Anime Hajime Impressions: Benkyou – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Stardust Crusaders Season 1 – Episodes 1 to 5

Original Run: April 5, 2014 - June 20, 2015
Number of Episodes: 48
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.

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Phantom Blood Arc

Near the end of the 19th century, Jonathan “JoJo” Joestar dreamed of becoming the perfect gentleman. However, his world turns into a nightmare when JoJo’s father takes in one Dio Brando.

JoJo and Dio were never able to see eye to eye. Even worse, JoJo suspected Dio of slowly poisoning their father. Eventually, JoJo finds the evidence to prove his theory and confronts Dio. Rather than letting the authorities take him in, Dio dons a mysterious mask that transforms him into a terrifying vampire.

To stop Dio, JoJo learns the ancient way of Hamon energy. However, the battle between the two brothers is a devastating one. Although JoJo manages to defeat Dio, he loses his life in the process, but not before continuing the Joestar bloodline.

Battle Tendency Arc

Our story jumps to 1938, and Jonathan Joestar’s grandson, Joseph “JoJo” Joestar, has learned of a nefarious plot involving the mask that transformed Dio. The makers of the mask, the Pillar Men, were once seemingly all-powerful beings. However, a German military expedition awakens them and unleashes their power on the world.

With the fate of humanity in the balance, JoJo must hone his already exceptional Hamon skills. The task is grueling, and JoJo loses many dear friends along the way.

Fortunately, JoJo triumphs over the Pillar Men, and it appears such dark forces have left the world.

Then, in 1987, a now much older JoJo prepares a trip to Japan to visit his beloved daughter and grandson, Jotaro Kujo. And off the coast of Africa, a strange coffin is pulled from the ocean. On its side is just a single world – DIO.

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Japanese Title: 悪霊にとりつかれた男
Romaji Title: Akuryō ni Toritsukareta Otoko
English Title: The Man Possessed by an Evil Spirit

Episode Summary

1983, African Coast, Atlantic Ocean – From the depths of the sea, a group of treasure hunters discover a lost – what appears to be – casket. Excited by their find, the hunters have no idea what horror they had just released into the world. A hundred years after his fateful battle with Jonathan Joestar, the vampire Dio Brando reawakens.

Our story continues a few years following Dio’s return. In Tokyo, Japan, the seventeen-year-old grandson of Joseph Joestar and great-great-grandson Jonathan Joestar sits in a prison cell. His name is Jotaro “JoJo” Kujou.

JoJo has voluntarily turned himself in to the authorities. Recently, a strange force has taken root inside JoJo’s body, and he is afraid it will cause him to hurt others. He is adamant that he must be left locked up and will not listen to the pleas of his mother, Holy Kujo.

A confused Holy is forced to leave her son in his cell as she goes to the airport to pick up her father, Joseph Joestar.

Joseph has come to Japan to check on his daughter and grandson since mysterious happenings have befallen the Joestar bloodline. Accompanying Joseph is his friend, Muhammad Avdol.

Joseph, Muhammad, and Holy return to JoJo’s cell. Joseph insists JoJo leave, and when the latter refuses, the former decides to force the matter. Joseph and Muhammad drag JoJo out using Stand, a powerful form of energy.

Once that is done, Joseph explains that Dio has returned and that the monster survived his final battle by taking control of Jonathan Joestar’s body. Therefore, the Joestar line, all of who now possess a star mark on their necks, are in danger. For Dio is dead set on achieving his ultimate revenge.

Principle Characters

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Japanese Title: 裁くのは誰だ!?
Romaji Title: Sabaku no wa Dare da!?
English Title: Who Will Be the Judge!?

Episode Summary

While considering his grandfather’s words, JoJo is suddenly attacked by an unknown assailant while on his way to school. Fortunately, JoJo is saved by the will of his Stand, dubbed Star Platinum.

At school, JoJo visits the nurse’s office to treat the wounds he received in the attack. However, he is given no time to rest.

The nurse, without warning, turns violent. She had been possessed by the Stand Hierophant, controlled by one Noriaki Kakyoin, who says he has come under Dio’s orders.

JoJo manages to subdue Noriaki, but not before several innocent bystanders are hurt by the encounter. With no other option, JoJo brings an unconscious Noriaki back to his home. There, Joseph reveals that Noriaki had been forced under the control of Dio.

Principal Characters

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Japanese Title: DIOの呪縛
Romaji Title: DIO no Jubaku
English Title: The Curse of DIO

Episode Summary

Joseph explains that Dio is controlling Noriaki through the use of a “flesh bud.” Although it is hazardous to remove it, JoJo successfully frees Noriaki from Dio’s grasp.

With it appearing as though everyone had just won a quick respite, tragedy strikes. Holy Kujo, JoJo’s mother, falls deathly ill. Like her father and son, Holy obtains Stand but is unable to control it. The only way to save her is to defeat Dio once and for all.

Through their combined powers, JoJo, Joseph, Muhammed, and a now allied Noriaki track Dio’s location to Egypt. The group hops on a plane and beings their journey to meet their foe. However, Dio has already devised plans to stop them.

Principal Characters

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Japanese Title: 灰の塔
Romaji Title: Tawā Obu Gurē
English Title: Tower of Gray

Episode Summary

While on route to Egypt, the plane JoJo and his company are flying on is attacked by one of Dio’s Stand Users. The Stand is a beetle-like apparition called Tower of Grey, and it proves to be too quick for JoJo’s Star Platinum.

In the close quarters of the passenger jet, a few innocent bystanders are killed before Noriaki’s Stand can defeat the beetle. Unfortunately, the pilots were among those who died.

Joseph is able to land the plane in the ocean near Hong Kong, saving the survivors. The team wanders the city to think of their next move. They decide that they cannot allow people to get hurt because they must make it to Egypt by sea.

Before they can leave, the group is approached by Jean Pierre Polnareff, who joins them for a meal. As JoJo and the rest settle, Polnareff makes a passing mention about the Joestar mark, something he should have no business knowing.

It turns out that Polnareff is another assassin sent by Dio.

Principal Characters

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Japanese Title: 銀の戦車
Romaji Title: Shirubā Chariottsu
English Title: Silver Chariot

Episode Summary

Polnareff challenges Mohammed Avdol at Hong Kong’s Tiger Balm Garden.

Both fighters show off their powerful Stands, and, at first, Polnareff looks to be the stronger. However, Avdol has many more years of experience and is able to secure a victory.

Although in beaten, Polnareff is graceful in defeat and fully acknowledges Avdol as the better warrior. In this moment of respect, the group notices that Polnareff is controlled by one of Dio’s flesh buds.

Once free of the vampire’s control, Polnareff joins the group hoping that he might run across his sister’s murderer.

With everything all set, JoJo and the team begin the long journey to Egypt by sea.

Principal Characters

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Thoughts and Impressions

Well, it is good to be back.

To be honest with you, I had my doubts Jotaro Kujo would live up to the standard set by his grandfather. Having now watched the first five episodes, my worries have been significantly lowered. This latest JoJo appears to live up to the name.

It is way too early to say whether or not I am enjoying this installment. But what I can tell you is, things are off to a great start.

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 Stardust Crusaders Season 1 Episodes 6 to 10.

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