As many fans can tell just by listening to the Japanese version, many characters and Stands take influence from Western music between the seventies and now (mostly modern in context to when a manga story debuts). In the first story arc, two names that stand out are Robert EO Speedwagon (Jonathan’s companion) and Wang Chan (Dio’s main henchman), obvious references to REO Speedwagon and Wang Chung, who were popular in 1986. As for Dio, the main villain to the first and third story arcs, he is named after Dio, the band lead by Ronnie James Dio. In the third story arc, Dio has more henchmen named after famous bands and musicians such as Oingo Boingo, Vanilla Ice, Enya, and Steely Dan.

In the second story arc, the Pillar Men’s names are homages to other bands such as Santana, AC/DC, The Cars, and Wham. As previously stated, some of the names from pop culture are extended to Stands in addition to characters. This is first emphasized in Diamond is Unbreakable with numerous references to Pink Floyd. For starters, the Echoes and Crazy Diamond stands which are possessed by Koichi and Josuke are references to Pink Floyd songs. And early on in the series, the heroes fight a stand that is named Red Hot Chili Peppers, and much of Kira Yoshikage, the main villain’s stands, are references to Queen.

In the fifth story arc, it pays homage to the late great Prince (though the design of Josuke from the fourth arc does take influence from him) with Giorno’s Stand, Gold Experience, and when Narancia initiates the torture dance, the song that is played is an obvious take on Prince’s Pussy Control. When you watch the dance, you obviously can see dance moves that takes inspiration from Prince and Michael Jackson. Speaking of Narancia, one of his stands happens to be named Aerosmith, named after the legendary rock band. As for Giorno, he is named after Giovanna Giorno Moroder, an actual Italian musician.

In the present story arc of the manga, JoJolion, we have Stands with the names that appropriately take influence from modern musicians in the same manner that the previous arcs use musicians from their times. In JoJolion, one Stand is named Born This Way, a homage to Lady Gaga’s hit, and there is another Stand named California King Bed, a hit by Rihanna.

Due to the these music references, properly animating the JoJo franchise where sounds plays a significant role, a quality soundtrack is necessary to add to the experience you can’t get in manga. In the first two story arcs, 1972’s Roundabout by Yes serves as the first opening theme. This was used as the ending theme because when Araki first started working on the manga, he often listened to this song and used it as an ending theme is a great throwback to how the manga was conceived. Later on in the manga, there are more references to Yes when Daiya, a character from JoJolion, quotes Heart of the Sunrise, another big hit by them.

In the first half of Stardust Crusaders, Walk Like An Egyptian by The Bangles served as the first ending theme to reference how the team has to go to Egypt to stop Dio, and Last Train Home by Pat Metheny Group serves as the second ending theme. For those that are familiar with the manga, it is easier to appreciate and comprehend the use of the songs and the imagery that foreshadows the coming events. But in a select number of episodes, Oingo Boingo provided the ending themes as fan service for viewers to enjoy. In the anime adaptation to Diamond is Unbreakable, I Want You By Savage Garden served as the ending theme while Jodecci’s Freek’N You is the ending theme to Golden Wind, the present anime series.