DIO's Heart Aesthetic
I think I might sort of have an explanation for that!
I believe that there is no in-universe reason for it, and it was purely an aesthetic choice made by Araki. It’s pretty clear when looking at Araki’s art during the 90s and even on some later pieces, that he had a great affinity for hearts, as they are a recurring element in his works either used in backgrounds or designs;
I believe that there is no in-universe reason for it, and it was purely an aesthetic choice made by Araki. It’s pretty clear when looking at Araki’s art during the 90s and even on some later pieces, that he had a great affinity for hearts, as they are a recurring element in his works either used in backgrounds or designs;
You can also see that the hearts in DIO’s outfit are not *that* integral to his design, because they are really not featured that heavily as they seem neither in Stardust Crusaders (only his final outfit has a heart theme; none of the previous ones do), nor in the later works in which DIO was depicted.
He still wears hearts here and there (especially in his hair, a cute little pink heart with angel wings I’m DYING), but not nearly as heavily as on his yellow suit. He doesn’t wear hearts at all on the Over Heaven illustration, and even more notably, he’s not seen with a single heart in any of the Stone Ocean flashbacks.
He still wears hearts here and there (especially in his hair, a cute little pink heart with angel wings I’m DYING), but not nearly as heavily as on his yellow suit. He doesn’t wear hearts at all on the Over Heaven illustration, and even more notably, he’s not seen with a single heart in any of the Stone Ocean flashbacks.
None!! :(
Additionally, The World’s design pretty much permanently changed after SDC, now being depicted with “D”s on its knees instead of hearts, and only one heart on its belt. It still has a heart on his chin and belt, but that’s still 3 fewer hearts than it had before!
Additionally, The World’s design pretty much permanently changed after SDC, now being depicted with “D”s on its knees instead of hearts, and only one heart on its belt. It still has a heart on his chin and belt, but that’s still 3 fewer hearts than it had before!
Based on that, I think it’s safe to assume that the heart doesn’t carry as much significance as the recurring star does for the Joestar bloodline, or the symbols that some other characters might wear.
All that aside, I do think I might know why Araki chose to select the symbol of love to adorn DIO with: Because you don’t expect it.
Araki has stated in his recently finally translated 2007 interview from the Phantom Blood movie guide that he very highly values unpredictability;
All that aside, I do think I might know why Araki chose to select the symbol of love to adorn DIO with: Because you don’t expect it.
Araki has stated in his recently finally translated 2007 interview from the Phantom Blood movie guide that he very highly values unpredictability;
It’s clear from his other use of hearts (particularly on Josuke) that Araki is obviously aware of what the heart symbol implies; it’s supposed to be good, loving, it’s a positive symbol…. so when you see a villain as horrible as DIO adorned with hearts, the juxtaposition kinda smacks you in the face. It’s likely that the symbol was simply used for the unpredictability factor.
I think this is the most likely reason, because there are also several minor villains who are particularly closely loyal to DIO and also have a heart motif; Vanilla Ice, Terence D’Arby and Pet Shop.
I think this is the most likely reason, because there are also several minor villains who are particularly closely loyal to DIO and also have a heart motif; Vanilla Ice, Terence D’Arby and Pet Shop.
Stardust Crusaders is Stars vs Hearts, and Hearts are the evil ones.
However, I could think of two possible symbolic reasons for DIO in particular to have all those hearts!
Theory one:
DIO is canonically supposed to be an absolutely stunning person. Beauty is typically associated to positive things, such as, for example, love. Love, which is symbolized by a heart.
The hearts in DIO’s outfit could also be another way of representing DIO’s external beauty. Like… REALLY beating you over the head with it lmao.
Theory two:
It could be a way to hammer in the fact that DIO stole Jonathan’s body. Araki mentioned the importance of a pure heart when talking about the themes of JoJo in at least two of his interviews (Weekly Shonen Brackets 100Q and AnimeLand interview, both in 2003).
A pure heart is NOT something that DIO has, but it’s something that Jonathan ABSOLUTELY had - more than anyone else. DIO adorning himself with hearts could be seen as a further symbolic mockery of the Joestar bloodline.
Though as said before, since the heart is not a recurring element in his later appearances (especially Stone Ocean), I don’t know if that was the intent. As with many things, unless Araki straight-up tells us why DIO wears hearts, we can never know for sure, but those are some of my takes!
However, I could think of two possible symbolic reasons for DIO in particular to have all those hearts!
Theory one:
DIO is canonically supposed to be an absolutely stunning person. Beauty is typically associated to positive things, such as, for example, love. Love, which is symbolized by a heart.
The hearts in DIO’s outfit could also be another way of representing DIO’s external beauty. Like… REALLY beating you over the head with it lmao.
Theory two:
It could be a way to hammer in the fact that DIO stole Jonathan’s body. Araki mentioned the importance of a pure heart when talking about the themes of JoJo in at least two of his interviews (Weekly Shonen Brackets 100Q and AnimeLand interview, both in 2003).
A pure heart is NOT something that DIO has, but it’s something that Jonathan ABSOLUTELY had - more than anyone else. DIO adorning himself with hearts could be seen as a further symbolic mockery of the Joestar bloodline.
Though as said before, since the heart is not a recurring element in his later appearances (especially Stone Ocean), I don’t know if that was the intent. As with many things, unless Araki straight-up tells us why DIO wears hearts, we can never know for sure, but those are some of my takes!