Battle Tendency (戦 闘 潮流 Sentō chōryū?) is the second series of the manga JoJo's Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki.
The Battle Tendency story is set in 1938, many years after the first series ended. The protagonist is Joseph Joestar, Jonathan's nephew and a man of a thousand resources who loves to travel the world. In fact, this series visits many places, including America, Mexico, Italy, and many other countries. The story begins when some archaeological excavations make the discovery of some statues that turn out to be actually living beings. These beings, renamed Men of the Pillar, for having been found embedded within the rock, were beings who came before man, and even if their features are very similar to those of humans, they have resistance and the ability too much higher. However, they have a weak point, namely the sunlight, which would disintegrate if they were hit by it.
Jojo's second series is much more adventurous and features many more characters than the first. It could be said that it harks back much more to adventure films like those of Indiana Jones for the variety of settings the characters visit, combined with great action scenes worthy of the best films of the genre. The characters are better characterized than the previous series. Joseph is a very different protagonist from Jonathan, more cheerful and crazy in general and able to always surprise the reader with his ingenious tactics during battles. Alongside him there are several interesting supporting actors, such as Caesar and Lisa Lisa, two characters who will leave their mark, the old Speedwagon and the crazy German officer Stroheim.
In this second chapter of the saga, the secret of the mysterious mask that made Dio Brando a frightening and immortal creature is revealed. The aim of the Men of the Pillar is to find a special jewel called the Red Stone of Asia which, if used with a special mask, would make them immune to the sun. To face them there will be Joseph Joestar, who to become stronger goes to Venice to train with the mysterious Lisa Lisa, master of the Hamon technique, and with Caesar Antonio Zeppeli, a descendant of the Zeppeli of the first series who will become a great friend of Joseph. Then begins a no-holds-barred battle between the Hamon fighters and the Pillar Men with the fate of the world at stake.
Basically, most of the strong points of "Phantom Blood" are maintained. An interesting storyline and historical context, lots of action, spectacular scenes, and incredible fights. However, there has been an improvement in some factors. As for the settings, for example, in this part, they are much more varied and suggestive. This is because there have been many movements throughout history and this has given the work a breath of adventure and greater dynamism than in the first part. The design has also improved considerably, there are no longer the obvious disproportions that manifested themselves in "Phantom Blood" from time to time. On the level of the characters, on the other hand, I don't feel like talking about an improvement. Joseph Joestar is a good protagonist, certainly more recognizable and more modern than Jonathan and therefore more suited to the period in which the story is set. As for the rest of the cast, certainly not bad, but there is a lack of a brilliant and original character like Dio Brando. Joseph Joestar follows in his grandfather's footsteps by becoming a Hamon warrior.
The battles are even more accurate in this saga and feature fearsome enemies who will be able to stand up to the group of heroes. The Men of the Pillar, with their superior physical abilities, appear much more formidable than the Dio Brando of the first series, and every fight is experienced with great tension since there is never a certainty that the protagonists will be able to win without any consequence. Battle Tendency is much more accurate and compelling than the first. Thanks to the sense of adventure that permeates the entire series, the well-characterized characters, and the spectacular battles, this second series of Jojo is still one of the most deserving today.
