Not much happens in this episode until manly tears come out of nowhere in this section of Stardust Crusaders.
The Rundown for Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Episode 36
Quite a bit of the episode is just filler and build up for what happens later on. A little comedy takes place when Polnareff tries to use the restroom and discovers a pig in the toilet.
More build-up happens when Polnareff is stalked by the “Hanged Man” stand. He nearly gets taken out early on. The event leads him to have a fight with Avdol and split off from the group.
The rest of the episode introduces the crafty Hol Horse and his partner J Geil or Centerfold as he is called here. The two prepare to attack the heroes together.
Polnareff faces them down by himself because he believes he can take them without anyone getting hurt. Unfortunately his lack of knowledge about the enemy stands. Fortunately Avdol saves him.
Avdol takes the attacks himself and saves Polnareff. Kakyoin rushes in to help. It is too late for Avdol. Things get really sad but also somewhat weird as Kakyoin starts saying the things everyone is thinking.
At the end it is revealed, at least for anyone who can read subtext that Polnareff had broken off because he thought he could handle the fight and no one else would have to die like his sister. Things do not work out that way leading to a very tragic and endearing scene of him crying for Avdol.
Thoughts on Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Episode 36
This was by far the most shocking and infuriating part of the series when it first came out. Japanese fans were outraged at the sudden death of Avdol. So much so that they decided to bother Araki until he would reverse it.
Was it too cheap to kill off an enjoyable character here? You should really decide that. I honestly really enjoyed the emotional impact it had on the characters. It showed us a new side to Polnareff and a new side to how Araki handled secondary characters. Those things made the series much better for me and for many of us.
