Hirohiko Araki is a madman. I mean that in the best way possible, obviously. When he finished Steel Ball Run, fans were left wondering how he could possibly top a cross-country horse race involving the corpse of Jesus Christ. Then came JoJolion.
At the center of this bizarre, decade-long mystery is Josuke Higashikata Part 8 JoJo, a character who literally crawled out of the earth with no memory, four testicles, and a sailor suit. He isn't the Josuke you remember from Diamond is Unbreakable. He’s weirder. He’s more violent. And honestly? He’s probably the most tragic protagonist in the entire franchise.
People usually call him "Gappy" because of the gap in his teeth. It’s a cute nickname for a guy who spent the first few volumes of his existence trying to figure out if he was a ghost, a clone, or a complete accident of nature.
The Identity Crisis That Defined a Decade
Most shonen protagonists have a goal. Luffy wants to be King of the Pirates. Naruto wants to be Hokage. Josuke? He just wants to know whose face he’s wearing.
The core of JoJolion isn't just about Stand battles, though those are top-tier. It's a detective noir set in the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake. When Yasuho Hirose finds Josuke buried near the Wall Eyes in Morioh, the mystery kicks off instantly. He’s a blank slate. He has no past, which makes his every action a desperate attempt to build a future.
We eventually learn that Josuke Higashikata Part 8 JoJo is a fusion. This isn't a spoiler anymore; it’s the foundation of his character. He is the result of an "equivalent exchange" between Josefumi Kujo and Yoshikage Kira (the Part 8 version, who is much less of a serial killer and much more of a stoic hero). Through the power of the Locacaca fruit and the mysterious properties of the soil near the Wall Eyes, these two men merged into one.
This creates a massive philosophical rift. If you are made of two dead people, are you either of them? Josuke spends a significant portion of the manga trying to live up to the legacy of the men he used to be, only to realize he has to be his own person. It’s heavy stuff for a manga about punching people with invisible ghosts.
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Soft & Wet: More Than Just Bubbles
If you think a Stand that blows bubbles sounds weak, you haven't been paying attention to how Araki writes. Soft & Wet is terrifying.
Initially, the ability is described as "plunder." Josuke’s bubbles can take something away from an object. He steals friction from a floor to make it slippery. He steals the sound from a door so it opens silently. He even steals the eyesight from a person. It’s a versatile, conceptual power that rewards Josuke for being the smartest person in the room.
But as the story progresses, we see the Stand evolve. It reflects Josuke's own growth.
Later on, we get into the "Spin"—a mechanic carried over from Steel Ball Run. We find out that Josuke’s bubbles aren't actually spheres. They are infinitely thin lines vibrating at high speeds. They are "nothingness" that exists in a way that can bypass the logic of the universe. This leads to the Go Beyond form, which is basically the only way to defeat an "invincible" enemy like Wonder of U.
It’s a long road to get there. It takes 110 chapters.
The Higashikata Family Dynamic
You can’t talk about Josuke without talking about the family that took him in. The Higashikatas are a mess. Norisuke Higashikata IV, the patriarch, brings Josuke into his home for reasons that are—at first—totally suspicious.
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The house is filled with people who either want to help Josuke or want him gone.
- Joshu: He’s the worst. Everyone agrees. He’s jealous, petty, and has the worst haircut in manga history.
- Hato, Daiya, and Tsurugi: Each has their own Stand and their own secrets regarding the family curse.
- Jobin: The eldest son and arguably one of the best "villains" (if you can even call him that) in the series. His obsession with saving his family leads him down a very dark path.
Josuke is an outsider in this house. He’s a cuckoo in the nest. Yet, through his sheer determination to save Holy Kujo (the woman who is technically his mother... sort of), he becomes more of a Higashikata than some of the blood relatives.
Why Part 8 Josuke Is Different
If you compare him to Jotaro or Joseph, Gappy feels different. He’s more calculated. He can be brutal—seriously, he finishes fights with a level of lethality we don't always see in JoJo. He isn't interested in being a hero in the traditional sense. He’s protecting his small circle.
There’s a vulnerability to him. He cries. He gets confused. He enjoys the simple pleasure of a good large-fry (but not the fried chicken). Araki spent a lot of time making him feel human despite his supernatural origins.
The fashion, too, is a standout. The sailor suit is iconic. It’s a contrast to the gritty, often gruesome reality of the Rock Humans he’s fighting. Speaking of Rock Humans, they are a fascinating addition to the lore. They aren't vampires or Pillar Men; they are a separate biological species that live in parallel to humans. Josuke’s conflict with them is a struggle for survival and a battle over the "blessing" of the Locacaca fruit.
Common Misconceptions About Josuke Part 8
A lot of people drop JoJolion early because they say the plot is "aimless." That’s a mistake. The plot is a mystery, not a linear race. If you go in expecting a "villain of the week" format like Stardust Crusaders, you’re going to be frustrated.
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Another thing: people think he’s just a "new version" of Part 4 Josuke. He’s not. Aside from the name and the city of Morioh, there is almost zero overlap. This Josuke doesn't have a Crazy Diamond to fix things. He has to break things to make them right.
The ending of the manga is also polarizing. Some fans felt it was rushed, but if you look at Josuke’s arc, it’s a perfect landing. He accepts that he is neither Josefumi nor Kira. He is Josuke. He doesn't need his memories to have a soul.
How to Get the Most Out of JoJolion
If you're looking to dive into the world of Josuke Higashikata Part 8 JoJo, don't rush it. This is the longest part of the series for a reason.
Pay attention to the background details. Araki loves to hide clues in the environment. The fruit parlors, the architectural details of the Higashikata estate, and the specific biology of the Rock Humans all matter.
Next Steps for JoJo Fans:
- Re-read the "Born This Way" arc: It’s where the mystery of Josuke’s identity really starts to pick up steam and showcases some of the best Stand choreography in the series.
- Research the "Spin" in Part 7: Since Josuke’s ultimate power relies on the mechanics of the Spin, having a firm grasp on Johnny Joestar’s journey will make the finale of Part 8 much more satisfying.
- Look into the Locacaca Organization: Understanding the hierarchy of the Rock Humans helps clarify why Josuke is constantly being hunted.
Josuke Higashikata is a testament to Araki’s ability to reinvent his own world. He took a familiar name and a familiar setting and turned them into a surreal, psychological thriller that redefined what a JoJo protagonist could be. He isn't just a fighter; he’s a survivor. And in the weird, rock-covered world of Morioh, that’s the most impressive thing of all.