Something of note: the manga released to us under the title of JJBA does not encompass the entirety of the Jojo story, only "Stardust Crusaders", the third and most iconic series within Hirohiko Araki's universe. The plot follows badass youth Jotaro Kujo, next in line to the Joestar lineage of heroes who served as protagonists for the previous two series. Wielder of the powerful "Stand" named Star Platinum, an astral alter ego, he journeys across the world on his way to Cairo to save his mother from old family nemesis Dio Brando, himself a Stand user with an army of shifty cohorts at his beck and call. But Jotaro himself is not alone, aided by his grandfather Joseph (who was the hero of the last series) and a handful of other friends and allies.
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure deserves its name. Many people forget or don't realize that this manga was serialized in Shonen Jump; the fights highlight a ridiculous amount of one-upmanship the likes of which are typical for any SJ title, though battles so more cerebral and psychological than modern mainstays like Bleach or One Piece, perhaps reaching a level akin to Death Note. Even more than other SJ series, JJBA revels in its sense of locale, with blurbs and mini-scenes that really help ground each chapter in its respective backdrop. But the most distinct thing about JJBA is its eclectic art style, full of anatomically anachronistic posing better seen in a museum gallery of modernist expressionism. This flamboyant presentation, with idiosyncratic, musclebound characters that would be readily welcome in fellow Jump alum Fist of the North Star, gives the series its love-it-or-hate-it personality.
The localization is for the most part faithful to the original Japanese incarnation. Unfortunately, Hirohiko Araki is an avid listener of contemporary music (he states in one of the releases' Q&A sections that he's a fan of Kanye West) and habitually names his villains and their Stands after his favorite artists. On that note, some names needed to be switched around or replaced entirely to avoid stepping on any toes. While it may bother longstanding fans of the series, it won't be jarring to newer readers. Speaking of which, Viz went out of their way to add very up-to-date Q&A sections and omake material that weren't in the original tankobons. A real treat for American Jojo fans who wanted to know more about the series and Araki.
If I have any criticisms, I need to first point out that for all its symbolic coolness the concept of the Stand was shoehorned into the continuity. There is no mention of anything related to Stands in Series One or Two except for Hamon, the lifeforce which comprises them, an abracadabra essence like Naruto’s Chakra or Dragonball’s Ki. Also, the series makes a few arbitrary twists and turns in plot or introduces smalltime characters that ultimately end up being irrelevant. Perhaps the biggest knock against the series is in its suspenseful and action-packed conclusion; many of the hero deaths toward the end of Stardust Crusaders come so swiftly that there is little room for drama or emotional impact, as if Yoshiyuki Tomino had suddenly took reins over the series.
JJBA Series 3 was a highly entertaining read, though I recognize my bias and again point out that the series isn't for everyone. I hope that another story from Jojo eventually finds its way here, preferably Stone Ocean with Jojo’s daughter Jolyne or Steel Ball Run, set in an alternate universe during the 1890’s. Seeing as how Araki originally titled Stardust Crusaders "Heritage for the Future", it's only fitting.
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