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Chapter 189. The Antonym of the Savior of Villains
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The Savior of Villains.
Never before has a work depicted a villain receiving such glory.
In fact, when you place a villain and a savior side by side, it truly feels out of place.
Once someone becomes a villain, how can they still be a savior?
Even those villains who harbor grand ideals and become the final boss to save the world—after their goal is exposed—can they still be called villains?
It's hard to say.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be the concept of "redemption."
Isn't it that a villain, who was originally meant to be evil, suddenly stops being a villain and becomes a good person?
Is DIO an example of this kind of villain turning into a good person?
No! Absolutely not!
Anyone can suddenly change from a villain to a good person, but DIO—he is the only one for whom it is absolutely impossible!
This is the firm belief of all those who have followed the series from "Phantom Blood".
But if that's the case...
Why do they feel so confused?
This question arises instinctively.
And as they look at the responses to this question—some filled with doubt, some wanting to refute, some agreeing, and others just sharing links to unrelated content—they find themselves more entangled.
Sora is conflicted internally.
With Shiro beside him, should he click on that link to the suspicious website?
If he does, he might corrupt Shiro's purity.
But if he doesn't, his heart will ache so much he can't breathe!
"How can one please both the Buddha and their lover at the same time," he sighs to himself.
As he sees the post and realizes others have also noticed the suspicious link—likely meaning it'll soon be reported and removed—Sora's brain kicks into high gear.
Not only does his mind start memorizing the complex URL at high speed, but he quickly changes the subject to protect Shiro's innocence, saying, "Hey, Shiro. Do you remember this?"
As he speaks, Sora points to another post from a user named [L] and asks, "Did Avdol really say that?"
"I remember Avdol ran away when facing DIO..."
The Polnareff revenge battle.
It's one of the most thrilling stand battles in "Stardust Crusaders".
Polnareff and Kakyoin together defeat the [Hanged Man], delivering their revenge declaration—one of the most iconic scenes in "Stardust Crusaders".
At the start of this battle, Polnareff, consumed by anger, mocks Avdol, calling him a coward who would tuck his tail and run.
This sentiment deeply resonated with fans.
But this contradicts the idea that DIO could make someone feel safe.
At least, no one would flee if they truly felt safe.
"No, bro. Avdol ran away because he was afraid of feeling safe," Shiro responds.
Sure enough, hearing Sora's question excites Shiro, eager to show off her knowledge.
Using her sharp mind, she recalls the details of Avdol's first encounter with DIO, saying, "Avdol knew if DIO kept talking, he would eventually be persuaded, like the others, into feeling safe and becoming DIO's 'friend.'"
"So, because Joseph had already told Avdol about DIO beforehand, Avdol ran immediately," Sora continues.
"And Polnareff, on the other hand, didn't know about DIO and instead felt that false sense of security, becoming his 'friend.'"
"Or perhaps... fear."
"In fact, only by becoming DIO's friend could they feel safe from him..."
Now, Sora finally understands.
Why they were filled with doubt about DIO being called the "Savior of Villains".
But they never felt something was fundamentally wrong with this title, nor did they feel DIO was unworthy of it.
Their confusion wasn't about whether DIO deserved the title—it was about "how" DIO became the Savior of Villains.
They wanted answers, not to challenge the idea.
In retrospect, their hearts had already accepted N'Doul's statement before their rational minds had caught up!
They had already acknowledged that DIO "was" the Savior of Villains!
In fact, what did they think the Savior of Villains was?
Did they imagine him like a certain man who at dinner offers wine as his blood and bread as his flesh?
Or like a certain bald man who, after an awakening beneath the Bodhi tree, entered into a sage-like state?
Impossible!
That would be a Savior of Good People.
A Savior of Villains couldn't possibly resemble a good person.
Only someone more evil than any villain, more fearsome than any villain, someone who inspires terror so that submission feels like the only way to avoid death, could be the Savior of Villains!
And DIO—
Even though everyone who watched "Battle Tendency" knows that vampires were nothing more than food for the Pillar Men, let alone for Kars, the Ultimate Being.
But in terms of evilness?
DIO outshines them all!
Almost all fans agree on this.
And that's why, despite their confusion, no one ever doubted or questioned whether DIO truly deserved the title of the "Savior of Villains".
No one fits the title better than DIO!
Similarly, if DIO is the Savior of Villains...
Then what about Jotaro and the others who set out to defeat him?
What is the antonym of the "Savior of Villains"?
It's as if a hand reached into their minds, unlocking the answer.
As they watched the discussion unfold on the 2CH forum, the question finally resolved, a new realization took hold.
And during their impatient wait for the next episode of "Stardust Crusaders", their focus was already locked on the upcoming episode:
——"[Khnum] Oingo and [Thoth] Boingo!"