After years of anticipation, fans of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure can finally celebrate as Warner Bros. Japan has officially announced that the seventh part of the series, Steel Ball Run, is now in production for an anime.
The announcement came during the recent “JOJODAY” livestream event, accompanied by a promotional teaser trailer and character designs for the protagonists. Steel Ball Run introduces readers to an entirely new universe separate from the continuity of previous parts in the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure saga.
The story follows Johnny Joestar, a former jockey paralyzed from the waist down, and Gyro Zeppeli as they participate in a cross-country horse race across North America in 1890. Both characters join the race with personal dreams they hope to fulfill through the competition’s prize.
The announcement comes approximately two years after the conclusion of Stone Ocean (Part 6), which followed the adventures of Jolyne Cujoh. While no specific release date has been announced beyond “Coming Soon,” the confirmation alone has generated tremendous excitement within the fanbase.
Steel Ball Run is widely regarded by many fans as one of creator Hirohiko Araki’s greatest story arcs. The adaptation has been highly anticipated due to its unique premise and challenging production requirements, especially the prominent horse-riding elements that would need to be animated accurately.
The series features Stand battles occurring at high speeds on horseback, creating both interesting and unpredictable situations for the characters. This distinctive setting and the story’s reputation for “wild territory” have made it a fan-favorite, with many considering it JoJo at its peak.
While the studio responsible for the adaptation hasn’t been officially confirmed, fans speculate that David Production, which has animated all previous seasons of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, will return for the Steel Ball Run anime. The studio has built a reputation for faithfully translating Araki’s unique art style and storytelling to animation.
The official website for the anime has gone live, and character visuals for both Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli have been released alongside the announcement trailer. The JOJODAY STAGE stream where the news was revealed featured voice actors from previous JoJo parts, including Kazuyuki Okitsu (Jonathan Joestar), Daisuke Ono (Jotaro Kujo), and Fairouz Ai (Jolyne Cujoh).
For manga readers looking to experience the story before the anime’s release, VIZ Media has licensed JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 7 – Steel Ball Run, with the first volume scheduled for print release next month.
