Josuke Higashikata is the main character of JoJolion, the eighth part of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki. This chapter of the series takes place in an alternate version of Morioh, a town brimming with mysteries and strange happenings. But unlike most JoJo protagonists, Josuke’s story begins with a massive question mark: he has no idea who he is. What follows is an intense journey of self-discovery, danger, and bizarre abilities that define his character.
Who Is Josuke Higashikata?
Let’s get one thing out of the way, this is not the same Josuke from Part 4, Diamond is Unbreakable. Sure, they share a name and a killer pompadour, but they couldn’t be more different. Part 8’s Josuke is introduced as a man with total amnesia, found buried in rubble after an earthquake in Morioh. No one knows where he came from, and neither does he.
As the story unfolds, we find out something incredible: Josuke isn’t just one person. He’s actually a fusion of two, Josefumi Kujo and Yoshikage Kira (from this universe). Their merger happens because of the Locacaca, a mysterious fruit with life-altering properties. This bizarre origin gives Josuke a unique identity. He’s neither Josefumi nor Kira, but a mix of both, with no clear sense of who he really is.
What makes Josuke stand out is his determination to figure it all out. Despite not knowing where he belongs, he’s committed to protecting the people around him while digging up the truth about his past. Calm, resourceful, and laser-focused, Josuke will take on anything, no matter how strange or dangerous, to reach his goal.
Josuke’s Powers in JoJolion
At first glance, Josuke’s ability to create bubbles with Soft & Wet might seem simple and fragile. But in true JoJo fashion, there’s nothing ordinary about them. These bubbles are the cornerstone of Josuke’s Stand, allowing him to interact with the world in bizarre and unexpected ways.
Stealing Properties
One of the most unique aspects of Josuke’s bubbles is their ability to “steal” intangible qualities from people, objects, or even the environment. It’s as strange as it sounds, but also wildly versatile. For instance:
- He can steal sound, leaving an area eerily quiet, perfect for sneaking around or disorienting an enemy.
- He can take away friction, causing objects to slide uncontrollably, or even making an opponent lose their footing mid-fight.
- In one of his most unsettling moves, Josuke can steal eyesight, temporarily blinding an enemy and gaining the upper hand.
This ability isn’t just powerful, it’s unpredictable. By removing and isolating intangible properties, Josuke can turn any situation to his advantage in a way his opponents never see coming.
Physical Interaction
Josuke’s bubbles aren’t limited to just stealing, they’re also incredibly flexible tools. He can use them to:
- Deflect attacks, shielding himself from danger.
- Disarm traps, neutralizing hazards before they become a problem.
- Create openings, using the bubbles to manipulate the battlefield and control the flow of combat.
Whether it’s protecting himself or setting up a counterattack, the bubbles are much more than they seem on the surface.
Explosive Bubbles
Of course, Josuke’s bubbles aren’t all finesse, they pack a punch too. He can make them detonate with pinpoint accuracy, delivering concentrated explosions that can deal serious damage. These blasts aren’t large-scale or overly destructive, but they’re precise and powerful, often enough to turn the tide of a battle. The explosions also give Josuke a unique edge, allowing him to strike from a distance or catch enemies off guard.
The True Nature of the Bubbles
In a classic Hirohiko Araki twist, we eventually learn that Josuke’s bubbles aren’t actually bubbles at all. Turns out, they’re made of ultra-fine strings of energy spun into a spherical shape. This revelation changes everything we know about his Stand:
- The strings can slip into tiny spaces, giving Josuke access to areas or objects others couldn’t reach.
- They’re sharp and durable, capable of cutting through materials with precision.
- In some situations, they even allow Josuke to manipulate reality itself in bizarre and mind-bending ways.
Practical Applications
What really makes Soft & Wet shine is how Josuke uses it creatively, both in and out of combat. His bubbles are tools as much as they are weapons, and he’s constantly finding new ways to adapt them to different situations. Some of his clever applications include:
- Neutralizing traps or hazards, like disarming hidden weapons or disabling dangerous mechanisms.
- Precision medical interventions, such as stopping someone’s bleeding or handling delicate injuries during emergencies.
- Stealth tactics, using his bubbles to silence an area so he can move undetected or catch an opponent off guard.
Relationships
Yasuho Hirose
Yasuho Hirose is the first person Josuke meets in JoJolion, and from that moment on, she becomes his greatest ally. She finds him buried in rubble after the earthquake in Morioh and, driven by her curiosity and compassion, decides to help him. Yasuho’s kindness sets the foundation for their bond, and her determination to uncover Josuke’s true identity becomes one of the central threads of the story.
Throughout their journey, Yasuho’s loyalty never wavers. She uses her investigative skills and sharp intuition to guide Josuke through the chaotic and dangerous world they find themselves in. Her steady, supportive nature balances perfectly with Josuke’s calm, strategic approach. Together, they make a formidable team, leaning on one another as they face the mysteries of Morioh.
There’s also an undercurrent of romantic tension between the two. While the story doesn’t dive deeply into this aspect, subtle hints suggest feelings that go beyond friendship. Still, what stands out most about their connection is how much they trust and rely on each other. Their partnership, built on mutual respect and shared purpose, is one of the emotional anchors of JoJolion.
The Higashikata Family
After being discovered, Josuke becomes closely tied to the Higashikata family, a wealthy and enigmatic household hiding secrets of their own. Despite his mysterious origins, they welcome him into their home, giving him a place to stay, and perhaps even a sense of belonging that he’s never known before.
Norisuke Higashikata IV
As the family patriarch, Norisuke plays a pivotal role in Josuke’s journey. He treats Josuke with warmth and kindness, often stepping in as a father figure when Josuke needs guidance. While there are moments of tension, especially as Josuke’s true nature as a fusion comes to light, Norisuke believes in him. He sees the good in Josuke and supports his quest for answers, even when it puts the family at risk.
The Higashikata Siblings
Josuke’s relationship with the rest of the Higashikata family is more complicated. Each sibling interacts with him differently, some are supportive, others skeptical. These dynamics shift over time as the family gets to know Josuke better. Slowly, trust and respect develop between them, deepening his connection to the household.
The Higashikatas’ relationship with Josuke reflects one of the key themes of JoJolion: found family. Despite not being related by blood, Josuke and the Higashikatas grow into something resembling a family, proving that bonds are formed through shared experiences and trust, not just genetics.
Enemies Turned Allies
In true JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fashion, many of Josuke’s relationships begin with conflict. He often encounters adversaries who, after a clash, eventually come to respect or even ally with him.
Take, for example, his encounters with Tsurugi Higashikata and others connected to the dangerous Locacaca trade. While these initial meetings are fraught with tension and distrust, Josuke’s calm demeanor, resourcefulness, and integrity often win people over. Over time, those who start as enemies sometimes become reluctant allies, or, in some cases, even friends. These evolving relationships highlight Josuke’s ability to navigate the chaos of Morioh not just with strength, but with diplomacy and a sense of fairness.
The Ghosts of Josefumi Kujo and Yoshikage Kira
Though Josuke is a fusion of Josefumi Kujo and Yoshikage Kira, he isn’t fully either of them. However, traces of their personalities linger within him, subtly influencing his actions and decisions.
From Kira, he seems to have inherited a sharp meticulousness and attention to detail. From Josefumi, there’s a clear streak of kindness and selflessness. Together, these traits form the backbone of Josuke’s unique personality, but they also serve as a reminder of the lives that were lost to create him.
Josuke’s existence is a paradox, he’s shaped by the memories and sacrifices of two people who no longer exist, yet he’s someone entirely new. This struggle to define himself, to become more than just the sum of Josefumi and Kira, adds a layer of emotional depth to his character. At times, memories from their past lives surface, giving Josuke fragments of his identity and helping him piece together the puzzle of who he is.
But these echoes of the past also weigh heavily on him. He’s constantly reminded of the sacrifices that brought him into existence, and he struggles to forge his own path without being consumed by the ghosts of Josefumi and Kira. This internal conflict affects his relationships, particularly with Yasuho and the Higashikata family, as he tries to balance the person he is now with the shadows of the lives he carries within him.
