Will Anthonio Zeppeli

Overview

Will Anthonio Zeppeli is a character appearing in Part 1 of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Phantom Blood. Operating as a master of the Ripple, he introduces himself as a baron and serves as a mentor to the protagonist, Jonathan Joestar. Having dedicated his life to searching for and destroying the Stone Mask as well as its vampire creations, he guides Jonathan in acquiring the necessary combat techniques with an eccentric yet insightful teaching style.

Appearance

He is a 50-year-old man featuring a distinct mustache. His attire consists of formal wear accompanied by a bow tie and a top hat, along with long sleeves, a vest, a coat, and trousers.

Personality

Zeppeli exhibits an eccentric, elusive demeanor paired with a deeply philosophical outlook on human nature. He holds a firm belief that true human greatness is defined by the courage to face fear rather than the absence of it. Calmly accepting of his own destiny, he treats his student with immense devotion, viewing him with a warmth comparable to both a close friend and a son.

Abilities

He relies on the Ripple technique acquired during his training in Tibet. His techniques include the Zoom Punch, which extends his strike distance by dislocating arm joints; the Hamon Cutter, which launches wine droplets as projectiles; the Sendō Wave Kick; the Sunlight Yellow Overdrive; and the Tornado Overdrive. He can control life magnetism to bind leaves, walk on water, leap using only his knees from a sitting stance, and direct force through an object without harming it. His ultimate technique, Deep Pass Overdrive, transfers his entire life force to empower another individual, causing his hair to turn white and instantly resulting in his death.

Background

Originally an archaeologist traveling with his father's excavation team, his life changed at age 20 upon discovering the Stone Mask in Mexico. On the voyage home, his father transformed into a vampire using the mask, slaughtering the crew; Zeppeli survived only because his father was destroyed by sunlight. Seeking a way to defeat the mask, he traveled for years until finding the master Tonpetty in Tibet, training under him for three years to master the Ripple while learning of his foretold death. He later sought out Jonathan Joestar to train him against Dio, ultimately fulfilling his fatal prophecy during a fight against the undead knight Tarkus while passing his power onward.

Relationships

He serves as the mentor to Jonathan Joestar, instilling the ways of the Ripple in him and bequeathing his remaining power. His own master in the martial arts was Tonpetty. Following his death, his trademark hat was taken up by Robert E. O. Speedwagon, and his lineage directly continues through his grandson, Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli.

Trivia

His name is derived from the British rock band Led Zeppelin. In the series, he demonstrates an unusual habit of pouring wine through a hole broken in the bottom of a bottle. While initially portrayed during original publication as having no family, this was later adjusted to accommodate the introduction of his descendants.