Why Was Funny Valentine the Bad Guy
While JoJo part 6's anime struggles to put out a consistent release schedule, many are still looking forward to the eventual adaptation of JoJo part 7: Steel Ball Run. Part of what makes part 7 so anticipated is its main antagonist, Funny Valentine.
While they can vary wildly in plot, setting and tone, there are a few things that all JoJo parts share. One of the most defining are of course, the titular JoJos and their corresponding antagonists. Rivalries like Jotaro vs Dio and Josuke vs Kira have helped turn JoJo into an iconic and influential series with few peers in the anime/manga world. So, with part 7 being commonly regarded as the peak of JoJo, it's guaranteed that its protagonist Johnny Joestar must have a showstopper of a villain to test himself against.
Who is Funny Valentine?
Like many things in JoJo, the answer to this might sound bizarre, but it is completely true. Funny Valentine is the 23rd President of the United States of America, a job he takes very seriously. One of Valentine's most defining traits is his fierce patriotism. As president, he wants nothing more than to make sure his country succeeds and prospers more than any other nation on earth. To reach this goal, he is willing to sacrifice the lives and wellbeing of many people, including those of part 7's protagonists.
Despite his position as a politician, Valentine is far from the negative reputation that politicians have developed over the years. This is most noticeable in his disposition. He is a polite, well-mannered man, his ego never reaching the heights of Dio and Kars. He of course engages in various unsavory activities to fulfill his plans, but even in the process of doing them, he is shown to keep to oaths and a personal code of honor.
Valentine possesses a "might makes right" view of the world, insisting that power is only achieved through strength and influence. He explains his philosophy best in an analogy about "taking the first napkin". The analogy describes a table set for dinner, with napkins laid out on either side of each guest. Valentine posits that whether the guests use the napkin to their right or to their left is dependent on who takes a napkin first, thus forcing everyone else to follow suit. This is his way of illustrating that to him, once someone takes the initiative to gather and enforce their power, everyone will be forced to follow whatever path that person sets forward. Valentine aims to be the person who decides everyone else's fates.
How He Affects The Story
In his antagonistic role, Valentine is more comparable to villains like Dio and Muzan Kibitsuji; charismatic figureheads who prefer to let their subordinates do all the work until they are forced to step in. Unlike those two though, Valentine is much more likely to get his hands dirty throughout the story, instead of simply waiting to be the final boss. He enjoys wielding power and ordering others, but if his presence is more efficient, he won't hesitate to appear.
Part 7's main plot revolves around the titular steel ball run, a cross-country horse race across the US. Winning the race predictably promises a bounty of riches to whoever can come out on top. Using his power as president, Valentine helps to set up the race alongside a promoter called Steven Steel, after whom the race is named. As you might expect, Valentine intends to use the race as a cover for his own plans. These plans involve the location and collecting of the holy corpse parts, which drive a portion of part 7's story.
Valentine plays an active role in overseeing the race, even following it on a private train, so he can personally observe its progress. As Johnny and his companions come in contact with the corpse parts and inadvertently interrupt Valentine's plans, he responds by periodically sending assassins after them, ultimately drawing them further into conflict with him, and leading to the final confrontation near the end of the race.
What Makes Him a Fan Favorite?
The first thing every beloved JoJo villain needs is a unique style. Dio is well known for his garish, dramatic outfits just as much as Kira's simple suit and tie define him. Valentine presents as a very unassuming man, but his outfit's predominant purples help make his design unique and memorable. Just as the use of a traditionally royal color like purple implies, Valentine operates with a smooth, graceful disposition, rarely ever getting flustered or upset. This not only helps make him a more formidable villain, but also gives him a lovable quirkiness.
Then, there is of course the matter of his stand, "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap". While not the most visually interesting stand in the series, it makes up for it with its ability. D4C allows valentine some control over alternate universes, leading to some of the most unpredictable fights in JoJo , and making him almost impossible to permanently kill. With the style, the ambition and the power to back it all up, it's no wonder he has become one of the most anticipated parts of Steel Ball Run's adaptation.
hoinvillematurmin.blogspot.com
Source: https://gamerant.com/jojo-funny-valentine-anime/