A new chapter of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is finally coming to the screen. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run is the long-awaited anime adaptation of Hirohiko Araki's seventh major story arc. The series begins with a special first episode, “1st STAGE,” before continuing with the second stage as a weekly release from September 25, 2026. The anime is being produced by David Production, the studio behind the previous JoJo anime adaptations.
But Steel Ball Run is not simply “another JoJo season.” It is a new starting point. It introduces a new protagonist, a new setting, a new cast and a radically different kind of JoJo adventure — while retaining the distinctive characters, powers, visual style and bizarre storytelling that define the franchise.
And unlike most JoJo stories, its world is built around an enormous physical journey:
a horse race across the United States.
At a Glance
| Title | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run |
|---|---|
| Japanese Title | ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 スティール・ボール・ラン |
| Source | Hirohiko Araki's manga |
| Part | Part 7 |
| Format | Anime Series |
| Production | David Production |
| First Release | 1st STAGE |
| Second Stage | September 25, 2026 |
| Main Character | Johnny Joestar |
| Key Character | Gyro Zeppeli |
| Setting | United States, 1890 |
| Central Concept | Trans-American horse race |
| Genre | Adventure · Action · Western · Supernatural |
The first stage introduces the beginning of the Steel Ball Run race and establishes Johnny Joestar, Gyro Zeppeli and the enormous journey that drives the story. The second stage is scheduled to begin weekly on September 25, 2026.
Why Steel Ball Run Matters
1. It Is a New Beginning for JoJo
One of the most interesting things about Steel Ball Run is that it does not simply continue the story of the previous JoJo protagonist. Instead, it introduces a new continuity and a new version of the Joestar legacy.
That means you don't need to know every detail of Parts 1–6 to understand the basic story.
- The world feels familiar.
- But almost everything has changed.
- There is a new Johnny Joestar.
- There is a new Gyro Zeppeli.
- There is a new version of the Joestar family.
- There is an entirely new historical setting.
This makes Steel Ball Run both a continuation of JoJo and a potential entry point for new viewers.
The World of Steel Ball Run
America, 1890
The story takes place in the United States in 1890, during a period when the country was still expanding westward and long-distance travel remained physically demanding.
The centerpiece is the Steel Ball Run, an extraordinary horse race stretching across the American continent.
This creates a very different type of JoJo world. Previous parts often centered on cities, islands or relatively concentrated regions. Steel Ball Run is defined by distance. The landscape itself becomes part of the story.
The Steel Ball Run Race
The premise sounds simple:
Who can cross America on horseback first?
But the race quickly becomes something much larger. The competitors are not simply racing for money. They are fighting for survival, pursuing hidden objectives and becoming involved in a much deeper mystery.
Every stage of the journey introduces:
- New competitors
- New abilities
- New environments
- New enemies
- New alliances
- New mysteries
The result is closer to a road adventure, Western and supernatural battle story combined into one.
Meet the Main Characters
Johnny Joestar
The central protagonist of Steel Ball Run. A former horse-racing prodigy whose life changes dramatically after an accident leaves him unable to walk. He enters the Steel Ball Run race after encountering Gyro Zeppeli and discovering the mysterious power of the Steel Balls. Unlike many previous JoJo protagonists, Johnny begins the story physically vulnerable, emotionally damaged and searching for a reason to move forward. His journey is therefore not simply about winning a race — it is about rebuilding himself.
Gyro Zeppeli
One of the most distinctive characters in the entire JoJo franchise. A skilled rider and master of the mysterious Spin, Gyro enters the race with his own mission. His Steel Balls are both weapons and tools, allowing him to manipulate rotational energy in ways that become increasingly extraordinary. His relationship with Johnny becomes one of the emotional foundations of the story. Rather than simply being a mentor or rival, Gyro becomes Johnny’s partner throughout the journey.
Funny Valentine
One of the central antagonists of Steel Ball Run. As the President of the United States, he is deeply connected to the larger mystery surrounding the race. His motivations are tied to his vision of America’s future and his desire to protect the country at any cost. Like many JoJo antagonists, Valentine is more than a simple villain. His ideology creates a direct conflict with Johnny and Gyro’s personal journey.
The Power System
The Spin
One of the defining concepts introduced in Steel Ball Run is the Spin. The technique involves manipulating rotational energy and becomes closely associated with Gyro and Johnny.
It initially appears to be a strange weapon technique. But as the story develops, the Spin becomes much more important. It eventually connects to one of the most powerful abilities in the entire JoJo universe.
Stands Return — But Things Feel Different
Steel Ball Run also features one of the defining concepts of modern JoJo:
Stands.
However, the abilities and their applications feel different from earlier parts. Instead of simply asking:
“Who has the strongest Stand?”
the battles often become puzzles. Characters must understand:
- The environment
- Distance
- Movement
- Timing
- Physical limitations
- The opponent's ability
This makes JoJo battles less about raw power and more about problem solving. That is one reason Steel Ball Run works particularly well for readers and viewers who enjoy strategic battles.
Why the Journey Is Different
The Road Is the World
One of the biggest strengths of Steel Ball Run is its use of geography.
The characters don't simply travel between locations.
The journey itself is the story.
The landscape changes constantly. From crowded starting areas to enormous open landscapes, deserts, mountains, rivers and frontier settlements, every section of the race changes the conditions of the story.
This gives Steel Ball Run a strong sense of place that is unusual for battle-focused anime.
Steel Ball Run and Real-World America
This is where Steel Ball Run becomes especially interesting from an EnjoyIP perspective.
Unlike many anime stories set in fictional worlds, Steel Ball Run uses a recognizable historical geography. The race crosses a fictionalized version of the United States in 1890.
That means viewers can explore the story from two directions:
Johnny and Gyro's journey.
The geography, history and landscapes of the United States during the late 19th century.
This creates a natural bridge between:
A Different Kind of Anime Pilgrimage
Most anime pilgrimage is relatively straightforward. A character visits:
- A shrine
- A station
- A school
- A neighborhood
You visit the same location.
Steel Ball Run is different. Its “pilgrimage” is closer to a road journey. Instead of following one iconic location, you can explore the geographical route and historical environments that inspired the story.
That opens the door to a different kind of EnjoyIP experience:
Follow the Journey
“Visit this anime location.”
“Follow the route.”
This could eventually become one of the most interesting ways to explore Steel Ball Run through EnjoyIP.
Why New Fans Should Care
You may have heard of JoJo because of:
- Stand battles
- Dramatic poses
- Memes
- “To Be Continued”
- Extremely distinctive character designs
- Strange powers
But Steel Ball Run offers something different. It combines:
- Western
- Road Adventure
- Horse Racing
- Historical America
- Supernatural Powers
- Character Drama
- Mystery
- Strategic Battles
That combination is difficult to find anywhere else in anime.
What Should You Know Before Watching?
Do You Need to Watch Previous JoJo Parts?
Not in the same way you would need to watch a conventional continuous anime series. Steel Ball Run begins a new continuity and introduces a new cast. However, longtime JoJo fans will recognize many thematic and character parallels to earlier parts.
The best approach is:
Start with Steel Ball Run if you are especially interested in its Western setting, road-trip structure and characters.
Treat it as the beginning of a new era.
Watch Parts 1–6 first, then experience Steel Ball Run with the franchise’s history in mind.
What Makes Steel Ball Run Special?
- 1A Completely Different Setting1890s America gives JoJo an entirely new atmosphere.
- 2The Journey Is the StoryThe enormous race creates a natural adventure structure.
- 3Johnny Is an Unusual ProtagonistHis physical and emotional vulnerability makes his development central to the story.
- 4Gyro Is One of JoJo’s Most Memorable CharactersHis personality, fighting style and relationship with Johnny define much of the journey.
- 5The Battles Are StrategicThe Spin, Stands and environmental conditions create battles based heavily on tactics.
- 6It Combines GenresFew anime combine Western adventure, historical fiction, horse racing and supernatural combat quite like Steel Ball Run.
EnjoyIP Perspective
From Screen to Real Life
Steel Ball Run is almost perfectly suited to EnjoyIP's From Screen to Real Life philosophy.
Why? Because its story is fundamentally geographical. The characters move through a real continent. The places have real names. The landscapes have historical counterparts. And the journey itself is part of the experience.
That creates several possible ways to explore the franchise beyond the anime:
- Western / Frontier atmosphere
- 1890s American history
- Trans-continental geography
- Spin & Stand abilities
- Character-driven adventure
Explore the Steel Ball Run Universe
Explore the Route
Follow the major stages of the Steel Ball Run race.
Explore the History
Learn what the American West looked like around 1890.
Explore the Landscape
Compare the anime's environments with real-world American landscapes.
Explore the Characters
Understand Johnny, Gyro, Valentine and the other racers.
Explore the Powers
Break down the Spin and Stand abilities.
Steel Ball Run vs. Previous JoJo Parts
| Feature | Earlier JoJo | Steel Ball Run |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Various | 1890s United States |
| Structure | Adventure / battles | Long-distance race |
| Protagonist | Different JoJos | Johnny Joestar |
| Main Partner | Varies | Gyro Zeppeli |
| Travel | Regional | Continental |
| Central Concept | Stands / Hamon / etc. | Spin + Stands |
| Atmosphere | Varies | Western / Frontier |
| Geography | Supporting element | Core part of the story |
| Real-World Connection | Moderate | Very strong |
The biggest difference is simple:
In Steel Ball Run, geography is not background. It is part of the narrative.
The Bottom Line
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run is one of the most important new anime releases for fans of long-form adventure, strategic battles and distinctive worldbuilding.
Its biggest strength isn't simply that it is another JoJo story. It is the combination of:
- Johnny Joestar
- Gyro Zeppeli
- The Spin
- Stands
- 1890s America
- A continent-spanning race
That combination gives Steel Ball Run a very different identity from the JoJo stories that came before it.
The anime's second stage begins September 25, 2026, continuing the journey after the first-stage release.
For JoJo fans, it is the beginning of one of the franchise's most anticipated adaptations. For newcomers, it may be one of the most unusual ways to enter the JoJo universe.
And for EnjoyIP, it represents something even more interesting:
A story that starts on the screen — and invites you to follow its journey into the real world.
New Release Spotlight
One of JoJo's most distinctive stories — where the journey, the characters, the battles and the geography are all part of the same experience.