Why does Dio Brando seem to have two stands in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure?

Few characters in anime inspire as much fascination, debate, and meme-worthy obsession as Dio Brando from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. From his over-the-top villainy in Phantom Blood to his godlike menace in Stardust Crusaders, Dio is more than just a recurring antagonist; he is the dark shadow against which the Joestar family defines itself.

But among the many mysteries surrounding Dio, one has sparked years of heated fan discussion: why does Dio seem to have two Stands? Early in Stardust Crusaders, Dio uses a vine-like Stand resembling Joseph Joestar’s Hermit Purple. Later, however, he reveals his true Stand, The World, one of the most iconic and powerful abilities in the series.

The answer lies in the body he stole. At the end of Phantom Blood, Dio survives Jonathan Joestar’s Hamon-infused attack by severing his own head and grafting it onto Jonathan’s body.

By the time of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, Dio has spent a century inhabiting Jonathan’s body. Some fans remain puzzled: if a Stand is tied to a person’s soul, how could Dio possibly use Jonathan’s Stand? The answer comes from the unusual, parasitic nature of Dio’s existence.

Moreover, it sets up the idea of lineage-based Stand similarities that continue in later parts. Jotaro’s Star Platinum resembling The World is no coincidence; it reflects the shared destiny of the Joestar family and their eternal nemesis.

The reason many fans think Dio “breaks” the Stand rules is that Araki did not clarify the situation within the manga itself. In JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, Dio never explains to Jotaro or Joseph why he has access to vine-like powers in addition to The World. For years, fans assumed this was simply a plot hole or a sign that Dio had two Stands.

Fan theories and alternative explanations on Dio's Stand in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

The JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fandom, being as imaginative as Araki himself, has produced numerous alternative theories to explain the “two Stand” mystery:

1. Dio as a Stand Master of All Powers – Early drafts of Stardust Crusaders suggested Dio might wield multiple Stand abilities, befitting his role as the “ultimate” villain. This idea was later abandoned, but it may explain why his powers seemed inconsistent at first.
2. Jonathan’s Soul Remains Alive – Another theory posits that Jonathan’s soul was never fully erased. His lingering spirit manifests the vines, and Dio merely forces them to act on his behalf. This would explain why the vines resemble Hermit Purple, a Stand closely tied to Hamon and divination, both of which were Jonathan’s strengths.
3. Araki Forgot – Perhaps the simplest explanation: Araki hadn’t fully developed the rules of Stands when writing Dio’s early appearances. Later clarifications were retrofits. Given Araki’s reputation for making things up as he goes, this explanation isn’t far-fetched.

Final thoughts

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So, does Dio in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure have two Stands? Not really. The vines resembling Hermit Purple belong to Jonathan Joestar, whose body Dio inhabits. Dio can manipulate them because of his parasitic control, but his true Stand, the one tied to his soul, is The World.

The confusion arises because Araki introduced these elements gradually, and the manga never directly spells out the distinction. Yet when examined through interviews, artbooks, and the broader JoJo lore, the logic becomes clear: Dio doesn’t break the rules; he just lives in a uniquely bizarre loophole. In the end, the “two Stand” mystery adds to Dio’s mystique.

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