Want to get into JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure but intimidated by the length of the series? Here’s a guide on the viewing order.
Whether you start with the manga or watch the anime is up to you depending on your preference, though I would recommend both.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a manga written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki since 1987. It spans eight parts, with the ninth just announced. The anime is made by David Production and started in 2012.
1. Phantom Blood
Manga: The series begins on Chapter 1 with Part 1: Phantom Blood. It follows Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando and takes place in the 1880s. It has 44 chapters.
Anime: The first 9 episodes of Season 1, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: The Animation (2012), covers Phantom Blood. The anime has a quick pacing and as a result, several minor details from the manga have been removed.
2. Battle Tendency
Manga: Part 2: Battle Tendency begins on Chapter 45. It follows the grandson of Jonathan, Joseph Joestar, and takes place fifty years after Part 1 in 1938-1939. It has 69 chapters.
Anime: The remaining 17 episodes of Season 1 (Episodes 10–26 of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure 2012) cover Battle Tendency.
3. Stardust Crusaders
Manga: Part 3: Stardust Crusaders begins on Chapter 114. It follows the grandson of Joseph, Jotaro Kujo, and takes place approximately fifty years after Part 2 in 1988-1989. It has 152 chapters.
Anime: Season 2, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, covers Part 3 in 48 episodes.
Some sites may split Stardust Crusaders into two seasons, with the second part titled “Battle in Egypt”. Battle in Egypt covers Episodes 25-48 of the season.
4. Diamond is Unbreakable
Manga: Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable begins on Chapter 266. It follows the illegitimate son of Joseph, Josuke Higashikata, and takes place ten years after Part 3 in 1999. It has 174 chapters.
Anime: Season 3, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable, covers Part 4 in 39 episodes.
5. Vento Aureo (Golden Wind)
Manga: Part 5: Vento Aureo begins on Chapter 440. It follows the illegitimate son of DIO, Giorno Giovanna, and takes place two years after Part 4 in 2001. It has 155 chapters.
Anime: Season 4, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, covers Part 5 in 39 episodes.
For the following parts, the chapter numbers are contained for each part and begin their numbering at Chapter 1 in the volumes.
6. Stone Ocean
Manga: Part 6: Stone Ocean begins on Chapter 1 (595). It follows the daughter of Jotaro, Jolyne Cujoh, and takes place ten years after Part 5 in 2011. It has 158 chapters.
Anime: Season 5, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, covers Part 6 in 38 episodes.
The following parts are not yet animated.
7. Steel Ball Run
Manga: Part 7: Steel Ball Run begins on Chapter 1 (753). It follows Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli, taking place in 1890 in another universe. It has 95 chapters.
During Part 7, the manga switched magazines to Ultra Jump and became monthly. As a result, each chapter is much longer.
8. JoJolion
Manga: Part 8: JoJolion begins on Chapter 1 (848). It follows Josuke Higashikata, taking place in the same universe as Steel Ball Run, but over 121 years later in 2011. It has 110 chapters.
9. The JOJOLands
Manga: Part 9: The JOJOLands begins on Chapter 1 (958). It follows Jodio Joestar, taking place around a decade after JoJolion. It is currently ongoing monthly.
Craving more? There are several spin-offs related to the series.
JoJo-Related One-Shots
Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan
Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan is a spin-off series created by Araki, featuring Rohan. The series has random episode numbers but does not have to be read in the order of the numbers. The order listed below is based on the release dates and the order in the volumes. However, it does not really matter what order you read these spin-offs in. All of them take place several years after Part 4 (Diamond is Unbreakable).
Episode 16: At a Confessional
One-Shot: Episode 16: At a Confessional was the first Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan spin-off, released in 1997.
OVA: An OVA adapting the one-shot released on March 25, 2020. It added extra scenes which makes it take place in between Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable and Part 5: Vento Aureo.
Episode 2: Mutsu-kabe Hill
One-Shot: Episode 2: Mutsu-kabe Hill was the second Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan spin-off, released in 2007.
OVA: An OVA adapting the one-shot released on July 19, 2018.
Rohan at the Louvre
One-Shot: Rohan at the Louvre features a young Rohan Kishibe from Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable. It is a one-shot manga written by Araki and released in 2010. The way Rohan has his Stand differs from canon events in JoJo.
Kishibe Rohan Meets Gucci
One-Shot: Kishibe Rohan Meets Gucci does not have the Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan title in its name, but is contained in the second volume of TSKR in this order. The spin-off itself released in 2011.
Episode 5: Millionaire Village
One-Shot: Episode 5: Millionaire Village was the third Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan spin-off, released in 2012.
OVA: An OVA adapting the one-shot released on September 20, 2017.
Episode 6: Poaching Seashore
One-Shot: Episode 6: Poaching Seashore was the fourth Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan spin-off, released in 2013.
Episode 4: The Harvest Moon
One-Shot: Episode 4: The Harvest Moon was the fifth Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan spin-off, released in 2014.
Episode 7: A Rainy Monday
One-Shot: Episode 7: A Rainy Monday was the sixth Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan spin-off, released in 2015.
Episode 8: Deoxyribonucleic Acid
One-Shot: Episode 8: Deoxyribonucleic Acid was the seventh Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan spin-off released, in 2017. It was originally titled as Episode 9: D.N.A but changed in the volume.
Episode 9: The Run
One-Shot: Episode 9: The Run was the eighth Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan spin-off released, in 2018. It was originally titled as Episode 10: The Run but changed in the volume.
OVA: An OVA adapting the one-shot released on March 25, 2020.
Episode 10: Hot Summer Martha
One-Shot: Episode 10: Hot Summer Martha was the ninth Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan spin-off, released in 2022.
Episode 11: Drip Painting Style
One-Shot: Episode 11: Drip Painting Style was the tenth Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan spin-off, released in 2022.
Other
Jolyne, Fly High with GUCCI
One-Shot: Jolyne, Fly High with GUCCI is a one-shot that released in 2012. It features Jolyne Cujoh as the protagonist along with some characters from Part 5. The characters do not have the same roles as they had in the main series and it is set in its own continuity.
Spin-Offs By Other Manga Artists
Crazy Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak
Manga: Crazy Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak is a manga starring Josuke Higashikata and Hol Horse which takes place in March 1999 and released from December 2021 until May 2023. It was written by Kouhei Kadono and illustrated by Tasuku Karasuma. This story takes place after Part 3: Stardust Crusaders and before Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable.
It has a full novel that came out after the manga with more details, called Crazy Heartbreakers.
Fujiko’s Bizarre Worldly Wisdom
One-Shot: Fujiko’s Bizarre Worldly Wisdom -Whitesnake’s Miscalculation- is a one-shot by Sho Aimoto that released on December 2021. It features Jolyne Cujoh meeting with an artist named Fujiko Fujiyama whose ability can control the mental state of others. It takes place in the middle of Part 6: Stone Ocean around Chapter 40 (Episode 10).
Light Novels
There are several light novels related to JoJo that are not written by Araki but he has illustrated covers and some images for them. The order you read these in are completely optional. These have not been officially released in English but most have fan translations available, excluding rey infinito and Iggy the Stray Dog.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (Genesis of Universe)
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (subtitled Genesis of Universe in the Italian release) is the first light novel related to JoJo. It released in 1993. It takes place during Part 3: Stardust Crusaders.
GioGio’s Bizarre Adventure 2: Golden Heart, Golden Ring
GioGio’s Bizarre Adventure 2: Golden Heart, Golden Ring is the second light novel related to JoJo, released in 2001. It takes place during Part 5: Vento Aureo.
The Book: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure 4th Another Day
The Book ~jojo’s bizarre adventure 4th another day~ is the third light novel related to JoJo, released in 2007. It is a sequel to Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable.
Purple Haze Feedback
Purple Haze Feedback is the fourth light novel related to JoJo, released in 2011. It is a sequel to Part 5: Vento Aureo, featuring Pannacotta Fugo as the protagonist.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Over Heaven
JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE OVER HEAVEN is the fifth light novel related to JoJo, released in 2011. The book is written and presented as the lost transcript of DIO’s Diary from Part 6: Stone Ocean.
JORGE JOESTAR
JORGE JOESTAR is the sixth light novel related to JoJo, released in 2012. The book features numerous characters from Parts 1-7, mainly focusing on George Joestar II, Lisa Lisa, and Jorge Joestar (a character from the 37th universe in the novel).
Iggy the Stray Dog
Iggy the Stray Dog is the seventh light novel related to JoJo, released in 2022. It takes place before Part 3: Stardust Crusaders, starring Iggy and Muhammad Avdol.
testimone di gangster
testimone di gangster is the ninth light novel related to JoJo, released in 2022. It takes place before Part 5: Vento Aureo, starring Squalo and Tizzano.
Crazy Heartbreakers
Crazy Heartbreakers is the tenth light novel related to JoJo, released in 2023. It stars Josuke Higashikata and Hol Horse and takes place in March 1999 after Part 3: Stardust Crusaders and before Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable. It was written by Kouhei Kadono.
A manga adaptation of the novel released earlier, called Crazy Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak.
There’s No Love Like a Parent’s
There’s No Love Like a Parent’s is the eleventh light novel related to JoJo, released in 2023. It takes place before Part 5: Vento Aureo, starring Melone and Ghiaccio.
Other Adaptations
JoJo was also adapted by other companies in the forms of OVAs and films. These are optional to watch.
Phantom Blood Film
Phantom Blood is a film produced by Studio A.P.P.P. adapting the first part of the series. Unfortunately, it was never released to home video after its limited theatrical release. However, there are some videos of it on our wiki page.
Stardust Crusaders OVA
There are two OVA series by Studio A.P.P.P which adapt Part 3: Stardust Crusaders. In total, it is 13 episodes with lots of cuts and changes to the source material.
Diamond is Unbreakable Film
There is a live-action film adapting Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable. It covers up to the fight against Keicho Nijimura.
Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan TV Drama
There is a live-action TV Drama adapting Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan. It has 9 episodes so far, as well as a live action film.
