Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe

Lore & Background

Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe began with the one-shot 'Episode 16: At a Confessional' published in Weekly Shōnen Jump on July 7, 1997. Araki was asked to contribute a one-shot with two requirements: it had to be shorter than 45 pages and could not be a spin-off. Despite this, he created a spin-off featuring Rohan Kishibe, later noting that being forbidden from making one likely led him to do so. The series has since appeared in multiple Shueisha publications, including Jump Square, Shōnen Jump+, Bessatsu Margaret, JoJo Magazine, and Ultra Jump. A collected volume was released in Japan on November 19, 2013, and was the 68th best-selling manga volume of 2014 in Japan.

Reader's Guide

Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe holds significance as a unique spin-off within the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure franchise, expanding the character of Rohan Kishibe beyond his original role. The series is notable for its episodic nature, with each story having a distinct 'flavor' influenced by its publication venue, as noted by Araki. The series also includes collaborations with the Louvre and Gucci, resulting in special one-shots like Rohan at the Louvre and 'Rohan Kishibe Goes to Gucci.' Adaptations include original video animations by David Production from 2017 to 2020 and a live-action mini-series on NHK General TV in 2020. The series was licensed for English publication by Viz Media in 2022, contributing to its international reach.

Did You Know?

• The series was originally meant to be completely original, but Araki changed it because he found it too tempting to use Rohan.
• Araki wrote a 123-page full color story titled Rohan at the Louvre for an exhibition at the Louvre.
• The OVA adaptation used different coloring compared to the Diamond Is Unbreakable anime to capture a horror feel.