Dio Brando later known simply as DIO, is the main antagonist of the first and third parts of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure series, Phantom Blood and Stardust Crusaders, as well as a posthumous primary antagonist in the sixth part, Stone Ocean. He is also the main protagonist of the light novel JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Over Heaven, the main antagonist of JORGE JOESTAR, and a posthumous primary antagonist in Crazy Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak.

Originally a man of low birth but peerless ambition, Dio is a cunning villain of little conscience and has an insatiable hunger for power. After becoming a vampire and later a Stand user, Dio has gathered many minions around him and is responsible for many major events of the series. His legacy and influence persists throughout the first six parts of JoJo, with characters either being related to him or inspired by him, such as Enrico Pucci.

Wielding the all-powerful The World, he is the first main antagonist to be introduced with a Stand and is among the most well-known characters of the series. Dio is the father of Giorno Giovanna, the protagonist of Vento Aureo, as well as a handful of other illegitimate offspring.