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Chapter 186. Even Villains Need a Savior
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A shadow?
And it's a shadow of a Stand exchanging punches with [Star Platinum]?
Looking at the image produced by [White Snake].
Following the method provided by [White Snake], they managed to produce a nearly identical image themselves.
Some more patient viewers, after repeatedly capturing screenshots, even managed to produce a clearer version of the image.
Regarding this new Stand that resembles [Star Platinum], no one believed that this was simply a mistake made by Green Dolphin Studio or Kamikaze Studio while producing the OP, like accidentally drawing [Star Platinum] incorrectly.
Nor did they believe it was a case of flipping the direction of [Star Platinum]'s punch to be the exact opposite.
…Such an explanation would be far too elementary to be an error by Green Dolphin Studio!
So if that's not the case...
Whose Stand does this shadow, this previously unseen Stand, belong to?
This question really isn't complicated at all.
There's the scene from the first OP of "Stardust Crusaders", depicting Jotaro and the others traveling from Tokyo to Egypt, with images of the various countries they passed through and the Stand users they encountered along the way.
And in the second OP, even though it only just introduced the [Geb].
Unlike the first OP, because the earlier part of their journey to Egypt has already been aired.
Even at the end of this OP, with the explosive special effect of the title "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" erupting, a piece of paper with Kujo Jotaro's signature appeared hidden beneath the explosive effect.
After the episode featuring the [Lovers] aired, viewers suddenly realized this was a hidden clue, different from the hints about Pucci's past which hadn't yet been revealed in the original manga.
Even though they could see that the second OP of "Stardust Crusaders" contained many clues, the viewers, without the benefit of spoilers from the manga, couldn't be sure if these clues matched what they were imagining.
But just with the introduction of the [Geb], and the subsequent appearance of the silhouettes of the remaining nine Egyptian gods' Stand users… these hints were already more than enough!
It's like in RPG adventure games where players start from fighting slimes in the newbie village and eventually defeat the demon king.
If the Stand users appeared in order as enemies do, then the final Stand user to appear could only be—
[White Snake]: "That's right! It's—KO NO DIO DA!!"
[White Snake] replied, emphasizing the key words in bold.
And still being diligent in presenting evidence.
After this shadowy Stand appeared in the OP, in a scene where Jotaro seemed to sense something and turned to look behind him!
DIO!
With the exact same appearance as the DIO drawn by Joseph using [Hermit Purple], the screenshot of DIO standing behind Jotaro was released as well!
[White Snake]: "So it's simple! This Stand belongs to DIO!!"
What did [White Snake] say after that?
What further analysis did he offer of this OP?
Cujoh Jolyne, upon seeing this point, no longer wanted to continue reading.
Or rather, she no longer had the mood to keep reading!
Now, with her face filled with despair, Cujoh Jolyne, upon seeing [White Snake] mention DIO's name, could already imagine how the viewers of "Stardust Crusaders" would go absolutely wild!
It's DIO!
The savior of villains!
Even without such titles.
Just from the iconic image DIO contributed in "Phantom Blood", and the significance of "Phantom Blood" as the groundbreaking work for "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure"...
That alone would be enough for viewers to go crazy upon seeing DIO, not just in a photograph via [Hermit Purple], but with his Stand fully revealed!
…No! It might get even more exaggerated!
Since [White Snake] could find DIO's Stand in the OP, then what about them?
Could they find even more clues related to DIO in this OP?!
Cujoh Jolyne could almost foresee how, after [White Snake] opened this Pandora's box, "Stardust Crusaders" would undergo massive changes and see a skyrocketing viewership!
"Thankfully, "Stardust Crusaders" isn't just an ordinary work…"
Should she feel thankful?
She really should be!
Cujoh Jolyne, breathing heavily, her face still carrying an expression of painful despair.
But when she thought about how "Stardust Crusaders", aside from the production costs, also required significant funding for new technology development.
Realizing that it would be hard for "Stardust Crusaders" to recoup the costs through selling BD bonuses, even with its immense popularity...
The corners of Cujoh Jolyne's mouth couldn't help but lift slightly.
Pucci, truly her lucky star!
"It's just that, from now on, no more returning popular characters... No, even if they do return, it has to be like Joseph—without overshadowing the main cast!"
Never before had Cujoh Jolyne so clearly realized the impact of bringing back old characters, so she hurriedly jotted down this note and prepared to apply it to all of Green Dolphin Studio's future works.
Originally, Cujoh Jolyne had planned to avoid bringing back old characters entirely.
But remembering how, at the start of "Stardust Crusaders", everyone was drawn in by Joseph and DIO, the former protagonists and the antagonist from the previous parts, almost forgetting Jotaro, the true main character...
Cujoh Jolyne couldn't bear to lose the disruptive power of these popular characters.
She had no choice but to adopt this compromise.
However, as Cujoh Jolyne consoled herself and tried to muster confidence through these thoughts, she seemed to forget...
Whether it was the OP...
Or [White Snake]'s analysis of the OP...
They were merely triggers.
What truly kept viewers hooked, repeatedly rewinding and pausing to take screenshots of the OP...
Was always the story of "Stardust Crusaders" itself, being exciting enough!
Just like now.
After "Stardust Crusaders" successfully, and nearly unscathed, weathered the storm of this temporary plot adjustment...
In its next episode.
Viewers would truly witness, no longer through any trickery, but Pucci's confidence that they would accept this new setup.
And accept the debut of the Stand user named the [Geb]!
"Even villains need a savior!"