Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is a story following the Joestar Bloodline as they fight to overcome the challenges fate has in store for them. The manga goes as far as eight different parts following different main characters and different main villains. As epic as the clash between stand users is, it must be understood that it all originates from one man. A man filled with so much hatred for humankind that he would stop at nothing to reach the top and rule the world. That man is Dio Brando.

The story begins during the late 1800s with a horrid scene of a carriage that just crashed. The couple and coachmen appear to be dead at the scene as a result. As fate would have it, there were two passersby who witnessed the scene. These two people were Dio’s parents. Dio’s father, Dario Brando, went to the carriage for the purpose of stealing whatever was left over from the crash, as the victims appeared to be rich. Dio’s mother (who goes unnamed) notices that the wife was holding a baby. Dario tells her to leave it and help him steal the couple’s belongings. All of a sudden the man opens his eyes and wakes up to see Dario as he is about to steal the ring off of his finger. This moment affects the entire course of the story.

It is revealed that the man’s name is George Joestar, the head of the Joestar family. He assumed that Dario was trying to help him and believed he was “indebted” to Dario as he “saved his life.” A clear example of dramatic irony as the reader knows that Dario had no interest in saving George.

Years pass, and at the age of 12 Dio learns to hate the world he was born into. In the manga, it is revealed that, over time, Dario abuses his wife which leads to her early death and that impacts how Dio wants to approach his future. Dario grows ill and gives Dio a letter allowing him to be adopted by the Joestar family, and gives him the opportunity to become great. Dio knew that this was the ticket to being on top of the world and he didn’t want to do it for his father. He knew he deserved better and made sure nobody would get in his way.

Dio Brando says, “You were a worthless, ugly scumbag of a man who sent mother to her grave! You want me to become the richest man? Fine! I’ll do it! I’ll accept your “inheritance”! I could make it on my own, but I’ll use anyone and everyone that I can! I’ll milk the Joestar nobles for everything they’re worth and never lose to anyone!” 

Dio is transported to the Joestar mansion where he meets the main character of the story, Jonathan Joestar (aka Jojo), son of George Joestar. Jonathan greets Dio and welcomes him to his new family. Shortly after Dio is greeted, the family dog, Danny, runs over to Dio and Johnathan. Then out of nowhere, when Danny approaches Dio, Dio kicks the dog. This enrages Johnathan as he assumes a fighting stance to face Dio in combat. It is then revealed how Dio plans to get the Joestar fortune in an inner monologue.

“So, this is the Joestar heir—the only son, Jojo! I’ll psychollogically torture him to the brink. Then I, Dio, will take his place as the heir to the Joestar estate!” said Dio Brando.

Before the fight begins, George Joestar emerges from the front door of the mansion to break it up. He explains that Dio was simply startled from Danny running at him and defended himself which is another example of dramatic irony as the audience knows Dio kicked Danny on purpose.

Some time passes and Dio continues to ruin Jojo’s life as he lives with the Joestar family. Life is hard for Jojo, but he still has a lover named Erina Pendleton. Jojo spends everyday with her and it turns his attention away from everything Dio has done to him. 

Dio notices Jonathan’s lack of despair and does some research. After he found out Jojo had a girlfriend he decides to do something heinous. Dio stops Erina during her walk back home after she spent time with Jojo. He then forces her to kiss him. This disgusting action would make Dio Erina’s first kiss. 

After this, Dio knew he tipped Johnathan over the edge. Erina spends the next day avoiding Johnathan because she is ashamed of what happened. Rather than give up, Jojo flares into a rage. He runs all the way back to the Joestar mansion where Dio resides to fight him for what he’d done to Erina.

The battle starts with Dio getting the upper hand on Johnathan, but then Jojo overpowers him. Most stories would leave it at that. The hero wins and the villain is either dead or humbled, but not Dio. This fight is broken up by George Joestar and he decides both of the boys’ punishments later. However, Dio had one final act to execute. 

Some time passes and one of the butlers for the Joestar family goes to the incinerator to burn some trash. He notices a large box in the incinerator but just assumes it is more trash. He then turns it on and notices something inside is moving. The incinerator is shaking violently when all of a sudden Danny, the Joestar family dog, bursts out engulfed in flames. This marks the end of Danny’s life and resumes Johnathan’s despair.

Believe it or not this was only the beginning of the first volume of the manga and the first episode of the anime. Dio’s reign of tyranny doesn’t end there and this is just the tip of the iceberg. If this story seems interesting check out. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure on Netflix and Crunchyroll, it is guaranteed to be a wildly entertaining and bizarre adventure.