The Joestar lineage is synonymous with extraordinary power, evolving dramatically across generations and narrative arcs. From the raw, sun-infused martial arts of early JoJos to the complex, reality-bending psychic entities of later protagonists, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure consistently redefines what it means to be powerful. This evolution isn't just a spectacle of escalating abilities; it's a core component of the series' enduring appeal, constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity and combat.
At its heart, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure showcases two primary power systems: Hamon and Stands. Each system has shaped its era, defining the challenges and triumphs of the JoJos and their allies. Understanding these foundational powers is key to appreciating the depth and ingenuity that makes JoJo truly bizarre and endlessly fascinating.
The Genesis of JoJo's Might: Hamon (Ripple/Sendo Hamon)
Before the spectral guardians of Stands, there was Hamon – a testament to human potential refined through rigorous training. Introduced in Part 1, Phantom Blood, Hamon is a sophisticated breathing technique that enables its practitioner to channel concentrated, sunlight-like energy within their body and through their attacks. This energy, resembling the ripples on water, is intensely harmful to supernatural beings such as vampires, zombies, and the ancient Pillar Men, making it the ultimate weapon against them.
Learning Hamon isn't for everyone; only about 1 in 10,000 individuals possess the inherent capability to master it, often under the tutelage of masters like Baron Zeppeli. While potent, especially with fatal moves like the "Hamon Overdrive," Hamon's scope for development eventually reached its limits. Joseph Joestar was the last primary Hamon user in the franchise, signaling a major shift in the series' power dynamics. If you're eager to , its history and techniques are a foundational piece of the JoJo universe.
The Era of Stands: Psychic Avatars Unleashed
The narrative truly shifted with Part 3, Stardust Crusaders, which introduced Stands, effectively replacing Hamon as the dominant power system. A Stand is a psychic entity or avatar, generated and meticulously controlled by its owner, known as a Stand user. These powerful manifestations are often profound reflections of their user's inner self-image, taking on a vast array of forms, abilities, and distinct styles. They are typically invisible to non-Stand users, adding a layer of mystery and strategic depth to their battles.
The origin of Stands traces back to an alien virus-carrying meteorite that crashed on Earth, bestowing unique powers upon those it infected. Later, a bow and arrows crafted from this meteorite material were discovered and used to selectively grant Stand powers to individuals struck by them, a significant plot device introduced in Part 4, Diamond is Unbreakable. Stands are widely regarded as superior to Hamon, primarily because they offer an unparalleled level of flexibility and creative freedom, allowing for wildly diverse combat scenarios and narrative possibilities. To , you'll find a world of unique psychic abilities waiting.
A Pantheon of Power: Ranking the JoJos and Their Stands
Each JoJo brings a unique flavor to the series, not just through their personality but through the distinctive powers of their Stands (or Hamon). Here, we rank the JoJos by the sheer power and narrative impact of their abilities:
1. Giorno Giovanna (Part 5: Vento Aureo)
Giorno Giovanna stands at the apex with Gold Experience Requiem (GER), an evolved form of his original Stand. GER's defining characteristic is its undefeatable negation, an ability so absolute it can undo any action or effect an enemy attempts, setting an action's "causality" back to zero. This power famously nullified Diavolo's King Crimson's time manipulation, condemning him to an inescapable loop of non-death. GER is implied to possess its own sentience, often acting without Giorno's direct input, cementing Giorno's status as arguably the strongest JoJo and one of the most formidable characters in all of anime. Curious to ? It's a game-changer.
2. Josuke Higashikata (Part 8: JoJolion)
The second Josuke on our list, from JoJolion, wields Soft and Wet: Go Beyond. While his original Soft and Wet could transfer anything its bubbles touched (sound, friction, moisture), the "Go Beyond" evolution is a whole new dimension. These bubbles are actually super-fine, spinning filaments that phase through reality itself, effortlessly bypassing solid objects and ignoring fundamental rules of causality—even the calamities of Wonder of U. The trade-off for such immense power is that Josuke cannot visually track his own attacks, often relying on allies like Yasuho for guidance. For a deeper dive, .
3. Johnny Joestar (Part 7: Steel Ball Run)
Johnny Joestar's journey to mastering Tusk: Act 4 is a profound evolution of power rooted in understanding the Spin. Starting with the seemingly simple ability to turn his fingernails into bullets, Tusk evolved to represent infinite energy, ensuring targets are hit and neutralized regardless of defenses. Its pinnacle allows Johnny to tear dimensional walls, making it capable of extraordinary feats. He famously defeated Funny Valentine by tearing through dimensional barriers and burying him across alternate universes. This power often requires specific conditions, like being shot from horseback, and Johnny himself can become a victim of its effects through clever enemy tactics. To , prepare for a ride.
4. Jotaro Kujo (Part 3: Stardust Crusaders)
Jotaro Kujo, the stoic protagonist of Part 3, commands Star Platinum, a Stand renowned for its incredible speed, immense durability, and precision in close-quarters combat. Its punches and kicks are devastating, capable of shattering nearly any obstacle. Star Platinum also boasts keen eyesight and mechanical precision, allowing Jotaro to perform intricate tasks. His hidden ace, however, is the ability to momentarily stop time, similar to Dio Brando's The World, which he gains during their final battle, rendering him almost unbeatable. A slight limitation is that Star Platinum's durability seemed to decrease as Jotaro aged. You can .
5. Josuke Higashikata (Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable)
The original Josuke Higashikata from Part 4 wields Crazy Diamond, a Stand with the unique ability to restore objects to their original shape or bring them together. This versatile power has numerous applications, from turning glass shards into boomerang projectiles and transforming a severed hand into a tracking device, to restoring a shredded tire around an enemy to trap them. However, Crazy Diamond's restoration isn't always perfect. When Josuke is enraged, he can gruesomely fuse enemies with objects, as seen when he merged Angelo with a rock or Terunosuke with a book. To , it’s clear why he's a fan favorite.
6. Jolyne Cujoh (Part 6: Stone Ocean)
Jolyne Cujoh's Stone Free is a testament to ingenuity over raw power. Her Stand allows her to unravel her own body into incredibly strong string, offering ingenious applications for sneaking, wrapping, tying, and stitching. Stone Free can also punch through formidable obstacles, like a metal fence. Though Stone Free might possess the least pure power among the JoJo Stands on this list, Jolyne's quick thinking and creative use of her ability, especially within the confines of Green Dolphin Street Prison, make her an incredibly effective and memorable JoJo. See how .
7. Jodio Joestar (Part 9: The JOJOLands)
From the ongoing The JOJOLands, Jodio Joestar commands November Rain, a Stand with a unique, long-legged, spider-like appearance. November Rain creates rain that Jodio can command to gain immense weight, transforming ordinary raindrops into crushing blows. His strategy often relies on surprise attacks, as victims are typically unaware of the rain's lethal capabilities until it's too late. As the story continues, November Rain is still considered somewhat unwieldy, with its full potential largely unknown, promising exciting developments ahead. You can as the narrative progresses.
8. Joseph Joestar (Part 2 & Beyond: Battle Tendency, Stardust Crusaders, etc.)
Joseph Joestar is unique, possessing both Hamon abilities and a Stand. While less adept at Ripple than his grandfather Jonathan, his Hamon was still potent in Battle Tendency. Later, he gained the Stand Hermit Purple, which manifests as thorny vines. Hermit Purple is often used for utility rather than raw power – swinging, conducting Hamon, and most notably, divination to find desired information through cameras or other mediums. His Hamon powers, while impactful in his youth, eventually grew outdated against the more ethereal and abstract abilities of the Stands he encountered later in life. To , his versatility is truly standout.
9. Jonathan Joestar (Part 1: Phantom Blood)
Jonathan Joestar, the original JoJo, laid the groundwork for Joestar power with his mastery of Ripple (Hamon). His power system revolved around a solar-powered martial art, which he expertly used to pummel and slash Dio's vampire army. Jonathan showcased incredible ingenuity, utilizing Hamon to do everything from using a glass of wine as radar to binding fallen leaves into a giant wing glider. His power represents a more traditional, predictable energy source, a stark contrast to the abstract concepts of fate and karma that later JoJos would grapple with through their Stands. You can to appreciate where it all began.
The Evolution of Combat: From Physicality to Abstraction
The journey through JoJo's power systems is a fascinating study in narrative evolution. It began with Hamon, a physical, tangible energy rooted in martial arts and breath control, directly combating specific supernatural threats. This evolved into Stands, abstract psychic manifestations that allowed for unparalleled creative freedom, moving combat from direct physical confrontation to battles of wit, strategy, and increasingly complex reality-bending abilities. This shift has enabled the series to explore diverse themes, from fate and destiny to the psychological landscapes of its characters.
The Legacy and Future of JoJo Powers
The dynamic and ever-evolving power systems are a cornerstone of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's enduring legacy. From the ancient ripples of Hamon to the intricate, reality-defying Stands, each new ability pushes the boundaries of imagination and keeps readers eagerly anticipating what bizarre twist comes next. As new JoJos emerge, like Jodio with November Rain, the series continues to innovate, promising further unforgettable demonstrations of power that cement its place as a groundbreaking force in manga and anime.