#the jojolands chapter 13

[fenixfuego15]

New chapter sure was something but I will say I love learning more about the joestar part 9 sibling dynamic. Yes the younger sibling being the protective one is always silly but oh my god. The difference in their ideals. Dragona being older and more worn down by the world telling Jodio it’s not his circus nor his monkeys, sometimes bad stuff just happens even if you did nothing wrong. And Jodio going, no actually fuck that I’m committing arson. It’s the… person who has resigned themselves to suffering and is at peace with it vs their loved one who is going to Fight for them. Look at the menacing resolve of that kid, he’s so!!!!!! I love consuming media.

[marcys-garbage-bunker00]

iwas very uncomfortable during Chapter 13 of Jojolands but because, as someone who's been on such type of situations (though not in the same particular way Dragona was) it felt, in a odd way, like someone understood what the experience was and wanted to put it out in paper for others to have a aight into qhat a lot of people are forced to endure for no other crime than existing in a particular way

I think this is the "absurd" Dragona refers to, she didn't do anything wrong (using She because i feel certain now that she's a trans woman after this chapter), she just wanted to live her life in peace, yet was othered and antagonized and hurt for no fault of her own, the worst she did was accidentally hit someone with a volleyball, but it's heavily implied by her talk with Jodio that this has been going on for a good while now.

I firmly believe that, the "breaking of her heart" Dragona talks of was her will to live, and it made my heart stop to beat when, as i read, i realized that, had Jodio not intervened, Dragona might have turned suicidal, or st lesst apathetic to being alive, and i think that might be one of the reasons Jodio becomes so protective of her.

But Jodio was there, he stood up to one of the only three people he assumedly genuinely cares for, he showed Dragona how much he does care and love her, and that was what she needed to just miss the hand of darkness gripping her into worse.

I understand the criticism some have given this chapter but... from my personal perspective, as a queer woman, this was like a hard pill to swallow that Araki thought was necesary for people to start considering given the state of Trans safety and rights right now all over the world, let alone general rights of any memeber of the LGBTQ+ community, people of color and more.

From my perspective, i felt validated in my suffering, and had in a weird way, confirmation that what happened to me was real, and it was as horrible as i remember it, and it wasnt me just making a mountain of a molehill.

[incorrect-jojolands-quotes]

Hot take but I think what we saw in chapter 13 was necessary.

I don't think a lot of people realize how important it is for Araki to portray what he did, even if it extremely difficult to take in. Let me explain.

Araki has discussed about topics like racial and class disparity through both Steel Ball Run and Jojolion, but JOJOLands is different because the discussions are now very direct. We had Chapter 1 open up with police brutality and Chapter 13 open with intense bullying; both acts were committed by people of higher social standing/power and seemingly White (or white passing) and both are harming a dark-skinned queer individual. Not only that, remember that Hawai'i is an island stolen and colonized by the US and many indigenous individuals who were supposed to live and maintain kapu are being forced to endure housing problems, loss of culture, etc. due to gentrification and exploitation of its lands. 2020 was when we saw global protest towards the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor due to police brutality, which has spread as far as Japan in terms of demonstrations and rallies. Araki has made it clear that he tries to take real world experience into his writing, and this is no different. He is also no stranger to portraying law enforcement throughout his parts without glorifying or downplaying their behavior.

As a mutual of mine (who themselves identify as a black GNC individual based in US) has put it, those who identify or even appear as Black while identifying as trans-femme or women are subjected to some of the worse kinds of oppression possible in America. Queer women of Color are one of the most susceptible to sexual violence-- especially when they are young, and the darkness of their skin really plays into it. This is transmisogynoir; it is a hard pill to swallow and acknowledge, even if it feels excessive, and its a multilayer of oppression that connects a person's racial identity, gender, and sexuality as targets of discrimination. It's the fact that one is POC, a woman, AND queer that makes one a target--- not just one or the other. You can’t turn a blind eye to this because it happen constantly throughout America's history and American society even today, but you can't simply water it down or downplay it. In fact, many victims of transmisogynoir have no choice but to downplay their experiences because of their Black identities or because they appear too dark to be taken seriously; when they, especially if they are Black, try to hold people in power accountable, these individuals are suddenly labeled aggressive, indignant, etc. and they are further discriminated for attempting to speak up. Dragona downplaying the bullying isn't them just trying to avoid further conflict but a reflection of how many who were in similar situations like Dragona are forced to simply forgive and forget the trauma they have to endure. To downplay it ourselves is reinforcing the narrative that individuals like Dragona in real life should remain silent and endure their harassment rather than rightfully protect themselves and others from it.

Another thing to add is that the way Japan portrays and treats the LGBTQ community, particularly the trans community. In Japan, the process to legally change your gender is complicated and requires a lot of steps that include, but not limited to, being diagnosed with gender identity disorder, proving you have no kids/guardianships, and sterilization. This causes a lot of individuals to be forced to quickly transition as a means of getting their gender recognized, which takes away the time to let them explore at their own pace, and this is due to how the process can lead to hindering career and life opportunities that wouldn't be hindered had they already transitioned or stayed closeted. Many Japanese trans individuals unable to go through the process quickly either remain closeted or move away from Japan to transition at their own pace. So, as a result, the trans community and its struggles is not as noticed compared to outside of Japan. Another thing to add is that the trans community in Japanese media is often portrayed as comedic relief or a gag. Oftentimes, the trans character or character who diverts from gender conformity (i.e cross-dressing, acting more flamboyant) is the butt of the jokes. Some thing to note is that, when Dragona was first introduced, a lot of people thought that Araki put Dragona in simply for comedic purposes. I had people joke about how Dragona is just there because they believed Araki is trolling. Not only that, the racial issues that Japan has often results in jokes towards non-Japanese individuals in media, especially if they are of darker skin color.

So, Araki putting Dragona in these difficult situations is also meant to subvert expectations that his Japanese, and possibly Western, audience may be expecting. The expectation was to laugh and toss Dragona aside as a single-dimensional character, but Araki instead forced us to face the trauma through Dragona's experience head-on. We are made aware of Dragona's situation, how real and difficult the struggle is, and we end up emphasizing with it rather than laughing at it. Through this, we get a glimpse into real life experiences of trans POCs without it being downplayed and have it show how Dragona is a fleshed-out character with importance to the series. As some have put it, this chapter proved that Dragona isn't just a side character but arguably a complex individual on the same level of importance as Jodio. I don't think it would have been easy to have the same impact if another approach was taken.

While talking to others who identify as trans and/or GNC about their thoughts on the chapter, I was told by many of them that, while Dragona's experience hits close to home and was hard to digest, they appreciate seeing it being expressed and hope it will help other people understand their struggles. One noted how the introduction of Smooth Operators with the backstory as empowering, seeing the Stand as a symbol of surviving the trauma that comes with trans discrimination. I do find this a bit telling with how many people online who are against Araki's portrayal barely mention what trans/GNC people have said about it.

My main concern, as well as what I see people have rightfully critiqued, is the excessive trauma reinforcing the fetishization and violent voyeurism towards trans individuals; it also reinforces the problematic narrative that dysmorphia can only happen as a result of trauma and the trans experience can only be full of pain. There's also the issue that Dragona's experience also happened while they were under age and their harassment is similar to that of Lucy. It's a common trope in Western media to put marginalized people into these situations while upping the ante simply for clicks and pleasure, and even worse when the character portrayed is a minor. As I reiterate, it is a very uncomfortable chapter to read and I don't find it enjoyable at the slightest. Just because I understand why it is necessary doesn't mean I condone the approach done. I also understand Araki as a Japanese man can only relate and portray a queer American's experience to an extent. But, at the same time, the exposure was necessary because it gives us the awareness and a voice to trans people that is lacking within media even today. We need to be aware and acknowledge what our BIPOC trans community goes through as a means of being better humans--- and especially our younger community members. We need to make our society safer for them so they can thrive and have the respect they deserve. Oftentimes, that starts with how they are portrayed and how their experiences are portrayed. While it is still a journey and not every representation will be perfect, we can't simply toss it aside and bash those who try to show something realistic just because it is uncomfortable.

I only hope that Araki wrote Dragona and these scenes as a result of doing extensive research and reaching out to actual POC queer individuals, particularly transfemmes/women, to understand their experiences and have their blessings to use their words to shape Dragona. I feel like that would show that Araki was serious about discussing these issues through his characters rather than simply using Dragona's traumatic experience it for entertainment. I have higher expectations for Araki now, knowing that it may not be the last time he shows a character experience harassment and possibly have Dragona be harassed again, so I will keep my eyes open for this.

[t-bell18]

Everyone reading the new chapter of jojolands:

Jodio:

All those people....

[basedkikuenjoyer]

Jojolands 13: Ohana Means I'll Set Your Ass on Fire

Dragona dropping some great truth about the absurd in this bizarre adventure. We finally got a peak behind that mask. I love it and I hate it, if you've read the chapter already you know what I mean. We'll get to that, because this right here isn't spoilery and it was such a cool nugget.

I love the way Dragona talks about the "absurd." Chance moments that alter one's life for better or for worse. The things that just don't make sense. Especially paired with Dragona opining about nearly losing their heart in the same chapter that last part about hearts being destroyed hits hard. I'm definitely sure we're looking at a trans narrative here and one we'll see play out. The chapter does a good job of implying what we need to know. Nudges at an early theory you've been changing your body with Smooth Operator. We ready? What follows is no place for beginners or sensitive hearts:

Oh HELL yes! As if I needed a reason, these two were well on their way to top Jojo status and now the dynamic duo of the Joestar Siblings are definitely there. Mean girl sets her sights on a much more timid Dragona who we now know looked way more masculine at 14 than 18. Talking physical build and not just fashion. You know, I don't expect an 18yo to have all that figured out and with this I do think we'll see her keep coming into her own. But holy shit that was fucked up and I sincerely hope we can get through the rest of this with no more sexual assault on my Jojos blorbo.

If they do...Jodio will fuck you up. Set a whole damn bus on fire! And while I'm not looking forward to having to relive the impetus in the inevitable anime adaptation, since we've already had the cop I kinda like the perpetrator being a girl here. For one because it shows a side of this kind of bigotry that often goes underrepresented. You see a little more space made typically for trans men who had bad experiences with men prior to coming out, largely because it tends to overlap with those who found a comfortable half-step in something like a radical feminist group. But this sets up Dragona pretty well for a realistic other side of the coin to that. Your experiences with bullying might make you a little skittish of girls your age, you keep a foot in this criminal world even if we keep showing you (not unlike Okiku) as someone who doesn't fit super well, all this would certainly explain why you'd gravitate towards a figure like Meryl Mei. Why there's great potential for drama if she shows a nastier side. It's all great for a trans story that justifies still figuring yourself out through it...but sticks to a fairly realistic path for a lot of young women who find themselves running with gangs.

All that said, Jodio you absolute freak. Burning the whole bus is metal, it's scruffy, he's protecting family. Doooooope. These two are fantastic and I can't wait to explore their story, their dynamic more. Jodio & Dragona's sibling bond is the beating heart of this part. As much as I love Kiku/Izo & Killua/Alluka yeah this is gonna be a banger. Speaking of, this chapter was also the second time we nudged at Jodio getting shit for looking fey too. These two are ride or die for each other and their awesome mom Barbara Ann. How this all ties into their family falling apart and their desire to become filthy rich? No need to ask...

In lighter news. They. When Meryl learns of the other lava rock that got smashed. We're all clear on who's the brains and who's the firepower in the dynamic duo right? I trust Meryl as far as I can throw her and she's a big lady. But for now everything seems on the up-and-up. Charmingman seems to have passed the sniff test and yeah it looks like he's just going to hang around. I like this new setup. Scouting a shadowy company to see if we can get more lava rock.

All in all one of the best chapters of Jojolands so far. I'm loving it, this is the exact direction I hoped it'd go. The backstory made this pretty heavy and I hope we can have more fun with this gang on the new excursion.

[musichawkposts]

After reading Chapter 13 of Jojolands I think all arguments that it's transphobic can be reasonably disregarded (reading comprehension? in my jojo fandom?) but I do understand other criticisms about it tackling sexual assault (especially of trans youth) in a way that's callous and tasteless. However, I feel like this can be resolved by these facts:

Discussion of sexual assault (especially of trans youth) is a topic that requires subtlety, complexity, and nuance.

Hirohiko Araki is the creator of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

[weird-gay-disaster]

I hope that one bitch in the recent chapter later becomes an antagonist so Dragona can kill her personally.

"nooo she isn't a bitch she's still young and-"

[fellow-traveller]

Some small thoughts I have about Jojolands. No major spoilers to the story, in case someone hasn't read it yet.

Looking at the character designs, especially Dragona and Meryl, I have an inkling Part 9 is gonna be filled with inspirations from drag queens. Which is good, because drag fashion can be exquisite as it can be campy as well. I'm sure it's up Araki's alley.

Plus, with Paco obviously had his name taken from Paco Rabbane, the possibility that there be more fashion reference in Jojolands, like in Stone Ocean, is pretty high.

While many tried to tie Jojolands with characters from Part 5 (because of the drug refs), which is fine, I still feel like Jojolands characters are their own. If there's any equivalent exchange, it won't be tied individually. Like the two Stroheims in Part 2 and 7, or the two Hiroses in Part 4 and 8.

I'm thinking it'll be more like Gappy in that sense, that two characters or more will make up the characteristics of each of the Jojolands gang. While it's easier to speculate who and who (like me assuming our Cap Guy to be Polnareff + Hol Horse), perhaps we'll just have to wait until a few more chapters to be out to dive deeper into this.

[nikathesiren]

Move it, Joseph. They got an installation to installate! ✏

When I read chapter 13 of The Jojolands, I busted out laughing with that picture of Jodio at 11yo, like everyone else I suppose. That made me think about how bad and ugly is Araki art sometimes, and encourages me not to be so hard on my own art. Even with such ugly stuff, Araki is a very famous, admired and talented person, and he has gone on to exhibit his artwork at the Louvre! That thought of museums and bad art made me think of the Simpsons, and here I am with this nice crossover, lol.

---------- More jojocomics! - More of my art!

[manganumber4]

New Dragona Joestar designs/outfits in chapter 13 of The JOJOLands

[revoltinggirl-urethra]

hi ok araki fucking popped OFFFFF with JoJoLands chapter 13 oh my fucking GOD

dragona is pretty explictly a trans woman by now i think, and we got to see jodio's sociopathy on full display once again. the focus on these aspects of their characters and how they impact their lives and relationship was so good, and i adore how kinda fucked up they are <3

TJL's introduction to our protagonists was with them being harassed by a pair of cops, and we see a return to this theme with jodio's and dragona's encounters with transphobia and the othering they go through in this chapter, with special attention given to the way that these experiences were what drove them to crime. this defining moment for their backstories is called "absurd", and this is called back to later in the chapter when charmingman describes how society seemed to shape itself around obstructing him from finding his brother.

i think this connection gives us a ton of insight into this story and what araki is saying. i might be reading too much into it, but dragona and jodio are fantastic examples of marginalized identities and conditions that are rejected from society and disadvantaged, and how this leads to how easily exploitable they are as populations. the lava rock's strange fortune-warping properties only play more into the idea that the systems we live in are arbitrary and, indeed, absurd.

im so fucking excited to see where this story goes next. goddamn araki nobody is fucking doing it like you, man. this cishet boomer is writing mental conditions and trans protagonists LEAGUES better than the mainstream i love him so much

[numbmontezuma]

On a more serious note about this chainsaw man chapter now that i had time to digest it, a lot of the reactions to it feel frustrating.

Now first things off, you're totally allowed to feel disgusted, sad or disturbed by this chapter, this was the intention but some of the reactions i'm seeing reminds me of when chapter 13 of jojolands came out.

I see people constantly complaining that stories nowdays are playing too safe, are not tackling more sensitive topics etc. But when a story actually does tackle some really sensitive topics (SA, transphobia, bullying) without 0 sugar coating, all of a sudden there's this blowback that feels almost puritan like.

It's like people only want these things depicted in a "sanitized" maner or worse, that depicting these scenarios in this maner is endorsement.

[nerdykitkat123]

The JoJolands: Chapter 13: The Absurd Event That Happened To Me That Year

Quick note: I used to colour Dragona a lot darker, however reddit were very harsh about it. So, from now on this is how I will colour Dragona. Apologies that its not as consistent now, however it was a change that was needed going forward. Anyways, with that aside! Hi, I procrastinated doing this for an entire month lmao. Couple days from now is my birthday so happy early birthday gift lmao.

[incorrect-jojolands-quotes]

If I did monthly notes on The JOJOLands chapters, would y'all read it?

Not necessarily a full-on review but I'm thinking about posting random tidbits about the chapter that I think not a lot of people might have considered or background on certain things that occur in the chapter.

[dreaminplates]

THE JOJOLANDS CHAPTER 13 SPOILERS (TW FOR MENTIONS OF S/A)

I really want to have faith in Part 9 of JoJo. I really really do. I did not care for part 8 that much and I saw part 9 as a potential step forward. But ALL we are doing is devolving and making a joke out of the series. I get that folks might view the events of Chapter 13 as Araki trying to showcase the brutality marginalized groups face, but showing your one and only main transgender character getting SA'ed TWICE in order to make them a victim is not the way to do it. Dragona could be an interesting character, but all they've been used for is furthering Jodio's character development by being a helpless victim that needs saving from incredibly horrifying and graphic assault. Araki is not a good writer. A good writer does not lean so far into victimizing his characters that they become vessels for fetishization and transphobia. If this weren't the one key component of their character and if it weren't depicted in such a horrifying, objectifying, and fetishizing way, I would not be this upset. But that's what's being given to us as readers, and as a reader I think this is a new low for JJBA, even when considering scenes like this have happened before (Lucy in SBR).

[jojolandsost]

🏝🗯 uploading music references in the jojolands as they appear!

💿🗯 Directory below:

Chapters:

Chapter 1 - Mechanism

Chapter 2 - The Japanese Person on Hawai'i Island

Chapter 3 - Find the Diamond in the Mansion

Chapter 4 - Vs. Kishibe Rohan

Chapter 5 - November Rain

Chapter 6 - Jungle Warfare, Part 1

Chapter 7 - Jungle Warfare, Part 2

Chapter 8 - Let's Go Look at Luxury Watches

Chapter 9 - The Owner of Lava Rock

Chapter 10 - THE Hustle, Part 1

Chapter 11 - THE Hustle, Part 2

Chapter 12 - His Name is "Charmingman"

Chapter 13 - The Absurd Event That Happened to Me That Year

Chapter 14 - Hawaii State Land Registry Office

Chapter 15 - Bigmouth Strikes Again

Chapter 16 - That Girl's Bags Groove, Part 1

Chapter 17 - That Girl's Bags Groove, Part 2

Chapter 18 - That Girl's Bags Groove, Part 3

Chapter 19 - Glory Days, Part 1

Characters:

Jodio Joestar

Dragona Joestar

Paco Lovelantes

Usagi Alohaoe

Rohan Kishibe

Barbara Ann Joestar

Wild Cat Size

Charmingman

Bobby Jean

Lulu

Acca Howler

Reference Type:

Character

Stand

Background

Unconfirmed