The Joestar family stands at the center of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, driving the various events that make up each part of the series. Fans have gotten to know different generations of Joestar throughout the series’ run, each playing a pivotal role in the narrative. While the series is understandably Joestar-centric, there’s another family line that’s just as important to the narrative.
Every JoJo benefits from having a handful of allies to help throughout their adventures. Though individuals like Speedwagon and Polnareff have had a huge impact on the narrative, none are as significant as the Zeppeli family. They don’t appear in every part, but the Zeppelis can always be counted on when they’re around. If it wasn’t for the efforts and sacrifices of the Zeppeli lineage, some of the most crucial events in the JoJo universe would have played out much differently.
The Zeppelis Throughout The Series
The Zeppelis were first introduced in Phantom Blood, with Will Antonio Zeppeli playing a key role in the battle against Dio. Will Antonio introduces Jonathan to the art of the Ripple, becoming his mentor and ensuring that the latter has a chance in fighting the incredibly powerful Dio. His mastery of the Ripple alongside his introduction serves as a major turning point in Jonathan’s story. Thanks to Will Antonio’s patience and guidance, Jonathan is able to develop his powers enough that he can take Dio and his minions head-on, showing a level of selflessness and righteousness that would become synonymous with the Zeppeli name.
Will Antonio’s son, Mario, also displayed the same hard-working, selfless traits as his father, though his time in the series was incredibly short-lived. His son, Caesar, would continue to uphold the Zepelli family values while working alongside Jonathan’s grandson, Joseph. Unlike his father and grandfather, Caesar was shown to much more hot-tempered, having no tolerance for inadequacy. He was a perfect foil to Joseph, often pushing the latter in his Ripple training and proving himself to be a loyal ally to the Joestar family in their confrontation against the Pillar Men.
Caesar’s death towards the end of Battle Tendency signifies the end of the Zeppeli family’s role in the original universe. Though their efforts and sacrifices would prove to be crucial to the Joestar family’s success, they would not have a direct impact on the narrative until the series reset after Stone Ocean.
For Steel Ball Run, Araki sought to recreate the dynamic between Jonathan and Will Antonio, but decided to make the new Joestar-Zeppeli duo similar in age so that they would seem closer. Rather than be an amalgamation of other Zeppelis, Gyro displayed somewhat similar traits but was ultimately a completely new character. Gyro played the role of mentor to Johnny throughout the Steel Ball Run, helping him improve his abilities while giving him some much-needed insight on life and its various challenges. The dynamic between the two was notably less cordial than that of their Phantom Blood counterparts, and the series greatly benefited from it.
The Zeppeli Family’s Role
The Zeppelis are shown to be righteous, with strong convictions and the discipline to act upon them. They often appear as a support to the Joestars, serving as a mentor or ally willing to aid them in the arduous battles awaiting them.
All notable Zeppelis have died for the betterment of their cause, showing a familial selflessness that has made them among the most endearing characters in the JoJo franchise. This sacrifice typically occurs for the benefit of a Joestar, giving each Zeppeli a direct and indirect role in the successes and triumphs of the Joestar line. Though they might not be as prominently featured throughout the series, the Zeppelis stand alongside the Joestars as an integral part of the JoJo narrative.