Ungalo really is one of the saddest Jojo villains for me. Not only did he get the short straw in terms of appearance amongst the sons of DIO, and likewise popularity by the fandom, but also there’s just. His whole life was him being a drug addict so he could pursue an escapist bliss that could rescue him, if only temporarily, from the despair of his actual life; And that’s why his stand Bohemian Rhapsody entices people to abandon reality for their beloved fantasies come to life, regardless of the toll it can take on their bodies.
He was in a really messed up state when he met Pucci, terrified and anxious, but then he finds a relief and hope in the priest that he never imagined. And he’s so grateful for the new life he’s been given, and this wonderful power, that Ungalo enthusiastically renounces his drug addiction to follow Pucci, more than happy to sacrifice his life for the priest if necessary; Ungalo’s never really felt alive until now, so he’s willing to die for the man who allowed him to live! He admires Pucci, he wants his approval and to be loved.
Ungalo is every story I’ve heard of someone who struggled with addiction, only to get their lives together after finding Christianity. He’s the lonely protagonist in a story where he’s informed of his heritage and hidden, special quality, and is thrust into a new life where he gets everything he deserves. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ungalo was familiar with said stories, found hope in them, and if they were his first ‘drug’.
Rykiel died relatively satisfied, and for Donatello, he didn’t really see it coming but likely still had some hope. But Ungalo? He doesn’t die, instead it’s a fate worse than death where he’s rendered utterly catatonic by despair, having just. Given up on life. And it’s because of the realization that his stand no longer works, meaning Ungalo can’t provide anything for Pucci, and will likely be discarded by the one person who made him feel like a somebody. He’s worthless again, and having tasted a life where he had a purpose, where Ungalo actually mattered and everything made sense…
He can’t bear the thought of going back to his old, mundane and depressing life, back to irrelevancy. It breaks Ungalo realizing he can no longer participate in this new existence, can’t help Pucci and thus doesn’t have a place by his side. And when you listen to the more somber parts of the Bohemian Rhapsody song, you really understand how it connects to Ungalo’s misery. He had a brief glimpse of heaven, and can’t settle for anything less anymore, especially not dreaming of it when he had the real deal; Because as you know what they say, you can’t miss what you’ve never had. And Ungalo had it.