Dio Brando | |
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JoJo's Bizarre Adventure character | |
First appearance | Phantom Blood #1, "Dio the Invader" (January 1, 1987) |
Created by | Hirohiko Araki |
Voiced by |
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In-universe information | |
Species | Vampire (formerly human) |
Gender | Male |
Family |
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Children |
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Nationality | British |
Stand | The World |
Dio Brando (Japanese: ディオ・ブランドー, Hepburn: Dio Burandō), later known mononymously only as Dio (DIO), is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the Japanese manga series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki. He is featured initially as the main antagonist of the series' first part, Phantom Blood, and later returns as the main antagonist of the series' third part, Stardust Crusaders, now solely referred to as Dio (stylized in all caps). In the alternate universe of the series' seventh part, Steel Ball Run, a character named Diego Brando (ディエゴ・ブランドー, Diego Burandō) bears resemblance to Dio and appears as a secondary antagonist.
The poor son of Dario Brando, an abusive alcoholic who worked Dio's mother to death, Dio first appears as a young misanthrope who, via the power of an ancient stone mask, becomes an immortal vampire. A century after the events of the first part, he resurfaces as the user of the time-stopping Stand named The World. As the series' most prolific villain, his defining trait is his staunch ambition, which develops into a "might makes right" philosophy and a drive for absolute control through absolute power.