Author of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Denies Being a Vampire

Hirohiko Araki, the legendary author and illustrator of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," has recently debunked his fans' theories about his supposed immortality at a press conference. At 64, Araki, known for his long and successful career in the manga world, made his first official media appearance in some time during the opening of his first public art installation, titled "The Fountain Boy," at JR Osaka Station.

At the conference, the creator of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" addressed the speculations that have circulated for years, especially those that describe him as an eternally youthful-looking being. Some fans have even suggested, jokingly, that he might be a vampire, since, according to them, he "seems to rejuvenate with each passing year." Araki humorously responded to these theories, assuring, "I'm definitely getting older! There are days when it's difficult. My legs are stiff. I feel muscle pain every day, and when I draw manga, my muscles hurt. When I was young, I didn't feel any of that."

The mangaka also shared what he believes could be the "secret" to his youthful appearance: "When people around me ask me, 'What's the secret to your youth?', I reply, 'I wash with tap water from Tokyo.'" Although he mentioned it in a light tone, Araki added more seriously: "I lead a life in which I rest properly. I want to have fun. I don't work eight days a week... When I think about the secret to my youth, I think it's DNA."

Even though Araki has rejected any association with vampirism, it is interesting to note that undead supernatural creatures are a prominent theme in his work, particularly in the first three parts of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure": Phantom Blood, Battle Tendency, and Stardust Crusaders. The most famous character among these beings is undoubtedly Dio Brando, who, interestingly, was not inspired by a fictional vampire, but by the main antagonist of "Blade Runner", Roy Batty, according to an interview published in 2018.

"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," which has been serialized for nearly 40 years, continues to captivate readers around the world with its quirky stories and memorable characters. Despite the longevity of the series, enthusiasm for Araki's work shows no signs of abating, and theories about his "immortality" are likely to persist among his most devoted followers, who, with humor and admiration, see in him an example of seemingly inexhaustible dedication and creativity.

Source: Oricon News