Dio Brando was a memorable antagonist in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure not only for his villainous acts, but for the frequency of his evil. Out of all of the Joestar Family's foes, Brando has been the most persistent, serving as the main foe for Parts 1 and 3.
This urges audiences to consider which was his best depiction, juxtaposing Dio's actions in Phantom Blood with those of Stardust Crusaders. From Dio Brando in Phantom Blood to the ferociously powerful DIO in Stardust Crusaders, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure found its greatest antagonist right out the gate.
10 Phantom Blood – History And Context
Part 1 contextualized much of what audiences understand about Dio. Phantom Blood depicted his humble beginnings under the abusive Dario Brando and how Dio was introduced to the Joestar family in the first place. This explained Dio's obsession with destroying them in spite of the kindness they afforded by allowing him into their home.
Conversely, audiences learn next to nothing from DIO's actions in Stardust Crusaders. Brando's time as DIO isn't expanded upon until Diamond Is Unbreakable, Golden Wind, and Stone Ocean where audiences learn more about his army of Stand users, offspring, and ultimate motivation respectively.
9 Stardust Crusaders – Credibility
It was sometimes easy to dismiss Dio in Part 1 for how badly he was humiliated. The ruffian had been beaten to a pulp by Jonathan Joestar in the presence of their father, only pausing because George took pity on him (even if Brando was armed with a knife).
DIO's performance in Part three did not share these mortifying lapses in credibility. The newfound Stand user remained terrifying from his introduction up to his defeat (and with the prank that Joseph Joestar played on Jotaro, even shortly after).
8 Phantom Blood – Relationship With The Protagonist
Dio's relationship with Jonathan Joestar was much better established than with Jotaro. While the latter had heard tales of the vampire's evil from his relatives, their first encounter in Cairo was ironically also their last – even Polnareff had more exposure to DIO.
Since Jonathan spent most of his childhood with Dio (rather than an exciting fifty days as his adversary), their eventual coming to blows was much more satisfying. It even made the Hamon user regret having to put his adoptive brother down, rather than relish in it as the Crusaders did.
7 Stardust Crusaders – Power Level
With the body of Jonathan at his disposal and one of the anime's strongest Stands obeying his command, DIO was much more powerful in Part 3 than he was a hundred years ago. The World was able to stop time for five (and later nine) consecutive seconds.
Accordingly, DIO posed a much greater threat against Jotaro Kujo and would have murdered him outright if Polnareff did not intervene. No one needed to save Jonathan in order for him to defeat the vampire, evincing his burgeoning power upon reawakening from his coffin.
6 Phantom Blood – Narrative Coherence
The Dio in Part 1 was far more narratively coherent than that of Part 3. Born to an unscrupulous corner of London, Dio envied Jonathan's superior upbringing and sought to destroy his life so that he could replace it. His Stardust Crusaders counterpart made much less sense.
DIO's awakening accidentally triggered Holly's Stand, forcing Jotaro and Joseph to embark on a worldwide quest to stop him. While Holly's Stand may have disappeared after the vampire's final death, Star Platinum inexplicably did not. Moreover, the malady DIO afflicted her with was not deliberate – it was simply a product of his return to the waking world.
5 Stardust Crusaders – Minor Villains
The minor villains of Part 3 were better written than their counterpart in every conceivable way. In addition to being more deadly (with Jonathan able to defeat any of Dio's zombie thralls in a single Hamon infused strike), they possessed more creativity in design and relationship to DIO.
Through the mysterious Stand arrow, DIO recruited servants ranging from cowboys to babies, and everything in between. It necessitated that the Crusaders constantly remain on guard and provided a more fulfilling narrative experience than Phantom Blood.
4 Phantom Blood – Arsenal
Though DIO may have been stronger in Part 3, his abilities were depressingly redundant. Despite having maintained his status as a vampire, DIO only abused the power of The World in hopes of defeating Jotaro Kujo.
Dio's toolkit in Phantom Blood was much more versatile. In addition to being able to freeze the blood of his enemies (thereby restricting their Hamon), he was also able to protrude lasers from his eyes. Should they have found their target, this would have been a near instant death sentence.
3 Stardust Crusaders – Perception
DIO's perception by others in Part 3 was a frequently underplayed (but nonetheless essential) quality to his character. When introducing himself, few were able to resist his charisma or overwhelming power. Even Avdol was nearly dumbstruck, narrowly managing to escape his clutches.
Women would attend to him of their own free will regardless of the risk it entailed. Conversely, Part 1's Dio had to coerce humans with physical violence in order to get them to oblige his wishes. His only minions were those he directly resurrected and had little free will of their own to say otherwise.
2 Phantom Blood – Victory
An uncomfortable reality for many JoJo fans is that Dio technically won in Phantom Blood . While he failed to claim the Joestar manor, Dio succeeded in murdering Jonathan and claiming his body for himself. This contrasts his fate in Stardust Crusaders, where he met an abject defeat at the hand of Jotaro Kujo. With his limbs scattered and body incinerated, DIO died without dignity, glory, or any of the pride he composed himself with during his corrupt and brief return to the mortal world.
1 Stardust Crusaders – Final Fight
The final fight between Jotaro and DIO was much longer and better written than its Phantom Blood counterpart. In addition to DIO slaying many more opponents throughout it (felling Kakyoin and Joseph in the same battle), the battle spanned an entire city, compelling each combatant to use their surroundings creatively in hopes of finding success.
Conversely, the duel between Jonathan and his adoptive brother was briefer and less ceremonious. Though the vampire may have been able to decimate one of his forgettable companions, he soon found himself decapitated and on the verge of death.
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