Stardust Crusaders

A ragtag team of Stand users journeying across the globe to save a life.

The Stardust Crusaders are a traveling coalition of Stand users formed during the manga's third part, Stardust Crusaders. United by blood and necessity, they embark on a perilous pilgrimage from Japan to Egypt with a singular objective: defeat the vampire DIO before his Stand kills Holly Kujo. This group represents the first major assembly of Stand users working in concert against a common supernatural enemy. While lacking official titles or headquarters, their bond is forged through shared combat and the high stakes of their mission to save the Joestar matriarch from a cursed fate.

Quick Facts

Primary leader: Jotaro Kujo
Initiator: Joseph Joestar

Lore & Background

The formation of this party begins in 1983, when DIO's coffin is salvaged from the ocean. Because DIO had taken over Jonathan Joestar's body, Stands awaken in Jonathan's descendants, including Joseph Joestar, his daughter Holly Kujo, and his grandson Jotaro Kujo. Holly, however, is unable to control her own Stand, which begins to slowly kill her. Jotaro, Joseph, and their allies set out to defeat DIO before Holly's Stand takes her life, fighting off DIO's henchmen along the way. The group's journey takes place from late 1987 to early 1988, across continents, facing DIO's elite servants and his loyal Stand users. Their story concludes with a decisive battle in Cairo where they successfully destroy DIO, though at significant personal cost.

Reader's Guide

The coalition serves as the primary protagonist faction within the third saga of the Joestar chronicles. Formed organically rather than by decree, these individuals band together to combat a supernatural threat that transcends national borders. Their goal is absolute: reach Cairo and destroy DIO before his curse claims Holly Kujo's life force. Key members include Jotaro Kujo, whose Stand acts as the team's shield, and Joseph Joestar, providing strategic wisdom despite his age. They are joined by Avdol, Polnareff, Kakyoin, and the canine Iggy. Each brings unique abilities to counter DIO's minions along their path from Tokyo to the Nile. Ultimately, the group dissolves after achieving victory, with surviving members returning to civilian lives while carrying the scars of their extraordinary journey.

Did You Know?

The Stardust Crusaders arc is set from late 1987 to early 1988, following DIO's awakening in 1983 after his coffin is salvaged from the ocean.
The manga's third part, Stardust Crusaders, spans volumes 13–28, with 152 chapters.

Production Timeline and Studio Evolution

From 1993 to 2002, A.P.P.P. produced a 13-episode original video animation (OVA) adapting the manga's third part, Stardust Crusaders. In October 2012, an anime television series produced by David Production adapting Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency premiered on Tokyo MX. As of December 2022, the studio has produced five seasons consisting of 190 total episodes, adapting through the manga's sixth part, Stone Ocean. An anime adaptation of the manga's seventh part, Steel Ball Run was announced in April 2025.

Global Distribution and Home Media Strategy

The manga, TV anime, and live-action film are licensed in North America by Viz Media, which has produced various English-language releases of the series since 2005.