ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable,” Volume 8

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Volume 8 is written and drawn by mangaka Hirohiko Araki and is published for English speakers through Viz Media. This volume picks up from the Highway Star arc, where readers get to catch up on both Josuke and Okyuasu as they spend time with their alien friend Mikitaka.

Araki keeps them occupied by having them encounter an enemy stand user in the transmission tower of their hometown of Morioh. The man has a stand named Superfly, where he essentially can trap his enemies in a set location. This fight is one of the few fights that lacks characterization compared to the previous volumes. It is a much more cut and dry fight where Josuke and Okyuasu narrate their fight with Superfly as it occurs. It’s not as entertaining as other fights and lasts for about 6 chapters. There is too much time spent on this mini-interlude away from the main plot, and while it’s nice to see Okyuasu be utilized more, it’s sad that it is in a section that feels bloated and unnecessary.

While the start of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Volume 8 feels a little boring, the artwork for the volume is still stunning. As the story progresses, we shift character focus to Yoshikage Kira and Rohan Kishibe. Rohan and Kira are some of the few characters that regularly get a change of outfits. Kira has a new identity and is trying to fit and blend into the town of Morioh. However, Araki gives Kira an iconic and wonderfully designed tie that features little cat skulls and crossbones. Rohan’s outfit change is one of his more revered looks within the fandom, where he is sporting his arrowhead earrings, a long necklace with some sort of talisman on it, a fitted hole-pattered sweater tucked into high waisted pants. Looking at the artwork of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Volume 8 will be such a treat for readers who love Rohan.

Through Rohan, Araki brings the plot back on track as Rohan is written to have a character shift. He has left being an antagonist to being a regular member of the Morioh crew and is now aiding in looking for Yoshikage Kira. Upon his investigation, he comes upon a very cool stand called Cheap Trap, which is one of  Araki’s more interesting enemy characters.  This stand attaches itself to the backs of any person who looks at it and begins to kill them. The fight that ensues is high-tension as this stand is mostly invulnerable and requires Rohan to make sure no one looks at his back. Otherwise, Cheap Trap would bounce to the next person.

The lettering in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Volume 8 is clear and easy to read despite many battles occurring throughout the volume. Dialogue boxes block no characters or settings. Internal dialogue is placed against solid black. Readers can always tell who is speaking, and the Viz translation still keeps all of Araki’s signature sound effects in place.

This volume clearly showcases how much Araki loves to play around with Josuke, Rohan, Okyuasu, and Koichi. Even though the overarching plot moves slowly, readers get to witness some fun, wacky adventures. The set up that the town of Morioh holds weird secrets and characters is thoroughly explored in the true enemy stand user of the week formula. It is entertaining and fun to watch these characters interact with the supernatural elements around them. This reviewer may never tire of seeing Araki’s fighting sequences and excellent character designs. While it is frustrating to have such long, drawn-out fight sequences, they aren’t a detriment to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure experience: Diamond is Unbreakable Volume 8.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Volume 8 is available February 2, 2021 wherever books are sold.