Prosciutto
Prosciutto (プロシュート, Puroshūto) is a tertiary antagonist featured in the fifth part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, Vento Aureo, specifically the "Express Train to Florence" and "The Grateful Dead" story arcs. He is also one of the main protagonists of the short story "My Prized Needle and Thread."
Prosciutto is an assassin from La Squadra Esecuzioni who, alongside Pesci, battles Team Bucciarati inside a high-speed train to Florence. He is a Stand user and forcefully ages a whole train with his Stand, The Grateful Dead, to corner the protagonists.
Appearance

Prosciutto is a man of slim build, having short blond hair and keeping them braided into three short mats at the back of the head. His lower eyelashes are thicker than average, and his upper teeth are somewhat pronounced, being depicted with slight emphasis whenever he opens his mouth.
Prosciutto wears a black[3] two-piece suit with a herringbone pattern running along it, under which he wears a bright shirt. Prosciutto keeps a dark collar and a large stylized pendant around his neck.
In the manga, Prosciutto is initially depicted as a silhouette until he reveals himself to Guido Mista in a surprise attack.[4] The TV Anime omits this, depicting Prosciutto as he normally appears.[5]
Color Schemes
Personality

Prosciutto is a fairly straight-forward gangster. He is shown to always be focused on his mission and adhering to La Squadra's motto of holding one's ground, even mortally wounded, to the letter.[6] He puts this into practice and expects his underling(s) to also do the same. He doesn't tolerate any deviance of this attitude, especially when it's from his comrades and subordinates, and failing to adhere to the ideal such as in the case of Pesci on one occasion, would result in a brief beating being handed out as a reminder.[7] Prosciutto is usually very composed, meeting any obstacle with cold efficiency, and carrying out his objectives without hesitation.
Prosciutto calls out Formaggio for nearly botching an assassination attempt with an unneeded casualty, and regularly demeans Pesci for being cowardly compared to the rest of his team.[8]
Despite his serious and cold demeanor, he is also shown to have a somewhat caring side towards his comrades. As the superior of the assassin duo, Prosciutto frequently points out his fellow assassin Pesci's lack of confidence in his own abilities, and on multiple occasions tries to comfort and convince him of his own capabilities.[9] This reliance is not unfounded, however, as Bruno Bucciarati determines from his battle with Pesci that Pesci's abilities are actually more dangerous than Prosciutto's. While he is severe, Prosciutto is also able to recognize the valor of his foes. Thus, although he chastises Bucciarati during their fight for an error in judgement,[10] Prosciutto soon recognizes Bucciarati's resolve to sacrifice himself for his men and praises his ability as a capo.[11]
He also possesses a strong will, as shown when he suffers near-fatal wounds from being caught in the train's wheels and uses the last of his determination to keep his Stand's ability in effect for as long as possible.[12]
Abilities
Stand
Prosciutto uses his Stand, The Grateful Dead, to age people in a large area, discriminating between individuals via near-negligible differences in their body temperature.
History
Background

Prosciutto was a member of La Squadra Esecuzioni, a team of nine assassins working within Passione. However, the team was frustrated they only received compensation for each kills while the rest of the gang was getting rich from the drug trade. One day their teammates Sorbet and Gelato disappeared while they were trying to investigate the Boss's past. They found Gelato choked on a gag in his house, with a piece of paper on which was written the word "punishment". Later, the team received the sectioned body parts of Sorbet encased in formaldehyde, showing the team the power of the Boss. They despaired of ever finding about the Boss. However, they then heard about Trish Una, and thought that she would be the key to discovering the Boss's Stand ability. The team rebelled and began searching for her. Just after Trish was taken in by Pericolo, La Squadra Esecuzioni ransacked Donatella and Trish's apartment in search for clues, missing a crucial picture of Donatella that was taken by the Boss himself.
The anime adaptation expands on his activities. The night Sorbet and Gelato disappeared, he was on an assignment with Melone, Pesci and Formaggio. Formaggio's method resulted in an unnecessary kill of the target's date and he called Formaggio out on this decision.
Vento Aureo

At Naples train station, Prosciutto and Pesci find Bucciarati looking around on the platform. While Pesci expresses a wish to avenge his fallen comrades, Prosciutto chastises his junior for expressing empty threats and tells him that such words should only enter his mind after he's murdered his targets. Prosciutto and Pesci split to corner Bucciarati; Prosciutto walks on the platform while Pesci walks in the train to cover all possible ways of approach. Bucciarati grabs something and rushes inside the train, but Prosciutto loses his trace and Pesci has not seen anything out of the usual. Moreover, it seems only the driver is in the cabin. Unbeknownst to them, the team is hiding in a turtle named Coco Jumbo. Unbeknownst to Prosciutto, Trish and her bodyguards are now inside the boss's turtle, Coco Jumbo, whose Stand, Mr.President, creates a room inside its shell.
In order to flush the gang out, Prosciutto decides to use his Stand, The Grateful Dead, to age everyone on-board the train and then goes into hiding. This forces Guido Mista to emerge from the turtle to try and stop the aging. As Mista confronts Pesci, Prosciutto disguises himself as an old man and prevents Pesci from flying by grabbing him. When Mista is about to shoot Pesci, Prosciutto also distracts the gunman and then reveals himself, rapidly aging him and taking him out. Prosciutto reverts himself and yells at Pesci for the second time, scolding him for his cowardice. Showing him what a real hitman ought to be, Prosciutto takes Mista's gun and shoots him three times in the head.

Recalling that Pesci has detected a suspect life form in the driver's cabin, Prosciutto decides to check inside of it. Pesci express self-doubt but Prosciutto reassures him and tells him that he must have confidence in his Stand. Pesci mentions that he was about to check under the seat and the duo does see recent droppings. Prosciutto breaks through the machinery and discovers Coco Jumbo. However, Bucciarati ambushes him from above the ceiling and Prosciutto is forced into a close-range fistfight. At first, Sticky Fingers proves itself more powerful. When Bucciarati positions himself to kick Pesci, Prosciutto attacks, thinking that the capo has made a bad move, but Bucciarati splits his head to avoid The Grateful Dead's fist and counter-attacks. However, Bucciarati is exerting himself and thus his body temperature rises. Thanks to The Grateful Dead, Prosciutto gains a physical advantage over Bucciarati, but the capo then grabs Prosciutto and throws himself off of the fast-moving train.

Prosciutto is nonetheless saved by Pesci's Beach Boy, which manages to hook his hand. Bruno has grabbed hold of Prosciutto's leg. Prosciutto changes his mind and compliments Bucciarati on his skill and valor, but nonetheless tries to kick him out. Bucciarati is aged and throws both of Sticky Fingers's fists at Prosciutto. However, The Grateful Dead deflects them into Beach Boy's line, as Bucciarati predicted, and the damage is directed towards the assassin. Prosciutto's hand is zipped out; he thus lands into the machinery of the train and is heavily injured, but true to his word maintains The Grateful Dead. Encouraged by his example, Pesci carries on the fight.
Agonizing, Prosciutto witnesses Pesci and Bucciarati's battle and uses the distraction to call Melone and inform him of their location. He finally dies from his wounds soon after.
My Prized Needle and Thread
The story happened while La Squadra Esecuzioni were still loyal to the Boss.
One day, Pesci was tasked with eliminating Salute, the Don of a Sicilian gang. However, he failed at his assassination and ended up being held captive in a winery. Salute interrogated Pesci about the Boss's identity and tried to intimidate him with a shotgun. Prosciutto, who was stealthily observing from the shadows, saw Pesci's resolve waver and felt disappointed at Pesci, silently calling him a "mammone". For his failure and his cowardice, Prosciutto was ready to eliminate Pesci alongside Salute. But then, as Salute threatened Pesci into revealing secrets about his team, Pesci used the "needle and thread" of Beach Boy to stitch his own mouth shut with his free hand, enduring excruciating pain. Despite his fear, Pesci declared his unwavering loyalty to his teammates and faith in Prosciutto, vowing to protect the team's secrets no matter the cost. Prosciutto had prepared to eliminate both Pesci and Salute using his Stand, but stopped when hearing Salute's confused shouts. Witnessing Pesci's self-sacrificial resolve to prove himself as a true gangster, Prosciutto was struck with shame for doubting his partner and withdrew his Stand.
Years later, Prosciutto and Pesci were tasked with eliminating Ago, a member of Passione working as the manager of a brothel. Ago was a hot-headed and ambitious gangster infamous in southern Italy alongside his sharp-witted elder brother, Filo. While Filo submitted to Passione's dominance after his organization was subdued, Ago refused to live under their control, secretly expanding into prostitution, gambling, and drugs, which ultimately led to his death sentence from Passione. Bound by loyalty to the organization, Filo reluctantly abandoned his brother to his fate.
Inside the brothel, Prosciutto led Pesci up the stairs, explaining that Pesci's Stand, Beach Boy, would be crucial for neutralizing the enemies in Ago's room without missing hidden threats. However, Pesci was distracted and aroused by the moans he kept hearing, annoying Prosciutto. As Pesci peeked into a room to satisfy his curiosity, Prosciutto intervened directly by using The Grateful Dead to fill the brothel with its mist, aging the man and woman inside and preventing them from continuing their activities.
Arriving at Ago's room, Prosciutto kicked down the door to find several of Ago's men already incapacitated from old age. Using Beach Boy, Pesci disarmed Ago before he could shoot Prosciutto. Unlike his men, Ago was slightly resisting the aging effects. On the desk, Prosciutto noticed a glass of grappa chilled by ice, which dulled The Grateful Dead's powers. Accepting his fate, Ago acknowledged his reckless nature and expressed his final request. He wanted to remove his white flannel jacket, which was tailored in Naples as a matching set for him and his brother. Filo oversaw every detail of the tailoring, and since the jacket represented their bond, he didn't want to stain it with blood. Impressed by Ago's resolve and appreciating his suit, Prosciutto granted his request. As Ago surrendered, Prosciutto saw Pesci casually crunching on ice and ordered him to carry out the execution, believing it was time for him to prove himself.
Pesci's fear paralyzed him, causing him to drop a piece of ice, and Ago mocked his inexperience and cowardice. One of Ago's subordinates momentarily revived due to the ice sliding over to him, and fired a shot that wounded Pesci's shoulder. Ago seized the opportunity to grab another gun. Before he could act, Prosciutto executed him with the gun of Ago's subordinate, revealing that he also killed the subordinate by aging him again and stepping on his neck. Enraged by Ago's earlier taunts, Pesci vented his frustration by repeatedly kicking Ago's lifeless body and tore Ago's jacket apart with Beach Boy and stomped on it, mocking Ago that he destroyed the "needle and thread" memories Ago was so proud of. Furious and deeply disappointed, Prosciutto reprimanded Pesci for his actions.
Holding the torn jacket, Prosciutto reflected on Ago's resolve and the respect he had earned. Comparing the bond between Filo and Ago to his own relationship with Pesci, Prosciutto saw in his subordinate only failure and disgrace. With quiet disapproval, he left the room, carrying the damaged jacket. Realizing his mistake, Pesci chased after his big bro, calling out to him in desperation.
Ten days later, in Florence, central Italy, Prosciutto visits a luxury sartoria renowned for its bespoke Italian suits. Prosciutto, a regular patron of this boutique, tries on a nearly finished bespoke suit. The elderly tailor, referred to as a "maestro," crafted him a black jacket with sharp, contoured shoulders, sleek trousers, and excellent mobility. Satisfied with the comfort and craftsmanship, Prosciutto reflects on the importance of tailoring that balances structure and relaxation, praising the store's precision. As Prosciutto prepares to leave, he notices a calendar and murmurs about a specific jacket. The maestro explains that the white flannel jacket he left for repairs was picked up earlier by "the one with the green hair", referring to Pesci. Prosciutto is unsettled hearing that, but he dismisses the matter.
While exiting the fitting room, Prosciutto encounters a tall man examining himself in a suit in the mirror. The man critiques central Italy's tailoring and the store's off-the-rack suit, saying it has nice fabric but feels too restrictive; he believes that good suits feel like a "second skin." He removes the jacket to reveal a white flannel piece tailored in the Neapolitan tradition, with distinct asymmetrical stitching and irregular pick-stitched lapels. Prosciutto recognizes it immediately. Now holding a pistol, the man addresses Prosciutto by name, revealing himself as Filo. He demands "Ago's jacket" and claims he's avenging his brother, who is about to have a funeral at noon. At Filo's signal, several armed men inside the boutique raise their weapons, all pointing at Prosciutto.
In the reception room of the tailor's shop, Filo and his subordinates show Prosciutto a laptop with a security camera recording of Prosciutto and Pesci leaving the brothel with Ago's shredded jacket. While one of Filo's subordinates points a gun at Prosciutto's head, Filo mentions how he was acquainted with Salute, but Passione ended up killing him years ago. Filo pours grappa into a glass and toasts to his brother before accusing Pesci for disrespecting Ago's memory. Filo acknowledges that Ago's death was justified due to his betrayal of Passione, but he is furious over Pesci desecrating Ago's corpse as well as the jacket they had tailored together, considering it a "second death." Passione's Boss had showed Filo respect by offering him a choice between either keeping his organization or his brother, but now Passione's members betrayed that trust. He demands the jacket's return before Ago's funeral, giving them a chance to redeem themselves, or else he'll punish them.
Prosciutto calmly admits that he brought the jacket to the tailor to get repaired out of respect for its craftsmanship, not for Ago. However, he claims that Pesci isn't a kid and it's not his business to know where he went with the jacket. Despite the gun pointed at him, Prosciutto's calm demeanor intimidates Filo. He notes the details of Prosciutto's suit, but believes that Prosciutto's confidence is just a bluff stemming from the "half-baked" tailoring of central Italy. Filo shifts his anger toward Pesci, denouncing him as an immature brat who acted out of spite and mocking him as a mammone incapable of growth.
Prosciutto's Stand unconsciously activates from Prosciutto's rage at Filo's words. The Grateful Dead ages Filo and his subordinates, causing each of them to collapse. Gasping for air and unaware of the aging process overtaking him, Filo questions why Prosciutto believes the jacket will return. Prosciutto briefly remembers the day Pesci resisted Salute's interrogation.
Prosciutto resolved never to abandon Pesci again after that day, swearing to guide and watch over his "younger brother" until Pesci grew to his full potential and achieved glory. Declaring that Pesci was the "needle and thread" he had chosen, Prosciutto dismisses Filo's insult, refusing to allow an outsider to their team to call Pesci a "mammone." Filo feels as if Prosciutto's demeanor transformed, and his tailored black suit seemed to exude his inner strength. While Filo relies on his clothing as a crutch to raise his own class, Prosciutto elevates the very class of his suit through his character. Overwhelmed by the difference between them, Filo admits that he had been the true "mammone" all along. Feeling terrified about the caliber of Passione's assassins and the unknowable strength of their Boss, Filo reaches for Prosciutto's untouched glass of liquor to soothe his parched throat.
A piece of ice is dropped into the drink, cooling the glass. Filo's aging reverts and he wonders if it was just a hallucination. At that moment, the clock strikes noon. Determined to settle the score, Filo stands up, aims his gun at Prosciutto, and declares his intent to deliver punishment for the missing jacket. However, Filo is interrupted by a subordinate who hands him a phone call from his wife. His wife happily reveals that Ago's jacket had been returned, beautifully intact, by the person who was looking after it. Hearing this, Filo collapses in tears of relief and gratitude.
Prosciutto lifts his glass and toasts to Pesci with pride, acknowledging his growth and trustworthiness. Taking a quiet sip, Prosciutto allows himself a moment of peace, soothed by the distant sound of a train whistle through the open window and the scent of a vineyard wafting into the room.
Chapters / Episodes

- Chapter 475: Narancia's Aerosmith, Part 6 (Silhouette)
- Chapter 486: Express Train to Florence, Part 1 (Debut)
- Chapter 487: Express Train to Florence, Part 2
- Chapter 488: The Grateful Dead, Part 1
- Chapter 489: The Grateful Dead, Part 2
- Chapter 490: The Grateful Dead, Part 3 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 491: The Grateful Dead, Part 4 (1st Full Debut)
- Chapter 492: The Grateful Dead, Part 5
- Chapter 493: The Grateful Dead, Part 6
- Chapter 494: The Grateful Dead, Part 7
- Chapter 495: The Grateful Dead, Part 8
- Chapter 496: The Grateful Dead, Part 9
- Chapter 497: The Grateful Dead, Part 10 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 498: The Grateful Dead, Part 11
- Chapter 499: The Grateful Dead, Part 12 (Death)
- Chapter 500: Baby Face, Part 1 (Corpse only)
- Chapter 516: The Boss's Last Orders (Mentioned)
- Chapter 540: Spice Girl, Part 2 (Mentioned)
- Chapter 544: King Crimson vs. Metallica, Part 1 (Cover only)

- Golden Wind Episode 9: The First Order from the Boss (Cameo)
- Golden Wind Episode 10: The Hitman Team (Flashback)
- Golden Wind Episode 14: Express Train to Florence
- Golden Wind Episode 15: The Grateful Dead, Part 1
- Golden Wind Episode 16: The Grateful Dead, Part 2 (Death)
- Golden Wind Episode 21.5: determinazione
- Golden Wind Episode 27: King Crimson vs. Metallica (Flashback)
- Golden Wind Episode 28: Beneath a Sky on the Verge of Falling (Mentioned)
- Golden Wind Episode 28.5: destino

- JORGE JOESTAR Chapter 8: Nero Nero Island (37th Universe)
- My Prized Needle and Thread Chapter 1
- My Prized Needle and Thread Chapter 2
- My Prized Needle and Thread Chapter 3 (Flashback)
- My Prized Needle and Thread Chapter 4
- My Prized Needle and Thread Chapter 5 (Flashback)
- My Prized Needle and Thread Chapter 6
Quotes

- “We don't need to say "I'll kill you"... because by the moment those words come into our minds... our target's already dead and the deed is done! That's why we don't use those words. (「ブッ殺す」…そんな言葉は使う必要がねーんだ。なぜならオレやオレたちの仲間はその言葉を頭の中に思い浮かべた時には!実際に相手を殺っちまってもうすでに終わってるからだッ!だから使った事がねェーーーッ。)”—Prosciutto, Chapter 486: Express Train to Florence, Part 1
- “I'm gonna ransack this place! They must be in here somewhere! Besides, this isn't a big deal, is it? We got tourist flights crashing every year anyway. Those are far worse than what's about to happen here!”—Prosciutto, Chapter 488: The Grateful Dead, Part 1
- “I'm angry at your spiritual weakness, Pesci. I can't blame you for getting shaken up when they shot up your ice! You'd start aging too, after all! (Even I agree that was a tough spot there.) But! If it were anyone else on our team, they wouldn't dispel their Stand when it was so close to grabbing the enemy by the throat! Not even if they got their arms blasted off or their legs ripped apart!”—Prosciutto, Chapter 491: The Grateful Dead, Part 4
- “I'm gonna say it straight. Our team! We're nothing like those fools trying to pick up girls on the street or partying at the club. Those pathetic losers just scream and shout, going "I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" just to soothe their wounded egos. When we truly think "I'll kill you!" from the bottom of our hearts...! By that time, the deed has already been done! (そしてハッキリと言っておくぜ。オレたちチームはな!そこら辺のナンバ
道路 や仲よしクラブで「ぶっ殺す」「ぶっ殺す」って大口叩いて仲間と心をなぐさめあってるような負け犬どもとはわけが違うんだからな。「ぶっ殺す」と心の中で思ったならッ!その時スデに行動は終わっているんだッ!)”—Prosciutto, Chapter 491: The Grateful Dead, Part 4 - “Glory... to you... Pesci... Kill him... Kill him, Pesci... I...am watching... over you... (栄光は…おまえに…ある…ぞ…やれ…やるんだ…ペッシ…オレは…おまえを見守って…いるぜ…)”—Prosciutto, Chapter 498: The Grateful Dead, Part 11
Gallery
Trivia

- Prosciutto's design was based on the model Georgina Grenville from a Gucci Fall/Winter 1996 advertisement. Grenville acknowledged the reference in 2021, finding it super exciting to see a manga character based on her photo.[13]
- In a 2019 interview with VIZ Media, Hirohiko Araki stated that his favorite character from the Hitman Team is Prosciutto. He enjoys Prosciutto's brotherly banter with his junior, Pesci. He also thought it was fun how Prosciutto's Stand accelerated aging.[14]
References
- ↑ Chapter 500: Baby Face, Part 1
- ↑ Golden Wind Model Sheet no CR200-00
- ↑ Chapter 493: The Grateful Dead, Part 6
- ↑ Chapter 491: The Grateful Dead, Part 4
- ↑ JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Episode 14: Ultimate Warriors from Ancient Times
- ↑ Chapter 495: The Grateful Dead, Part 8 P.12.
- ↑ Chapter 491: The Grateful Dead, Part 4 P.16-18.
- ↑ Golden Wind Episode 10: The Hitman Team
- ↑ Chapter 492: The Grateful Dead, Part 5 P.8-9.
- ↑ Chapter 493: The Grateful Dead, Part 6 P.9.
- ↑ Chapter 494: The Grateful Dead, Part 7 P.11.
- ↑ Chapter 495: The Grateful Dead, Part 8 P.12.
- ↑ Vish (November 28, 2021), "Fashion Models Georgina Grenville & Marpessa Hennink Acknowledge their JoJo References", JoJo's Bizarre Encyclopedia.
- ↑ VIZ 2019 Interview with Araki