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JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, as of this writing, is 28 years old. With just a single year gap between Stone Ocean and Steel Ball Run, it has been continuously running since its inception. This longevity places it among the most enduring franchises in manga history. A significant factor contributing to its success is its structure divided into parts—each part introducing a new JoJo, a fresh main cast, and a distinct setting. Yet, perhaps the least obvious but most crucial element that changes with each part is the genre. While it remains a battle shonen manga throughout, it ingeniously blends the JoJo formula with different genres in each arc, giving every story its unique identity.

Nowhere is this more evident than in Diamond is Unbreakable.

Here, the series incorporates elements of a slice-of-life narrative, and the creative freedom this shonen/SoL fusion grants Araki leads to some of the most inspired results. The fact that Araki revisited the setting of Part 4 in Part 8, albeit with a twist on the genre, speaks volumes about this innovation.

It’s a straightforward yet brilliant concept—everyday events infused with SUPERPOWERS. It proves far more engaging than the battles in Stardust Crusaders, mainly because the adversaries there were typically either hired mercenaries, brainwashed puppets, or Dio worshippers. In Diamond is Unbreakable, they can range from a manga artist seeking inspiration to a crazed stalker or a beautician using their Stand for cosmetic surgery. What other action manga could transform eating Italian food into an intense and thrilling experience?

Interestingly, despite being celebrated now as one of the best parts, Diamond is Unbreakable was once one of the most criticized within the English-speaking fanbase. This was due to the infamous DUWANG scans, which for a long time were the only way to read Part 4 in English—and are notoriously, hilariously bad (worth reading in their own right, as they turn DiU into something akin to "The Room"). That it was once disliked, even though we all knew how poor the scans were, underscores just how much better the writing in Diamond is Unbreakable is compared to previous parts.

The same holds true for its protagonist, Josuke Higashikata, who was also once the most despised JoJo by fans. Where Jonathan was noble, Joseph was outrageous and trickstery, and Jotaro was stoic, Josuke is simply an average guy. He isn't boring or an average protagonist; rather, Josuke is your everyday regular dude. He's the kind of person you'd want to be friends with (explaining why he befriends half the Stand users he encounters). He is characterized by his humor, banter with friends, witty dialogue... and his quirky pompadour, which he fiercely defends. Unfortunately, much of this was lost in the awful translation we previously had to rely on.

Part 4 boasts one of the best supporting casts in any JoJo arc. Rohan Kishibe, often seen as an author avatar for Araki himself, is a jerk but entertainingly so, and his animosity towards Josuke always makes for fun viewing. Okuyasu Nijimura, reminiscent of Polnareff from Yu Yu Hakusho with added goofiness, is one of the most beloved JoJo teammates—he shares great chemistry with Josuke. The downside is that, unlike Polnareff, he's as unintelligent in combat as he is generally, winning only one battle on his own (largely by luck). His popularity despite this highlights how enjoyable he is. The weakest link in the main cast is Koichi, not bad but unremarkable.

We also have an excellent ensemble of recurring minor characters, including returning figures like Jotaro Kujo and Joseph Joestar (though the latter isn't what he used to be—his adulterous tendencies and slight senility tarnish what was once the best JoJo). The standout character, however, is the primary antagonist of Diamond is Unbreakable: Yoshikage Kira. Kira is a sociopathic serial killer with two desires: peace and quiet, and women's hands—only the hands. These conflicting desires set up a cat-and-mouse game as the main cast hunts him down, while Kira wants nothing to do with them.

As with the battles and characters, the Stands benefited from the creative freedom of the setting. Although iconic now, Part 3 didn't fully exploit Stands' potential. But with the flexibility of not requiring every Stand to be combat-oriented, they became more interesting and varied, featuring Stands that cook, gather items, and perform cosmetic surgery, among others.

Part 4 isn't without flaws. I've already mentioned Joseph Joestar's decline, but there's also missed potential in the final battle. Josuke lacks chemistry with Kira, whereas Rohan has a reason to fight Kira, forgotten by the final confrontation. Additionally, while the monster-of-the-week format works better for Diamond is Unbreakable than Stardust Crusaders, this is because there's no clear end goal for most of the series. Once an objective is established, it suffers similarly to Stardust Crusaders, though less severely—some fights fall below the series' standard and could have been omitted.

But these are minor criticisms. Overall, Part 4 is one of JJBA's finest, and an entertaining manga in its own right (which makes sense, given its self-contained nature).

Final Words: Y̶o̶u̶ ̶d̶i̶s̶a̶g̶r̶e̶e̶?̶ ̶W̶H̶A̶T̶ ̶T̶H̶E̶ ̶F̶U̶C̶K̶ ̶D̶I̶D̶ ̶Y̶O̶U̶ ̶S̶A̶Y̶ ̶A̶B̶O̶U̶T̶ ̶M̶Y̶ ̶F̶A̶V̶O̶U̶R̶I̶T̶E̶ ̶M̶A̶N̶G̶A̶?̶ ̶D̶O̶R̶A̶R̶A̶R̶A̶R̶A̶R̶A̶R̶A̶R̶A̶R̶A̶

Story/Plot: 6/10.
Characters: 9/10.
Art: 9/10.

Overall: 9/10.

For fans of: Yu Yu Hakusho, Persona 4

As Hirohiko Araki often does when introducing new parts of JoJo, "Diamond is Unbreakable" presents a fresh tone that's somewhat more lighthearted compared to earlier installments. Here, the focus shifts from adventure and travel to a murder mystery set in the tranquil town of Morioh Cho. As usual, JoJo and his companions face an array of bizarre and dangerous Stand users while hunting for a mysterious serial killer and uncovering the origins of Stand powers.

The narrative begins at a leisurely pace, which might initially give the impression of being one of the weaker parts of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. However, the story gradually gains momentum and, in my view, even surpasses Stardust Crusaders when its episodic structure gives way to a more cohesive main plot. This phase introduces a primary antagonist who may prove even more terrifying than Dio Brando ever aspired to be.

Notable flaws include the slow start and some characters who are introduced only to be largely forgotten later on. Nevertheless, the latter half of the series makes up for these shortcomings, as I mentioned. Characters like Josuke and Koichi Hirose grow on you, and you begin to genuinely care about them as you progress through the story.

For me, "Diamond is Unbreakable" ranks among the superior parts of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. It's definitely worth reading if you enjoyed the previous installments, provided you can overlook the sluggish beginning.

Quick thoughts on Diamond is Unbreakable:  

In the wake of Jotaro Kujo's epic journey and his companions in Stardust Crusaders, Jojo Part 4 takes us to the rather "mundane" town of Morioh. Here, Josuke Higashikata, the wielder of the stand Crazy Diamond, resides alongside numerous other stand users. Given that stand users naturally gravitate towards one another, the town soon becomes inundated with individuals possessing an array of extraordinary abilities, including a killer who has been haunting the city for quite some time.  

This sets the stage for Diamond is Unbreakable's mysterious tone right from the beginning. Although the story's pacing is solid, it does take a while to reveal its true intentions early on. Nevertheless, each chapter becomes increasingly bizarre, introducing unique characters and peculiar scenarios while retaining the strategic battles of wits seen in previous arcs. Ghosts, aliens, cat-plants—anything can make an appearance, yet it all feels fitting within the narrative.  

I think the standout feature of this arc is its character handling. We're introduced to a multitude of characters, each with their own distinct perspectives, relationships, motivations, and stands. Instead of focusing solely on the "main party," this arc skillfully allocates significant screen time to their development without straying too far from the central plot.  

Ultimately, it blends comedy, action, and mystery seamlessly, offering excellent interaction among the characters, inventive situations, and immersing us in a relatable universe filled with relatable characters. A few slow chapters didn't detract from my enjoyment and were quickly forgotten after the stunning climax. Diamond is Unbreakable was an incredible experience, and I'd love to see it animated as soon as possible.  

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To those who were planning to read JoJo only until Part 3 to get acquainted with the series and felt let down by Josuke's attitude at the start, I urge you: KEEP READING. Josuke is a character who evolves at an incredible pace once he gets serious about fighting, and Part 4 becomes increasingly captivating with every chapter you turn.  
  
The primary distinction between Part 3 and Part 4 lies in how the characters utilize their Stands. They are not merely employed for direct combat, making the battles far more intricate than in the previous installment. The characters truly shine in this part, combining their Stands to devise the most ingenious solutions to battle challenges ever witnessed.  
  
This is an excellent manga; the only aspect that slightly dampens my enthusiasm is the beginning. However, it is outstanding from (a little ways into) the start right through to the very end.  
  
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Jojo Part 4, in my view, stands out as one of the best JJBA Parts. It mirrors the build-up seen in Phantom Blood and shares a strikingly similar style to Stardust Crusaders.  

I absolutely adore the main cast of characters. Josuke is undeniably a "chad," Joseph remains quintessentially himself, and Koichi is brilliantly crafted—a shy and nervous character who can erupt into a fiery rampage when pushed too far. Okuyasu defied my initial expectations; he wasn't the "dumb" character I thought he'd be, and quickly became my favorite upon joining the group. It was also refreshing to see Jotaro show signs of maturity, though he's still clearly haunted by the events of Stardust Crusaders.  

The art style is vibrantly colorful, which I believe Araki intentionally incorporated. The '90s were a colorful era for many who grew up before the internet age, and this town, with its bright exterior hiding darker secrets, perfectly captures that contrast.  

Kira Yoshikage is an exceptionally well-written villain, striving to maintain a peaceful life while committing heinous crimes.  

My experience reading this part was truly remarkable. I wholeheartedly recommend it—it’s incredible to read and even more captivating to watch. Do yourself a favor and dive into Diamond Is Unbreakable.

The element that captivates me the most about the Jojo's Bizarre Adventure franchise as a whole is how each part focuses on a distinct theme, all tied to its era and context.

Diamond is Unbreakable is the fourth installment, and although it lacks the thematic unity of Phantom Blood, the charm of Vento Aureo, or the overall quality of Steel Ball Run, it remains my favorite due to its treatment of themes, particularly in the second half.

The story unfolds in Morioh, a seemingly tranquil small town. As Stand-related threats begin to devastate the area, we encounter our group of protagonists, each striving to uncover the numerous mysteries surrounding their hometown.

The first half can be considered the weakest, featuring episodic battles that vary from excellent (Let's go to the mangaka House) to merely silly and poor (Tonio's Restaurant). The narrative sustains itself through character development as they face various challenges.

Josuke takes center stage as the protagonist here, and he is an exceptional one. Despite his outward brutish appearance, marked by his tall stature and yankee-like demeanor, Josuke is inherently gentle and kind, always ready to assist those around him, no matter what. This is mirrored in his Stand, Crazy Diamond, which has the power to restore things, described by Jotaro as "the kindest ability in the world" (Jotaro himself remains unremarkable, though he functions better as a sidekick).

Koichi is another intriguing character, whose frail appearance belies a strong determination and a profound sense of duty towards his friends. Both these characters contribute to the overarching theme of Diamond is Unbreakable: appearance.

Morioh boasts an unusually high disappearance rate compared to any other town, yet its residents seem indifferent. They prefer to maintain the facade; the exterior holds more importance than the interior. It's no surprise that many villains eventually become allies: once you see—and accept—the true nature of someone, that person tends to grow closer to you.

Enter Kira, a character who epitomizes this aspect of the story. A serial killer with a warped obsession with hands, he still yearns for a peaceful life. He realizes that to achieve this, he must remain invisible, cloaking his true self with a bland exterior. People only perceive the surface, after all. He goes so far as to alter his appearance entirely and start anew as someone else, adapting to the situation.

This is the thematic essence of Diamond is Unbreakable, and while it isn't flawlessly executed, it is present. What about the "surface level" elements? The battles are a mixed bag, and the formula of "villain of the week" grows tiresome after a few episodes. Nevertheless, the final showdown ranks among the best moments I've ever experienced in any manga.

Araki's art is sharp, even as this marks the transition from his 80s masculine style to a more 90s-friendly one. The seeds of the androgyny that would become Araki's hallmark are evident here and would flourish in VA. Still, his framing techniques are impressive, and his narrative flow remains as precise as ever.

"Goodbye Morioh - The Golden Heart." This is the title of the last chapter, aptly named since, following the cleansing, we can anticipate Morioh to be as peaceful as it appears. It marks the conclusion of a story that is interesting, enjoyable, and above all, exhilarating. Indeed, diamond sure is unbreakable.