List of cultural references in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

It is widely known that the manga JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is influenced by multiple origins. This article presents a list and a summary of each.

Music

 * JoJo is a reference to the Beatles song Get Back
 * Dio's name comes from the heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio, founder of the band "Dio."
 * Speedwagon's name comes from the the rock band REO Speedwagon.
 * The Zeppeli surname is based on the English rock band Led Zeppelin.
 * Tonpeti's name is based on American musician Tom Petty.
 * Dire and Straights are named for the British Rock band Dire Straits.
 * Poco's name comes from the Californian Country Rock band Poco.
 * Wang Chan's name is inspired by the 80s Pop group Wang Chung.
 * Tarkus is named after the album Tarkus, by Emerson, Lake &amp; Palmer.
 * Bruford is named after musician Bill Bruford, formerly the drummer of Yes.
 * Doobie's name is a reference to the Doobie Brothers.
 * Page, Jones, Plant, and Bonham are named after the four members of Led Zeppelin.
 * The song used for the first ending of the anime is Roundabout by British progressive rock band Yes.

People

 * Dio's surname is based on the actor Marlon Brando.
 * William Antonio Zeppeli's first name is a reference to the famous folk hero William Tell.
 * The university where Jonathan and Dio study, is named Hugh Hudson Academy, this is a reference to Hugh Hudson, a British film director, known by the masterpiece movie Chariots Of Fire.

Manga/Anime

 * Jonathan, Joseph and Jotaro were influenced by Kenshiro from Fist of the North Star.
 * Similarly, Dio in Part I seems to have been influenced by Shin.

Music

 * Lisa Lisa's name is based on Lisa Lisa from the band Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam.
 * Loggins and Messina are named for musicians Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina
 * Suzie Q is named for musician Suzi Quatro. May also come from the song "Susie Q" by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
 * Wired Beck is inspired by musician Jeff Beck and his album Wired.
 * The four Pillar Men are named for the bands Santana, AC/DC, The Cars and Wham!.
 * Smokey Brown is named after musician Smokey Robinson.
 * Donovan is named after the musician of the same name.
 * The Red Stone of Aja is named after the song by the group Steely Dan

People

 * Caesar Zeppeli is named for the Roman emperor Julius Caesar.
 * Rudolph von Stroheim is named after Austrian-born actor Erich von Stroheim.

Film

 * The cave in which Santana is discovered resembles the interior of the derelict spacecraft on LV-426 from the movie Aliens.


 * Joseph is showed reading a Superman comic when he and Speedwagon are attacked by a group of hijackers.

Manga/Anime

 * The same hijacking scene is altered in the anime, where as Joseph is reading a Baoh manga instead.

Music

 * Mohammed Abdul is named for singer Paula Abdul.
 * Jean Pierre Polnareff is named for French musician Michel Polnareff.
 * Iggy is named for Iggy Pop.
 * Captain Tennille is named after the 1970 musical duo Captain &amp; Tennille.
 * Devo the Cursed is named for the American band Devo.
 * Rubber Soul is named after the Beatles album Rubber Soul.
 * Hol Horse is named after the American Hip-Hop group Full Force.
 * J. Geil's name is based on The J. Geils Band.
 * Nena is named for the New Wave German singer Nena.
 * ZZ is named for the American Rock band ZZ Top.
 * Enya Geil is named for the Irish singer Enya.
 * Steely Dan is named after American Rock band Steely Dan.
 * Mannish Boy is named after Muddy Waters' song Mannish Boy.
 * Cameo's name is based on the 70s funk and R&B group Cameo.
 * N'Dour is named after Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour.
 * Oingo and Boingo are named after the band Oingo Boingo.
 * Anubis' first user, Caravan Serai, is named after the Santana album Caravanserai.
 * Anubis' other users, Chaka and Khan, are named after British-American singer Chaka Khan.
 * Mariah is named after US singer Mariah Carey.
 * Alessi is named after the American duo Alessi Brothers.
 * D'Arby and his brother are a reference to American singer Terence Trent D'Arby.
 * Pet Shop is named after the Pet Shop Boys.
 * Kenny G is named after Jazz artist Kenny G.
 * Vanilla Ice is named for the rapper of the same name.
 * Cream is a reference to Eric Clapton's blues band Cream.
 * Arabia Fats is named for musician Fats Domino.
 * Gray Fly is named after musician Glenn Frey.
 * Midler is named after singer/actress Bette Midler.
 * Daniel J. D'Arby's victims Garie Moor and Christian Vander are named for Irish singer Gary Moore and French musician Christian Vander, respectively.
 * Senator Wilson Phillips (the man who is forced to drive for Dio) is named after the vocal group of the same name.
 * The chickens Abdul cares for on the secluded island (Prince, Michael and Lionel) are named for musicians Prince, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.
 * When Joseph tries to use Hermit Purple on a television in order to detect Dio from Singapore, his Stand shows him random TV programs. One of these shows the cover of Tom Petty's debut solo album, Full Moon Fever, and another shows an advert from MTV's prime in the 1980's.
 * The very fact that Dio chose to hide himself in Egypt is a reference to the DIO song "Egypt (The Chains are on)".
 * Additionally, aspects of Dio's character design in this part reference Ronnie James Dio's career: his heart shaped accessories are a reference to DIO's third studio albumn/song "Sacred Heart" and the design of his The World stand is a nod to their debut albumn/one of the band's best known songs "Holy Diver".

Film

 * Also during Joseph's usage of Hermit Purple on the TV, another of the random programs shows Marlon Brando in his famous film The Godfather, where he played Don Vito Corleone.
 * When Polnareff is turned into a kid by Alessi's Stand and locks himself behind a wooden door, Alessi tears this door down by using his axe. He then puts his head into the now broken door, saying "Polnareff, I'm here". The scene closely resembles the famous setting of Stanley Kubrik's The Shining.
 * The enraged Dio have rip his skin off his face simlir to the scene form the Poltergeist.

Manga/Anime

 * When Joseph tries to use Hermit Purple on a television in order to detect Dio from Singapore, his Stand shows him random TV programs. One of the shows that appears is Doraemon.

Other

 * When Dio forces Senator Wilson Phillips to drive through the crowd, Waldo from the Where's Waldo? children's book series can be seen flying through the air.

Music

 * Josuke's stand Crazy Diamond is based on the Pink Floyd song Shine on You Crazy Diamond.
 * Similarly, Koichi's stand Echoes is based on Pink Floyd's song Echoes.
 * Okuyasu's Stand The Hand is a reference to Canadian Rock band the Band.
 * Rohan's Heaven's Door is named after Bob Dylan's song Knockin' on Heaven's Door.
 * Tamami Kobayashi's The Lock might be named after "The Rock", a song by British band The Who.
 * Toshikazu Hazamada's Surface is a reference to R&B trio Surface.
 * Yukako Yamagishi's Stand Love Deluxe is based on the album of the same name by the British R&B group Sade.
 * Trussardi's Stand is named after Grunge band Pearl Jam.
 * Shizuka Joestar's Stand Achtung Baby is a reference to the album of the same name by Irish band U2.
 * Shigekiyo's Harvest is named after Neil Young's song and album Harvest.
 * Aya Tsuji's Cinderella is named after Heavy Metal band Cinderella.
 * Mikitaka's Stand is a reference to the R&B group Earth, Wind &amp; Fire.
 * Yuuya Fungami's Highway Star is a reference to the Deep Purple song of the same name.
 * Anjuro Katagiri's nickname "Angelo" is based on R&B artist D'Angelo.
 * His Stand, Aqua Necklace, might be a reference to Progressive Rock band Asia's album, "Aqua"
 * Keicho's Bad Company has its name based on Rock supergroup Bad Company.
 * Akira Otoishi's Stand is named after American Rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers
 * The Stand Ratt's name is based on Heavy Metal band Ratt.
 * Ken Ooyanagi's Stand is a reference of the Hip-Hop group Boyz II Men.
 * Gatta's Stand is named after Rockabilly band "Stray Cats"
 * Toyohiro Kanedaichi's Superfly is a reference to Curtis Mayfield's song "Superfly"
 * Teronosuke Miyamoto's Enigma is named after New Age band "Enigma"
 * Mazaso Kinoto's Cheap Trick is a reference to American Rock band "Cheap Trick"
 * The name of Yoshihiro Kira's Atom Heart Father is based on Pink Floyd song and album Atom Heart Mother
 * Yoshikage Kira's stand Killer Queen and his evolution powers (Sheer Heart Attack and Another One Bites the Dust) all these names are based on songs of British rock band Queen.

People

 * Tonio Trussardi is named after Italian fashion designer Nicola Trussardi
 * Rohan Kishibe is a anagram of Hirohiko Araki.

Music

 * Giorno's Stand name is based on Prince's album "The Gold Experience"
 * Buccellati's Stand name is based on the Rolling Stones' album of the same name.
 * The album "Sticky Fingers" was particularly known for having a functional zipper in the sleeve for its vinyl release. Sticky Fingers the Stand creating zippers is likely a reference to this.
 * Mista's Stand is a reference to the British punk band "Sex Pistols"
 * Narancia Ghirga's Stand is named after the legendary group Aerosmith
 * Abacchio's Stand name is a direct reference to the British rock band The Moody Blues
 * Fugo's Stand name is a reference to the same name song, performed by Jimi Hendrix
 * Trish's Stand name is based on the British pop group Spice Girls, as well her battlecry is a reference to the song "Wannabe" performed by the same group.
 * Zucchero's Stand is named after British rock band "Soft Machine"
 * Polpo's Stand name is based on the English heavy metal band, Black Sabbath.
 * Sale's Kraftwerk is named after the German electronic band of same name.
 * Formaggio's Little Feet is a reference to the American rock band "Little Feat"
 * Illuso's Man in the Mirror is a homage to the Micheal Jackson's song of the same name
 * Coco Jumbo and its Stand's name are references to eurodance group Mr. President, since Coco Jumbo is one of their songs.
 * Pesci's Stand is named after American Rock band "Beach Boys"
 * Prosciutto's Stand is a reference to Jam band "Grateful Dead"
 * Melone's Baby Face is named after R&B artist Kenneth B. Edmonds' nickname
 * Ghiaccio's White Album has its name based on the Beatles' album "The Beatles", nicknamed "White Album" by the fans
 * White Album's special skill is named after the Beatles song "While my guitar gently weeps"
 * Squalo's Stand is named after British Punk group "Clash"
 * Tizziano's Talking Head is a reference to the "Talking Heads" a new wave American group
 * Carne's Stand is a reference to American Rapper Notorious B.I.G.
 * Risotto's Metallica is a homage to the heavy Metal band of the same name
 * Cioccolatta's Green Day shares its name with the American Punk group "Green Day"
 * The name of Secco's Stand is based on alternative Rock band "Oasis"
 * Scolippi's Stand is named after British Rock band "Rolling Stones"
 * Diavolo and Doppio's Stands names are based on the rock band King Crimson and the song Epithaph, performed by the same band.
 * Some music references can be found in Part 5 novel. The Stands of Coniglio, Sogliola Lopez and Rigatoni are named after three Post-Punk bands: The Cure, Joy Division and Public Image Ltd.

Music

 * Stone Free, Jolyne's stand is named after the mythical song composed and performed by Jimi Hendrix
 * Hermes Costello's name is a reference to the British musician Elvis Costello
 * Hermes Costello's Kiss is named after American Hard Rock band KISS
 * Emporio's Stand is a reference to the Talking Heads' song "Burning Down the House"
 * F.F. and her Stand's names are based on American alternative Rock band "Foo Fighters"
 * Weather Report and his Stand's names are based on Jazz band "Weather Report"
 * Similarly, Heavy Weather shares its name with one album by the same band
 * Diver Down, Anasui's Stand, is named after the same name album by Van Halen
 * Guess' Goo Goo Dolls is a reference to the American Alternative Rock band of the same name
 * Jongalli A's Stand is named after contemporary Jazz Fusion band "Manhattan Transfer"
 * McQueen's Stand is a reference to "Highway to Hell", a song and album by Australian band ACDC
 * Marilyn Manson shares its name with the American Rock band Marilyn Manson and its lead singer
 * Jumpin' Jack Flash is a reference to the Rolling Stones' song of the same name
 * Limp Bizkit is a reference to American Rock band Limp Bizkit
 * The name of Guccio's Survivor is based on American 80s Hard Rock band Survivor"
 * Planet Waves is named after an album of the same name by Bob Dylan
 * Dragon's Dream is named after the song and album of the same name by Thom Brennan
 * Yoyoma is named after French-born American cellist Yo-Yo Ma
 * Jail House Rock is a reference to the song of the same name by Elvis Presley
 * The name of Ungaro's Bohemian Rhapsody is based on the 1975 Queen song of the same name
 * Rykiel's Sky High is named after Jigsaw's song "Sky High"
 * Versace's Underworld shares its name with British Electronic band "Underworld"
 * Pucci's Whitesnake is named after the Metal band of the same name
 * C-Moon's name is based on a song by Paul McCartney called "C-Moon"
 * Stairway to Heaven and (Made in Heaven) are respectively references to the song "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin and to the song and album "Made in Heaven" by Queen
 * The Green Dolphin Street Prison is named after the song On Green Dolphin Street.

People

 * Hermes Costello's first name is based on French high fashion house "Hermès"
 * Emporio Alnino is named after Italian fashion brand "Emporio Armani"
 * Narciso Anasui is a reference to American fashion designers "Narciso Rodriguez" and "Anna Sui"
 * Guess shares her name with the American fashion brand "Guess"
 * Rocco Barocco is a reference to the Italian Fashion designer of the same name
 * Jongalli A has his name based on Spanish-British fashion designer "John Galliano"
 * Xander McQueen is named after British fashion designer and brand "Alexander McQueen"
 * Mirashon's name is based on Italian fashion designer "Mila Schön"
 * Lang Wrangler might be a reference to both Austrian fashion designer "Helmut Lang" and Jeans manufacturer brand "Wrangler"
 * Sports Max is named after Italian fashion brand "Sportmax"
 * Guccio's name is based on Italian fashion designer "Guccio Gucci"
 * Viviano Westwood's name is based on British fashion designer "Vivienne Westwood"
 * Kenzo is named after Japanese stylist "Kenzou Takada"
 * D&G is a reference to Italian fashion house "D&G", founded by "Domenico Dolce" and "Stefano Gabbana"
 * Miu Miu is a reference to both Italian stylist "Miuccia Prada" and her fashion house "Miu Miu"
 * Ungaro is named after French stylist "Emanuel Ungaro"
 * Rykiel shares his name with French fashion designer "Sonia Rykiel"
 * Donatello Versace is named after to Italian fashion designer "Donatella Versace"
 * Enrico Pucci's name is based on Italian fashion designers "Enrico Coveri" and "Emilio Pucci"
 * The prisoner whose body F.F. takes over is named for the fashion brand Etro.

Films

 * Affected by Jail House Rock, Jolyne began to see movies suffering from amnesia. At first she question a Johnny Depp and later she spoiled the ending of Sixth Sense.

Manga/Anime

 * Bohemian Rhapsody is a Stand is able to bring fictional characters into reality. Some characters from Manga and Comic were summoned. Among them: Spiderman, Kenshiro, Raoh, Mazinger Z, Tetsuwan Atom (Astro Boy), Tetsujin 28 (Gigantor) and Giant Robo.

Other

 * Bohemian Rhapsody is a Stand is able to bring fictional characters into reality. Some characters from Popular Tales were summoned. Among them: Pinocchio, Mickey Mouse, E.T., Mother Goat, Snow White and the 7 dwarves, Peter Pan, Little Red Ridding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf.
 * Bohemian Rhapsody also summoned some art pieces: Vincent van Gogh's portraits and Venus by Botticelli.
 * When the 7 dwarves are summoned they mentioned Terminator's T-2000 and Star Wars's Chewbacca.
 * In popular culture, The Mayan Prophecy of 2012, announced the end of the world at december of that same year.In the manga Pucci succeded in ending the actual world to create a new one.
 * In a guide book readed by Annasui, Disney's Magic Kingdom and MGM, Universal Studios and Sea World Theme Park are referenced.

Music

 * Johnny Joestar's horse is named after the song and album Slow Dancer by Boz Scaggs. His Stand is a reference to Fleetwood Mac's song and album Tusk.
 * Gyro Zeppeli's Stand is named after the AC/DC Album and song Ballbreaker.
 * Diego's horse is named after the Silver Bullet Band.
 * Hot Pants is based on the song of the same name performed by James Brown
 * Hot Pants's stand,Cream Starter, is named after Firestarter, a song by the English band "the Prodigy".
 * Stephen Steel is named after musician Stephen Stills.
 * Mountain Tim's horse references Stan Jones's song (Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend
 * Mountain Tim's Stand is named after the Don Gibson song Oh Lonesome Me.
 * Pocoloco is named after "Un Poco Loco", a composition by Bud Powell.
 * Pocoloco's horse Hey Ya! is named after the song Hey Ya!" by US hip hop band Outkast.
 * Soundman's Stand is a reference to Miles Davis's album "In a Silent Way"
 * Mrs. Robinson is named after the song of the same name, by Simon & Garfunkel.
 * The Boomboom Family's horses are named for the Jimi Hendrix songs Crosstown Traffic, Foxy Lady and Little Wing.
 * The three racers killed by the Boomboom family are named for musicians Donald Jay Fagen, Walter Carl Becker (both from Steely Dan) and Steve Lukather (from Toto).
 * Oyecomova is named after the song Oye Como Va from the Latin jazz and mambo musician Tito Puente.
 * Dr. Ferdinand is named for the band Franz Ferdinand. His stand is named after the David Bowie album and song Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps).
 * Ringo Roadagain is named after musician Ringo Starr and the Bob Dylan song "On the Road Again", despite assumption that the name comes from Willie Nelson's eponymous song. His stand is named after the Jerry Wallace single "Mandom: The Lovers of the World", which was only released in Japan.
 * Blackmore is named for Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. His Stand is named after the song "Catch the Rainbow" by Richie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio's band "Rainbow"
 * Sugar Mountain is named for the song by Neil Young.
 * Tattoo You! references the album of the same name by The Rolling Stones.
 * Mike O. is named after progressive Rock musician Mike Oldfield. Similarly, his Stand is named after his debut song and album, Tubular Bells.
 * Wekapipo's name is based on the single "Wake Up People" by SOUL'd OUT
 * Similarly, his Wrecking Balls appear to be named after Neil Young's song "Wrecking Ball"
 * Magenta Magenta is also named in a single of SOUL'd OUT, "Magenta Magenta".
 * 20th Century Boy is based on T-Rex's song of the same name.
 * Axl Ro is named after Guns N' Roses' frontman "Axl Rose". Similarly, his Stand is named after Guns N' Roses' song "Civil War"
 * Disco and his Stand are a reference to J-Pop song "Chocolate Disco" by Perfume
 * Funny Valentine is a reference to famous Jazz slow tune "My Funny Valentine"
 * Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap is named after the ACDC's album and song of the same name
 * Volume 18 & Chapters 71 & 72 are named after the song "Ticket to Ride" by The Beatles
 * The artwork Araki drew for the cover of the Ultra Jump May 2011 Issue is a reference to the album art of Progressive Rock Band Yes' album, Fragile. This album contains the song, Roundabout, which happens to be the first ending of the Anime.

Film

 * Steel Ball Run (race) is based on the movie Cannonball Race.

Music

 * Part VIII is named JoJolion after the David Bowie song "Joe the Lion"
 * The protagonist's stand is named after Prince's first single, Soft & Wet
 * Ojirou Sasame's stand's name is based off the hit single, Fun, Fun, Fun by The Beach Boys.
 * California King Bed, Daiya Higashikata's stand, is named after a Rihanna song of the same name.
 * Daiya is also a fan of the band, Yes.
 * The volumized chapters 12 and 13 are named after Prince's song "Paisley Park" and Lady Gaga's song and album "Born This Way".
 * Kyou Nijimura's stand is named after The Jam's hit single Going Underground.
 * Extortion Road is also known as Dead Man's Curve.

Manga/Anime

 * The protagonist is named after the Part IV Antagonist, as a self reference.
 * Araki made another self-reference to Steel Ball Run(SBR) as a hat brand.

Others

 * The natural disaster that hit Morioh in the manga is the same event actually take place in Japan in March 11, 2011, the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Movies

 * When Yasuho and the protagonist come to Yoshikage Kira's home, they see a naked woman bathing in a way similar to the room 237 scene of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining.