Jotaro Kujo was the protagonist of Stardust Crusaders, and he was a significant ally during Diamond Is Unbreakable, Vento Aureo, and Stone Ocean. Since he is one of the only recurring Jojo's Bizarre Adventure characters who appears in several parts, fans witnessed his evolution throughout the series.
Jotaro has played a role in the series for 23 years of his life, from his formative teenage years all the way to being a middle-aged man. Jotaro was introduced as a vulgar delinquent in part three. In parts four and five, he's an adult with a career in marine biology. In part six, he's Jolyne's father.
WARNING: Major spoilers ahead for Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean by Hirohiko Araki!
10 Jotaro Learned How To Make Friends During Stardust Crusaders
It's easy to forget that Jotaro was very lonely despite having a happy childhood. His father was a successful jazz musician who was always away on tour and he didn't have any friends. The only social connections he had were his fangirls at school, which just annoyed him because they were too much like his overly affectionate mother.
When Jotaro embarked on the journey with the rest of the crusaders in part three, it was the first time he had to navigate making friends. Jotaro had to learn the best way to connect with and form strong bonds with each group member. At the beginning of part three, he is lonely and almost too independent. He learned how to form meaningful social connections by the end.
9 Jotaro Became A Strong Mentor For Josuke
In part four, Jotaro became a mentor figure to Josuke. Since Joseph cheated on Suzi Q with Josuke's mother, he should have been there for Josuke as a mentor figure, but he wasn't. Jotaro, of course, gives Josuke the mentor figure that Joseph should have been.
Jotaro took Josuke under his wing in part four. Jotaro gave him valuable advice, helped him navigate the enemy Stand users plaguing Morioh, and taught Josuke lots of information about the world's harsh realities.
8 Jotaro Learned How To Be A Leader
During Stardust Crusaders, it was evident that Jotaro was highly intelligent, wise beyond his years, confident, and quick on his feet — but he wasn't a leader. Even though he was the protagonist, he wasn't calling the shots during the group's journey to Egypt.
However, in part four, Jotaro becomes an excellent leader for the Morioh gang. Jotaro proved that he's capable of laying out clear, concise plans for the rest of the group. Even in part five, Jotaro was the one who sent Koichi to Italy to investigate Giorno because he trusted him to go on that mission.
7 Jotaro Is Less Foul-Mouthed
In part three, one of Jotaro's most notable characteristics was his vulgarity. He was seen cursing out not only his enemies but even allies and his own mother. He had a short fuse and got annoyed by external circumstances quite easily.
Though he remained composed during the most pivotal battles of part three, certain things set him off immediately. He's still quite blunt and still expresses the utmost annoyance towards overly affectionate women, but Jotaro isn't as foul-mouthed and learned how to control his temper just a bit.
6 Jotaro Is More Willing To Express Himself
In part three, Jotaro was a stoic guy who never really talked unless something annoyed him or unless he absolutely had to. Other than a few mumblings of "yare yare daze" or a snide remark directed at one of his comrades, Jotaro rarely put in his own two cents or offered new ideas.
However, as he became an adult, he was more willing to put his thoughts and opinions out there. Though he's still stoic and remains relatively quiet, Jotaro became more open with others about his ideas and feelings.
5 Jotaro's Appearance Reflects His Evolution & How Other Characters Perceive Him
In part three, Jotaro certainly dressed like a rough-around-the-edges delinquent. His unkempt appearance reflected his introduction, and though he didn't look entirely unhinged, Jotaro embodied the stereotype of a teenage delinquent. In part four, however, Jotaro looked utterly polished. Instead of all-black attire, he opted for a more clean style. He wore tailored, all-white clothes with dolphin motifs to reflect his career as a marine biologist. This style continued into part five.
However, Jotaro is introduced as Jolyne's absent father in part six. Since the story shifted to being told through Jolyne's perspective, his informal style makes a comeback. He's back to the unkempt attire that became synonymous with him in part three, with his trademark chain and dark clothes returning.
4 Jotaro Reminisces On Stardust Crusaders
In Vento Aureo, it's revealed that Jotaro kept the group photo of his former comrades in Egypt. The polaroid is yellowed, mangled, and ripped in spots, but Jotaro held onto it ever since part three. This is significant because it shows Jotaro's sentimental side and how much he cherished those connections he formed.
At that time, he was the only remaining member of the group. Kakyoin, Iggy, and Avdol died at the end of part three, while Polnareff basically disappeared until the end of part five. Joseph, who was possibly still alive, was likely a shell of his former self because of senility setting in.
3 Jotaro Followed The Cycle & Became An Absentee Father To Jolyne
One of the most realistic aspects of Jotaro's character is that he follows the cycle of parenting he grew up with. Since his father was absent for most of his life, Jotaro continued the cycle and became an absentee father to Jolyne.
Though Jotaro certainly had numerous evolutions throughout the series, part six showed a regression into his past self by becoming an absentee father to Jolyne. As a result, Jolyne went down the same path of delinquency and loneliness as Jotaro did in order to cope.
2 Jotaro Was More Concerned With Protecting Jolyne Than He Was With Defeating Enrico Pucci
Jotaro learned numerous valuable lessons about forming meaningful social connections throughout the series. Perhaps his most important connection is the one with his daughter, Jolyne Cujoh. Ultimately, he became an absentee father to protect her from the harsh realities that come with being of the Joestar bloodline.
At first, Jolyne believed he was absent because he didn't care about her. However, Jotaro's actions proved to be out of love for Jolyne. By the end of Stone Ocean, he paid the ultimate price by sacrificing himself to protect Jolyne instead of defeating Enrico Pucci. This action ultimately leads to the timeline reset, effectively ending the original Jojo's universe.
1 Jotaro Learned The Importance Of Social Connections
Jotaro's story begins with him taking a stand for the Joestar bloodline against DIO. By the end of the story, he ultimately sacrifices himself in the name of protecting his family. Arguably, Jotaro's character evolution throughout Jojo's Bizarre Adventure reflects his journey as he learns about forming meaningful social connections. This includes familial ties and friendly relations.
Since his childhood was lonely, Jotaro had to stumble through forming valuable friendships throughout part three. However, in part four, he was tasked with cultivating and maintaining these connections by becoming a leader and mentor. In part six, Jotaro tackles familial ties by connecting with his daughter.