Created by Toshiyuki Araki, better known as Hirohiko Araki, the long-running manga series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is known for its flamboyant characters and distinctive styles. But perhaps the most iconic feature is the characters’ poses. These unique poses have become the show’s trademark and even frequently provide gags. What many fans may not know, however, is that the inspiration for these poses comes from real female models.

Hirohiko Araki’s approach to character design and posing is a testament to his unconventional creative process. Of course, major fashion brands like Gucci have even collaborated with him. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure before. An avid fashion fan, this artistic choice by Araki not only sets the series apart from other shonen series, but also challenges traditional gender norms in the portrayal of male characters.

The origins of the iconic poses of JoJo’s Bizarre AdventureCharacters

The influence of fashion on Hirohiko Araki’s art and his obsession with it are widely known. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is steeped in Araki’s passion for fashion, from the characters’ extravagant clothing to their carefully crafted poses. But what really stands out is the way he references women’s fashion in his male characters.

In 2018, Araki gave insights into the series’ creative process and inspiration behind the character designs in an interview with the fashion magazine SPUR. When asked whether or not he takes different perspectives into account when designing the poses of male and female characters, he revealed:

There is no particular difference in the way I draw male and female characters. Rather, I like to use women’s poses as a reference when drawing. Therefore, I often draw male characters by looking at the models in women’s fashion magazines.

This insight into Araki’s creative process reveals his preference for the more varied and expressive views of women’s fashion over the simpler ones typically seen on men’s clothing. According to Araki, male models “just stand around,” while women “always strike interesting poses, like twisting their hips or bending their necks.” Regardless of a character’s gender, Araki wanted to convey these subtle and expressive gestures.

The glamorous world of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Through Hirohiko Araki’s eyes

Hirohiko Araki also takes a more gender-neutral approach to fashion in his works. Instead of designing the characters’ clothes based on their gender, Araki places more emphasis on their personality and preferences. In his own words:

I think there are big differences between men and women when it comes to fashion. When I come up with a character, I create a sort of portfolio for them. There are about 60 fields in total, and by adding different details about them, such as their personality, habits, favorite foods, etc., the character becomes more and more three-dimensional and elaborate, just like a real person.

Although he is aware of the significant differences between men’s and women’s fashion, he rarely takes these into account when designing his characters.

The use of women’s fashion as a reference is evident in the elegance and complexity of the characters’ poses and outfits. From Jonathan Joestar’s exaggerated hand gestures to Dio Brando’s serpentine turns, these poses are connected to the series itself. Each pose is carefully considered to convey not only the character’s flamboyance, but also their personality, mood, and even their role in the narrative.

As JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure continues to captivate fans with its bizarre and striking world, Araki’s unorthodox approach to character design remains one of the most iconic and influential aspects of the series. It’s a reminder that some of the most memorable and influential works of art in any medium can come from breaking conventions, and that true creativity often lies in the unexpected.

You can watch JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure on Crunchyroll from August 18, 2024.