The reaction sparked by the first episode of Battle Tendency was never going to reach the explosive level once caused by Sosuke Aizen's reveal in the past. That had been a cultural earthquake. Even so, the impact of this new beginning was more than enough to dismantle - piece by piece - the comfortable narrative pushed by those who, just days earlier, were certain Alex had "lost his touch."
It wasn't a crushing victory.
It was something far more irritating for those rooting against him.
A quiet return of confidence.
Throughout that week, Alex's fans felt an almost childish urge to repeat, out loud, a line spoken by a "god" in a future work: "Can anyone else do this?"
And, honestly, the answer seemed clearer by the day.
In terms of reach, Battle Tendency wasn't yet a nationwide phenomenon. It wasn't everywhere, nor did it dominate conversations outside the right circles. But among the self-proclaimed "otaku" - a label they wore with ironic pride - the series had already become a recurring topic. It was no longer curiosity. It was insistently recommended viewing.
And passionate recommendation at that.
"You already know what your next line will be."
"There's only one thing left to do… run!"
"Thompson Ripple Overdrive!"
The lines spread like a winter flu. Memes appeared before most people even finished the episode. Those who had no initial interest in JoJo were dragged in by force, pushed along by friends who spoke too fast and gestured as if pitching a new religion.
"Dude, watch JoJo. Trust me."
"But the trailer doesn't even look as stylish as Bleach."
"It's not about being stylish. It's about… I don't know - just watch it. If you watch JoJo, we're friends for life."
Conversations like that began to pop up everywhere.
And then, a week later, came the real test: the simultaneous release of episodes two and three.
For the JOJOfans - still small in number, but loud enough to sound like a crowd - it was a private celebration. Compared to Bleach fans, they were still a minority. But against any other drama or series airing that season, they already had more than enough presence to dominate discussions.
And this time, there was something new.
The opening finally dropped.
Unlike the solemn, almost tragic tone of Phantom Blood, Battle Tendency's opening was bright, colorful, and bursting with irreverent energy. Joseph appeared in exaggerated silhouettes, ridiculous poses, movements that felt less trained and more… instinctive. As if the character had been born to move that way.
The effect was immediate.
Smiles appeared before the music even ended.
"This role should've been mine," Raymond muttered at home, half jealous, half impressed.
Everyone knew he had fully transitioned from "serious actor" to "professional goofball." It worked in variety shows, but in dramas and films the audience just didn't buy it. Ray looked at Joseph and felt it in his bones - this role had been written to provoke.
"Your legs are too short," his wife replied without even glancing away from the screen.
Clean execution.
Fatal blow.
When the opening ended and the episode began for real, viewers barely had time to settle in.
"I brought tequila. Can you let me through?"
The next scene plunged straight into absurdity. A man far too muscular to ignore, face caked with makeup, lips painted, throwing flirty looks straight at the camera with offensive confidence.
Chaos erupted instantly.
The comments froze for a few seconds, as if the collective brain needed a reboot.
"Why didn't anyone warn me? I was eating!"
"I swear I did not see that coming."
"Why… why do I kind of like it?"
"Help, I can never look at Ichigo the same way again."
Inside the story itself, Joseph still had the nerve to look offended.
"Damn it… even the Germans can see through my female disguise."
In another studio, several people were doubled over laughing. One of Aurora Entertainment's leading actresses had to clamp a hand over her mouth to preserve what little dignity she had left.
"Man… you really sacrificed yourself for this role," someone said between tears of laughter.
Others seized the opportunity.
"So all you have to do is dress like that to get into an Alex project?"
"Write that down - professional dedication."
The actor himself already knew. That image would haunt him for years.
By the end of the episode, Joseph had teamed up with Major Stroheim to defeat Santana. There was no pause. Viewers simply clicked straight into the next episode.
In one corner of the room, the actor cast as Caesar clenched his fist in silence.
This was it.
Years without a truly meaningful role.
Years waiting for a chance that didn't feel borrowed.
Caesar was the last shot.
"Relax," Mark said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You've got this."
Episode three began without ceremony.
Caesar appeared quickly. Handsome. Overconfident. Provocative in all the wrong ways. His first meeting with Joseph turned hostile almost instantly. One saw the other as a reckless clown. The other saw nothing but an arrogant show-off.
Neither seemed interested in cooperation.
Only Speedwagon's intervention prevented the argument from turning into a fight.
Together, they descended into the underground ruins.
And then… they awakened.
Three figures emerged from stone, as if time itself had decided to breathe again. The first, Wamuu, stood nearly two meters tall, muscles absurdly defined, posture too solemn to ignore. The background music - completely out of place - only made it more surreal.
Some viewers nearly choked.
But the worst was yet to come.
"Awaken… my masters."
The other two figures moved.
Three poses.
Three silhouettes.
Three escalating levels of visual discomfort.
And then came the final shock.
The actor playing Kars… was the same man who had once portrayed Jasper Quin.
The comments exploded.
"WHAT DID THEY DO TO HIM?"
"Is this some kind of revenge?"
"Alex definitely did this on purpose."
The costume was an assault on the eyes.
The damage, irreversible.
And in that moment, even the skeptics understood.
JoJo wasn't trying to please anyone.
It was challenging them.
Laughing.
Provoking.
And moving forward without apology.
And whether they liked it or not, no one could look away anymore.
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