JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

High schooler Jotaro Kujo suddenly starts acting like he's possessed and isolates himself, convinced something supernatural has taken over. When his grandfather and family friend Mohammed Abdul clash with him, Jotaro realizes the presence is actually a "Stand," a visible fighting spirit called Star Platinum that links to his will. His mother also manifests a Stand and falls ill, and Jotaro learns that Dio Brando, an old enemy tied to his family history, is responsible. Teaming up with his grandfather Joseph and allies including Abdul and Noriaki Kakyoin, Jotaro sets out to track down Dio and stop the wave of Stand attacks before they destroy more lives.

Released in 1993, this TV adaptation was directed by Hideki Futamura and is based on Hirohiko Araki's original manga, bringing the early Part 3 material to animated form with a voice cast led by Jurota Kosugi and Chikao Ohtsuka.

Critics and viewers rate this series moderately, reflected in a 6.89/10 average from audience votes, with praise often aimed at its inventive battle mechanics and distinctive character designs, while some point to dated animation and pacing. Key themes include family legacy, the burden of inherited conflict, loyalty among allies, and morality in combat.

The show helped put the Stand concept on screen, introducing visual ideas and stylized poses that later JoJo adaptations and fans would embrace. While not the franchise's definitive entry, this early animation contributed to the series' long-term visibility and the fandom's interest in the eccentric aesthetics that would become synonymous with JoJo.

This 1993 adaptation didn't collect major industry awards, but it remains important for viewers who follow the franchise from its early iterations. For long-time fans and anime historians, it represents a formative attempt to translate Araki's unique tone and structure into animated form, laying groundwork for later, more polished versions.