Dio Brando (Japanese: ディオ・ブランドー, Hepburn: Dio Burandō), later known mononymously as DIO (ＤＩＯ（ディオ）), is a fictional character and a primary antagonist in the Japanese manga series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki. He is featured initially as the main antagonist of the series' first part, Phantom Blood, and later returns as the main antagonist of the series' third part, Stardust Crusaders, now solely referred to as DIO. In the alternate universe of the series' seventh part, Steel Ball Run, a character named Diego Brando (ディエゴ・ブランドー, Diego Burandō) bears resemblance to Dio and appears as a secondary antagonist. The poor son of Dario Brando, an abusive alcoholic who worked Dio's mother to death, Dio first appears as a young misanthrope who, via the power of an ancient stone mask, becomes an immortal vampire. A century after the events of the first part, he resurfaces as the user of the time-stopping Stand named The World. As the series' most prolific villain, his defining trait is his staunch ambition, which develops into a "might makes right" philosophy and a drive for absolute control through absolute power.
Creation and design When beginning the series, Dio was the character that Araki looked forward to drawing the most. He also revealed that he had not thought up a weakness for the character and that it was difficult to come up with a way for Dio to be defeated. In regard to Dio's characterization, Araki said that he was inspired by FBI profiling of Serial killers, admitting that in a way he thinks they must be incredibly strong to be able to commit the heinous crimes that they do. How serial killers control their victims through psychological manipulation interested Araki as well, a trait similar to how Dio uses his charisma to ensure his followers to do his bidding. Araki intended to characterize Dio as unapologetically baleful in his pursuit of power, with his literal abandonment of his humanity reflecting his figurative and emotional one. Araki wanted his name to sound cool next to JoJo's, so he chose Dio, the Italian word for God. Araki said that he wanted Dio to embody the "attractiveness of evil" and created him to be a "beautiful, pretty boy". In classic villain style, his eyes are slightly slanted and he shows dimples and fangs when smiling. His hair is blond to contrast with Jonathan's black hair. Dio's appearance was inspired by western idols, and in a separate interview Araki specifically mentioned the short hairstyle and muscles of Rutger Hauer's character Roy Batty from the 1982 film Blade Runner influencing Dio's design. The author brought in the vampire element in order to depict a dark world that had rarely been seen in Weekly Shōnen Jump up to that point. Although the character is popular with women in the story, Araki said Dio is more interested in dominating than loving. In regards to his sexuality, Araki stated in a 2007 interview that "[Dio's] sort of a composed character that could go either way. [He] could go with a man or a woman." Some of Dio's mannerisms and phrases, such as his frequent cries of "Muda" (無駄; "useless") and "WRYYYYY" (ウリイイイイ, Uriiiii) or the quote "Kono Dio da!" (このディオだ!; "It was me, Dio!"), have yielded several Internet memes and other popular culture references.
Appearances and influences
Phantom Blood In Phantom Blood, the child of an abusive drunkard named Dario Brando, Dio Brando becomes the adopted brother of Jonathan Joestar by using a promise that George Joestar made to Dario years ago. Upon entering the Joestar estate after his father died, Dio tried to take everything from Jonathan and killed Jonathan's dog, Danny. However, Dio underestimated Jonathan and his retaliation for forcefully kissing Erina Pendleton causes Dio to spend the next seven years feigning to be Jonathan's friend. He then poisons George with the same poison that he used to kill Dario in order to steal the Joestar fortune. Jonathan investigates it, causing Dio to plan to murder Jonathan with an ancient Aztec stone mask. However, Dio learns that it transforms the wearer into a vampire when exposed to blood, and uses it on himself when his plan is exposed. After the resulting fight, Jonathan impales him on a stone statue and leaves him in the burning Joestar mansion. However, Dio survives and uses zombies to take over the small village of Windknight's Lot. Jonathan is sought out by Will A. Zeppeli, a master of an ancient martial art called Hamon, which can kill vampires and zombies. He teaches Jonathan how to use it as Dio sends zombies to kill him so he can take over the world. Jonathan seemingly defeats him again, but Dio survives by decapitating himself. He and a surviving zombie, Wang Chan, attack Jonathan on a steamship during his honeymoon with Erina in an attempt to claim his enemy's body for his own. While Dio fatally punctures his throat, Jonathan overloads the ship's engines by using his Hamon. Dio is seemingly killed by the resulting explosion. Erina, pregnant with Jonathan's son, escapes unharmed along with an orphaned girl.
Battle Tendency As he is dormant in the sunken ship, Dio Brando does not appear in Battle Tendency, but the aftermath of his apparent death at the hands of Jonathan Joestar affects the plot. It is ultimately revealed that Jonathan and Erina's son George Joestar II, a famed pilot of the Royal Air Force in World War I, was murdered by one of Dio's zombies who survived the battle at Windknight's Lot and had infiltrated the RAF. George II's wife, the orphaned girl Elizabeth, hunted down this zombie and used Hamon to kill him. However, as no-one else knew that he was a zombie, she became a wanted murderer and was forced into hiding under the name Lisa Lisa. This was done with the help of the Speedwagon Foundation that was founded by Robert E. O. Speedwagon. Lisa Lisa later reunites with her son Joseph Joestar, teaches him Hamon so he can defeat the Pillar Men. Their leader, Kars, created the Stone masks and was indirectly responsible for Dio's transformation into a vampire.
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