Analyzing Hol Horse’s Role in Jojo’s Musical Journey

Hol Horse pulls the trigger with his Stand, the Emperor, in the next chapter of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders series. The character is a nod to the famous American duo, Hall & Oates, specifically the songwriters Daryl Hall and John Oates. The Polish version of his name, Hol Oates, makes this connection even more apparent. The Emperor is based on the tarot card of the same name and takes the form of a gun, which is a fitting reference considering how Hall and Oates crossed paths in real life.

Back in 1967, Hall and Oates were part of different bands and found themselves in a fraught situation at a dance event organized by DJ Jerry Bishop at the Adelphi Ballroom in Philadelphia. Gunshots rang out in what appeared to be a full-scale riot due to racial tensions of the time. This chaotic encounter led to the two musicians meeting and forming the iconic pop duo that would dominate the 80s music scene.

In the series, Hol Horse is a loyal minion of DIO, sent to eliminate the Joestar group. Teaming up with J. Geil, the duo faces off against their targets but are met with unexpected setbacks. Hol Horse is caught off guard when J. Geil is vanquished, forcing him to flee the scene to fight another day. It soon becomes clear that Hol Horse is out for personal gain, as long as his pockets are lined with rewards for his loyalty to DIO.

Hol Horse’s next encounter takes him to Multan, Pakistan, where he crosses paths with the formidable Enya the Hag, a Stand user with powers of manipulation and possession. Despite his best efforts, Hol Horse finds himself on the receiving end of Enya’s schemes when she turns on him, accusing him of a crime he didn’t commit. Forced to think on his feet, Hol Horse makes a daring escape, leaving Enya in the dust.

Returning to the field in Cairo with a kidnapped partner, Boingo, Hol Horse continues his quest to take down the Joestar group. Despite their best efforts to predict the future with Boingo’s Stand, Thoth, the duo’s plans are repeatedly foiled. Their final attempt to eliminate Jotaro ends in a comedic twist when Hol Horse’s miscalculation results in a bullet rebounding and narrowly missing him.

The musical influence of Hall & Oates is evident throughout Hol Horse’s character arc, with references to their chart-topping hits woven into the storyline. Elements of fate, luck, and timing play a significant role in Hol Horse’s journey, echoing the themes present in the iconic songs of Hall & Oates. As his story comes to a close, Hol Horse’s misadventures serve as a testament to the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.