JoJo's Bizarre Adventure’s large cast of characters is an amazing feat, only achieved by an amazing anime. Just like other anime, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure's localized names cater to audiences outside Japan, and we explain what they mean here!
During the localization process, names are often changed due to one big reason: copyright.
Copyright laws are often strict, especially in the United States, where most of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s names are based on.
To stay out of serious legal problems, publishers tend to change the names of the show’s characters. Here are some of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s name changes.
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JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Localized Names Explained With Examples
Here are some examples of localized names in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure explained:
Santana to Santviento
The localized version of Phantom Blood can be considered the most faithful version in terms of names, which is why we start things off with Part 2’s Santana.
Santana is the very first member of the famous "Pillar Men", a group of ancient God villains introduced in the anime, and the first one battled by Joseph Joestar.
Santana’s name is based on the American rock band formed in 1966, led by Carlos Santana.
To distance the character from the band, the publishers opted to name the first and weakest pillar man "Santviento".
Pearl Jam to Pole Jam
Diamond Is Unbreakable’s Pearl Jam is a stand owned by Tonio Trussardi.
Pearl Jam is a stand represented by what looks like a cross between a tomato and a pearl onion, hence the name.
Just like Santana, Pearl Jam is based on an American rock band formed in 1990.
Despite there being no connection between calling a pearl onion a pole, the name "Pole Jam" may be based on the words "pearl" and "pole" in Japanese.
Pearl Jam is pronounced as "Pāru jamu", while Pole Jam is pronounced as "Pōrujamu". There is a slight change in vowels, but the name sounds similar in Japanese.
Sticky Fingers to Zipper Man
Moving on to Golden Wind’s Sticky Fingers, a stand owned by one of the main protagonists, Bruno Bucciarati.
Bruno is the leader of Team Bucciarati, with its members consisting of Part 5’s main protagonists.
His stand, Sticky Fingers, is based on a rock band from Sydney that was formed back in 2008.
The stand’s ability is to create zippers on everything that his fists touch. He can then open and close the zipper at will.
Its given Japanese name is a clever and creative association with the way it uses its abilities.
However, the localized name sounds like a comic book superhero from the 80s. It seems that the publishers ran out of creative ideas and just took things literally.
Sex Pistols to Six Bullets
Sex Pistols is the name of the stand used by Guido Mista in Golden Wind. He is part of the aforementioned Team Bucciarati.
Sex Pistols is based on the same-named English rock band, which was formed in London in 1975.
Unlike the previously listed names, the change from Sex Pistols to Six Bullets makes much more sense.
For instance, the stand is composed of six bullet-like entities that are used to fire off a revolver and can be manipulated to hit every target Mista chooses.
Sex Pistols is also a metaphor to describe genitalia and sexual acts, something the publishers would not want to be associated with Golden Wind.
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Localized Names in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean
Here are some examples of localized names in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean:
Kiss to Smack
The secondary protagonist of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, Ermes Costello’s stand, Kiss, is based on the American rock band known for their metal getups.
Kiss is capable of placing stickers onto objects and immediately creating copies of them.
Of all the renames, Smack may be one of the most reasonable ones. A "smack" is just a type of kiss, so the localization still makes sense.
Goo Goo Dolls to Cry Cry Dolls
Cry Cry Dolls is considered one of the worst localized names in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.
Based on the American rock band formed in 1986, the Goo Goo Dolls got their name by muttering the sound "goo" whilst attacking enemies without hesitation.
Goo Goo Dolls is a long-range stand that can shrink enemies and exploit the size difference.
As cool as the stand’s ability is, it doesn’t excuse the publisher’s poor choice of name for localization.
Limp Bizkit to Flaccid Pancake
Limp Bizkit is a stand owned by Sports Maxx, which allows him to control invisible stuffed corpses, making it one of the most difficult and deadly antagonists of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean.
Based on the American band of the same name, its power and design are based on another western reference, Hollow Man.
Despite being one of the deadliest villains in Part 6, it may also have, by far, the worst localized name in the series.
However, Flaccid Pancake has become one of those things that could be described as "so bad it’s good".
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fans had come to embrace the name -- some were even upset when it was eventually changed to "Limp Viscuit".
Hirohiko Araki’s love for western culture has become a great influence on the creation and success of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
As great as the original names were, they wouldn't hold up in the West due to strict copyright laws.
Understandably, this has led to fans having negative reactions to the creative and name changes made by the publishers.
As bad as some of them are, it is a small price to pay for the world’s enjoyment of the classic JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
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