The Joestar Family Tree is arguably one of the most intricate and fascinating lineages in anime and manga. Spanning generations and multiple universes within Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, understanding the connections and relationships can be a truly bizarre adventure in itself! Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a newcomer eager to dive into this epic saga, tracing the Joestar bloodline is essential to appreciating the depth and complexity of the story. Let’s delve into the fascinating world of the Joestar family tree, exploring both the main universe and the Steel Ball Run (SBR) universe counterparts.
The Main Universe Joestar Family: A Legacy of Courage and Hamon
The saga begins in 19th century England, with a tale of destiny, rivalry, and an ancient stone mask that sets the stage for generations of extraordinary events.
Genesis: George Joestar I and the Stone Mask
Our journey starts with George Joestar I and his wife, Mary Joestar. This couple unknowingly acquired an artifact of immense power and danger – an Aztec Stone Mask. Tragedy struck during a carriage ride home when an accident occurred. Mary heroically sacrificed herself to protect their infant son, Jonathan Joestar, while George I was left unconscious.
At the scene of the accident, the unscrupulous Dario Brando, accompanied by a woman, arrived with intentions to loot the Joestar estate. However, George I awoke, mistaking Dario for a savior. In gratitude, George declared himself indebted to Dario, a decision that would have dire consequences for the Joestar family.
Alt text: Main Universe Joestar Family Tree diagram, illustrating the lineage from George Joestar I to Jolyne Kujo and beyond, showcasing key characters and their relationships.
Years later, as Dario Brando lay on his deathbed, consumed by illness, he instructed his adopted son, Dio Brando, to infiltrate the Joestar family and seize their fortune. Unbeknownst to Dario, Dio had been poisoning him, fueled by resentment for his father’s role in his mother’s death. Dio followed through with the plan, becoming adopted into the Joestar household. He subjected young Jonathan to relentless torment, alienating everyone except Erina Pendleton and Jonathan’s loyal dog, Danny. In a cruel act, Dio stole Erina’s first kiss and burned Danny alive.
George Joestar I, oblivious to Dio’s true nature, insisted on reconciliation. Time passed, and seven years later, Jonathan pursued archaeology, while Dio studied law. Outwardly, they appeared as brothers, but the scars of Dio’s past cruelty remained with Jonathan, and Dio secretly poisoned George I. Jonathan uncovered Dio’s treachery and, with the help of Robert E.O. Speedwagon, attempted to apprehend him. In desperation, Dio donned the Stone Mask, transforming into a vampire and tragically murdering George I.
Dio Brando’s Betrayal and Jonathan’s Heroism
Driven by vengeance and a thirst for justice, Jonathan sought to destroy Dio, even attempting to burn down the Joestar mansion. Dio survived, and Baron William Zeppeli, an Italian master of Hamon, arrived to train Jonathan in this ancient martial art. Alongside Speedwagon, Jonathan embarked on a perilous journey to stop Dio’s evil ambitions. Zeppeli made the ultimate sacrifice, and other Hamon users joined Jonathan’s cause. In a climactic battle, Jonathan seemingly defeated Dio. Despite the immense suffering Dio had inflicted, Jonathan mourned his adopted brother’s demise.
However, Dio’s cunning knew no bounds. Before Jonathan’s Hamon could reach his brain, Dio severed his own head. He resurfaced during Jonathan’s honeymoon with Erina, launching a final assault on a ship, aiming to steal Jonathan’s body. In a final act of love and sacrifice, Jonathan embraced Dio as the ship exploded, ensuring Erina’s escape with a newborn baby, whose mother perished protecting it.
Dio, against all odds, achieved his goal, concealing himself in a coffin as Erina fled with the infant. Straizo, a Hamon user who fought alongside Jonathan, raised the orphaned baby, Elizabeth. Erina, a widowed and pregnant woman, raised her son, George Joestar II, alone. Meanwhile, Speedwagon, through a fortunate oil strike in Texas, amassed a fortune, establishing the Speedwagon Foundation, an organization that would support the Joestar family and advance scientific progress for generations.
The Legacy Continues: From Jonathan to Joseph
As they matured, Elizabeth (the baby rescued by Erina and raised by Straizo) and George Joestar II fell in love and had a son, Joseph Joestar. George II became a Royal Air Force pilot, while Elizabeth trained in Hamon. Tragedy struck again when George II discovered his supervisor was a zombie, a remnant of Dio’s forces, and bravely confronted the monster, losing his life in the process. Elizabeth, using Hamon, avenged her husband, but the British government, unaware of the supernatural circumstances, deemed it a murder. Elizabeth changed her name to Lisa Lisa and went into hiding, leaving Joseph to be raised by his grandmother Erina and family friend Speedwagon.
As Joseph grew into a spirited young man, a new threat emerged – the ancient Aztec Pillar Men, beings connected to the Stone Mask. Joseph trained in Hamon under Lisa Lisa (his mother, secretly) and Caesar Zeppeli, Baron Zeppeli’s grandson. During his training, Joseph met Susie Q, Lisa Lisa’s charming servant. After overcoming the Pillar Men, Joseph settled down with Susie, famously crashing his own funeral in a humorous turn of events. Later in life, both Erina and Speedwagon passed away due to old age. Lisa Lisa then revealed her true identity as Joseph’s mother and remarried a Hollywood scriptwriter.
Alt text: Joestar Family Branch of the Main Universe Family Tree, highlighting the lineage from Jonathan Joestar to Joseph Joestar and their immediate families.
Expanding the Lineage: Jotaro, Josuke, and Beyond
Joseph and Susie Q had a daughter, Holy Joestar, who married a Japanese saxophonist, Sadao Kujo (or Cujoh). Their son was the stoic and powerful Jotaro Kujo, the protagonist of Stardust Crusaders. Later in life, Joseph had an affair with a Japanese woman, Tomoko Hagashikata, resulting in another son, the charismatic Josuke Higashikata, star of Diamond is Unbreakable.
Meanwhile, DIO, having possessed Jonathan’s body, fathered four children: Giorno Giovanna, Donatello Versus, Rikiel, and Ungalo. Each son had a different mother and inherited a unique blend of Joestar and Brando blood, setting the stage for their individual destinies.
Alt text: Brando Branch originating from DIO in the Main Universe Joestar Family Tree, showing DIO’s sons Giorno Giovanna, Ungalo, Rikiel, and Donatello Versus.
Further Branches: Jolyne and Shizuka
Jotaro Kujo fathered a daughter, Jolyne Cujoh, the courageous protagonist of Stone Ocean, with an unnamed woman. During a trip to Josuke’s hometown of Morioh to investigate Stand Arrows and a serial killer, Joseph adopted an infant whose Stand ability made her invisible when frightened – Shizuka Joestar.
Alt text: Higashikata Branch in the Main Universe Joestar Family Tree, focusing on Josuke Higashikata and his immediate family, including Shizuka Joestar.
The Unconventional Branch: Jota Kujo (Non-Canon)
In a humorous, non-canonical side note, the original creator mentions an alternate timeline where, against all odds, Kakyoin lays an egg, supposedly impregnated by Jotaro, resulting in a bizarre offspring named Jota Kujo. This is presented as a humorous anomaly and is not part of the official Joestar lineage.
The Steel Ball Run (SBR) Universe: A Parallel Joestar Lineage
The Steel Ball Run universe presents a reimagined and parallel Joestar family tree, diverging significantly from the main universe while still echoing familiar names and themes.
Higashikata’s Prominence and Johnny Joestar’s Story
In this continuity, the Higashikata family takes a more central role. The lineage begins with Nirosuke Higashikata I and his wife, Teru. They had several children, including Nirosuke Higashikata II and Rina Higashikata (likely named after Erina from the main universe).
Meanwhile, the George Joestar I of the SBR universe married a woman named Anne (possibly a nod to Anne from Stardust Crusaders). They had two sons: Nicholas Joestar and Johnny Joestar. George I favored Nicholas, a talented jockey, and deeply mourned his tragic death at a young age, partially blaming Johnny. Father and son only reconciled later during the Steel Ball Run race.
Alt text: Steel Ball Run (SBR) Universe Joestar Family Tree diagram, illustrating the parallel lineage starting with George Joestar I (SBR) and Norisuke Higashikata I.
Johnny and Rina: Morioh and the Kira Connection
Johnny Joestar married Rina Higashikata, and they had two children: George Joestar II (SBR) and an unnamed daughter. When Rina developed a life-threatening illness, George II moved the family to Morioh, Rina’s hometown, seeking a cure. Tragically, George II died transferring the disease to himself using the Holy Corpse Parts. George Joestar II (SBR) and Elizabeth (SBR) had several children, most notably Joseph Joestar (SBR), who married Suzie Q (SBR). They had a daughter named Holy Joestar (SBR), who married Yoshiheru Kira, and together they had Yoshikage Kira (SBR) and Kyo Nijimura (SBR).
Alt text: Joestar Branch of the Steel Ball Run (SBR) Universe Family Tree, focusing on Johnny Joestar’s lineage and connections to the Kira family.
Josefumi Kujo and the Fusion into Josuke (Gappy)
Speculation suggests that Johnny and Rina’s unnamed daughter is the grandmother of Josefumi Kujo. Josefumi is confirmed to be a Joestar due to the birthmark, and his mother, Kiyomi Kujo, is not a Joestar. Therefore, it’s theorized that the unnamed daughter married a Kujo, and their son, Sadafumi Kujo, became Josefumi’s father, thus explaining Josefumi’s Joestar lineage.
Ultimately, Yoshikage Kira (SBR) and Josefumi Kujo fused into a single being, losing their memories and being adopted by the Higashikata family as Josuke Higashikata, or “Gappy” as fans affectionately call him.
Alt text: Higashikata Branch in the Steel Ball Run (SBR) Universe Family Tree, detailing the lineage from Norisuke Higashikata II to Josuke “Gappy” Higashikata.
Higashikata Family Dynamics in SBR
Norisuke Higashikata II had five children with Toyoko. His eldest son, Norisuke Higashikata III, had three children with Tomoko (named after Josuke’s mother in the main universe). Norisuke Higashikata IV and Kaato had four children: Jobin, Hato, Joshu, and Daiya. They adopted Josuke “Gappy” Higashikata into their family. Jobin Higashikata and Mitsuba have a son, Tsurugi Higashikata, who is raised as a girl to evade the family curse known as the Rock Disease, which affects the eldest son of each generation.
And that concludes our exploration of the Joestar family tree! As JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure continues to evolve with new parts and stories, the Joestar lineage will undoubtedly expand and deepen. This guide offers a comprehensive look at the family as we know it thus far. If any inaccuracies are spotted or if you have alternative theories, especially regarding Josefumi’s connection, your input is welcome! The world of JoJo is always open to interpretation and discussion.
