Today on July 29, 2024, Hirohiko Araki, the manga artist of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure series, unveiled his first public art piece, “THE FOUNTAIN BOY,” on the first floor of the new Inogate Osaka building at JR Osaka Station. West Japan Railway Company (JR West) first announced the project on May 16, 2024, with Oricon News interviewing Araki about his creation.
Inogate Osaka is located directly above the west exit of Osaka Station. In conjunction with its opening on July 31st, JR West launched the Osaka Station West Side Area Art Project, also called “WARP (WEST ART PROJECT).” This project aims to provide a space for everyday art experiences, contributing to the development of Osaka’s culture and business, and fostering innovation. They held a public unveiling ceremony for it today.
Video of Araki Revealing His Art
Hirohiko Araki’s “THE FOUNTAIN BOY” (2024)
The “Fountain Boy” sculpture had been displayed at Osaka Station for 103 years since the era of the second station building. Araki’s work visually connects that Fountain Boy to the future. He depicts the Fountain Boy with JoJo‘s modern art style on stained glass on the front of a large black sphere. The antique glass used, made by Germany’s Lamberts company, is hand-blown glass that has been passed down unchanged since medieval Europe.
The Stands displayed on the artwork are from top to bottom and left to right, November Rain from The JOJOLands, Star Platinum from Stardust Crusaders, Killer Queen from Diamond is Unbreakable, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap from Steel Ball Run, Stone Free from Stone Ocean, Gold Experience from Vento Aureo, and Tusk from Steel Ball Run.
Araki’s Creation Process Interview
What was your initial reaction when you received the request for this project?
Hirohiko Araki (hereinafter, Araki): When I received the request, I heard that there used to be a monument called “Fountain Boy” here, which is now sleeping in a museum. They wanted to revive it in a new form, and I thought that was wonderful.
I don’t usually get to do public work as a manga artist, so I was truly honored to be able to contribute. I put my best effort into drawing it.
Many fans were excited to hear the news that you were creating an art piece. The characters from your work, Stands, appear in this piece. Can you tell us why?
Araki: When I saw the photo of the “Fountain Boy” statue, I realized it followed the Roman tradition of public fountains. Public fountains in Rome have a long-standing tradition of serving the community, so I thought I should draw a fountain. Fountains circulate and symbolize natural phenomena descending from the heavens, cleansing and purifying the world. Stands in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure also depict natural forces and invisible powers. I felt they were absolutely necessary in the fountain, so I scattered several of them around.
This piece features seven Stands. How did you choose these seven?
Araki: They’re in order of their strength and power (laughs). Since it’s a fountain, I also included November Rain, a Stand that makes it rain. It’s the one that creates the most rain for the fountain. It’s a Stand from the ongoing series The JOJOLands.
I drew this with the hope that it would bring healing, hope, and good fortune to those who use or pass by this spot, and that something good might happen when they meet here.
This place might become a new power spot at Osaka Station.
Araki: (laughs) I hope so.
Under the Stands, there’s a boy depicted. Is this the Fountain Boy?
Araki: When I saw the photo, I imagined him like this, with curly hair and holding something like a tray. It’s a pose that seems to be receiving rain or water. And that’s how I ended up completing it.
What was the most challenging part of the creation process?
Araki: Manga is usually drawn on rectangular paper, but this time I was asked to draw in a circular shape. However, I realized that a circle has an infinite image, so I thought there could be pictures in that form as well. Deciding where to place everything was difficult; the composition was challenging.
So was this a new challenge for you?
Araki: Yes, I don’t usually draw circular pictures.
There seemed to be more to discuss, but due to time constraints, the talk at the unveiling ceremony ended, followed by a photo session with Araki and the president of JR West, Kazuaki Hasegawa. President Hasegawa praised Araki for continuing to draw JoJo, saying, “He conveys various messages to the world through the protagonist, who lives in the present while inheriting old history.” He noted that foreign tourists were also paying attention, highlighting Araki’s global recognition.
Map
For those in Japan who would like to go see Araki’s art, it is located at #0 on this map above.
Sources: Oricon News, Gigazine, WARP
Additional Videos
On October 8, 2024, the Comic Natalie YouTube channel uploaded two new videos showing Araki’s process of painting.
