“Man in the Mirror” is a Stand that shows up in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 5 – Vento Aureo (Golden Wind). It’s used by Illuso, a member of the hitman squad La Squadra Esecuzioni. Named after the iconic Michael Jackson song, this Stand is all about strategy and trickery. It takes center stage during the intense “Man in the Mirror and Purple Haze” fight, where Illuso faces off against Bucciarati’s crew in the ancient ruins of Pompeii.
How Man in Mirror works
Man in the Mirror has one main trick up its sleeve: Mirror World Manipulation. This power lets Illuso pull people and objects into a “mirror world” – a dimension that flips reality and puts him in control. Here’s what it can do:
- Pull Others In: Illuso can drag someone into the mirror world through a reflective surface. Even better for him, he can decide whether or not their Stand follows them. For instance, when he yanked Fugo into the mirror world, he left Fugo’s Stand, Purple Haze, behind in the real world. This makes his enemies almost useless.
- Control the Rules: Once inside, Illuso can choose what enters and what stays out. He can even trap only parts of a person or object, giving him creative ways to fight.
- Mirror Everything: The mirror world is basically a flipped version of the real world, but it’s empty. This emptiness makes it perfect for sneak attacks and psychological plays.
Stand Stats
| Stat | Rating |
|---|---|
| Destructive Power | C |
| Speed | C |
| Range | B |
| Durability | D |
| Precision | C |
| Development Potential | E |
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Surprise Attacks: Illuso can attack through mirrors when people least expect it. Pulling enemies into the mirror world often leaves them helpless.
- Control Over the Fight: Inside the mirror world, Illuso has the upper hand. He controls what gets pulled in and how the fight plays out.
Weaknesses:
- Not Built for Fighting: Man in the Mirror isn’t strong or fast. It struggles against Stands that can overwhelm it with raw power, like Purple Haze or Star Platinum.
- Needs Mirrors: Without reflective surfaces nearby, Illuso can’t use his Stand at all. This limits where he can fight effectively.
- Overconfidence: Illuso’s cocky attitude often backfires. He tends to underestimate his opponents, which leads to his downfall.
Illuso: The Stand User
Illuso is a member of the assassin group La Squadra Esecuzioni, sent to hunt down Bucciarati’s team and retrieve an important key. He’s cunning and confident, always looking for ways to throw his enemies off balance. His Stand lets him isolate his targets, breaking apart their teamwork. However, Illuso tends to rely too much on his tricks. He often underestimates his enemies’ ability to adapt, which becomes his biggest mistake.
The Fight in Pompeii
Illuso meets his match when he takes on Giorno, Fugo, and Abbacchio at the Pompeii ruins. His plan is simple: split them up using the mirror world, weaken their teamwork, and take them out one by one. At first, things go his way, but Bucciarati’s team proves to be much tougher than he expected.
- Purple Haze’s Virus: Illuso pulls Fugo into the mirror world but leaves Purple Haze in the real world. Purple Haze’s virus is deadly, and Giorno uses this to their advantage. He infects himself with one of the virus capsules, forcing Illuso into a tough spot: attack Giorno and risk exposure to the virus or back off. Illuso hesitates, but it’s already too late. He ends up catching the virus himself while trying to escape.
- Giorno’s Quick Thinking: Using his Stand, Gold Experience, Giorno creates a snake from a brick. The snake is immune to Purple Haze’s virus and can track Illuso’s infected body. No matter where Illuso runs, the snake leads the team straight to him.
- The Final Blow: Illuso tries to stop Purple Haze’s virus capsules from activating, but Fugo’s Stand lands a devastating punch. The virus spreads through Illuso’s body, melting his flesh almost instantly. His overconfidence costs him the battle—and his life.
