Brotherhood beyond the stand: Why the JoBros deserve the spotlight in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a popular show that has maintained its status as the most eccentric and flamboyant anime of all time. But if we talk about who in this series carries its soul, fans can agree that it would be the JoBros.

JoBros, for the uninitiated, are the right-hand men (and sometimes women) who roll alongside our main JoJo each part. They’re the support system, the hype men, the comic relief, the tragic sacrifices, the emotional glue, and sometimes they even outshine the protagonist. Without them, the story would not have the same type of charm. It’d just be a bunch of ripped dudes posing dramatically in solitude.

From Phantom Blood to Stone Ocean, the JoBros carry more emotional weight than they’re ever credited for. Many believe that JoBros are the unsung heroes of this bizarre adventure.

If we start from the beginning, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood, it was the shortest part, but maybe had the most reliable JoBro’s: Robert E.O. Speedwagon and Will A. Zeppeli.

Speedwagon wasn’t just a loyal street thug with a buzzsaw hat—he was the heart. The moment he saw Jonathan Joestar’s integrity, he flipped from foe to fanboy and stayed loyal till death (and beyond).

Without Speedwagon, the Joestar lineage would've collapsed. The man literally founded an organization that saved JoJo’s bacon for generations. The Speedwagon Foundation is basically JoJo’s version of Batman’s Alfred + Oracle + WayneTech.

Then there’s Zeppeli—Jonathan’s Ripple mentor, the wizardly hat-wearing ripple master who gave his life for the cause. His death was our first taste of the JoBro tragedy template. The "mentor turned martyr" blueprint continues to echo across the franchise.

Then comes JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Battle Tendency, which introduced us to Caesar Zeppeli. He started as a cocky, stylish Ripple user who butted heads with Joseph Joestar. But their rivalry turned into brotherhood—respect earned through battles and near-death experiences. Caesar wasn’t just a flashy clacker-wielding goofball. He was passionate, proud, and deeply loyal to his lineage and his friends.

Stardust Crusaders gave us the JoBro ensemble—a full crew of personalities, quirks, and Stands. We had Avdol, Iggy, Polnareff, and Kakyoin. This part felt like a road trip with friends. As we weren't just watching JoJo vs Dio, we were traveling with the crew. Their banter, clashes, and bond made the journey.

Unlike other parts, Diamond is Unbreakable gave us JoBros in a peaceful town setting, fighting bizarre slice-of-life threats. For instance, Okuyasu is probably the dumbest smart character ever written, and Koichi is believed by everyone.

In JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, the crew had the strongest collective bond. You believed in their mission. Their rebellion. Their brotherhood. And finally, Stone Ocean’s JoBros are a little different.

The prison setting means we don’t always get a cohesive gang, but the connections still shine. This part showed that even in fragmented settings, the JoBros can still carry emotional depth and narrative purpose.

Why Do the JoBros Matter So Much in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure?

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a story of legacy. Of generations rising against evil. And while the Joestars are the bloodline, the JoBros are the lifeline. These characters provide contrast to the often stoic or single-minded JoJo leads, ground the battles with emotional stakes, and bring humor, heart, and unpredictability to the plot.

Often pay the ultimate price, reminding us that friendship in JoJo has real consequences. And most importantly, they make JoJo feel human. As outlandish as this series gets, with vampire masks, Stand battles, and characters end up in uncomfortable situations, it is the JoBros who are always there to remind us what loyalty, growth, and sacrifice look like.

Final thoughts

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We can’t talk about JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure without talking about the JoBros. They are a bizarre adventure. They’re the reason why the audience cries during finales, the reason they rewatch fights and spam “Nice!” when they see a well-timed Stand attack. Sure, we love the Joestars.

But let’s be real, without the JoBros, they’d just be weird dudes monologuing alone. They may not have the family name, but they’ve got something just as powerful: brotherhood beyond the stand. And in JoJo’s world? That’s everything.

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