Blog Post #3: Hirohiko Araki

Hirohiko Araki is a mangaka or manga artist known for his work on the hit manga series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (JJBA). Araki has been working on JoJo since its release January 1, 1987 to present day with new chapters (Similar to comic book issues) being released monthly. Araki’s work with JoJo has been adapted into anime, movies and video games.

Araki inspires me because of the how much work he’s put into his series and how he treats it as an art. Araki takes inspiration from many different things he enjoys, something I do as well. Many characters within JJBA are named after famous musicians or songs (ex. A character named Robert E.O. Speedwagon or a character with a super power he dubbed “Metallica”) and certain illustrations of his characters depict them in poses similar to those seen in Greek sculptures and art. His artwork from JJBA has been featured in an exhibit at the Louvre and he has also collaborated with Italian clothing brand Gucci for an exhibition using characters from the fifth (my personal favorite) and sixth part of JJBA. His art style is just stunning and has been constantly improving over the years (Part 5’s being my favorite). I want to develop my own art style and improve, just like Araki has.

Hirohiko Araki, at the Gucci-JoJo exhibit.

Two image sets that really show how Araki’s art style has changed over the years. From Part 1 to early Part 7, Araki had to produce chapter weekly for the Weekly Shonen Jump, the magazine that published JJBA. In 2005, Part 7 was moved to the monthly magazine Ultra Jump, giving Araki more time to produce each chapter.

Artwork depicting Giorno Giovanna, the main character of Part 5: Vento Aureo and his “Stand” Gold Experience from Volume 1 of Part 5’s story.

A piece of artwork from the Gucci-JoJo (2011-2013) collaboration featuring Jolyne Cujoh, the main character of Part 6: Stone Ocean.

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Cover of the “Rohan at the Louvre” book made for “The Louvre Invites Comic-Strip Art” exhibit that featured JJBA artwork. The book follows Rohan Kishibe, a character from Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable”. This book can be found at the Munday Library and be checked out.

Lastly, artwork depicting many of the characters from the different parts of JJBA, in the style of Late Part 7.

Sources: comicvine.gamespot.com/…4040-63918/images

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