Review of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind
This part feels like an evolution of Stardust Crusaders in a way. It's a more well thought out journey, with twists and turns that completely change it's direction. It feels nothing like Diamond is Unbreakable, while that part was basically half slice of life and half battle shounen, this part feels fully like an adventure/battle shounen like part 3. And I really enjoyed it. Story (8/10) As i said, i love the adventure like approach. This is JoJo's Bizarre ADVENTURE after all, i really loved the format. It feels much more focused like part 3, which I love because that was one of my main complaintswith part 4. It's got some of the best stuff i've seen in JoJo's, but also some really weird shit. I'm not gonna go into spoilers here, but i think the story of this part feels much more cohesive overall than part 4.
Art (8/10)
I'm gonna admit, I don't love the new character designs. They just look very very out of place, like in parts 3 & 4 they had regular clothing for the most part, but here it's very extra. Mista in particular looks like he wants to die from a heatstroke. Even if part of his upper body is exposed, it looks like he's wearing something like a sweater and a damn trapper hat. Trish is the complete inverse, she has way too much exposed skin, does this 15 year old girl want her asscheeks out for civilians to gaze upon? The rest were fine, some actually looked really nice. I liked Giorno's, Bucciarati's and especially Narancia's outfits. The villains sometimes looked super fucking weird (looking at you Pesci), sometimes awesome. The stands were also a mixed bag, i really like Purple Haze and Moody Blues' design, but there are some like Beach Boy and Notorious B.I.G. that were underwhelming. And BOY did they do the crusaders dirty. Like, what the fuck am i looking at? https://imgur.com/a/TH3CcUr
Other than the character design being hit or miss, the overall animation is very strong. The effects, the environments, the battles look amazing.
Sound (9/10)
The openings both slap hard. First time i can say that about a part so that's cool. I also love what they did with Uragirimonono Requiem, but that's spoiler territory. The endings didn't really stick with me though. The sound effects are good, the flurry of punches thrown by Giorno and Bucciarati are a neat change compared to the absolute beatdown that Jotaro and Josuke offered their enemies. Wouldn't say they're as good, but it's a nice subversion. Giorno's theme, il vento d'oro is amazing, the other themes are solid.
Character (9/10)
I love every single character from the main gang. Giorno, while not in the focus a whole lot, really brings it when he is. Bruno is the best JoBro, don't even try to debate me on this. Mista and Narancia are hilarious, Abbacchio is a really great more responsible and serious figure, and Fugo deserved better. Trish is probably the only exception, as she didn't realy have a character for a good portion of the part, she was just a walking talking MacGuffin. But once she actually had one, she was good. I really like the backstories each character is given, and how that ties into their stand. In particular Fugo and Abbacchio being the real standouts.
The minor villains are clearly a step up from part 4, and better than most of part 3. I feel like I'm gonna remember Cioccolata, Prosciutto, Risotto and even Pesci much more than the rock paper scissors kid and the pylon guy whose names I can't bother looking up. They certainly aren't as entertaining to watch as Hol Horse, the D'Arbys, Oingo & Boingo, Anubis, Pet Shop and such, they are definitely more layered. Most of the Part 3 villains are just henchmen, even if they are terrifically entertaining henchmen. La Squadra actually has a motivation, which is GREAT. The big bad Diavolo was solid, he definitely serves his role as a villain more effectively than Kira, he's more like Dio which I like. He is very threatening too, King Cimson is terrifying. I fucking love how King Crimson is the one that appears to be speaking, it really helps with this anonymous aspect of the boss. The stands are also probably my favourite from any JoJo part. Even though i have a softspot for part 3, the stands aren't really that innovative. Star Platinum is just ORAORAORA, Magician's Red is just fire and stuff, Emperor is just a gun and so on and so forth. These stands feel creative. Sex Pistols is infinitely more entertaining to watch than Emperor, even though it's kind of the same thing. My favourite is definitely Gold Experience, even though it's very similar to Crazy Diamond it feels unique, and it's powers are also well utilised.
Enjoyment (8/10)
I really enjoyed this part. There isn't much I can say about this to be honest. It was funny, it was heartfelt, it was tense and such.
Overall (8/10)
Very good. Would recommend checking this out, but i would recommend checking out all of JoJo's if you haven't started, or if you have and enjoyed previous parts.