#josuryo

Jotaro experiencing full on Panic attacks and PTSD flashbacks to that time his boyfriend got fucking crumpled by their mutual abuser while Josuke seems to live in a city and universe so devoid of societal norm that homophobia doesn't exist is something that I like to sometimes think about. Anyways look at this unfinished josuryo thing that has been my Tablet Lockscreen for the past 6 months

I cannot stress enough MUCH Crazy Diamonds Demonic Heartbreak reframes Diamond is Unbreakable but theost OBVIOUS THING IT REFRAMES is Josukes romantic ideals/interests

CDDH plays maybe a month before the beginning of DiU. In the beginning of CDDH Josuke appears as MUCH more of a delinquent, honestly on a path to becoming a mini Jotaro, simply expressing his anger issues and desire to be 'mature' differently.

When Ryoko confronts Josuke with with this, with how he flies off the handle, how he over eagerly put on his uniform etc etc he is moved by this. Annoyed but touched. By the end of the spinoff he has undergone some genuine character development, it's an amazing story. At the end Josuke isn't the only one developing, he and Ryoko both approach each other. They're like mirror images of each other.

Josuke, who flies into a blind rage over the smallest of things and Ryoko who suppresses her grief and anger and sadness until she gets involved in something so intense that it almost cost her her life because the years of unresolved trauma have cracked her self-preservation.

By the end Josuke asks her out and she rejects him because wow, he really didn't think that through did he? But they laugh it off together, even flirt a little.

Then DiU happens and Josuke is... Different. The same, but different. He's still got his moment of anger and rage, but he comes down INCREDIBLY fast. He's incredibly mature, apologizing to Jotaro for inconveniencing the Joestar family. (Which of course isn't his fault, but the apology is a SOCIAL CUSTOM that he adheres to. That too is maturity)

When people make innuendos, or Josuke thinks they're making innuendos he clearly seperates himself from that. He considers himself a romantic, but he doesn't actual pursue much romance, does he? He doesn't really pay attention to others like that. When watching it originally I thought it a little of an odd addition or Araki, I figure that the original intent was to characterize him as someone who isn't interested in being anything like his deadbeat dad, but still someone who respects and lives woman, unlike Jotaro. (Who is a misogynistic piece of work in part 3 especially)

But with the context of him having literally asked a girl out 1-2 months ago? Oh my god! Oh my stars! My boy is a YEARNER!!!!! HE'S GOT A CRUSH BUT SHE IS OFF TO UNIVERSITY!!!! It's honestly adorable. The idea that Josuke isn't in a hurry to find a summer romance, because he is either waiting for someone or because he has experienced affection and hasn't quite figured out if he can replicate it again in a meaningful way.

And that's just me talking about Josuke s character development! I haven't even properly TOUCHED on their dynamic!!!

Tho I do wanna point out that yes, there is a 2 year age gap and yes, one of them is off to uni while the other is still in highschool, but I really want ppl to realize that this kind of ship is what we mean when we are talking Abt a slow burn.

Of course in real life there might be a little bit of an uneven playing field, (though 16/18 isn't that intense of an agegap to begin with), but people have affection sometimes. We know for a fact that Ryoko isn't predatory towards Josuke. She can be a little opportunistic but she is generally a kind person that cares for Josuke and is grateful to him. She made it clear that while she is in uni and he in school they couldn't work, the logistics being just one of the many reasons.