Steel Ball Run: The Epic Anime Adaptation

Nyo-ho! Hirohiko Araki’s beloved manga series continues its screen adaptation with Steel Ball Run. Following the successful 47-minute premiere on March 19, Netflix will release Episode 2 on September 25, 2026, taking viewers back into the high-stakes race across North America as we explore Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli’s iconic partnership.

Legacy of Araki’s Multiverse: WhySteel Ball RunHits Differently

Steel Ball Run is the seventh story arc and a soft reboot of the long-running Japanese manga series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki. The story follows Johnny Joestar, a paralyzed former jockey who wants to walk again, and Gyro Zeppeli, a mysterious master of a rotational technique called the “Spin.” 

Set in the United States in 1890, the story follows a massive, treacherous 3,700-mile horse race across North America from San Diego to New York City, with a $50 million grand prize. The race attracts competitors from all over the country. However, the journey quickly becomes much more dangerous than an ordinary horse race.

Many fans praise Steel Ball Run as a masterpiece for its mature storytelling, deeply flawed and realistic characters, and unique historical setting, which reinvents the formula of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.

What Is JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure?

For newer viewers, it might be confusing to understand what JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is before starting Steel Ball Run. The good news is that you do not need the previous parts to understand the story. However, watching them can make the experience more meaningful because of the history and ideas that Steel Ball Run carries from the original series. 

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is an action-adventure anime and manga series that follows the generations-long conflict of the Joestar family against supernatural forces. Araki divides the story into separate parts, each focusing on a different Joestar descendant. He also gives each main protagonist the nickname ‘JoJo.’

The earlier parts primarily focus on Jonathan Joestar and his rivalry with his adoptive brother-turned-vampire, Dio Brando. Dio’s malicious influence echoes across multiple generations.

Throughout the series, characters use different supernatural power systems. The earlier parts feature Hamon, a martial arts technique that uses controlled breathing to create solar energy to defeat vampires. Later parts introduce Stands, which are physical manifestations of a person’s life energy or spirit that possess unique superpowers.

The Beginning of a New Continuity

At the end of Part 6, Stone Ocean, the story takes a major turn as the events reset the universe. Steel Ball Run is a part of an entire new universe, with new versions of familiar names and concepts from the original universe. However, fans still debate how the new continuity relates to the universe reset at the end of Stone Ocean. For new viewers, the important thing to know is that Steel Ball Run works as a fresh starting point.

Because of this, you don’t have to watch the previous six parts before starting Steel Ball Run. That said, if you do, you’ll have a better understanding of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure as a whole and may notice connections and parallels that make the new story feel even more significant.

From Fan Outrage to a Release Date

In Araki’s manga, the second stage of the race spans Chapters 12–27, meaning the Netflix anime will likely cover this portion across multiple episodes. This stretch of Steel Ball Run brings plenty of excitement, along with a bizarre revelation that changes the direction of the story.

The manga currently ranks No. 2 among the highest-rated manga on MyAnimeList, with a rating of around 9.33/10, behind only Berserk. Given its popularity, fans have been eager to see the anime continue into Stage 2.

Despite this, the wait caused frustration after Netflix remained silent about the release date. Fans flooded social media with distorted Johnny Joestar edits and memes, including one featuring rapper King Von.

Eventually, Netflix confirmed the Steel Ball Run episodes would arrive later in the year.

Episode 1 “1st Stage: San Diego Beach” Recap

The first episode was so good that it deserved a rewatch and left fans begging for more. Manga readers were probably even more excited, already knowing what happens next and simply waiting to see it brought to life through animation.

Before getting into the recap, here are some of the main racers and characters introduced in Episode 1.

Gyro Zeppeli

You may recognize the name from Julius Caesar Zeppeli in JoJo’s. However, his reason for joining the race is still a mystery. He masters a mystical Italian art called the Spin, which uses rotating steel spheres to manipulate energy, muscles, and physics.

Johnny Joestar

A former jockey and member of the Joestar family who’s determined to return to horseback riding after becoming paralyzed. His encounter with Gyro gives him hope that the Spin could help him walk again.

Diego (Dio) Brando

One of the race’s top competitors, Diego is a skilled jockey who quickly establishes himself as someone to watch. His name is also a nod to the original universe’s Dio Brando.

Sandman

An Indigenous American racer who enters the race hoping to win the prize money for his village. Unlike the other competitors, he races on foot and can keep up with the horses.

Pocoloco

Pocoloco joins the Steel Ball Run purely for the prize money and a chance to improve his life. He believes he is the luckiest person alive and plans to make it through the race using his luck.

Horse: Hey! Ya! (inspired by the Outkast song!)

Steven and Lucy Steel

Steven Steel promotes the cross-country Steel Ball Run race and is married to Lucy Steel, who becomes an important part of the story.

Recap

For anyone who doesn’t have time to watch or rewatch the first episode, here’s a quick summary.

The episode takes place in the American West in 1890 and introduces us to several racers competing in the $50 million Steel Ball Run. We first meet Sandman, an Indigenous American who can run incredibly fast without a horse.

We meet Johnny Joestar, a former jockey who became paralyzed after being shot. While watching Gyro Zeppeli use his mysterious Spin during a confrontation with a thief, Johnny briefly regains movement in his legs. Believing Gyro can help him walk again, Johnny follows him and enters the race.

The first stage is a 10-mile race, where racers compete for a time bonus. We meet other racers, including Pocoloco, who quickly develops a rivalry with Gyro. Sandman shows off his incredible running speed, while Johnny keeps up with the racers despite his paralysis.

Gyro eventually uses his Spin to create wind and help his horse reach the finish line. Impressed by Gyro’s abilities, Johnny becomes even more determined to learn the secret behind the Spin. The episode ends with the race just beginning and Johnny’s journey with Gyro taking shape.

Episode 2 “2nd Stage” Trailer Breakdown & What to Expect

Stage 2 takes the racers through 2,000 km of the Arizona desert, making survival just as important as the race itself. With limited water and harsh conditions, waterholes become valuable stops. The desert’s lawlessness also puts Gyro and Johnny in danger, as they are targeted for reasons beyond the race.

The trailer hints at mysterious Stand users following the racers, along with early clues about the Sacred Relic storyline. A brutal triple murder on the racetrack also sets the tense tone for this part of the race.

Along with returning characters like Gyro and Johnny, Stage 2 will introduce more racers and important characters. The trailer also introduces Mountain Tim and Funny Valentine, whose photos appear below.

Mountain Tim

Funny Valentine

Final Countdown

Steel Ball Run’s second episode, covering the combined 2nd stage, premieres September 25, 2026, on Netflix. Netflix will release the 11 new episodes weekly on Fridays as part of the anime’s split-cour schedule.