Jonathan Joestar

Jonathan aspires to an idealized form of gentlemanly conduct built around courage, generosity and respect for others. As a boy, that ideal sometimes exceeds his actual maturity: he is impulsive, easily provoked by Dio Brando, and willing to endure humiliation rather than admit defeat. By adulthood, those traits have settled into genuine discipline. He remains emotional, but anger rarely overrides his basic compassion.

His kindness extends even to people who attack him. Jonathan can recognize courage and humanity in an opponent, and he does not take pleasure in inflicting suffering simply because someone stands against him. That compassion is not weakness. Threats to his family or innocent people bring out an aggressive determination that contrasts sharply with his normally courteous manner.

Jonathan is also unusually sincere about love and friendship. His feelings for Erina Pendleton survive years of separation, while his loyalty to companions such as Robert E. O. Speedwagon and Zeppeli develops rapidly once they have earned his trust. Even his feelings toward Dio remain complicated by the years they spent growing up together.

Jonathan possesses extraordinary physical strength before receiving any supernatural training. His size, athleticism and boxing experience allow him to overpower ordinary men and survive punishment that would incapacitate most fighters. His archaeological study of the Stone Mask also gives him useful knowledge of the artifact at the center of his conflict with Dio.

Zeppeli teaches Jonathan the Ripple, or Hamon, a breathing technique that produces an energy resembling sunlight within the human body. Because vampires and the undead are vulnerable to sunlight, Ripple energy allows Jonathan to damage enemies that conventional physical attacks cannot reliably destroy. Proper breathing also enhances his physical performance and lets him transmit Ripple through objects and living organisms.

Jonathan develops several specialized applications during his training and battles. Zoom Punch extends the effective reach of his arm by dislocating its joints while using Ripple to suppress the resulting pain. Sendo Wave Kick channels Ripple through a kick, while Scarlet Overdrive concentrates it into a fiery-looking strike. Sunlight Yellow Overdrive delivers a rapid series of Ripple-infused punches. He can also conduct Ripple through metal, plants, liquids and other suitable mediums rather than relying entirely on direct contact.

After Zeppeli is mortally wounded by Tarkus, he transfers his remaining life energy to Jonathan through Deep Pass Overdrive. The resulting increase in Jonathan's Ripple and physical power allows him to overwhelm Tarkus and leaves him considerably stronger for the remaining battles against Dio's forces.

Jonathan's story begins in 1880, when Dio Brando arrives at the Joestar estate after George Joestar I adopts him. Dio immediately attempts to dominate Jonathan's social and family life, attacking his relationships and humiliating him while presenting himself to George as the superior son. Their childhood rivalry escalates dramatically after Dio targets Erina Pendleton and Jonathan finally retaliates.

Seven years later, Jonathan has become an archaeology student researching the Stone Mask owned by his family. Suspicion surrounding George's illness leads him to investigate Dio's past, bringing him into contact with Robert E. O. Speedwagon on Ogre Street. Jonathan discovers that Dio has been poisoning George, but Dio responds to his exposure by using the Stone Mask on himself and becoming a vampire. George is killed during the confrontation, and the Joestar mansion burns down.

Jonathan's meeting with Will A. Zeppeli begins the second phase of his journey. Zeppeli teaches him Ripple breathing and accompanies Jonathan and Speedwagon in pursuing Dio. They travel to Windknight's Lot, where Jonathan battles Dio's undead servants, including Bruford and Tarkus. Zeppeli is killed during the battle with Tarkus after transferring his remaining Ripple energy to Jonathan. Jonathan subsequently joins forces with the Ripple masters Dire, Straizo and Tonpetty before confronting Dio at his castle.

Jonathan defeats Dio's body with Ripple and later marries Erina. During their honeymoon aboard a ship bound for America, however, Dio reappears as a severed head and attempts to take Jonathan's body. Jonathan receives a fatal wound while stopping Dio's plan and spends his final moments holding Dio as the ship sinks, allowing the pregnant Erina and an infant she rescues to escape.

Dio Brando is Jonathan's adopted brother and defining rival. Dio systematically torments him after entering the Joestar household, while Jonathan gradually learns to resist him. Despite everything Dio does, Jonathan retains complicated feelings toward the person with whom he shared seven formative years, and his final confrontation with Dio ends with Jonathan acknowledging the strange bond between them even as he sacrifices himself to stop him.

George Joestar I is Jonathan's father. George raises his son according to strict expectations of gentlemanly behavior and often compares him unfavorably with the apparently exemplary Dio. Jonathan nevertheless loves and respects him deeply, and George's death while protecting Dio becomes one of the decisive losses in Jonathan's life.

Mary Joestar is Jonathan's mother, who died when he was an infant during the carriage accident in which George first encountered Dario Brando.

Erina Pendleton is Jonathan's childhood love and later romantic partner. Their early relationship is deliberately attacked by Dio, but they reunite as adults after Erina nurses Jonathan following the destruction of the Joestar mansion. Jonathan and Erina marry shortly before the final voyage of Phantom Blood.

Will A. Zeppeli is Jonathan's Ripple teacher and one of his most important companions. Zeppeli recognizes that Jonathan must learn Ripple to fight Dio and subjects him to demanding training. When Zeppeli is mortally wounded, he entrusts his remaining life energy to Jonathan, allowing his pupil to continue the battle.

Robert E. O. Speedwagon initially attacks Jonathan on Ogre Street but quickly becomes one of his closest friends. Speedwagon's admiration for Jonathan's character turns him into a fiercely loyal companion throughout the campaign against Dio.

Danny is Jonathan's beloved childhood dog. Dio has Danny locked inside an incinerator, killing him as part of his campaign to torment Jonathan.

Bruford fights Jonathan after being resurrected as one of Dio's undead knights. Jonathan's honor moves Bruford in his final moments, and Bruford gives him his sword, Luck, which Jonathan renames Luck & Pluck after Zeppeli adds the letter P.