Baoh: The Untold Birth of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Before JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, an egg hatched in the genius mind of the mangaka Hirohiko Araki: Baoh.
This manga by the creator of the long-standing series of JJBA [short for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure] is crowned as one of his best works prior to JJBA and is also known as an influential predecessor.
A sci-fi action manga, it was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump during 1984-1985 and later adapted into an OVA, applauded for its quality animation.
Baoh is much shorter than the gargantuan JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures. It stars Ikuro, a 17-year-old cohabiting with a genetically altered parasite that gifts him superhuman abilities, like immeasurable strength and healing powers. Held in captivity in a lab of the corrupt organization Doress [or Judas in certain adaptations], he’s set free by the psychic Sumire, a 9-year-old girl who’s hunted by the same organization for research.
Ikuro’s parasite, called Baoh, was implanted by Dr. Kasuminome, head of Doress, and shapeshifts into a biological weapon of great force when triggered by an attack. Along with the girl, they go on a mission to defeat the nefarious organization.
In retrospect, Baoh looks like a hint at the mega impact of JJBA. Ikuro resembles immensely the “JoJos” of each part, especially with the dramatic poses, the incredible anatomy, and the consistent beautification and glory. The various powers that Baoh demonstrates come back into a new shape throughout JJBA as well.
Though more compact than JJBA, the amount of gore and blood pools is much higher. As a whole, it comes off as a cross between the classic JJBA and the futuristic existential animated film Akira of 1989. Baoh is an incredible source for the beginnings of JJBA lore and is often dubbed “part zero” of the latter series.
Albeit lesser known, it’s an underrated element of the complex JJBA universe, and decidedly changed the trajectory of Araki’s career in full force.
About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.
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