The Joestar family tree is the sprawling, six-generation lineage that drives the plot of Hirohiko Araki’s manga and anime series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. It begins with Jonathan Joestar in Victorian England and branches through his adoptive brother Dio Brando, his descendants, and the rival Joestar-adjacent families (Zeppeli, Kujo, Higashikata) to the current protagonist, Jodio Joestar.
Origins: Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando
The tree’s root is George Joestar I, a wealthy English gentleman, and his wife Mary Joestar. Their son, Jonathan Joestar (Part 1: Phantom Blood), is the first JoJo. Jonathan’s life changes when his father adopts the orphan Dio Brando, who secretly plots to ruin the family. Dio uses an ancient Stone Mask to become a vampire, and Jonathan dies at sea in 1889 while stopping him. Jonathan’s wife, Erina Pendleton, survives with their unborn child—and also rescues an orphaned baby from the shipwreck, who is named George Joestar II.
Dio’s body is destroyed, but his head survives. Decades later, Dio’s head is grafted onto the body of Jonathan’s descendant, creating a bizarre genetic entanglement that echoes through later generations. This is why the Joestar family tree includes both Jonathan’s direct line and Dio’s illegitimate children, who also carry the Joestar blood.
The First Branch: George Joestar II and Lisa Lisa
Jonathan’s son, George Joestar II, grows up to be a pilot in the Royal Air Force. He marries an American woman named Elizabeth, but he is murdered by a vampire sent by Dio’s followers. His wife, who later takes the name Lisa Lisa, becomes a Hamon master and raises their two children in secret.
Those children are Joseph Joestar (Part 2: Battle Tendency) and his older sister, who is not given a name in the manga but appears briefly. Joseph is the second JoJo, a cunning and resourceful fighter who uses Hamon and later develops a Stand. He marries Suzi Q, an Italian-American singer, and they have a daughter, Holly Joestar.
The Japanese Branch: Holly and Jotaro Kujo
Holly moves to Japan and marries a jazz musician named Sadao Kujo. Their son, Jotaro Kujo (Part 3: Stardust Crusaders), is the third JoJo and one of the most iconic characters in the series. Jotaro develops his Stand, Star Platinum, and travels to Egypt to defeat Dio, who has returned using Jonathan’s body.
Jotaro marries an unnamed woman and has a daughter, Jolyne Cujoh (Part 6: Stone Ocean), who becomes the sixth JoJo. Jolyne is framed for a crime and sent to prison, where she discovers her own Stand, Stone Free. Jotaro’s marriage ends in divorce, and he is largely absent from Jolyne’s childhood—a recurring theme in the family.
The Dio Branch: Sons and Daughters
Because Dio took over Jonathan’s body, his children are biologically part Joestar. Dio has several illegitimate children, but the most prominent are Giorno Giovanna (Part 5: Golden Wind) and Donatello Versus, Rikiel, and Ungalo (all in Part 6). Giorno, the fifth JoJo, is the son of Dio and a Japanese woman named Haruno Shiobana. He grows up in Italy and joins the mafia to achieve his dream of becoming a “Gang-Star.”
Dio’s other children are minor villains in Stone Ocean. They are not full JoJos but are recognized as part of the Joestar bloodline because of Dio’s body. This branch is often confusing because it is never fully explored—Araki has stated in interviews that Dio fathered many children, but only a few appear in the story.
The Higashikata Family: A Parallel Branch
Part 4 (Diamond Is Unbreakable) introduces an illegitimate son of Joseph Joestar: Josuke Higashikata. Joseph had an affair with a woman named Tomoko Higashikata during his travels, and Josuke is the result. Josuke is the fourth JoJo, and his Stand, Crazy Diamond, can repair almost anything. He lives in the town of Morioh and becomes the guardian of the community.
Part 8 (JoJolion) is set in a rebooted universe and features a different Josuke Higashikata, who is actually a fusion of two people: Josefumi Kujo and Yoshikage Kira. This Josuke is adopted into the Higashikata family, which is a wealthy but cursed clan. The family tree in this alternate universe is complex, involving rock humans and a disease called the Rock Disease, but it is not directly connected to the original timeline.
The Modern Generation: Jodio and Dragona
Part 9 (The JoJoLands) follows Jodio Joestar, a teenager living in Hawaii. Jodio is the ninth JoJo (the series counts Giorno as the fifth, so Jodio is the ninth protagonist). He has an older sister, Dragona Joestar, and they are involved in a scheme to steal a diamond from a wealthy family. The exact details of Jodio’s parents are not yet revealed, but he is confirmed to be a Joestar descendant, likely through an illegitimate branch.
This generation is still being written, so the tree may expand further. Araki has said that the Joestar bloodline is cursed, and each generation must face a supernatural threat. The theme of family legacy is central to the series, with each JoJo inheriting not just a name but a responsibility.
Common Misconceptions
One common error is believing that Joseph Joestar is the father of Giorno. He is not—Giorno is Dio’s son. Another is thinking that Jotaro is Holly’s brother; he is her son. Also, many fans confuse the alternate-universe Josuke (Part 8) with the original Josuke (Part 4). They share a name and a similar appearance, but they are separate characters in different continuities.
Another misconception is that the Joestar family tree is a simple generational line. In reality, it is a web that includes adoptions (Erina’s adopted son), illegitimate children (Josuke, Giorno), and even a vampire’s head grafted onto a descendant’s body. The tree is deliberately messy, mirroring the series’ themes of fate and blood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the first JoJo? Jonathan Joestar, the protagonist of Part 1. He is the son of George Joestar I and the original user of Hamon.
How is Giorno related to the Joestars? Giorno is Dio Brando’s son, but because Dio stole Jonathan’s body, Giorno carries Jonathan’s blood. He is thus a Joestar by blood and is considered the fifth JoJo.
Is Josuke (Part 4) related to Joseph? Yes, Josuke is Joseph’s illegitimate son from an affair with Tomoko Higashikata. He is the fourth JoJo.
Who is Jolyne’s mother? Jolyne’s mother is never named in the manga or anime. She and Jotaro are divorced, and she lives in Florida.
Does the family tree include the Zeppeli family? Not directly. The Zeppeli family (Will A. Zeppeli, Caesar Zeppeli) are allies and mentors, not blood relatives, though they share a spiritual connection through Hamon.
Is Part 8’s Josuke the same as Part 4’s? No. Part 8 is a reboot set in an alternate universe. The two Josukes are different characters with different origins and stories.
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