JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind’s Biblical References

It is no secret that author Hirohiko Araki draws inspiration from Western music and film for the characters, powers, and plot of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Araki is famous for naming Stand powers and even characters after musical artists. But what may seem surprising is the inspiration behind Golden Wind: The Bible. When you take a closer look, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 5 seems like a blend of The Godfather, other Mafia media, and the Bible.

It may sound strange, but let’s take a look at all the biblical references in Golden Wind. The location, names, imagery, powers, and everything that Hirohiko Araki drew in Giorno’s story, were inspired by the most famous tale.

Italy and Celestial Imagery

Closer to God

Golden Wind takes place in Italy, following the members of Bucciaratti’s Guard Squad through the country. Italy is the home of the Latin language and modern Christianity. But also the origin of famous Mafia films. It serves a double purpose for Golden Wind’s two major inspirations. The members of the main team are a group of broken men, criminals, searching for purpose. They protect a special young girl from the ultimate evil. Battling the deadly emissaries of the main villain. They seek atonement while fighting for their lives, and Trish’s life. And rest their hopes in the hands of a brave young man of holy light.

Whenever one of the members of the team passes away, they’re escorted to heaven by a group of Cherubim. With grandiose, golden light shining on them. Leone Abbacchio is met by his former police partner in the afterlife, gaining forgiveness for his mistakes, and reassurance that his sacrifice was not in vain. Abbacchio received a grave adorned in flowers by Giorno, the man he hated for a long time, but who he trusted in his final moments, as the clue he left behind about Diavolo could only be used by him. Originally, Araki had planned to make Panacotta Fugo not just leave the team, but also betray them and join Diavolo’s side. This would’ve painted Fugo as a Judas-like figure, but Araki decided against it, as he deemed it too depressing for the story.

The team’s main enemy is a shadowy, mysterious man lurking in darkness. Sending orders to his deadly and depraved followers from the shadows. His mere existence is borderline supernatural. And his name is Diavolo, Italian for Devil. Bucciaratti and his team’s battle against Diavolo is full of Christian undertones and imagery.

Giorno and Diavolo, God and Devil

Creator and Destroyer

Giorno Giovanna is the protagonist of Golden Wind. And he’s the biggest example of the Biblical themes. Giorno is Italian for day, leaning into his theming like a giver of light. He’s often portrayed with the sun behind him, like when he saved Mista and defeated Ghiaccio. Giorno’s main power is the ability to turn objects into animals or plants, effectively creating life. He’s also able to heal virtually any wound, saving his friends from death. Giorno is also the illegitimate son of Dio Brando, a man with the godly power to manipulate time. Dio is Italian for God. Giorno’s entire character paints him as a Christ figure. In fact, the episode where Giorno uses his new power, Gold Experience Requiem to defeat Diavolo is titled “King of Kings”, a title given to Jesus Christ.

Diavolo is the alternate personality of Vinnegar Doppio. Or at least he seems to be the alternate. Doppio was born in a female prison, son of a prisoner who didn’t seem to be pregnant in the first place. Doppio was born suddenly and fatherless, and when he was born, he did not cry. Doppio was adopted by a priest and lived peacefully for many years. Until he suddenly killed his adoptive father and burned his village down, leaving no trace of his origins. Doppio’s other half is Diavolo, the boss of Passione. He’s always hidden in the shadows, with only his pink hair and glowing, unnatural green eyes barely visible. His voice is deep and menacing, and his mere presence terrifies his enemies. He’s extremely brutal and violent, making sure to make his victims suffer greatly when he kills them. Diavolo’s Stand is King Crimson, a massive, red-clad figure that speaks for him at times. He has the ability to see the future and make time skip for his victims, erasing time. “The Crimson King” is a name given to several different fictional villains, but the common theming behind the name is that of Satan. Just like Giorno symbolizes Christ, Diavolo symbolizes Satan.

There’s a lot in Golden Wind that takes from the Bible and Christianity. It gives the story another layer of nuance and narrative weight. Giorno’s journey feels all the more grandiose and holy with the insight of the themes behind him. Golden Wind is one of the fans’ favorite JoJo’s parts. And the anime adaptation is by far the most beloved. Hirohiko Araki’s genius is on full display with the members of Passione.