Funny Valentine's America

Lore & Background

In this unique timeline, America is a young republic grappling with its identity as it stretches from coast to coast. The narrative focuses heavily on the presidential campaign and subsequent tenure of Funny Valentine, whose philosophy centers on the belief that everything within his borders must serve the 'Greater Good' of the nation. This ideology transforms the country into a fortress where internal threats are neutralized before they can manifest, creating an atmosphere of intense surveillance and moral ambiguity. The landscape itself becomes a character, with deserts, mountains, and urban centers serving as battlegrounds for Stand users vying for control over the mysterious remains of Saint Moria.

In Their Own Story

The dust of the Arizona desert swirled around the wheels of a carriage, kicked up by the frantic pace of the Steel Ball Run. From his vantage point atop a ridge, Funny Valentine watched the horizon, his eyes reflecting the golden sunset that bathed the American plains in a deceptive warmth. He did not see the race as a competition of speed, but as a grand design where every rider, every bullet, and every Stand ability was merely a variable to be calculated for the ultimate benefit of his country. The wind carried whispers of a revolution, yet Valentine stood immovable, a statue of resolve guarding the very soul of a nation that believed it could shape its own destiny.

Reader's Guide

The America of Steel Ball Run exists in an alternate history diverging from our own timeline, specifically during the late 19th century. It is a land defined by the monumental Steel Ball Run race, which traverses the entire continent and acts as the catalyst for the series' events. At the heart of this nation's politics stands President Funny Valentine, whose Stand ability allows him to manipulate cause and effect within American borders. His rule is characterized by an unwavering commitment to the 'Greater Good,' a principle that justifies any action taken to protect or advance his country, even if it means sacrificing individuals. This version of America is a place where the supernatural intersects with the historical. The race draws competitors from around the world, turning the nation's vast wilderness into an arena for Stand battles. Ultimately, this setting explores themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and the cost of building a perfect society.

Did You Know?

• The Steel Ball Run race offers a $50 million reward for the winner, as stated in the source.
• President Funny Valentine secretly intends to use the race to gather the scattered parts of a holy corpse for his own nationalistic ends.
• The race takes place in 1890, according to the source.
• The narrative of Steel Ball Run is part of a second continuity where the Joestar family tree is heavily altered.