*JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure* is renowned for its eccentric characters, dynamic battles, and, perhaps most notably, the manifestation of psychic energy known as Stands. These powerful entities, acting as extensions of their user’s will, often possess unique and bizarre abilities that make each encounter a spectacle of strategic prowess and sheer determination. But beyond the flashy action and memorable characters, there lies a deeper level of symbolism, a recurring motif that permeates the very essence of many Stands: the imagery of playing cards.
From Stands named after Major Arcana of the Tarot to abilities subtly referencing familiar card games, the influence of playing cards on Stand creation within *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure* is significant and multifaceted. This article delves into this fascinating connection, exploring how playing cards impact Stand naming, ability design, visual aesthetics, and the broader thematic tapestry of the *JoJo* universe. Through the lens of *JoJo* and playing cards, we can gleam a better insight of how the mangaka, Hirohiko Araki, created the world and the characters within it.
The Tarot Connection: Stardust Crusaders and Beyond
The backbone of the *JoJo* and playing card connection arguably resides in *Stardust Crusaders*, the third part of the series. This arc heavily utilizes the Tarot deck, a set of cards steeped in symbolism and esoteric meaning, to name many of its central Stands. The *Stardust Crusaders* Stand users often had powers that alluded to their card as well, making the symbolism within the naming all the more impactful. The twenty-two Major Arcana, each representing a distinct archetypal figure or concept, become the namesake of formidable adversaries faced by Jotaro Kujo and his companions as they journey to defeat Dio. Each card had immense symbolic representation behind it, and those same symbols were implemented into the *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure* characters.
The Major Arcana
Consider Star Platinum, the Stand of Jotaro himself. It’s connected to The Star card in the Major Arcana. The Star represents hope, inspiration, and clarity after a period of darkness. Star Platinum’s precision, unwavering dedication to protecting Jotaro, and its overall ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges aligns perfectly with the positive connotations associated with The Star tarot card. Jotaro and Star Platinum brought hope to the group, especially in times of need. The Star is known to give guidance through difficult times and in doing so Star Platinum was able to guide Jotaro. This makes the Stand incredibly powerful, given its alignment to the card’s actual intent.
Then there’s The World, Dio’s ultimate Stand, named after the final card of the Major Arcana. The World represents completion, achievement, and a sense of being at one with the universe. However, in Dio’s hands, the card’s meaning takes a twisted form. The World’s ability to stop time allows Dio to exert absolute control over his surroundings, mirroring the card’s theme of dominion but with a distinctly malevolent twist. Dio has come to think of himself as one with the universe, a god among mortals. The choice for this card to be the Stand’s namesake then reflects how Dio’s warped sense of self has given him an unwavering belief in the power of his Stand. The World is a powerful card, and even more powerful when warped with the intent that Dio embodies.
Iggy’s stand, The Fool is the only one out of the Crusaders’ stand that does not reflect a semblance of the individual. Rather than being a reflection of the self, it is a protective armor that Iggy uses when he is with his companions. Initially The Fool is dismissive, but comes to protect Polnareff later in the series. The Fool represents new beginnings, faith, and the courage to embark on uncharted paths. While Iggy’s initial aloofness might seem to contradict this, his eventual willingness to fight alongside the Crusaders demonstrates a hidden capacity for courage and a willingness to embrace the unknown. The Fool card is known to be misunderstood, and in the case of Iggy, it fits him as the group comes to learn of his true and unwavering desire to protect his friends.
The choice to use the Tarot deck in *Stardust Crusaders* is no accident. Tarot cards have long been associated with mysticism, divination, and the exploration of the human psyche. By naming Stands after these cards, Araki imbues them with a sense of inherent symbolism, inviting viewers to interpret their abilities and the characters who wield them on a deeper, more symbolic level. The meaning behind the cards helps give the characters some grounding. By implementing the meaning behind the cards into the characters, Araki allowed the audience to better understand the characters and how they work with their Stands.
Tarot’s Influence in Later Parts
While the direct Tarot influence is most prominent in *Stardust Crusaders*, its echoes can be found in subsequent parts of *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure*. While the stands do not all have direct connections to the Tarot, some can still allude to the cards, such as King Crimson.
King Crimson, from *Golden Wind*, embodies elements of the Devil card from the Major Arcana. The Devil often signifies restriction, control, and obsession. King Crimson’s ability to erase time allows Diavolo to manipulate events and maintain an iron grip on his criminal organization, reflecting the themes of control and hidden agendas that the Devil card represents. The Stand also evokes the idea of being trapped in a cycle, unable to escape Diavolo’s influence, mirroring the card’s depiction of being chained to materialistic desires. The desire that Diavolo possesses is his unwavering need to be at the top, and those desires are what ties him to the Devil card.
Beyond the Tarot: Other Card Games and Their Influence
Beyond the Tarot, the influence of playing cards extends to other facets of Stand design and ability within *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure*. In some cases, Stands are directly named after specific cards from a standard deck.
The High Priestess
High Priestess is named after a card from a deck of cards, specifically the female pope. The Stand’s appearance, taking the form of a hulking and viscous creature, doesn’t have a surface level connection to the meaning of the card. But when we examine the meaning behind High Priestess, we come to find that it can be a reflection of the user’s hidden knowledge and intuition. Mariah’s Stand is able to transform into buildings and walls and other structures, making it virtually untraceable. The Stand is always hidden in plain sight. Mariah is able to use her intuition to find ways of using her Stand to benefit her. The High Priestess card helps explain how exactly the stand is able to be so destructive, but also not on the radar of others.
The general concept of playing cards, with their elements of chance and strategy, resonates deeply with *JoJo’s* overarching themes of fate, destiny, and the struggle against predetermined outcomes. Stand battles often involve a delicate balance of power, where characters must outwit their opponents by exploiting weaknesses and capitalizing on unpredictable situations.
D’Arby Brothers and Poker
The Poker face of the D’arby brothers in Part 3 helps exemplify how playing cards can be used within *JoJo* to add another layer of depth and theme. Poker embodies themes of risk, deceit, and the ability to read opponents, the D’arby Brothers use games of chance to challenge Jotaro and his companions. Their Stands aren’t necessarily about brute strength, but rather about psychological manipulation and forcing their opponents into situations where they must gamble with their souls. The Poker face that the D’arby Brothers embody perfectly encompasses how the card game is represented within the series.
Kira’s Sheer Heart Attack and Minesweeper
Another great example of playing card representation within *JoJo* is Kira’s Sheer Heart Attack in Part 4. It comes off as a powerful explosive Stand that seemingly has no connection to the world of playing cards. However, we can see that the imagery it presents alludes to the game of minesweeper. Sheer Heart Attack does not care if it kills its user, as its goal is to just target heat signatures. Similarly, in minesweeper, it does not matter if you lose the game, the game’s goal is to just uncover all of the empty blocks. The Stand and game exemplify the same themes, which allows for Araki to showcase the theme through the Stand’s ability.
Playing Card Imagery in Stand Design
The visual design of Stands also sometimes incorporates subtle nods to playing card imagery. Suits, pips, and card backs can appear in a Stand’s clothing, patterns on its body, or the very shapes of its attacks. These visual cues, though often subtle, reinforce the underlying connection between Stands and the world of playing cards, creating a cohesive symbolic language throughout the series.
Conclusion
In conclusion, playing cards are far more than just a passing reference in *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure*. They serve as a wellspring of inspiration for Stand names, abilities, and visual designs. The Tarot deck, in particular, provides a rich tapestry of symbolism that adds layers of meaning to the characters and their powers. The randomness of cards lends itself to the overall themes of the series.
This ingenious integration of playing card imagery contributes significantly to *JoJo’s* unique style and lasting appeal. By drawing upon the symbolic weight of these familiar objects, Araki elevates the series beyond mere action and adventure, creating a world where the fate of characters is inextricably linked to the cards they are dealt. The cards help enrich the world of *JoJo* and add layers of complexity that make the series all the more beloved. The world of playing cards and how it is implemented into *JoJo* helps contribute to the series and provides the audience a better understanding of the themes throughout the series.
