Jojo’s Bizarre AdventureSeason 8 of JOJOLion ended a few years ago, but keen-eyed fans may have spotted hints about the season long before it even came out. Series creator Hirohiko Araki has been working on the franchise for decades, expanding it into one of the most popular manga series ever created. Araki usually seems to have some idea of what he wants to do next figured out pretty early on, but it seems like when it comes to season 8, he’s almost 5 years early.
In an interview from the December 2007 issue of Jump Square magazine (translated by user Jojowiki MetallicKaiser), Araki was asked about season 4, Diamond is Unbreakable. Araki discusses what season 4 means in bringing Jojo back to everyday life after its epic quest takes up the bulk of season 3. He says season 4 is about developing a city that feels realistic feeling in Morioh, so a variety of characters appear (including Rohan Kishibe). Quote by Araki, “Part 4 has to end because Kira is gone, but I really want to draw more. I want to put something else in that town [Morioh]so maybe I’ll draw it again someday… In 8 and 9 (laughs)”.
The author of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures has promised to return to Morioh in Season 8
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure season 8 or otherwise known as Jojolion begins in 2011, just a few months after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan. Fans were quick to reveal that season 8 was indeed once again set in Morioh, but now Morioh is a very different place than the welcoming small town it used to be. Araki incorporated the earthquake into the story, which resulted in the creation of a strange and somewhat dangerous area on the edge of Morioh known as the Wall Eyes, where Josuke’s amnesiac protagonist Josuke is restored. Jojolion, set in a different setting from season 4, presents a very different view of Morioh, but despite that, many familiar faces reappear, though often with different names.
At the time of the 2007 interview, season 7 (Steel Ball Run) was well underway, so Araki had his alternate continuity to work on any sequel. While it’s unlikely that Araki has had many solid ideas for season 8 so far, the interview proves how much he loves the world he created in season 4. However, Araki must have been planning some version of Morioh for season 8 even before the earthquake, which seems to have changed Jojolion’s tone quite abruptly and forcefully. One can’t help but wonder what Morioh of season 8 might have looked like, without the earthquake.
The town of Morioh and its inhabitants from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure season 4 is a fan favorite, so it’s good to know that the series’ author feels the same way about it—even to the point where he can predict what his next work will be like in the near future. 5 years.