Today, I wanted to talk about something about Jojo that is never really brought up in all seriousness.
It's the topic regarding the 'afterlife' in Jojo. I believe it's a very mysterious force within the series that hasn't really be expanded on 'too' much.
This post is really more of something to stir up a discussion.
Also, I'll be separating the original universe and the Steel Ball Run universe. They're similar, but there are some points I'd like to bring up regarding each individually.
Original Universe
There really isn't a lot to go off of for a 'set' afterlife in Jojo.
It could be as simple as just 'heaven' and 'hell.' However, 'Heaven' in Jojo has always been constituted as a 'form.' Not a place in the context of Jojo.
So... Maybe it's not 'heaven/hell' per se. But we DO know that there is an afterlife within in Jojo.
A running theme throughout the series usually regards someone's 'spirit' taking the form of a ghostly golden fog.
With Bruno especially, (all the angels and stuff), it could just point to 'heaven/hell.' But again, we don't know for sure... I mean really... They could end up ANYWHERE after death if we don't have a set idea of what the afterlife is.
It gets even more complicated when we bring in 'ghosts.' People forget that ghosts DO exist in Jojo.
Now, Reimi could be made as an exception. One could say she's a 'vengeful' spirit and couldn't rest until Kira was defeated. We even see her ascend at the end of part 4.
But then... That begs the question... What about the others?
It's no secret that Kira had killed plenty of other people. Where are they? Why aren't they vengeful? In fact, Shigechi didn't stick around after he died. (Granted, his ascension looked like he was in severe pain.)
Now, some may say that the 'hands from the alley' are all of Kiras victims. But that isn't true. Firstly, we don't exactly know what they are. And secondly, That's just the appearance Araki chose for them. It's a coincidence.
Whatever they are, they appear to affect on ghosts and even stands as they were able to grasp both a dead Kira and Cheap Trick
Reimi suggested that wherever this ally takes you... It's most likely some kind of hell-ish area.
But, if we infer with one shots, we can kind of get an idea of what exactly happens. Which opens up ANOTHER can of worms.
Okay... Now Kira's a ghost doing merc jobs... Why wasn't Reimi doing that? Was her job to stop Kira?
And yes, Dead Man's Questions isn't necessarily canon. But if we entertain the thought of it BEING canon. (Since it doesn't interfere with anything) it just really makes the whole 'afterlife' thing in Jojo confusing.
Steel Ball Run Universe
Alright. This section will be MUCH shorter. As there really isn't much to go off of to begin with.
Firstly, SBR seems to have a much finer connection to biblical aspects.
Firstly, the whole 'saint's corpse' schtick and 'devils palms.' Getting a stand in SBR is more like 'divine intervention' when compared to the 'space virus' of the original universe. Mainly because one gets one from being into contact with a corpse part.
A corpse that is basically Jesus. Mind you. (It's never out right said... But it's pretty obvious.)
There is also some theory that 'Jesus' could've possibly been the 'true' first Jojo...
...Which is kind of weird... But also kind of feels right...
There is also the little thing with the title scheme regarding 'Jojolion' as it has bibilcal aspects with it's naming stated by Araki.
So, 'heave/hell' could definitely be a true factor in the SBR universe.
...Until we see that the 'ghostly foggy apparitions are back in form of Gyro.'
(I for some reason couldn't find a picture. And I'm a bit lazy to look for it on an online manga. So just take my word for it lol.)
So... We know that is a thing that has carried over to the new universe... Unfortunately, we really don't know much about it.
Anyway, what are your thoughts about the afterlife in Jojo? Do you have any theories about what exactly it is? Let me know!
EDIT:
Okay, I really don't know how I forgot to add this. I was meaning to at first, but it slipped my mind.
There was also that moment in part 4 regarding Keicho NIjimura. After Okuyasu took a stray cat bubble head on, he was essentially near death. He recalled his 'out of body' experience in which he appeared to meet Keicho at 'the other side.'
Again, this has a lot 'heaven' vibes. 'Go to the light' and all that.
But I just struggle to say 'this is heaven.' Because in Jojo... 'heaven' in the original universe is a FORM. It's like requiem in a way. Araki has basically made that clear. I think the 'afterlife' is something else entirely in the original universe.
Araki distinguishes things. 'Fate' in Jojo isn't exactly what 'we' as PEOPLE think of as 'fate.' Same with 'calamity.' 'Calamity' in Jojo isn't the EXACT SAME as 'calamity' in real life. Just like 'heaven' in Jojo isn't the same as 'heaven' in our real life religions.
Araki may forget, but he KNOWS how to distinguish things after part 3 at least. And they're not accidents.
Not to mention the moment where Joseph was literally dead for a good half hour. And we even saw his spirit leave him... And yet he was still able to be revived...
Anyway. Just a last minute edit. Still, your guys thoughts?
