JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The Inspiration Behind Yoshikage Kira

Key Takeaways

Kira from part four of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure was inspired by the iconic artist David Bowie.
Kira’s appearance and demeanor were influenced by Bowie’s Thin White Duke persona.
The Stand powers of Kira are named after songs by Queen, friends of David Bowie, linking their music to the character.

Part four of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Diamond is Unbreakable, features a monstrous and yet very real enemy that terrorizes the town of Morioh with his serial killings. The murderous Yoshikage Kira serves as the main villain of part four and the main obstacle that protagonist Josuke Higashikata must overcome. Every fan of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure knows very well of author Hirohiko Araki’s endless love and passion for Western music, film, and art.

He is known for naming Stand powers, locations, chapters, and characters after musical bands and artists that he loves. But one of the most iconic and most important examples of this inspiration comes in Yoshikage Kira. The main villain of part four was inspired by one of the greatest musical artists to ever live. Making a huge connection between the character and the artist forever.

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Kira and Bowie, We can be Villains

Art Imitates Life, Kinda

David Bowie is one of the most legendary artists to ever live. A brilliant musical mind as well as a great actor. There are several references to his music work throughout JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. But one of the most important pieces of inspiration that he brought to the series is the creation and design of Yoshikage Kira.

David Bowie’s iconic look in the 80s with his perfectly fit suit and stylized blonde hair directly influenced the design of the iconic villain. Furthermore, Kira’s Stand powers are all named after songs by the band Queen, who were friends of David Bowie. Killer Queen, Sheer Heart Attack, and Bites the Dust are all references to Queen songs.

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David Bowie was at the top of his game during the 80s, delivering hit after hit in his prolific musical career and artistic performances. He was by far one of the most famous and popular artists of the time. It was during this time that author Hirohiko Araki was writing the early parts of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. By the time he had finished Part 3, David Bowie had fully cemented himself as one of the all-time greats and, without any question, this reached Japan. And alongside Queen, another of the greatest of the 80s, Araki found incredible appreciation for the two. Following the close connection between David Bowie and Queen.

You must die. I can’t leave witnesses alive. No one is allowed to know the identity of Yoshikage Kira.

It was Bowie’s persona as the Thin White Duke that directly inspired the creation of Yoshikage Kira. The Duke was this cold and stylistic persona that was always dressed in perfectly tailored suits and with perfectly stylized blonde hair. The performance was distinct because of its cold stare and effortlessly cool aura. In contrast to the previous antagonist, Araki wanted to create a more subtle and grounded villain, a serial killer of a kind you could easily see in real life and, most importantly, someone who could just disappear into a crowd, because they don’t stand out. The danger of Kira is someone that is a monster in disguise as a normal person and once you find it you’re all but doomed.

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The Duke’s cold gaze immediately imprinted itself on Kira’s appearance and demeanor, especially his iconic panels showcasing his murderous instinct through his sinister stare. Kira is effortlessly intimidating without indulging in grand speeches or laughing maniacally like some of the other villains you see in manga. This was taken directly from David Bowie’s performances.

Sheer Heart Attack has no weakness.

The connection to Queen is a lot looser. As just like many other Stand powers, the reference is simply in the names. And still there are certain lyrics in the song used for Killer Queen that tie into the power of the Stand. The song Killer Queen contains lyrics that seem to make a connection to Kira’s lifestyle.

She never kept the same address

She spoke just like a baroness

Went down to Geisha Minah

If you’re that way inclined

Perfume came naturally from Paris (naturally)

For cars she couldn’t care less

Drop of a hat she’s as willing as

Then momentarily out of action

To absolutely drive you wild, wild

Dynamite with a laser beam

Guaranteed to blow your mind

The song lyrics parallel Kira’s lifestyle and demeanor, constantly avoiding trouble, but when found out, they’re extremely dangerous. The mention of explosives and cats is directly linked to Kira’s Killer Queen’s abilities. The Queen song used for Kira’s most powerful ability, Bites the Dust, is more focused on the title itself and the meaning of it rather than the lyrics. Bites the Dust is all about killing Kira’s enemies one by one.

David Bowie inspired the design and energy of the character. While music from Queen inspired his powers. This is yet another example of how Araki uses his love for Western music to create his enthralling world and characters seen in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Just as Ronnie James Dio’s Holy Diver inspired Stardust Crusaders, David Bowie and Queen inspired the iconic Yoshikage Kira.