Anime Hajime Impressions: Benkyou – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Episodes 10 to 15

Season One: Phantom Blood / Battle Tendency
Original Run: October 6, 2012 - April 6, 2013
Number of Episodes: 26
Based on the Series Created By: Hirohiko Araki

As A Reminder:  Anime Hajime Impressions: Benkyou is not a review series. Anime Hajime’s LofZOdyssey attempts to watch an anime in Japanese with no English subtitles. Therefore, misinterpretations and misunderstandings are possible.

Feel free to leave comments, clarifications, and thoughts in the comments section below.

Episode 6 to 9 Recap

Although Jonathan “JoJo” Joestar succeeded in foiling the vampire Dio Brando’s evil plans, the unthinkable happened.

Dio survived his encounter with JoJo. The former then attacked the latter and his new bride, Erina Pendelton, while they were on their honeymoon out at sea. In their final battle, JoJo was mortally wounded, but with the last of his strength, managed to prevent Dio’s escape.

The two adoptive brothers perished beneath the waves.

Fortunately, JoJo’s sacrifice allowed Erina to escape the battle. She vowed to tell her husband’s story to their soon-to-be-born child, thus ensuring the Joestar bloodline would live on.

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Episode 10

Japanese Title: ニューヨークのジョジョ
Romaji Title: Nyu Yoku no JoJo
English Title: New York's JoJo

Episode Summary

The year is 1938, several decades after Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando’s fateful confrontation. In that time, Robert E. O. Speedwagon has become a wealthy businessman. Remembering his dear friend, Speedwagon mounts a digging expedition in Mexico. His team uncovers an ancient tomb containing many of the same masks that turned Dio into a vampire.

Meanwhile, in New York City, a young pickpocket named Smokey Brown lifts the wallet of a man with an English accent. Smokey is about to get away when he is cornered by a squad of crooked cops. Before things can escalate, the Englishman Smokey targeted steps in and quickly subdues the officers.

This is Joseph “JoJo” Joestar, grandson of Erina Pendelton and Jonathan Joestar.

Back in Mexico, Straizo, who fought alongside Jonathan against Dio, betrays Speedwagon. After witnessing Dio’s immense power, Straizo has become obsessed with immortality. He slaughters Speedwagon’s party and heads to New York to kill the one person who can stop him – JoJo.

In the city, a rumor hits JoJo’s ears that Speedwagon’s team has been murdered, and it is believed Speedwagon was among the casualties. But before getting the chance to grieve, JoJo is confronted by Straizo, who has taken on the masks’ power.

Principle Characters

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Episode 11

Japanese Title: ゲームの達人
Romaji Title: Gemu no Tatsujin
English Title: The Game Master

Episode Summary

Even with the mask’s power, Straizo struggles to get an edge over JoJo, who proves to be a much more capable Hamon user than his grandfather.

Soon, Straizo and JoJo’s fight brings them to the Brooklyn Bridge. After a struggle, JoJo claims victory and demands answers.

Straizo reveals the existence of the mysterious Pillar Men, mighty warriors from ancient times. The temple Straizo and Speedwagon found in Mexico was the resting place of one of these beings. Since Straizo slaughtered his companions, their blood has been feeding the Pillar Man, who is on the verge of reawakening.

But before JoJo can ask more questions, Straizo kills himself.

Back in Mexico, a Nazi military party, led by Rudol von Stroheim, finds the temple and confiscates everything, including the Pillar Man and a still alive Speedwagon.

Principal Characters

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Episode 12

Japanese Title: 柱の男
Romaji Title: Hashira no Otoko
English Title: The Pillar Man

Episode Summary

JoJo heads down to Mexico to investigate the information Straizo told him. Along the way, he is attacked by an assassin sent by Rudol von Stroheim. JoJo makes quick work of his attacker and is relieved when he discovers Speedwagon survived.

Within the temple, Stroheim’s company awaken the Pillar Man and begins to conduct their experiments. The Pillar Man, dubbed Santana, proves to be far more powerful than anyone could have imagined. Then, without warning, Santana escapes his confinement, enters the observation center, and instantly kills anyone standing in his way.

In the confusion, JoJo makes his way down to where Stroheim and Santana are. As Santana goes in to kill Speedwagon and Stroheim, JoJo steps forward and challenges the Pillar Man.

Principal Characters

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Episode 13

Japanese Title: JOJO vs. 究極生物
Romaji Title: JoJo vs. Kyukyoku Seibutsu
English Title: JoJo vs. the Ultimate Lifeform

Episode Summary

Despite the seriousness of the situation, JoJo childishly mocks Santana, who promptly ignores him. However, when JoJo goes in for an opening, he is shocked that his Hamon energy doesn’t seem to affect Santana. Conversely, Santana is surprised that his own power appears ineffectual against JoJo.

With the two combatants realizing the other’s strength, JoJo tries to drag Santana out into the sunlight.

The struggle crawls to a stalemate. To push the odds in their favor, Stroheim jumps in to assist JoJo. But right before Stroheim can open the door, Santana grabs hold of the German’s foot. To give them the extra few inches they need, JoJo cuts off Stroheim’s leg.

With a final effort, Stroheim opens the door, which douses Santana with sunlight. Before Santana can turn to stone, he escapes into Stroheim’s leg wound and takes control of his body.

The Santana-controlled Stroheim tries to enter a nearby well to get out of the Sun’s rays. Stroheim himself uses his last ounce of will to trigger a grenade. Before the explosion can happen, Stroheim tells JoJo to head to Rome to find the other Pillar Men.

Stroheim dies in the blast, but Santana is left standing.

JoJo attempts to hold Santana long enough for the Sun’s light to work, but Santana throws himself and JoJo down the well. However, Santana did not expect the noonday sun to reflect off the water at the bottom. By sheer luck, Santana turns to stone.

Principal Characters

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Episode 14

Japanese Title: 太古から究極戦士
Romaji Title: Taiko kara Kita Kyukyoku Senshi
English Title: Ultimate Warriors from Ancient Times

Episode Summary

Following Stroheim’s information, JoJo travels to Rome. There he runs into a hot-shot playboy, who instantly gets on JoJo’s nerves. JoJo tries to use his Hamon to embarrass the man. To JoJo’s bewilderment, this person can also use Hamon energy.

This is Caeser Anthonio Zeppeli, the grandson of Will A. Zeppeli.

JoJo and Caeser become bitter rivals. Fortunately, Speedwagon is there to remind them of the bigger picture – finding the Pillar Man.

Beneath Rome’s iconic Coliseum, German scientists awaken the remaining Pillar Man – Kars, Esidisi, and Wamuu. Although they are too late to prevent the science team’s deaths, JoJo, Caesar, and their group find their way into the facility.

Upon seeing the brutal aftermath, one of Caesar’s friends runs off in a panic. Sadly, he accidentally brushes up against Wamuu. The Pillar Man’s power breaks the other man in half. Seeing this, a now enraged Caeser and JoJo stand to fight this new enemy.

Principal Characters

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Episode 15

Japanese Title: ヒーローの資格
Romaji Title: Hiro no Shikaku
English Title: A Hero's Proof

Episode Summary

Caeser is the first to face the Pillar Men, but he is immediately overpowered. The Pillar Men go to leave, which annoys JoJo immensely.

After some taunts from JoJo, one of the Pillar Men, Wamuu, agrees to a one-minute contest. Surprisingly, JoJo manages to wound Wamuu but is otherwise completely outclassed.

Knowing he can’t win, JoJo tries to bluff his way out of his situation. He says that if he were given a month, he would be strong enough to kill Wamuu. Such a bold statement interests Wamuu and he takes up JoJo’s challenge.

However, Wamuu puts a curse around JoJo’s heart. If JoJo can’t defeat Wamuu in thirty days, then JoJo will die.

Principal Characters

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Thoughts and Impressions

The Battle Tendency storyline is already way more entertaining than Phantom Blood, which is saying a lot.

I love this version of JoJo. He is simply a far more interesting a character than his grandfather was. And unlike Jonathan Joestar, his grandson’s personality is a much better match to this series’ absurdity.

Thanks for following along with me. If you’ve seen this series and feel I am wrong in my descriptions, please let me know in the comments below. I wouldn’t want to put this show in an inaccurate light.

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For Anime Hajime, I’m LofZOdyssey, and I’ll see you next week for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Episodes 16 to 20.

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