That her ladies and gentlemen its the milf herself- apparently (mild spoilers) she appears in the most recent Jojolion chapter. Unfortunately my ass hasn’t read Jojolion yet- maybe someday pog champ.
So in honor of her and my absolute thirst for this woman I drew something- not particularly good but eh
JoJolion Meta: understanding the changing of Rai's past
Previously, I've talked about Rai's past in What actually happened in Mamezuku Rai’s past?, regarding the change Araki made from chapter 75 to chapter 99. Before, I attempted to 'fix' this change, denying it as a retcon by reordering the events in both versions of Rai's past. But now, I'm pretty sure that this is indeed a retcon.
But have you ever thought about why the changes were made?
Of course it is impossible for me to find the true answer, because my chance to meet and interview Araki in person is just a dream (LOL).
But it is also not forbidden for us to try to find the answer using our own perspective. And now, I will share my perspective on this issue.
First, let's take a look at Rai's past back in chapter 75:
When Rai was a child, his parents grew prized high-class pears which would sell for millions of yens. However, because their techniques were leaked, a competitor tied to money-lenders ravaged Rai's parents' orchard, ruining their crop and forcing them to sell the land. Unable to forgive his parents' incompetence, Rai secluded himself on a mountain slope and managed to cultivate fruits in spite of the harsher climate. He was found by Norisuke IV and then he was appointed in secret as his personal fruit grower and appraiser.
If we take a look to the bolded words, there are leaked techniques, competitor, money-lenders, sabotage and intimidation. What is capable of doing all this? Surely, an organization. And what antagonistic organization is in the JoJolion’s story? It’s obviously The Rock-humans’ Organization!
The existence of Rock-humans and The Organization were first introduced early in the chapters of Yotsuyu’s debut. Initially, we only knew its smuggling team (Damokan Group). Later, there is another group in higher position, the research team (or better known as The Head Doctor’s gang), which was hinted back during Urban Guerrilla’s arc.
We knew that the smuggling team had their shady business with Higashikata Jobin. We spent enough chapters about them until Josuke killed its leader, Damo. Then the protagonists shifted their focus and confronted the researchers.
What had the research team done? They were behind Holy's mysterious illness, by using her as a guinea pig. They were supervisors of Damokan Group. They were developing a miracle drug called Locacaca 6251.
In chapter 72, 3 chapters prior to Rai’s original flashback, there was a flashback of Jobin with his father Norisuke IV, before his first (official) meeting with Damokan Group in stadium. When Jobin was arguing with his father, he mentioned the doctors from T.G. University who have indirectly interfered with their family business:
JJL chapter 72: The Northern Higashikata Estate, The Orchard
Therefore I think, Araki had intended to develop the influence of this villainous organization. In other words, the villains work in the form of an organization, that our villain is an organization! And Araki ultimately put The Head Doctor (Tooru and 「Wonder of U」) as its leader.
That was the reason… of Rai’s flashback was made in such a way in chapter 75.
And then Rai’s past in chapter 99 (and chapter 100):
17 years ago, Rai found his parent's orchard infested with insects. After informing his parents, his father rushed out of the house to deal with it, but was killed by a landslide caused by a typhoon. Later, Rai’s mother died long after the death of his father, underwent great mental anguish brought on by the debts.
The bolded words in chapter 99 and 100 consists of infestation, natural disaster (typhoon), accident (killed by a landslide)… and debts. Also, killed by a landslide caused by a typhoon is basically a causality, one event (a cause) contributes to the production of another event (an effect). And because that event was someone's (Rai’s father’s) misfortune, then it is a calamity.
What is calamity in JoJolion? It is the main ability of 「Wonder of U」!
Everything that happened in Rai's flashback in chapters 99 and 100 is a natural occurrence belongs to calamity, the infestation, natural disaster, the death (of his parents), except the debts, but I will talk about it later.
If the events of Rai's backstory in chapter 75 sound orchestrated, then the events of his backstory in chapter 99-100 were happened by chance or coincidental. The later doesn't look like the work of an organization.
But in JoJo, an innocent natural-yet-bizarre-looking event is often the work of enemy’s Stand. And in this case, it's pretty clear that Rai's backstory in chapters 99-100 was the work of 「Wonder of U」.
JJL chapter 99: Endless Calamity – part 5
“But in the flow of calamity… Mamezuku Rai… 17 years ago… you told him there was an invansive insect in his pear orchard… so he went to go see it for himself. Your father died in a landslide. And then your mother… overwhelmed by mental anguish and racking up debt from the pear orchard… fell ill and died, too. Your life was submerged in the flow, as it is now. And by chance, you’ve ended up here. That was also the flow of calamity.”
When the backstory in chapter 75 could be the work of an organization, the backstory in chapter 99-100 was more of the work of an enemy’s Stand.
What is the significant difference between the two versions?
In the first version, the work of an organization shows that there should be cooperation from several individuals within the organization (the members). Regarding how the 'organization' works, particularly The Rock-humans’ Organization, the members may work in a system designed by 'the leader'.
We don't know who interfered with the Higashikata family’s business? Who did illegal experiments on Holy? And who leaked the technique, sabotaged Rai family's orchard & ruined their business? Etc. But everything should have been done systematically in an organizational style.
But in the second version, the work of a Stand's ability will be the work of its Stand’s user, an individual. In this case, the leader of Rock-humans’ Organization.
The backstory in chapters 99-100 looked like a series of natural events that lead to Mamezuku family's misfortune, but in reality it's all due to 「Wonder of U」’s calamity.
What was the reason Araki changed it that way?
Unless there's an interview asking that and Araki answers it, we will never know. But in my opinion, I guess that Araki has wanted to build up 「Wonder of U」 (which indirectly is Tooru) to be more dominant as an antagonist. He has even changed some of the chapter titles with the name Wonder of You, which further strengthens the dominance of 「Wonder of U」.
In my old post about Tooru, I once mentioned his existence which is considered less dominant, his scenes are lacking, his leadership on Rock-humans’ Organization is non-existent. There is a disconnection in Tooru's role as the villain inside JoJolion’s story which I’d like to discuss more later.
Unlike the previous villains, who simply exploited their Stands’ abilities. Tooru and 「Wonder of U」 are like two entities doing their own jobs. Inside his arc, Tooru’s role was around Yasuho while 「Wonder of U」 dealt with Josuke and Rai in the hospital. This is the disconnection I mean.
This is similar to the case of Diavolo-Doppio, where many readers ended up rating Doppio with deeper impression than Diavolo.
And in the end, his Stand, 「Wonder of U」 ended up being more dominant in the story than the user himself (LOL).
Headcanon time: The unfulfilled and forgotten theory
As I said before that I've attempted to make these two versions of Rai's backstory to be really happened and plausible.
The events in chapter 75 could have happened before chapter 99-100 (as both of Rai's parents were still alive at that time), but we have to rule out Norisuke IV’s part in recruiting Rai, because it should have happened after the event of Rai's father’s funeral.
Or the events in chapter 75 can also happen after the events in chapters 99-100, because both versions have mentioned 'debt' at some point. It's just that, in chapter 75's backstory, there were only Rai and his mother, because his father was supposed to be dead. Also, there's no need for Rai's part to be disappointed and run away from home. It's enough to have his mother died of grief and stress over the debts.
Whatever it is, there is actually someone I want to be involved in the 'debt' part… obviously, the Higashikata grandma, Caato.
A statement that once shook the fandom and got her placed on a pedestal as the main villain candidate, only to be abandoned by the plot to the oblivion.
The only clue as to when Rai's backstory took place is that his father's death happened 17 years ago (JJL chapter 100). Caato said that she had contributed to the success of Higashikata's business in the last 15 years, and at the same time, she had also just finished spending 15 years of her life in prison.
「Wonder of U」in chapter 100 told that Rai’s mother died long after the death of his father, underwent great mental anguish brought on by the debts. How long it is meant that can truly be defined as “long”? One or two years? Or decades?
If the debts was the work of Caato, therefore the debts were more or less likely had happened roughly 15-16 years ago, at least just before her incarceration in order to make this a little more sense, perhaps some months of 15 years ago just before she was busted.
Therefore, Rai’s mother died long after the death of his father could be just a year or two later.
Whatever it is, the theory remains unconfirmed, nor it gets debunked. Thanks for this, it gives me the chance to convert this old theory into a headcanon.
To be honest, I just don't want Caato's controversial statement that once shaken the fandom to be wasted for nothing.
Will the anime (or DavidPro) fix this line in the future?
Because, seriously, this line is the real culprit, the true red-herring and Araki's actual error that has misguided the readers to start hyping Caato as the main villain and the rest were just her supporters' wild imaginations.
This should be a history throughout JoJolion’s writing process, when the true main villain was still a mystery. Readers were enthusiastically cheering on their favorite characters to take the villain crown, but among the candidates, it was Caato who was the most dominating at that time.
How could she dominate despite her very limited appearance in the story? This topic is interesting enough that I want to review it further.
How has Caato been treated compared to the other main villain candidates?
Her supporters have never stopped in hyping her, even over the years since her last appearance at that time (in chapter 64).
Damo was simply eliminated after his demise. But readers who still hope for relevance from Damokan Group (Smuggling Cartel) have made up a theory that Caato was the secret mastermind behind the Rock-humans’ organization.
At that time, Jobin was the most active candidate and had the most scenes. However, his relationship as Caato's son makes him often regarded as a child who is indirectly controlled by Caato. “Everything he did was dictated by his mom,” they said.
Tooru was still a wild card character, his appearances were still very limited (just like Caato’s). Most readers did not think much of him or just simply ignored him. But as time goes by, Tooru began to dominate with hints slowly being revealed, about who he truly is and what was his role, making him a character who has more relevance than Caato. However, some readers who were still in denial considered Tooru as a red-herring and only a subordinate of Caato.
After we read the end JoJolion, surely it becomes very clear by now that Caato, in fact, is not an antagonist at all!
What is an antagonist? A person who actively opposes or is hostile to main character (aka Josuke in this story).
Turns out that Jobin is more an antagonist than his mother.
Then how can many readers misunderstood and even been delusional to this phenomenal milf character?
Her Introduction
Caato was the actual last member of Higashikata family to be introduced, her first appearance was a surprise for the readers. Prior to her appearance, she had never been mentioned by the other Higashikata family members as if she did not exist.
JJL chapter 55: Walking Heart, Breaking Heart
It was revealed that she was in prison all this time and had just been released. Her first scene and how she was drawn is quite cool. Her face was partially hidden, then the angle trick that only reveal a little hint of how she looks. This surely gives us the vibe of major character, that she would be important in the future. Who is she and what is her role? Not only that, he also drew her fairly attractive in contrast to those ugly extras. The chapter also implied that there is something dangerous will be brought by this character.
She got introduced just after Damo had been eliminated and his arc was done, so it made sense that the readers’ started hyping her to be new candidate of the main villain. She also demonstrated her Stand during her intro...
...which eventually led to the next hype:
Her Stand
「Space Trucking」 mechanism which has similarities with 「D4C」, namely the caught-in-between two objects mechanism is what makes the readers compared both Stands. This comparison also conceived the idea of Caato as the main villain. The time-based theme that incidentally became the pattern of main villains’ Stand in OG verse (part 1-6) has caused the readers to think that the reboot verse (part 7 onwards) will have space-based Stands as the main villain’s Stand.
JJL chapter 107: When All Curses Are Broken
While in fact, the real keyword here is HIDE, not “space”. It indeed utilizes “space” to use its ability just like D4C, but「Space Trucking」 works by hiding various objects into her cards, its ability is more similar to 「Enigma」 than 「D4C」.
Her Appearance and Design
Caato’s seemingly youthful look (from her age) is because Araki has drawn her without visible wrinkles as a typical grandma. This was what made readers often theorize that Caato is a female rock-humans.
In truth, it is actually just his recent art-style, because to be fair, Holy and Suzuyo who are also middle-aged women are also drawn as quite young-looking, the only difference is that Caato already had a grandchild.
With his current art-style, Araki only draws the old women with wrinkles only when they are over 60 years old.
In-universe, there was absolutely no hint that Caato looked much younger than her actual age. If Caato really looks younger than her age like Lisa Lisa, Joshu, who wasn’t sure that she is his mother should have said: “No way you are our mother! You don’t even look much older than Hato!” or something like that. Josuke who was seeing Caato for the first time also didn’t have any opinion regarding her look, even after Hato told about her age.
Then at the beginning of her debut, a panel that highlighted Caato's eyes once shook the fandom. It caused many readers to speculate that Caato is a merged-human, just like Josuke. But in the end, it's just a deceptive shadow on her eyes.
Moreover, a die-hard Caato supporter once said that Caato’s hair resembles hornet’s abdomen, the “abdomen” is a part of the body that reflects “motherhood”, the wasps in chapter 99 have played the role of as “surrogate mom” to the rock-babies because their mother had little affection to them and abandoned them. Caato being a mother who was made to abandon her children for 15 years might foreshadow her rock-human’s nature.
In fact, the bottom part of Caato's hair had changed a lot, its design was not always consistent. The only thing consistent in her hairstyle is her space buns (which is a callback for Jolyne).
Her intention in making a scene
Still in her early debut, Caato had uttered an intention that sounds antagonistic.
Later, she made a surprise visit for her family but instead got confronted by them. Disappointed at her family's reaction, she showed her resentment at Norisuke IV and her intention to take what's rightfully her, she wants the Higashikata’s fortune, to take back what she thinks her right. She held revenge on her ex-husband due to him abandoned her.
JJL chapter 58: Dawn of the Higashikata Family
Almost forgot to mention that Caato has been imprisoned for murder. At that time we didn't know what the murder was and what was behind it, but seeing Caato had no regrets about it certainly made us believe that she will be an antagonist here. Then…
These subsequent remarks led to the birth of various theories which later grew wilder and weirder as Caato specifically claimed that she also contributed to the success of Higashikata’s business over the past 15 years! But how so? Had not she been in prison in the last 15 years?
This also became the reason to reinforce a theory that Caato is associated to rock-humans (via Damokan Group). She is in contact with Jobin, whom is also associated to Damo. Jobin has been doing illicit business with Damo, which could be the main reason for the success of Higashikata’s business. Jobin has been doing this behind Norisuke IV’s back, Caato is in a bad relationship with Norisuke IV. Therefore, Caato might have made Jobin to work with Damo.
So it was not surprising that her motive was adding more the hype for the readers.
Ultimately, this mystery was never answered till the end, I think Araki may have forgotten about this or simply abandoned it.
Her Character Background (Identity)
Who is Caato? She was introduced as the mother of four Higashikata children, ex-wife of Higashikata Norisuke IV, the current patriarch of the family and the head of its family business (The Fruit Company). An ex-convict for murder.
Quite a number of readers have overestimated the role of the Higashikata family, to the point of disregarding the role of Rock-humans and their organization. They think that Rock-humans aren’t that important and their arc would be just an intermezzo arc, happened in the middle. They were thinking of a Game of Throne-style concept, where there would be a struggle for throne and power dynamic between Higashikata family (in which Josuke gets caught in it) which would split into several sides (war within the family).
In fact, the role of Higashikata family happened alongside with Rock-humans, and in the end, the later was more dominant with their kind vs humanity.
Her shady little action
JJL chapter 59: Dolomité's Blue Lagoon - part 1
Caato was relaxing on hammock while she secretly observed Norisuke IV and Josuke from afar. She briefly interacted with Norisuke IV and noticed her ex-husband’s habit then realized that he was hiding something she did not re~~ally know. She called Jobin to warn him and also saw that Josuke was carrying a cellphone, she concluded that he was going to meet someone.
Given that Jobin had been antagonistic towards Josuke and Caato had also helped him, coupled with the previous hypes about her, surely made readers think that she could be the true mastermind behind any problems and dangers that Josuke had faced so far.
JJL chapter 61:Dolomite's Blue Lagoon - part 3, is Caato an antagonist? She is definitely a wild card for now
Her misunderstood flashback with Jobin
20 years ago (±1991), Jobin went to his school trip, he was bullied there but the bully got attacked by Jobin’s Stand 「Speed King」 in a self-defense. Jobin had already been hit by family curse, the rock-disease and Caato was actually looking for a cure, she also already knew about equivalent exchange ability possessed by Higashikata’s land. Instead of using herself, Caato took the chance to use the dying bully boy as a sacrifice in Jobin’s healing ritual. She justified her action that it was the bully boy’s fate, and that they, as Higashikata, were above him. Five years after the incident, Caato went to prison for what she did.
JJL chapter 64: Mother and Child
The mystery of why Caato went to prison and the murder she committed got answered in this chapter. She did not kill any important character. We learned more about her character that she had the selfishness not to put herself below. But her mother’s love for Jobin enabled her to make sacrifices in her own way, that she was willing to do bad things for his sake.
I don't think this chapter actually intended to mislead the readers in understanding Caato's character, but it's more likely that many readers themselves misunderstood her.
What did this scene make Caato a manipulative mother? Before the murder happened, Caato was shown as a doting mom, she loves Jobin and took care of him. She didn’t want Jobin to get hurt, when Jobin climbed a tree, she was very worried about him as he could fall at any time.
Caato doesn’t like to be controlled (specifically by men). However, if she had to sacrifice for the sake of her son Jobin, she is willing to do so. That’s what she literally said in the flashback. There is no way Caato could be a controlling mother. Instead, she is a supportive mom for Jobin and this has been shown in chapter 59 and 107.
JJL chapter 64 and 107
Her Comeback Scene
And then lastly, even her reappearance towards the end of JJL after a long time she was MIA, readers were so hyped that Caato would beat Tooru & be the final villain.
JJL chapter 107: When All Curses Are Broken
In the end, she did defeat him, but sadly her supporters’ dream that she would be the final villain was also immediately crushed after she ended up getting calamiti’ed.
JJL chapter 108: Go Beyond – part 2
To be honest, I don't think that Araki intentionally wrote Caato as a red-herring character.
It's just that, I feel like there were few Caato’s rabid supporters who intentionally were trying to lead readers’ opinion in believing that she will be JoJolion’s main villain. Besides, until now we still haven't had a female as JoJo’s main antagonist, so that readers who really crave it become easily fooled to believe the concept of Caato as the main villain.
Given the possibility of part 9 (JoJoLand), I truly hope that someday we will have a female JoFoe, the big antagonist. Hopefully her characterization will be much more believable than the idea of making Caato as the big villain, no need for wild and far-fetched theories, no need for headcanons, she will naturally be our newest main antagonist.
If you want to understand more about what Caato's supporters did wrong, you can read more about it in "How does the hype of Caato turn really bad?". But keep in mind that the post was written when JJL was not finished yet, so some of the words there sound outdated (but more or less still relevant).
You may be getting bored with all of LoL t3h hyPe of Ca4t0 post, do not worry because this will be my last post on this topic. At the very least, I wanted to write this one last time after JJL is finished.
Let Caato rest in peace because all this time she did nothing wrong, whereas her supporters did everything wrong.
