Battle Tendency

Set in 1938-1939, this part follows Joseph Joestar, Jonathan's grandson, as he confronts the Pillar Men—ancient superbeings seeking perfection. Joseph's trickster nature and strategic thinking contrast with traditional heroism while Caesar Zeppeli's sacrificial death deepens themes established in Phantom Blood.

Battle Tendency shifts focus to Joseph Joestar, Jonathan's grandson, introducing a fundamentally different protagonist type. Where Jonathan embodied noble virtue, Joseph represents chaotic trickster energy—clever, cunning, and willing to bend rules toward victory. Joseph combines Hamon training with intelligence and deceptive tactics, proving that victory doesn't require overwhelming power but rather strategic thinking and psychological manipulation. His personality introduces comedy as central series element, with Joseph's constant quips and comedic observations making Battle Tendency notably lighter in tone than Phantom Blood despite serious stakes. The Pillar Men represent existential threat surpassing typical antagonists. These ancient superbeings, particularly Kars, embody evolutionary perfection seeking absolute power through consuming Stone Masks. The Pillar Men's emergence forces the discovery that Hamon, the series' established power system, proves insufficient against these ancient threats. This escalation demonstrates how JoJo's consistently raises stakes and challenges established rules. The introduction of Esidisi and Wamuu establishes that enemies can possess honor and respect despite opposing heroes—foreshadowing the series' later willingness to portray morally complex antagonists. Caesar Zeppeli, Joseph's rival-turned-friend, embodies the series' willingness to sacrifice beloved characters. His death against Wamuu demonstrates that not everyone survives, and heroism often requires sacrifice. Joseph's growth from irresponsible youth into determined fighter willing to sacrifice for others mirrors Jonathan's development, suggesting that character progression recurs across generations. The part's climax involving Kars's ultimate transformation and subsequent defeat demonstrates that even victory carries costs—Joseph loses his arm, a permanent consequence affecting him throughout subsequent parts. Battle Tendency establishes that JoJo's combines action with genuine humor while maintaining emotional weight.