JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 3: Stardust Crusaders Chapter 131 Discussion

Damn, and there goes another one :(

What a finish. That animal stood no chance. I guess Jotaro didn't spare him this time around not that I expected him to yet.

As I’ve enjoyed this like a horror movie, waiting to see the gruesome way the characters would fall, Araki made me feel less like a psychopath!  By making that hilarious 4th wall break where Polnareff asked the audience what of the three answers would happen, I thought, of course we’re supposed to be having a blast.  



However, the 4th wall breaking question made me wonder if it held thematic weight.

1. I, the handsome Polnareff, will suddenly come up with an idea to counter his attack.
2. My friends will come save me.
3. I won’t be able to dodge it. Life is cruel.

Initially I had thought that Araki made a point that the characters in Stardust Crusaders would all fight their own battles and they would not need to be saved.  Abdul beating Polnareff twice despite it setting up for a perfect time to switch opponents, or Jotaro being stuck in the water against Yellow Temperance, or Polnareff being tied under the bed against Devil, there were many times that Araki could have easily made someone save the day.  The Devil even poked fun at this.  When going with this analysis I found Polnareff’s thought process to be a sign of strength(and in turn all the major characters), that he can’t rely on his friends, not because they aren’t reliable but rather he can’t blame them if they don’t show up.  So he doesn’t even hope for that, instead, he tries his best for #1, and then follows #3, accepting his death having given his all.  



This may still be true regardless but upon further thought, I realized this idea of relying on themselves has not been held that strongly.  To name a few, Abdul saved Polnareff thrice, against Emperor, Judgement, and Ice’s stand.  In this instance, Iggy also saved Polnareff, both of his allies breaking their pledge.  Before this, Jotaro saved Polnareff from Anubis’ control and Justice.   Speaking about Polnareff alone, he does get saved in the nick of time quite often, but regardless his thought process to never give up and do all he could until his bitter end did show where his, and the bros strength does come from.  The will necessary to conquer fear.



To speak more directly about the chapter, the friends rushing to save the day reminded me of Joseph and Lisa Lisa heading to Caesar a moment too late which made me think that may be subverted.  It ultimately was, but not in the obvious way.  Iggy instead gave his life to save Polnareff and Polnareff sliced through Vanilla Ice’s brain, heartbroken that yet again his friends have lost their lives for him.  Kind of like Jonathan in Phantom Blood, Polnareff has the many sacrifices made for him, making him feel like the main character more than ever.  That said, all these sacrifices together are in turn helping the Joestar’s so I suppose it works both ways.  However after all was said and done, I started to doubt Abdul is really gone.  He may lack his arms but Iggy got a text box to confirm his death.  That normally happens when major characters die.  Jonathan Joestar, Caesar Zeppeli, if Iggy counts, Abdul would without a doubt, right?  If Ice does go down, which I’m not sure the brain slushy Pol created is enough because if a Vampire, Dio had his brain sliced in two and was fine once, but if it is enough, then I suppose we will see then.

Yet another dog bites the dust.

man.... Rest in Piece iggy :(