Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Part 5: Golden Wind vols. 7 & 8

There’s still plenty of insanity to be had in this series as “Golden Wind” heads into its home stretch.  Not only do we see how Doppio manages to outwit the assassin Risotto, but he even manages to get close enough to Bucciarati at just the right time to slip under his guard.  Giorno also gets into a desperate battle against a devil doctor with a stand that has mold-producing abilities that will kill anyone who goes above a certain height.  Then there’s the doctor’s partner who has the ability to swim through any solid mass beneath his feet.  If you thought that was all these two volumes have, then you’d better prepare yourselves for the return of another character from a previous arc who has their own ties to Emperor Crimson and is determined to put an end to him.  No matter what kind of body-swapping shenanigans may get in their way.

 If there’s one thing that these two volumes aren’t lacking in, it’s surprises.  There are plenty of shocks to keep you amazed as “Golden Wind” barrels towards its conclusion.  However, vols. 7 & 8 also reveal what’s likely going to be my main issue with this arc.  That would be mangaka Hirohiko Araki’s determination to wring every last drop of suspense and tension from each conflict.  It manifests itself in ways that can be silly, like Doppio’s efforts to not get seen while he’s helping Bucciarati, but are mostly exhausting, as seen in the wrap-up of Giorno’s fight against the doctor.  This isn’t enough to put me off of the series by any means, yet it does make the prospect of re-reading the entire arc in advance of its conclusion in vol. 9 feel more daunting than it did before now.