Diego Brando (THE WORLD)

"Johnny Joestar. In this world, for me, you are the greatest challenge!!"

- Alternate Diego Brando

Diego Brando from Another World (並行世界から来たディエゴ), also referred to as Alternate Diego Brando, or just Alternate Diego, is the final antagonist featured in Steel Ball Run.

This Diego is introduced to the "root world" of the Corpse by President Funny Valentine after the death of the original. He is a racer from a similar Steel Ball Run happening in another parallel world. As a final precaution, Valentine had tasked this Diego with coveting the Saint's Corpse in his place, should he be defeated by Johnny Joestar. After stealing the Corpse, Alternate Diego ambushes Johnny in the final stage of the "root world" Steel Ball Run, once the latter tries to pursue him.

He is a Stand User like his original counterpart, but unlike the original, due to the Saint's Corpse only existing in the "root world," does not wield Scary Monsters. Instead, this version of Diego possess the time stopping Stand, THE WORLD, the true Stand of all Diegos.

Appearance
The second Diego is virtually identical in appearance to the first. He is a young man of below-average height and slim to medium build. He has light hair, dark eyebrows, and light, bold eyes.

He commonly wears an equestrian helmet with the letters "D", "I", and "O" mounted on bending pins emerging from a small ribbon tied at its front, a turtleneck jumper patterned with a diagonal grid, light, mid-forearm-length gloves, light, wide-legged, and tall, dark riding boots.

Personality
This incarnation of Diego Brando shares some personality traits with his base world counterpart; he is misanthropic and similarly ambitious, having the same general desire for power and domination over society. However, his methods to achieving his goals betray far more overt cruelty and propensity for violence than the original Diego.

Diego is self-centered and has no apparent capacity for empathy, taking Valentine's pleas lightly and in a joking manner until he entices him with the claim to the Saint's Corpse, becoming committed to receiving the Corpse's blessings. Swiftly taking on the task and stealing the Corpse from Johnny, he is absolutely ruthless, prepared to kill anyone in his way in inventively violent ways such as by throwing knives, like DIO, or using matches to burn him alive.

Due to the time-stopping power of his Stand, Diego displays great confidence in himself and openly displays contempt for anyone else, treating them as beneath him. He only becomes distressed when he loses the upper hand or in unexpected situations, like when Tusk ACT4 moved when time was frozen or when presented with the original Diego's severed head. When he is cornered by Lucy and facing defeat, he finally loses control of his emotions, screaming with rage and disgust that the "shallow scum of a little girl" would dare to defy him.

The alternate jockey shows a tactical acumen as well as creative tactics, quickly noticing the danger of Tusk's infinite rotation and formulating a plan to do away with it in keeping his distance from it. Throughout his mission, he outsmarts Johnny time and time again, such as when he hanged wires in a narrow alley to stop his pursuer in his tracks and redirected Johnny's infinite rotation back to him.

Significantly more predatory and lascivious than the original Diego Brando, he even forces himself on Lucy while bleeding profusely from a dire injury. He chokes and molests the teenage girl, describing how he intends to thoroughly degrade her when his leg is healed.

He is capable of sacrificing innocent people for his sake, and taunts Johnny for accidentally killing the adoring fans that Diego used to shield himself.

Abilities
The alternate Diego's Stand, THE WORLD, is almost identical to DIO's The World: A powerful, humanoid Stand capable of stopping time for ~5 seconds.

Differing slightly in appearance, this Stand replaces hearts in its design with "D" emblems (e.g. on its knees), sports clocks on its shoulders and hips, and lacks the gloves/knuckle plates on its arm braces as well as a belt. It possesses a much slimmer physique while removing its pseudo-robotic arm pivots and knee hinges with joints under solid "skin" to appear more humanlike.

Background
During the 8th round, the original Diego turned against Funny Valentine; but he was quickly defeated by his Stand, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.

Later, after the final battle between Johnny and Valentine, the President tried to make a deal with Johnny, making the promise he can bring back Gyro Zeppeli (switching a Gyro from another World with the deceased Gyro). However, Valentine was planning a last trick and uses the time talking with Johnny to search for an ally in another World. With this objective in mind, Funny Valentine negotiated with this alternative version of Diego to take the Saint Corpse Parts and to kill Johnny.

High Voltage
After Johnny finally beats Valentine, he was surprised to see the Saint Corpse Parts were gone again. He pursued the thief only to discover he was none other than Diego Brando.

Johnny was at first surprised by the new Stand, THE WORLD, but still managed to discover the nature of its power after a few attacks. This time, Diego had the advantage of knowing Tusk's powers and Johnny's Golden Spin technique predicting his attacks and using his fans as human shields when Johnny attacked.

In his final attack, Diego used his five seconds to make a double attack: He fired a gun while THE WORLD attacked Johnny's back. Johnny was badly hurt again falling from his horse and couldn't use his new attack.

However, he had accumulated enough spin to make their final attack, using Tusk Act 4 starts climbing Diego's leg. At that time, Diego remembers what Valentine told him about the Golden Spin technique and how to overcome it; cutting his leg and throwing it to Johnny, Diego manages to beat Johnny with his own technique and mount his horse, leaving him to die.

The World of the Stars and Stripes
Moments later, Diego wins the race and fulfills the last will of Funny Valentine by keeping the body in the secret chamber of Trinity Church. Heeding Funny Valentine's advice, Diego quickly goes to the Trinity Church and the vault under it to lock the Saint's Corpse inside. Suddenly, Lucy Steel appears. THE WORLD pins Lucy against the wall and Diego checks that no one else is around. Confronting the girl, Diego asks what Lucy is doing there. She answers that she crossed the continent for happiness. Diego scoffs at her, saying that he plans to kill Steven Steel because he knows too much about the Corpse's location, and, while groping her, expresses his desire to thoroughly violate Lucy before eventually killing her too. However, before he can proceed with any of his evil plans, he is distracted by the "present" that Lucy is carrying. Diego peers inside of the bundle, and to his horror he finds the severed head of his base world counterpart. Realizing the danger of coming into contact with his alternate self, Diego stops time and tries to flee, but he is unable to run due to his missing leg. Furious, Diego screams at Lucy and desperately attempts to kill her, but the severed head of the base world Diego flies towards him. Diego's head explodes and is disintegrated, killing the jockey.

All Star Battle (PS3)
Though Diego, either version, is not physically present in All Star Battle, some of his alternate's lines are present and fully voiced in the final part of Steel Ball Run's STORY MODE.

Interestingly enough, he is voiced by Takehito Koyasu, DIO's voice actor. He is referred to as "Dio" instead of Diego.

Eyes of Heaven (PS3/PS4)
This Diego Brando was confirmed for Eyes of Heaven alongside Johnny, Gyro, and Valentine, his name titled Diego Brando from a Parallel World (並行世界から来たディエゴ), shortened as The World Diego (世界ディエゴ).

The World Diego has an unconventional standard set of abilities: Instead of a Homing Dash that all other characters have and used to charge forward, Diego summons THE WORLD at mid-range to take opponents by surprise and knock them down with a chop; In place of a Powerful Attack, Diego summons THE WORLD to throw five knives forward in a fanning fashion; In place of a Takedown Attack, an unblockable strike used against guarding opponent, Diego pulls out a revolver and fires a singular, high-damaging shot that also deals massive damage to guard (an opponent's guard will break using only two bullets). This causes The World Diego to have a unique basic playstyle outside of his special skills.

As a Mounted Fighter, The World Diego is able to switch between riding atop Silver Bullet or moving on foot. Also, as a Stand User, he is one of many characters with wildly varied abilities that grant him uniqueness in battle.

The World Diego interacts in a special manner with larger stage objects in that he can trap them with barb wire, which will paralyze opponents that get too close and leave them open to further attack. While this is a simple style of trap by itself among playable characters, Diego can then create a larger trap: if he traps two stage objects within range of each other that have a direct line between them, the two will automatically link their barb wire together, creating a long trap extending between the two.


 * Style Action - Me Time: After a short period of vulnerability, The World Diego stops time for five whole seconds, rivaling the time stop of DIO. His partner and opponents are unable to move, and he is able to initiate any action or attack with impunity. However, other time-stopping characters may activate their own ability to enter Diego's stopped time. Any projectiles that Diego can use, such as the knives of his Powerful Attack, the revolver shot of his Takedown Attack, and his skills' various projectiles and traps will freeze and remain suspended in mid-air. If used while in Mounted Mode, Diego automatically dismounts from Silver Bullet who is also affected by the time stop. This ability's cooldown is equal to 40 counts of the battle timer, making it the longest cooldown of any ability in the game.


 * This is where the fun begins...: The World Diego throws a bunch of matches forward in a wave. Opponents caught by the matches will take damage and ignite. If time is stopped, the matches will freeze in mid-air after traveling some distance.


 * This trial will be "Subjugation and Certain Death": The World Diego tosses an open jerrycan of gasoline forward, spilling the liquid. Opponents hit by the jerrycan become Gasolined, rendering them unable to guard against fire-based attacks. If hit by any fire-based attack or source of ignition, Gasolined opponents will explode, receiving considerable damage and sending them flying. The jerrycan will even leave a puddle of gasoline where it lands, which can ignite into a patch of fire that lingers for several seconds, also igniting opponents that make contact with it. This skill can be canceled into "This is where the fun begins...", and may hit and douse opponents that are downed as well. If time is stopped, the jerrycan will freeze in mid-air after reaching the peak of its arc. If the skill is used while moving in Mounted Mode, Diego will instead toss the jerrycan behind him.


 * Barb wire!!: The World Diego has THE WORLD set barb wire invisible to opponents in front of him as a trap. Opponents that make contact with the barb wire will be paralyzed before crumpling, leaving them open to further attack. If used while in Mounted Mode, the barb wire will be set at Diego's face-level, allowing it to catch jumping opponents.


 * Silver Bullet: The World Diego switches between Mounted Mode and Ground Mode. While in Mounted Mode, Silver Bullet has above-average mobility and jump height and can unleash devastating Normal Attacks while still allowing Diego to utilize all of his skills. However, his stamina gauge will slowly drain, automatically dismounting him when it empties. While in Ground Mode, Diego can interact with stage objects and grab ledges. Diego automatically switches to Ground Mode upon using his Style Action.


 * EX - This trial will be "Subjugation and Certain Death": The skill executes quicker and The World Diego is invincible until the jerrycan is thrown. This skill is inconsistently named "My trial is to conquer and kill at all costs." under the EX variation.


 * EX - Barb wire!!: The skill executes quicker and the barb wire is taller, allowing it to catch jumping opponents.


 * Dual Heat Attack - Time's stopped for five seconds!: After his partner sends the opponent into the air, The World Diego stops time. He proceeds to take out a handful of knives and throws them in tandem with THE WORLD. The knives, totaling exactly 23, are subsequently suspended in mid-air, surrounding the opponent. Diego gives a sly smile, then resumes time and lets the knives strike their target.

JoJolities

 * My ability can stop time for five seconds.: The World Diego must use his Style Action. (200 Points)
 * You dare track ME, idiot?!: The World Diego must trap opponents use "Barb wire!!" 3 times. (200 Points)
 * The end will come before you even stop!: The World Diego must Retire an opponent. (300 Points)
 * Now I've got a plan...: The World Diego must connect "This is where the fun begins..." on a Gasolined opponent. (500 Points)
 * And time moves again...: The World Diego must land a Dual Heat Attack while time is stopped. (800 Points)

Tournament
He is paired with Part 4 Jotaro Kujo in the Eyes of Heaven Tournament, having been placed in the F Block series of battles to be incorporated into the main Tournament. They defeated Josuke Higashikata (JJL) and Narciso Anasui in the first round but were eliminated by Bruno Bucciarati and Trish Una in the second.

Gallery
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Trivia

 * Similarly to the original Diego, his name is sometimes spelled in English as "Dio" with only a capital "D".
 * Multiple aspects of the battle between Jotaro Kujo and DIO at the end of Part 3 are reflected in the fight against Alternate Diego.
 * Diego's Stand, THE WORLD, is almost identical to DIO's.
 * Diego has the same cries as DIO; his Stand cry is also "MUDA MUDA MUDA" and even screams "WRYYYYYYYY" upon his death, a cry formerly used for vampires appearing in the series, but also shared by Giorno Giovanna.
 * Diego utilizes similar techniques to DIO; especially throwing knives that surround his target within stopped time.
 * Diego and DIO both lose their left lower legs shortly before they die when their heads are destroyed.
 * The climax of Diego's battle with Johnny takes place on a bridge, like DIO with Jotaro.
 * In JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Eyes of Heaven, the battle music for Diego is an arrangement of DIO's.