The JoJoLands

Lore & Background

The story follows Jodio Joestar, a 15-year-old high schooler and gofer living with his family on Oahu, Hawaii. He works for his principal Meryl Mei Qi alongside his older brother Dragona and their kleptomaniac classmate Paco Laburantes. Together with client-turned partner Usagi Alohaoe, they travel to Big Island to perform a heist against manga artist Rohan Kishibe. During their mission, the gang discovers a Lava Rock with the ability to attract anything of value that its user touches with the rock. They become allies with Big Island resident Charming Man, who hopes to use the rock to investigate his younger brother's disappearance on the slopes of Hualālai. The gang tells Meryl Mei about the Lava Rock, and she decides to use it to gain all the assets of the infrastructure development company Howler, including its land on Hualālai. She sends them to touch Howler's land deed with the Lava Rock. Subsequently, Howler's lender Dolphin Bank moves to seize Howler's assets in response to a government plan to seize its Hualālai land due to accusations of illegal activities. The current head of the Howler company, Hacca Howler, speculates that this was caused by the Lava Rock, and sends agents Bobby Jean and Lulu to take it for him. They chase Jodio's gang to a nearby hospital, but Jodio kills Bobby Jean and captures Lulu. Meryl Mei orders the gang to trick Hacca into transferring the Hualālai land to them, declaring they have one week to take Howler's land before it is too late. Meanwhile, agents Key West, Laem Chabang, and Ningbo begin to work for Hacca to investigate Bobby Jean's death. With Key West by his side, Hacca tries to bribe the disguised Charming Man into not collecting his assets, but Charming Man refuses and tries to trick him into transferring the land. However, the Lava Rock in Dragona's possession begins to deteriorate in the presence of the bribery money, raising Hacca's suspicions.

Reader's Guide

The JoJoLands continues the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure franchise's tradition of generational conflict and supernatural battles, now set in a contemporary Hawaiian context. Its significance lies in expanding the rebooted continuity that began with Steel Ball Run, introducing a new Joestar protagonist—Jodio Joestar—who operates as a gangster rather than a hero. The arc explores themes of wealth, family, and the consequences of greed through the Lava Rock's ability to attract value. The story also incorporates real-world elements such as the U.S. state of Hawaii, the infrastructure company Howler, and the involvement of the US Navy and FBI. The arc's legacy is still developing as it continues serialization, but it has already introduced notable characters like Rohan Kishibe from earlier parts and established a complex plot involving land deeds, corporate intrigue, and Stand abilities. Its publication in Ultra Jump marks a shift from the shonen magazine Weekly Shonen Jump where earlier parts appeared.

Did You Know?

• The JoJoLands is the ninth main story arc of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
• It is set in the U.S. state of Hawaii in the early 2020s.
• The protagonist Jodio Joestar is diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.