The World

The World (世界ザ・ワールド, Za Wārudo?) is DIO's Stand, which appears in Stardust Crusaders.

Although in Stardust Crusaders DIO has possession of Jonathan Joestar's body and uses his Stand, The World is DIO's original Stand, which as revealed in Diamond is Unbreakable, he acquired through a Stand Arrow.

Being a humanoid Stand, The World is tall and has a muscular appearance. He wears a helmet that covers his face down to below the point of his nose, tilted at a steep angle from the base of his forehead to a peak above the back of his head for half of his height, leaving his face in an inverted triangle visible in front; somewhat similar to the Red Crown of Lower Egypt.

He wears what look like small scuba cylinders on his back, connected via short, double-edged cables to the back of his mask; secured by thick straps, running from the back of his waist over both of his shoulders to his forehead. On the back of both of his hands is a simple clock face. His chin, the base of his abdomen, his crotch, and knees all feature heart emblems. With plates on his shins, his footwear consists of pointy-toed boots, similar to those on DIO's outfit during Part 3.

It is revealed in DIO's Diary that he intended to engrave 14 words into his Stand to remember them, although it is unknown if he actually managed to do so before his death, it is unknown where in the Stand.

The World does not display any particular personality, though he occasionally smiles while beating up others. His Stand Cry, apparently communicated by DIO, is Muda Muda Muda! (無駄無駄無駄!,, Muda Muda Muda!? lit. "Useless, Useless, Useless!").

Its name is derived from the Tarot Card The World, which symbolizes triumph, perfection and fulfillment.

In Part 6: Stone Ocean, it is stated that if it weren't for DIO's domineering personality, "The World" would somehow spiral out of control.

The World is an exceptionally powerful short-range Stand much like Star Platinum, as mentioned by Noriaki Kakyoin and Jotaro Kujo, but with a maximum effective distance manifested between 10 m. Despite requiring a close distance to attack, it is incredibly difficult to stop once within the aforementioned range.

Super Strength/Heightened Senses/Speed

Nearly identical to Jotaro's Stand, Star Platinum, The World possesses phenomenal strength and senses, and is also faster than the speed of light, easily managing to pierce Kakyoin through his abdomen. DIO claims that he is even stronger and faster than Star Platinum, having bested him in a rapid-fire punching match between the two. However, it is unclear whether this is an aspect of DIO's vampiric nature or simply a matter of him having greater experience with his Stand. His primary offensive strength is generally characterized by a barrage of rapid-fire punches and the occasional kick.

The World's key ability is its ability to stop time, allowing only itself and DIO (plus anyone else of equal power) to act within the duration of the stopped time. When DIO stops time, ripples shoot out in all directions at high speed, seemingly changing the colors of whatever they touch momentarily to give rise to the stopped time; the instant these ripples touch a living or nonliving object, it will end up entering DIO's world of stopped time. During the stopped time, DIO can freely move around and touch anyone within the plane of stopped time, including objects, allowing him to strike defenseless enemies, move to a higher position, and toy with his victims. Objects that DIO can potentially throw can momentarily move within the stopped time before stopping, as a flurry of thrown knives could fly several meters before stopping near Jotaro. It is notable that DIO must consciously think about toggling the stopped time; surprise attacks can prevent him from stopping time.

Due to DIO's weakened state during Part 3, this ability only works for up to five seconds in DIO's frame of reference before time flows again. However, also due to DIO's immortality, the duration of the stopped time increases as DIO grows more accustomed to The World and the scar around his neck heals, reaching a maximum seen of nine seconds towards the end of Part 3. Though, had he not died, the period during which DIO would have been able to stop time would have continued to increase. Also notable in this is that, being immortal, DIO has infinite stamina; instead, Jotaro must stop time after 5 seconds, otherwise exhaustion will kill him.