Anasui Could Have Been a Woman in Stone Ocean Anime

An interview with JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure character designer Masanori Shino revealed that Anasui could have been a woman in the anime version of Stone Ocean. Hirohiko Araki, the original creator of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, had apparently given the staff permission. However, as Anasui made a brief appearance in the first season of the show, we can see that the anime staff did not choose to do so. Instead, Anasui now starts the series in a more masculine appearance. [Thanks, ryokutya2089!] This interview appeared in the May 2022 issue of Ultra Jump. A translation of the excerpt is:

“I personally also like Anasui from their first appearance in the manga. It seems that Araki-sensei has said that the anime version of Anasui can be a woman, but if it had turned out that way…”

Daisuke Namikawa (Hunter x Hunter 2011, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice) portrays Anasui in Stone Ocean. When Anasui first appeared in the manga, they were in a female body. However, when they appear again later in the story, they have a more masculine body. In episode 10 of Stone Ocean, Anasui briefly shows up but leaves without saying much. Below is a comparison of each first appearance:

According to an interview with Araki in 2019, he said that he wanted to create a beautiful androgynous character that went beyond the constraints of gender. This may be why he told the anime staff that if they wished to portray Anasui as a woman for the entire show, then they may. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean will air episodes 13 to 24 on Netflix in Fall 2022. The first 12 episodes are available now.