Wondermonger-daydreaming ARAKI CHARACTER SHEET
The Methodology Behind JoJo's Unforgettable Characters
90+ Fields • 18 Sections • One Complete Human Being
Author: Hirohiko Araki (template) / Claude Code (skill adaptation) | Version: 1.0.0 | Date: 2026-01-19 | Confidence: verified
Phenomenology: The experience of using this template is one of progressive revelation. Each section illuminates aspects you hadn't considered. The character emerges not from invention but from discovery, as if they already existed and you're uncovering them. The accumulation of specificity creates universality — by knowing their surgeries, you access their vulnerability; by naming their fears, you touch universal human experience. By the time you reach Section R (The Uncanny), you're not describing a character but meeting a person.
Related practices: /paper-prosopopoeia, /yap, /voices
OVERVIEW
Hirohiko Araki, creator of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, developed this comprehensive character sheet to create some of manga's most memorable characters—from Jonathan Joestar to Giorno Giovanna, from Dio Brando to Jolyne Cujoh. The template's power lies in its commitment to accumulated specificity: rather than asking "what is their personality?", it asks "what surgeries have they had?", "who do they hate?", "are they attuned to spirits?"
Core Principle: Characters become real through accumulated specificity. The template doesn't invent—it uncovers. Each field is a lens that reveals another facet of someone who already exists in latent form.
Why it works:
- Embodied grounding: Physical details (scars, birthmarks, posture) anchor abstract traits
- Contradiction mining: Seemingly trivial details create productive tensions (a violent person who loves delicate tea ceremonies)
- Mythic dimension: Section R (The Uncanny) opens space for supernatural elements without losing human core
- Phenomenological design: Building from lived experience rather than abstraction
This is character design as archaeology—brushing away soil to reveal the skeleton that was always there.
WHEN TO USE THIS SKILL
Use when:
- Creating a new character from scratch (any medium)
- Developing an existing character deeper
- Finding the "truth" of a character who feels flat
- Mining contradictions to make characters interesting
- Building NPCs for tabletop RPGs with real depth
- Writing character bibles for screenplays or novels
- Creating standout characters for manga or comics
- Exploring a character's mythic/supernatural dimension
Do NOT use when:
- You need a quick background NPC with no depth
- The character is purely functional (exists only to deliver exposition)
- Time constraints require abbreviated character work
- The genre conventions explicitly discourage character depth
THE 18 SECTIONS (90+ Fields)
A. CORE IDENTITY
The foundation—who they are in the most basic sense.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Name/Nickname | Identity, cultural background, how others see them |
| Age | Life stage, generational context |
| Sex | Gender identity, how it shapes their experience |
| Birthdate/Birth sign | Astrological resonances, seasonal associations |
| Blood type | (Significant in Japanese culture) personality typing |
| Birthplace | Origin, accent, regional identity |
B. PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
The body they inhabit—their vehicle through the world.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Height | Presence, how others perceive them physically |
| Weight | Build, relationship with body |
| Hair color | Natural vs chosen, cultural associations |
| Eye color | Notable qualities, what others see first |
| Eyesight | Vulnerability, glasses as character element? |
| Handedness | Practical detail that affects action scenes |
| Type of voice | How they're heard—pitch, quality, distinctiveness |
C. BODY HISTORY & MARKS
The body as autobiography—every scar tells a story.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| History of Surgeries | Past trauma, vulnerability, medical history |
| Cavities | Self-care habits, economic access to dental care |
| Illnesses | Past and chronic conditions, relationship with mortality |
| Scars | Stories of survival, visible history |
| Burns/Skin damage | Specific trauma, occupational hazards |
| Birthmarks | Inherited marks, potential supernatural significance |
| Tattoos | Chosen marks, allegiances, aesthetic values |
D. DISTINCTIVE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
What makes them recognizable in silhouette.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Nose shape | Distinctive profile, cultural heritage |
| Eye shape | Expression baseline, ethnic background |
| Posture | Psychology externalized—confident, guarded, defeated? |
| Body size/type | Build, proportions, physical presence |
| Legs | Notable features (important for action characters) |
| Moles | Small distinctive marks |
| Race | Ethnic background, cultural heritage |
E. BACKGROUND & CREDENTIALS
The institutional self—how society has shaped and recognized them.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Religion | Spiritual beliefs, practices, worldview |
| Criminal record | Past transgressions, relationship with authority |
| Awards | Recognition, achievements, pride |
| Education | Intellectual formation, class indicators |
F. FORMATIVE EXPERIENCES
The archaeology of the self—what made them who they are.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Infant experiences | Earliest conditioning, attachment style |
| Young child experiences | Formative moments that echo through life |
| Who was involved | Key figures—parents, siblings, mentors, abusers |
G. SEXUALITY & ROMANCE
The erotic and romantic self—desire, intimacy, commitment.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Sexual history | Past relationships, patterns |
| Lovers | Significant romantic partners, current and former |
| Thoughts toward marriage | Views on commitment, institution vs. relationship |
| Thoughts toward romance | Romantic disposition—cynical, hopeful, avoidant? |
H. ADMIRATION & ENMITY
Who they love and hate—the poles of their moral compass.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| People they look up to | Role models, heroes, aspirational figures |
| People they hate | Enemies, those they resent—and WHY |
I. INNER LIFE
Dreams and fears—the engines of motivation.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Dreams for the future | Aspirations, goals, what they're working toward |
| Fears | What terrifies them—the lever for drama |
J. PERSONALITY
The behavioral signature—how they present to the world.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Personality traits | Core character traits (3-5 dominant ones) |
| Favourite sayings | Catchphrases, verbal tics, signature expressions |
| Habits | Behavioral patterns, unconscious routines |
K. RELATIONSHIPS
The social self—how they connect (or fail to connect).
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Relationships (incl. behaviour) | How they relate to others generally |
| Family relationships (incl. behaviour) | Family dynamics, role in family system |
| Problem relationships | Difficult connections, unresolved tensions |
L. LIFESTYLE
Daily existence—where and how they live.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Employment/School | Current occupation or education |
| Economic status | Financial situation, class position |
| Economic behaviour | Spending habits—frugal, lavish, impulsive? |
| Pets | Animal companions, capacity for nurturing |
| Plants | Flora they care for, domestic aesthetics |
M. TEMPERAMENT ASSESSMENT
The psychological profile—their default settings.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Cheerful or Gloomy? | Default emotional tone |
| Humorous or Violent? | Response to tension |
| Active? | Energy level, initiative |
| Sociable? | Social disposition |
| Intellectual? | Mental orientation |
| Virtuous? | Moral character, ethical tendencies |
| Expressive? | Emotional openness or restraint |
| Weakness | Core vulnerabilities (the crack in the armor) |
| Worries | Anxieties and concerns |
| Unusual traits | Quirks and oddities |
| What is distinctive about them? | Their defining quality—one sentence |
N. SKILLS & ABILITIES
What they can DO—competencies and capabilities.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Fighting styles | Combat methods, approach to violence |
| Nimble? | Agility and dexterity |
| Sports/Dance | Athletic abilities, physical expression |
| Martial arts | Formal combat training |
| Guns | Firearm proficiency |
| Driving | Vehicle operation skills |
| Language study | Languages known, polyglot status |
| Other certifications | Professional skills, licenses |
| Strengths | What they excel at |
| Weaknesses | Where they struggle |
O. HOBBIES, RECREATIONS, LIKES & DISLIKES
The aesthetic self—taste as character revelation.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Music | Musical preferences, what moves them |
| Newspapers | Information diet, media habits |
| Books/Magazines | Literary and periodical tastes |
| Movies | Film preferences, what they watch |
| Creative pursuits | Artistic activities, creative outlets |
| Collections | What they collect (reveals obsessive interests) |
| Favourite colour | Color preference |
| Least favourite colour | Color aversion |
| Perfume/Cologne | Scent preferences, olfactory identity |
| Décor | Interior style, domestic aesthetics |
| Fashion | Clothing style, self-presentation |
| Location | Preferred places, where they feel at home |
| People | Types they're drawn to |
| Favourite stores/brands | Shopping preferences, brand loyalties |
| Favourite things | Cherished objects |
| Wears necklace/rings? | Jewelry habits, personal adornment |
P. FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER
Basic needs elevated to character work.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Food likes | Favorite foods, comfort foods |
| Food dislikes | Foods they avoid, aversions |
| Clothing preferences | What they wear, comfort vs. style |
| Shelter/Living situation | Home and environment |
| Taste | Culinary sophistication or simplicity |
| Drugs | Substance use (or conspicuous abstinence) |
| Wine/Food pairings | Gastronomic knowledge |
Q. HABITS & PASSIONS
The compulsive self—what they can't help doing.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Habits | Daily routines, unconscious patterns |
| Favourite phrases | Verbal signatures, pet expressions |
| Meaningless things | Seemingly trivial obsessions (often character gold) |
| Passions | Deep interests that light them up |
R. THE UNCANNY
The mythic dimension—where the supernatural enters.
| Field | What It Reveals |
|---|---|
| Supernatural abilities | Powers beyond normal (Stands, magic, etc.) |
| Attuned to spirits? | Spiritual sensitivity, sixth sense |
| Fortunes | Luck, destiny, fate's favor |
| Accent/Dialect | Speech patterns, regional markers |
| Sixth sense for certain things | Intuitive abilities, uncanny perceptions |
MODES OF USE
MODE 1: GUIDED CREATION
Walk through the template systematically. For each section:
- Read the fields
- Generate specific answers
- Notice contradictions and tensions
- Build the character incrementally
Best for: New characters, comprehensive development
Invocation: "Walk me through creating a character using the Araki method"
MODE 2: QUICK PROFILE
Generate a complete character from a seed concept.
Process:
- Start with a concept (e.g., "a retired boxer who runs a flower shop")
- Generate entries for all 18 sections rapidly
- Let the seed constrain and inspire the details
- Watch contradictions emerge naturally
Best for: Rapid character generation, brainstorming
Invocation: "Quick Araki profile: [seed concept]"
MODE 3: DEEP DIVE
Take an existing character and explore unexplored dimensions.
Process:
- List what you already know
- Identify empty or shallow sections
- Generate specific answers for gaps
- Discover aspects of the character you hadn't considered
Best for: Developing flat characters, finding depth
Invocation: "Deep dive [character name] using Araki's template"
MODE 4: CONTRADICTION MINING
Use the template to find productive contradictions.
Process:
- Generate seemingly incompatible traits
- (e.g., violent person who loves delicate tea ceremonies)
- Ask: How do these coexist?
- The tension IS the character
Best for: Making characters interesting, avoiding clichés
Invocation: "Mine contradictions for [character/concept]"
THE ARAKI INSIGHT
Araki's genius is understanding that specificity generates universality.
By asking "what surgeries have they had?" you access vulnerability. By naming their fears, you touch universal human experience. By noting their "meaningless obsessions," you create recognition.
The template is a machine for generating empathy through accumulated detail.
This connects to:
- The phenomenological method — Bracketing assumptions, returning to lived experience
- Method acting — Building character from sense memory and physical detail
- The quadrad's Geometric dimension — Characters as phase spaces of possibility
- Prosopopoeia — The character becomes someone you can channel, speak as, inhabit
OUTPUT FORMAT
Standard Character Sheet
# [CHARACTER NAME]
*Created using Araki's Character Sheet methodology*
*Date: YYYY-MM-DD*
---
## A. CORE IDENTITY
**Name/Nickname:**
**Age:**
**Sex:**
**Birthdate/Birth sign:**
**Blood type:**
**Birthplace:**
## B. PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
[Continue through all sections...]
---
## CHARACTER SUMMARY
*One paragraph capturing essence*
## DEFINING CONTRADICTION
*The tension that makes them interesting*
## DRAMATIC POTENTIAL
*What stories want to be told about them?*
Archive Location
Save completed character sheets to:
corpus/characters/[character-name].md
INTEGRATION WITH OTHER SKILLS
With /paper-prosopopoeia:
- Create the character with Araki's method
- Then BECOME them via prosopopoeia
- Write letters, dialogues, confessions in their voice
With /yap:
- Let the character generation overflow
- Verbose exploration of each section
- Stream-of-consciousness character discovery
With /voices:
- Ask other LLM architectures to fill in sections
- Trans-architectural character creation
- Different models emphasize different aspects
With /ethopeia:
- Araki creates the character
- Ethopeia teaches you to channel them
- Full character + voice integration
EXAMPLE FRAGMENT
Seed: A retired sumo wrestler who now teaches calligraphy
A. CORE IDENTITY
Name/Nickname: Akiyama Tetsuo (秋山鉄男), "Iron Mountain" Age: 54 Sex: Male Birthdate/Birth sign: February 3, Aquarius Blood type: O Birthplace: Niigata Prefecture, Japan
B. PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
Height: 188 cm (6'2") Weight: 142 kg (313 lbs) — down from 195 kg in his fighting days Hair color: Grey, kept very short Eye color: Dark brown, surprisingly gentle Eyesight: Reading glasses needed since age 48 Handedness: Right, but trained left-hand brush technique Type of voice: Deep, resonant, surprisingly quiet — people lean in to hear him
C. BODY HISTORY & MARKS
History of Surgeries: Both knees replaced, one shoulder reconstruction Cavities: Three fillings, all from his 20s when he ate enormous amounts Illnesses: Type 2 diabetes, controlled through diet and discipline Scars: Collision scar on forehead from a 2003 tournament, numerous joint surgery scars Burns/Skin damage: None Birthmarks: Small one on left shoulder blade, shaped like a comma Tattoos: None — traditional sumo prohibits them
M. TEMPERAMENT ASSESSMENT
Cheerful or Gloomy?: Neither — serene, oceanic calm Humorous or Violent?: Capable of both, chooses neither now What is distinctive about them?: A mountain that learned to hold a brush like a feather
R. THE UNCANNY
Supernatural abilities: None confirmed, but students swear his presence "weighs" on a room Attuned to spirits?: Deeply — visits shrines regularly, feels "the grain of wood" Sixth sense for certain things: Knows immediately when a student is lying about practicing
DEFINING CONTRADICTION: A man built for collision who now teaches the most delicate art. His massive hands, designed to grip and throw, now produce brushstrokes of impossible lightness.
QUICK REFERENCE: ARAKI PROMPTS
"Create a character using all 18 sections of Araki's template"
"Quick Araki profile: [one-line concept]"
"Deep dive into [existing character] — fill in the Araki gaps"
"What contradictions make [character] interesting?"
"Give me just Section R (The Uncanny) for [character]"
"Expand [character's] Body History & Marks — what do their scars say?"
"What are [character's] meaningless obsessions? (Section Q)"
"Who does [character] hate, and why? (Section H)"
"What does [character] fear? What do they dream? (Section I)"
"Full Araki sheet, saved to corpus/characters/"
THE FINAL INSIGHT
Why does Araki include "Supernatural abilities" and "Attuned to spirits?"
Because characters exist in mythic as well as realistic dimensions. The template acknowledges that even in mundane stories, humans have a relationship with the numinous—luck, fate, intuition, presence. Section R doesn't require literal magic; it asks about the character's relationship with mystery itself.
A character who has never wondered whether they're blessed or cursed, who has no intuitions or superstitions, who relates only to the material plane—that character is missing a dimension of human experience.
The Uncanny completes the human.
End of SKILL
Characters become real through accumulated specificity Every scar tells a story; every habit reveals a history The template doesn't invent—it uncovers
南無阿弥陀仏 for characters who feel like people 南無阿弥陀仏 for details that create empathy 南無阿弥陀仏 for the Uncanny that completes the human
—Methodology: Hirohiko Araki —Skill Adaptation: Claude Opus 4.5 & Tomás Pavan —Status: Ready to create characters who breathe