English Dub Review: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders “The Emperor and the Hanged Man, Part 2”

We’re back with the conclusion to Jojo’s first 2-Parter!

Overview (Spoilers Below)

Kakyoin checks on Avdol after what Hol Horse & Centerfold did to him, but Avdol’s body shows no reaction. While Hol Horse & Centerfold antagonize Polnareff, he reluctantly agrees to get away with Kakyoin in a nearby truck to drive out of Hol Horse’s firing range, while Centerfold decides to pursue the two. As Kakyoin is driving, Polnareff apologizes for his impulsive behavior and in response to this, Kakyoin rightfully (and hilariously) gives him a well-deserved elbow to the face to take as a handshake, while Jotaro & Joseph find what’s left of Avdol.

Much of the episode at this point is focused on Polnareff and Kakyoin being actively pursued by Centerfold’s “Hanged Man” stand as he uses the ability to jump into reflective objects & surfaces giving him an unpredictable advantage which works in building up the suspense factor. Eventually, Centerfold begins to take ruthless measures and attempts to distract the two before going in for the kill, but Kakyoin in tandem with Polnareff eventually outsmart his Hanged Man stand by trapping him into a coin in the air and slashes his path. As Centerfold is incapacitated, Polnareff in a beautifully cathartic scene finally gets his well-deserved vengeance and it’s glorious beyond measure.

Hol Horse eventually catches up to Polnareff and Kakyoin, confident that they’re just ignoring him out of fear. As Hol Horse assumes Centerfold is still around to help him finish the job, Polnareff tells him he’s already dead which hilariously causes Hol Horse to retreat after Jotaro & Joseph show up from burying Avdol. As Polnareff attempts to pursue him, he’s tackled by the young girl that Hol Horse previously spoke to and escapes. Afterwards, Joseph suggests they cut their losses and resume their journey to Egypt with Polnareff now having a new sense of purpose in stopping Dio. The episode ominously ends when the same young girl that tackled Polnareff is revealed to have infected Joseph’s exposed arm with an unusual growth.

Our Take

I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of Hol Horse, he’s pretty damn entertaining for a villain and I had a good laugh at how he ran from Team Joestar. Avdol’s demise definitely gives a real sense of danger as it reminds the audience that not even the protagonists are safe. Part of me also didn’t expect Polnareff’s quest for vengeance to be resolved this quickly but now sharing the same goal as Team Joestar keeps his character from being more than just one-note with his “I want revenge” schtick. And finally, I’m curious about what’s happening to Joseph’s arm, let’s hope episode 12 explains that one.