Summary of Western Songs That Inspired the JoJo Series
Since its serialization began in 1986, Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure series has been beloved across generations as both a manga and an anime.
A pioneering work in so-called “supernatural power battles,” it continues to captivate many fans with its edge-of-your-seat storytelling and strikingly unique characters.
One of JoJo’s distinctive features is that the names of characters and abilities often draw inspiration from real-life artists, bands, and song titles.
With that in mind, this article rounds up Western songs related to the JoJo series!
Take a peek into the world of JoJo from a musical perspective!
Western songs that inspired the JoJo series (Parts 1–10)
Welcome To The JungleGuns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses, dubbed “the most dangerous band in the world,” achieved explosive success after their debut in the late 1980s, went through a series of member departures and periods of inactivity, and today in the 2020s continue to perform energetically as a world-class active rock band.
In JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, several Guns N’ Roses songs are referenced as Stand names, and it’s said that the character “Axl RO” who appears in Part 7, Steel Ball Run, is derived from the band’s frontman, Axl Rose.
Fun, Fun, FunThe Beach Boys
One of the greatest groups in American music history, The Beach Boys.
Before they reached the historic masterpiece Pet Sounds, their 1964 album Shut Down Vol.
2 featured Fun Fun Fun—a classic that still enjoys immense popularity today as a representative example of their early musical style, with its surf rock-inspired sound, catchy melodies and choruses, and rich harmonies that innocently depict California youth.
It’s also referenced in Part 8 of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, JoJolion, as the name of Satoru Akefu’s Stand.
Knockin’ On Heaven’s DoorBob Dylan
Released in Japan in 2025, the film “A Complete Unknown” starring Timothée Chalamet drew attention in Japan as a work depicting the youth of the legendary, still-in-the-making musician Bob Dylan.
It likely sparked interest in Dylan among many younger viewers.
Dylan’s song “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”—featured in the film “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” for which Dylan composed the soundtrack—is a timeless classic covered by countless artists and bands.
In Japan, it’s also well known by its Japanese title “Tengoku e no Tobira” (Heaven’s Door), and fans of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure will recognize the reference in the beloved character Rohan Kishibe’s Stand, “Heaven’s Door.
“
EchoesPink Floyd
Pink Floyd is a band beloved around the world for their music rooted in art rock and progressive rock.
It seems Mr.
Araki is quite fond of Pink Floyd, as he used “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” as the basis for Part 4.
This “Echoes” is known as the inspiration for the popular Stand “Echoes” in Part 4.
Since the Stand’s ability is based on sound, this work may hold particularly strong significance for Mr.
Araki.
Stone FreeJimi Hendrix
Guitarist Jimi Hendrix, who took the rock scene by storm with his innovative performances.
If you love rock, you’re sure to know this legendary artist.
Of course, Jimi Hendrix’s music also has deep ties to JoJo.
One example is Stone Free.
This track is the origin of the Stand name Stone Free used by Part 6’s protagonist, Jolyne Cujoh.
Its funky yet stylish sound perfectly matches the vibe of Part 6, so be sure to give it a listen.
Highway StarDeep Purple
Deep Purple is a quintessential British hard rock band that, despite a breakup and numerous lineup changes, released a new album in 2024 and continues to perform as an active band.
As one of the groups that drove the hard rock boom of the 1970s, they enjoy immense popularity in Japan as well.
“Highway Star,” included on their landmark album Machine Head, stands alongside “Smoke on the Water” as a quintessential masterpiece often cited as a model study piece for guitarists.
This famous track is also referenced in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, where it appears in Part 4, Diamond Is Unbreakable, as Yuya Fungami’s Stand.
Whole Lotta LoveLed Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin is a rock band beloved by many rock fans in Japan as well.
Since the band has produced numerous classic songs, many of you may be familiar with Whole Lotta Love.
This track is known as the inspiration for Gyro Zeppeli, one of the protagonists of Part 7.
Although its hard rock style—heavily influenced by the blues—has at times drawn accusations of plagiarism, the guitar riff is strikingly memorable and compelling, so if you like rock, be sure to give it a listen.