Jonathan Joestar
| Jonathan Joestar | |
|---|---|
| JoJo's Bizarre Adventure character | |
| First appearance | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure chapter 1: "The Coming of Dio" |
| Created by | Hirohiko Araki |
| In-universe information | |
| Relatives | Dio Brando (adoptive brother) George Joestar (father) Erina Pendleton/Joestar (wife) George Joestar II (son) Joseph Joestar (grandson) Holly Joestar (great-granddaughter) Jotaro Kujo (great-great grandson) Josuke Higashikata (great grandson) Jolyne Kujo (great-great-great granddaughter) Giorno Giovanna (biological son) Donatello Versus (biological son) Rykiel (biological son) Ungaro (biological son) |
Jonathan Joestar (ジョナサン・ジョースター, Jonasan Jōsutā) is a fictional character created by Hirohiko Araki as the protagonist and hero of part one, Phantom Blood, of the manga series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, which debuted in 1987. He is the son of the wealthy George Joestar. He is an honest, kind and positive young man whose life is fraught with tragedy.
Fictional character biography
As an infant, his mother died in a carriage accident. That same accident indirectly brought Dio Brando into his life, because Dario, Dio's father, unwittingly saved Jonathan's father while he was preparing to steal from the wrecked carriage. Twelve years later, Dario apparently died of an illness and Dio went to the Joestars. Dio, despite Jonathan trying to be friends with him, would become his nemesis both as a childhood rival and as an undead enemy. At the age of 12, when Dio came into his life, he meets and falls in love with Erina Pendleton. However, Dio shatters this relationship by kissing Erina in front of everyone and boasting about it. Dio continues to torment Jonathan and later kills his dog, Danny, by burning it alive.
Nonetheless, Jonathan is able to maintain his sanity and his studies in archaeology. Among his interests is research on a Mesoamerican stone mask that is part of the estate. Curiously, the mask sprouts spikes that pierce the wearer's skull if human blood touches it. Finally after eight years, Jonathan takes a stand against Dio when he discovers that Dio poisoned his own father and plans to poison George in the same way to take over the family fortune. So JoJo travels to Ogre Street in London in order to find an antidote which he finds thanks to the help of his new comrade, Robert E. O. Speedwagon. In their fateful encounter, Dio stabs George while wearing the mask—Dio has learned that the mask is not a killing device, but a means to let the wearer transcend humanity and mortality to become a vampire.
In the first confrontation with Dio, Jonathan holds his own, but in desperation sets fire to the house. Jonathan then grabs Dio and pulls him down many floors, ultimately impaling him on a goddess statue. However, Jonathan suffers horrible burns and is taken to a hospital, whereas Dio is able to escape unseen. Speedwagon watches Jonathan being looked after and finds out that the nurse taking care of him is Erina, who had gone to India after Dio disgraced her and Jonathan's relationship—but has not, after all, extinguished it. Shortly after being discharged from the hospital, Jonathan is taken in by Will Antonio Zeppeli, who teaches him the ripple technique in order to defeat Dio. He travels with Zeppeli and Speedwagon to the town of Windknights to confront Dio. On his quest he faces many enemies such as Jack the Ripper and Bruford and Tarkus, and once again manages to seemingly defeat Dio.
Shortly after the Windknights battle, Jonathan and Erina marry, and soon set sail for America ion their honeymoon. Their trip is cut short by an attack by Dio, now only a severed head, and Jonathan makes the ultimate sacrifice, staying aboard the sinking ship in an attempt to take Dio down with him. Erina, with a child whom she saved, escapes the shipwreck.