TheFireNinja said:I'm curious to know the MAL community's opinions about Jonathan Joestar. I feel like there's most people that don't like him because they view him as an overly nice and naive shounen MC. And then there are those who either like or love him. For me personally, I didn't initially like Jonathan Joestar when I watched Season 1 of the anime. I thought he was okay. But reading Part 1 in the manga, I grew to like Jonathan Joestar and felt pity for him as a character. As opposed to what most people will say, I don't think he was a pushover nor too much of a nice guy. I mean, as kids, Jonathan showed more awareness of Dio's manipulative and malicious behavior before anyone else (including his own father). And he was never afraid to confront Dio, just as when Jonathan fought him over destroying his relationship with Erina and when he exposed Dio's true character for what it was.
I blame his graciousness towards Dio on his father. I honestly think George Joestar I was a horrible father in how he treated and raised his son. I respect the fact that he tried being understanding and helpful to those less fortunate than him. But he allowed his kindness to be exploited by people like Dario and his son Dio who, no matter how kind and giving he could have been to them, weren't going to change in their selfish behavior. And ultimately, it led to his own death and future challenges for his son. Jonathan may have been unrefined in his manners as a gentleman as a child. But he did his best to live up to the standards that his father placed for him since he respected him so much. And for all his chastising of Jonathan and praise of Dio, his son ended up becoming a great man. But he didn't realize it till it was too late. I feel like it's hard to appreciate Jonathan Joestar as a character and understand his relationship with Dio in the anime since Part 1 is given so little length in comparison to Part 2. But that's just my opinion. What are you thoughts on the character?
