Explaining Hirohiko Araki, Author of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure"! Works, Age, and More

"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" is a popular action manga created by Hirohiko Araki. It has been serialized for over 35 years since it began in 1987 and has surpassed 120 million copies in total circulation. The anime adaptation started in 2012, and as of 2022, the animated series has covered up to the middle of the sixth part of the original manga.

In this article, we focus on Hirohiko Araki, the author who has been drawing "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" for so many years. We introduce a list of his manga works, his age, and more.

About "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," Original Work by Hirohiko Araki

One of the key themes in "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" is the feud between the Joestar family and Dio that transcends generations. Even though the setting and characters change with each part, glimpses of their rivalry appear throughout numerous scenes.

In Part 1, the root of all conflict is depicted in the battle between Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando. Later, in Part 3, Jonathan's great-great-grandson Jotaro Kujo battles Dio, and in Part 5, a protagonist who inherits the blood of both the Joestar family and Dio takes center stage. While each part is independent and enjoyable on its own, reading the series in order deepens the understanding of the relationships and causality between characters, making it even more enjoyable.

Another major draw of the series is the thrilling action scenes featuring unique characters. Especially famous is the concept of "Stands," an original element introduced in Part 3, which greatly contributes to the characters' power and individuality.

Hirohiko Araki's Background and Age

Name: Pen Name / Hirohiko Araki; Real Name / Toshiyuki Araki
Age: 64 years old (as of May 2025)
Birthday: June 7, 1960
Hometown: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Years Active: since 1981
Debut Work: "Busō Poker" (under the name Toshiyuki Araki), 1981 ("Weekly Shonen Jump")

Hirohiko Araki is a veteran manga artist who has been active for over 40 years since 1981. He is from Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture, and in addition to his work as a manga artist, he is also active as an illustrator.

He has also appeared on television; in 2011, he was featured on NHK's art program "Sunday Museum." He continued to appear on the program in 2019, 2020, and 2022.

He has received multiple awards, including the Grand Prize in the Manga Division of the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2014 and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Award [Media Arts] at the 69th Art Encouragement Prizes in 2019.

List of Manga Works by Hirohiko Araki, Author of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure"

・Main Manga Works by Hirohiko Araki
"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" series (1987–, "Weekly Shonen Jump")
"Thus spoke Kishibe Rohan" series (1997–, "Weekly Shonen Jump," "Jump Square," etc.)
"Busō Poker" (1980, "Weekly Shonen Jump")
"Gorgeous★Irene" (1985–1986, "Weekly Shonen Jump")

・Other works
"Outlaw Man" (1981, "Weekly Shonen Jump")
"Greetings from Virginia" (1981, "Weekly Shonen Jump")
"Mashōnen B.T. – One-shot Version" (1982, "Fresh Jump")
"Mashōnen B.T." (1983, "Weekly Shonen Jump")
"Baoh the Visitor" (1984–1985, "Weekly Shonen Jump")
"Henjin Henkyoku Retsuden" (1989–2003, "Super Jump," "MANGA Allman"; co-created with Hirohisa Onikubo)
"During Execution, During Escape" (1994, "Super Jump")
"Dolce: Die Hard the Cat" (1996, "MANGA Allman")
"Deadman's Q" (1999, "MANGA Allman")
"The Oingo Boingo Brothers’ Adventure" (2002, "Shueisha Bunko")
"Kishibe Rohan Goes to the Louvre" (2010, "Ultra Jump")
"Jolyne, Fly with GUCCI" (2012, "SPUR")

Araki’s most well-known work is the "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" series, which he has continuously created since 1987. Its spin-off, "Thus spoke Kishibe Rohan," also garnered attention when it was adapted into a live-action drama starring Issei Takahashi in 2020.

Besides the "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" series, Araki has authored several short stories, but the majority of his work revolves around JoJo-related stories.

Major Illustration Works by Hirohiko Araki

In addition to being a manga artist, Hirohiko Araki also works as an illustrator. Notable works include cover art for the U.S. science journal "Cell" Vol. 130 in 2007, the album jacket for Sayuri Ishikawa’s "X -Cross-" released in 2012, and the official art poster for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

・Major illustrations by Hirohiko Araki
SOUL'd OUT single "Catwalk" jacket illustration (2006)
"UNIQLO CREATIVE AWARD 2006" T-shirt design (2006)
Cover art for the U.S. science journal "Cell" Volume 130 (2007)
Cover for Shueisha Bunko’s "The Dancing Girl of Izu" (2008)
Cover illustration for "SPUR" October 2011 issue (2011)
Sayuri Ishikawa album "X -Cross-" jacket illustration (2012)
Background illustration for Sayuri Ishikawa at the 63rd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen (2012)
Kumano Hongū Taisha omamori "Wa-no-mamori" design (2016)
Official Tokyo 2020 Paralympics art poster (2020)

And many more

Anime "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure": Hirohiko Araki’s Career History

Hirohiko Araki became a manga artist in 1981. His submission "Busō Poker" won an honorable mention at the 20th Tezuka Award and was published in "Weekly Shonen Jump," marking his debut.

He then serialized "Mashōnen B.T.," "Baoh the Visitor," and "Gorgeous★Irene" in the same magazine before launching Part 1 of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" in 1987, which has since enjoyed over 35 years of ongoing serialization.

After 2000, Araki expanded his activities beyond manga serialization. In 2003, he held his first original art exhibition "JOJO IN PARIS" in Paris, France. He continued such exhibitions in Sendai and Tokyo Roppongi in 2012, and Florence, Italy, in 2013, among other locations.

In May 2022, he collaborated with Tokyo Skytree, hosting a special event featuring original video screenings on the observation deck and special lighting inspired by characters.

・Main milestones in Hirohiko Araki’s career
1960: Born in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
1980: While attending vocational school, submits "Busō Poker" for the Tezuka Award and wins honorable mention
1981: Debuts in "Weekly Shonen Jump" with "Busō Poker"
1982: Starts first series "Mashōnen B.T."
1987: Begins serialization of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" Part 1 in "Weekly Shonen Jump"; the serialization continues for about 12 years through the end of Part 5 in 1999
2000: Begins serialization of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 6: Stone Ocean" in "Weekly Shonen Jump"
2004: Begins serialization of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: STEEL BALL RUN" in "Weekly Shonen Jump"
2005: "STEEL BALL RUN" transfers serialization to "Ultra Jump"
2011: Begins serialization of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 8: JoJolion"

・Other activities
2003: Holds his first original art exhibition "JOJO IN PARIS" in Paris, France
2011: Designs window displays for GUCCI stores as part of the joint commemoration of GUCCI's 90th anniversary and Araki's 30th anniversary as a manga creator
2020: Creates the official art poster for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics
2021: Receives the 6th Manga no Sato Iwate Special Award
2022: Holds the collaboration event "JOJOTREE JoJo's Bizarre Adventure in TOKYO SKYTREE" with Tokyo Skytree

Sendai City, Araki's Hometown, Is the Model for "Morioh Town"

Morioh Town, the setting for Parts 4 and 8, is modeled after Araki’s hometown of Sendai City. Among fans, it is regarded as a "sacred place," leading to pilgrimages, collaborations with Sendai City, and the adoption of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure character illustrations on decorative manhole covers.

The city even collaborated with Sendai's major event, the Tanabata Festival, displaying original Tanabata decorations and selling commemorative tickets.

Why Does Hirohiko Araki, Author of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," Never Seem to Age?

Hirohiko Araki is famous for not appearing to age. Since his twenties, his appearance has not seemed to change much, and he was even asked about his secret to agelessness during an interview for the 2018 Araki Hirohiko Original Art Exhibition JOJO -Ripple of Adventure-.

At the time, Araki replied, "I am aging," and joked, "When I'm asked about my youth in press conferences, I say I wash myself with Tokyo tap water."

Additionally, regarding Araki’s agelessness, social media posts have speculated, "He might be immortal," or wondered if he "uses the Ripple breathing technique." Some fans even claim, "Araki is getting younger," and there are users who analyze images and videos of Araki each time new media appears.

Summary of Hirohiko Araki, Author of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure"

Known for creating "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," Hirohiko Araki is also active as an illustrator and has appeared on television, going beyond the conventional role of a manga artist. Learning more about Araki’s career, past works, and collaboration events may allow you to enjoy "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" on a deeper level. If you have the chance, be sure to experience them for yourself.

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