Nov 23, 2023
First review!
Story: 6
While I did enjoy the bizarre nature of the mystery and understood the themes of the story, It lacked focus. The story meanders around a bit too much, with many arcs that add little to the main plot or contribute anything in the future. The story would have benefited a lot from using these one-off arcs and spreading them into the main conflict. For example, using the Higashikata family and their abilities more. We got prolonged arcs introducing them, so they could sit outside the plot.
(Just to clarify: I don't mind when characters do things outside the plot like in part 4,
...
but in part 4 it was firmly established as a slice-of-life)
It can be said that because Josuke has amnesia and feels lost, so should the story as well, to which I say, fair point, but if that is the case then at least have something interesting happening.
Generally, the story had a very strong beginning that brought up questions with lots of intrigue, to which the answers we were given didn't live up to the expectations of the set-up. The flashback chapters and the ending were also a breath of fresh air, because the story finally felt tensive and there was a strong narrative driving the characters.
Art: 9
Araki's art style will always be one of the best for me, I just scored it 9 instead of 10 because it felt like a step down from the beautiful character designs of part 7.
Characters: 5
This is honestly where the biggest problem lies for me. The themes of the story revolve around the Higashikata family, and most of the time they are irrelevant. Either knocked out or just unaware of what's happening around/inside their house. The only ones with screen time are Jobin and Tsurugi, which makes sense because the curse affects them the most, however, it really shouldn't have been the case when there was so much potential for the other family members.
Relatability was also sadly lacking, I couldn't feel sympathy for a lot of characters since they were so unlikeable, I never felt close with any of the characters in the Higashikata family or felt like I could cry for any of them.
As for Josuke the jojo of the story, and Yasuho, the other protagonist, thankfully they carried the story, with fantastic moments and cool characterization. They both grew a lot and their arcs were satisfying. Jojo in particular, got his closure and his amnesiac plot concluded not in a neat bow, which for me feels more realistic. I just wish there were more scenes of Gappy and Yasuho together in a more slice-of-life setting so I could get sold on their romance faster, because it blossomed way too quickly.
Enjoyment: 6
It fluctuated a lot. Starting absurdly high in the beginning, to very low in the middle, to good again in the final stretch.
A thing I'll say is that the story was supposed to be read monthly and it shows. I read it when all the chapters were out and the amount of times it repeats itself is staggering. In almost every new chapter Araki has to remind you what's happening, the motive, the scene, the battle, everything. It is one of those things that lowered my enjoyment as well.
Overall: 6.5
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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