It’s rare for a movie to score a perfect zero on Rotten Tomatoes, but Amazon’s latest attempt atWar of the Worldshas somehow achieved that dubious honor. The Ice Cube-led sci-fi disaster flick has been panned across the board for its baffling premise, awkward pacing, and lackluster execution. Yet, amid the wreckage, one oddly placed anime reference has fans talking for all the wrong reasons.
Fans ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,currently buzzing over the eventualSteel Ball Runanime, were caught off guard when they spotted a familiar face in this cinematic trainwreck.Tucked into multiple scenes is a bright, unmistakableJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakableposter.It’s an Easter egg that might have been charming in a better movie, but here, it just feels surreal.
JoJo’s Meets War of the Worlds… Unfortunately
The Amazon Prime film takes a wildly modernized spin on H.G. Wells’ iconic alien invasion tale. Instead of Victorian England or tense street battles, Ice Cube’s character spends much of the runtime behind a computer screen, attempting to outwit extraterrestrial forces remotely. It’s a strange setup that leaves little room for the tension or spectacle the original story is known for.
Amid the digital alien chess match, viewers get glimpses into the fictional son’s bedroom. That’s where theDiamond Is Unbreakableposter pops up; bright, colorful, and oddly pristine, even as the world outside collapses. It’s a clear nod to anime culture, likely meant to give the character a relatable quirk. Unfortunately, it only serves as a reminder that the most interesting thing on screen isn’t the movie itself.
The cameo has sparked bemused chatter among anime fans online. Many have joked thatJoJo’s Bizarre Adventuredeserves better than to be immortalizedin a film critics are calling one of the year’s worst. In the end, the reference feels less like a fun surprise and more like a strange mismatch of tones.
The Steel Ball Run Hype Meets Rotten Tomatoes Infamy
The timing of the Easter egg is especially odd.JoJo’s Bizarre Adventurefans are eagerly awaiting the anime adaptation ofSteel Ball Run, a beloved arc set in an intense 19th-century cross-country horse race. It’s a story praised for its depth, style, and high-stakes drama, which is everything Amazon’sWar of the Worldsisn’t.
By contrast, the film’s awkward execution and paper-thin characters make theJoJo’sposter feel like a misplaced attempt at cultural relevance. Instead of elevating the story, it sticks out as a distraction, pulling audiences out of the already shaky immersion. In a way, it’s almost poetic, like a symbol of wasted potential in a project that could have been something far more memorable.
Still, for all its flaws, the bizarre crossover has at least given fans a reason to laugh. WhileWar of the Worldswill likely be forgotten in a matter of months, the mental image ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventuresharing screen space with one of the year’s biggest cinematic flops might just live on as an inside joke for years to come.
