Review of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind

Before the anime adaptation this was one of the least popular parts, at least in this part of the world, because it was the most appraised in Japan. Now, this is the highest rated part in MyAnimeList, and there is a reason, although is not really a very good one. For starters, Jojo always had several elements that made it, well, Jojo. A mix of the characters, the stands, the fights, the humor and the interactions and unfortunately this season throws that mix out the window. First, even if it has some pretty fun moments is tone is a lot more serious that usual and humoris more scarce.

Second, the characters are a lot less fun and more plain the season. they now have backstories and some motivation but they have a lot less chemistry that in earlier seasons. They lack the charisma that was almost granted in earlier seasons and that's a huge downer.

Third, the fights are some of the fiercest and more extreme of all Jojo. the villains were a lot stronger than a lot of the previous and later ones which is pretty logical as most of them are mafia assasins. In one hand that makes the fights very good and they are really creative, but there are some really heavy inconsistencies with the powers of the protagonist and the resistance that the characters have have escaled to amounts that get to ridiculous even for a series with bizarre in the title. If they can survive almost anything the tension fades even when the danger apparents to be real and heavy.

Fourth, the protagonist is the weakest of them all. It barely has any personality, repeats his phrase like a buzzword and almos is a plot device more than a character. Is really strong, but this is based on some really bad writing decisions I can't mention to avoid spoilers, but his fame was not earned by good reasons.

Fifth, the villain although has a lot of creative concepts appears really late and is pretty plain by himself even when around him there are some interesting ideas and the best character interaction of the season. In character terms, is the weakest until now.

Sixth, fortunately, the nuance and characterization the protagonist lacks is given to another character, Bruno Buciaratti. His characterization, motivation and personality are the strongest of the season and he moves the plot forward even more than the protagonist himself.

Seventh, the animation style has changed. Is detailed but feels stiff in a lot of occasions. the soundtrack is somewhat memorable, and in general the production values are acceptable.

Eighth, the ending is basically solved by an power-up.

When the balance is done most of this remarks are more negative than positive, but even then is the highest rated one. Why? because is centered more on the battles that in the really loose plot or plain characters and as that element is in one of it's strongest points everything else is not that notorious in a superficial viewing.

Is the weakest Jojo season thus far, the weakest protag thus far, but it has the best support character and best fights thus far to make the viewing not as painful as it would have been otherwise. I can recommend it to anyone who wants to see shonen fights as there are some really good ones during all the duration of the season, but for anything else is not really a good option.