Not to be cheesy, but Jojo was a major factor in turning my life around. There's just something so comforting and uplifting about the way Araki writes. Even though Jojo is a series filled to the brim with tragedy and death, ultimately it is truly a love letter to humanity's optimism and resolve to keep going - which was something I definitely needed at the time. It encouraged me to embrace optimism and has been changing my life and world-view ever since :).
It quickly became a main Special Interest for me, and I haven't looked back since!
Favorite..
Part
Stone Ocean! This part literally always makes me sob - in a good way! Araki did an amazing job wrapping up the main timeline and doing the original Joestar bloodline justice. Jolyne is an amazing main protag and she is actually my 2nd favorite Jojo! This part also has my favorite main protag unit - Emporio is literally one of my favorite characters in the whole series and Anasui and Weather Report also live in my head rent free. Foo Fighter's storyline is literally one of the best character arcs in the whole series and really exemplefies one of the theses of the orginal universe: what it means to be human - what it means to embrace your humanity. I love that about Jojo, it's one of the most important aspects of the series to me, and FF (and Jolyne!) really put the pedal to the metal when it comes to conveying this. I also love the endgame of Stone Ocean - I think I could only watch the last 15 episodes of Stone Ocean for the rest of my life and be perfectly content.
followed by: Phantom Blood, Golden Wind, Diamond is Unbreakable, Stardust Crusaders, Battle Tendency.
Jojo
Jonathan Joestar! Jonathan is literally one of my ultimate comfort characters. I'm obsessed with this guy. I know a lot of people aren't a fan of Jonathan because his part leaves a lot to be desired in the way of character development - which is true! I am definitely guilty of supplementing gaps in characterization with my own headcanons and theories. Anyways. Jonathan is where the story and Joestar 'curse' begins and he carries that role amazingly. Jonathan is the embodiment of having a fighting spirit - a trait that is integral to many characters and moments in Jojo. He represents humanity and optimism in the face of Dio and his rejection of humanity.
Followed by: Jolyne Cujoh, Jotaro Kujo, Johnny Joestar, Giorno Giovanna, Josuke Higashikata (4), Joesph Joestar (sorry Joseph..).
Main Antagonist
Enrico Pucci. Pucci is, in my opinion, the best villain of the whole series (or at least parts 1-7 I need to read JoJolion shhhhh). I cannot express with words how obsessed I am with him as a villain. I could go on forever - I've re-written this section literally 5 times now because there is just too much I adore about him and his arc. I think I’m just gonna start on a shrine for him or smth - keep an eye out.. Just know for now that he is THE Jojo villain to me.
followed by: Diavolo/Doppio, Dio (part 3/'6'), Dio (part 1), Funny Valentine, Kars, Kira.