JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run Premieres March 19 On Netflix

Peter Paltridge

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It’s been a while since we last saw a properly bizarre adventure for the Joestar clan, but Warner Bros. Japan LLC and Netflix have finally confirmed we’re getting a new chapter next spring. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run will be an adaption of the JoJo manga storyline by the same name that ran from 2004 to 2011. Since the last JoJo arc before this one ended with the world exploding (no, really…they don’t call this series bizarre for nothing), we’ve gotta go back in time. Steel Ball Run is set in the 1890s in Wild West America. The Joestar this time is Johnny, a former jockey who became paralyzed from the waist down and could no longer compete…until the day he discovered his Stand and his life changed. Johnny was watching the equestrian superstar Gyro Zeppelli race when he discovers his Stand gave him the mobility to ride horses again. He immediately gets back on the saddle, partnering with Zepelli in the cross-country Steel Ball Run. The thing about that is, though, all the competing riders have Stands, so he doesn’t have TOO much of an advantage. It doesn’t help that the race’s sponsor, Steven Steel, has it out […]
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This anime is actually a soft reboot of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. It's set in an alternate reality where Jonathan Joestar is American instead of British. Johnny and Jonathan are the same person, but different timelines.
 
I have to say, I feel a little uncomfortable with this era at first. The vibe is different, and seeing Jonathan not as the classic beefcake but more like a twink, similar to Johnny, feels really strange to me. It’s just not what I imagined when I thought of him, and it takes some getting used to. That said, I know I’ll probably adjust over time because some of the characters we love are returning, even if their personalities are changed a bit. It’s kind of exciting to see how they’ll act in this new timeline, and I’m curious to see how their interactions with Jonathan/American Johnny will play out. It’s weird, but also interesting, and I think once I get used to this era, I might even enjoy seeing familiar faces in a fresh context. It’s definitely different, but not bad.
 
This soft reboot caught me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting to see Jonathan as American, but it gives him a slightly different personality, which is refreshing. Johnny and Jonathan being the same person in different timelines is kind of a clever way to tell a story without repeating the original. I like that the show still has all the dramatic JoJo elements, like poses and fights, but the alternate reality adds something new. Some of the changes make you think about how character choices could be different, which I enjoy. Overall, it’s a nice mix of old and new, and it’s fun to see familiar events from a new angle.
 
I still can’t believe horse racing is actually mainstream again. It’s crazy to think about it happening twice in such a short time. First, Uma Musume brought it back in such a big way with all the colorful characters and the mix of racing and idol vibes. I didn’t expect it to catch on like that, but it did. And now, Steel Ball Run is making it even bigger, but in a completely different style. It’s more serious and intense, and somehow that makes it feel like a whole new audience is discovering horse racing through anime and manga. I think it’s wild that something like this can bring attention to an actual sport that hasn’t been popular for decades. I’m excited to see how much more people will get into it because of these shows. It’s kind of surreal but really fun to watch.
 
Johnny’s story feels very different from previous JoJo protagonists, especially with him being paralyzed at first. I like that he has to find a way to overcome his disability, and pairing him with Gyro sounds like a good team dynamic. The setting in the 1890s American West is also interesting because it changes the usual vibe of JoJo. I’m curious how the races will be animated since horse racing and Stands are not easy to visualize together. Diego Brando being in the mix makes me nervous because he was always such a dangerous opponent in past arcs, and seeing him compete in this timeline will be intense. The voice cast looks solid, and I already know some of the veteran staff will make the adaptation faithful. March 19 feels so far away, but at least the first episode is 47 minutes long, so hopefully it sets up the story really well.
 
I didn’t expect JoJo to go into a full Western setting, but it actually makes sense for Steel Ball Run. Johnny being a former jockey is a fresh angle, and I like that he has a physical limitation at the start. The idea that Stands are used by every competitor makes the race feel fair while keeping it weird and unpredictable, which is classic JoJo. Gyro seems really fun, and I am looking forward to seeing how his spin powers are animated. I hope the series keeps the tension high between the racers, especially with someone like Diego Brando involved. The plot seems like it will balance personal struggles, teamwork, and pure competition, which is a lot to manage. I’m especially curious about Sand Man and Pocoloco because they sound like unique characters who can make the story feel alive beyond the main cast.
 
Steel Ball Run is exactly the kind of JoJo I was hoping for after the last arc ended. The concept of alternate realities is always fun, and Johnny being American is an unexpected twist. I am very interested in how the race structure will work because having so many racers with Stands seems complicated, but that’s part of the excitement. Diego Brando as a competitor adds serious tension since his personality is always extreme. The supporting characters like Pocoloco and Sand Man seem quirky but important, and I think they will add fun moments between serious plot points. I am also happy the original staff is involved, so I trust the adaptation will respect the source material. I can’t wait to see the first episode in March and experience how they bring all this to life.
 
Steel Ball Run’s concept of a long cross-country race with supernatural powers is really appealing. Johnny’s story is compelling because it shows overcoming personal limits, and his relationship with Gyro will probably add interesting dynamics. I am especially curious how the animation will depict the Stands in motion during races because that seems tricky. Diego Brando’s involvement guarantees tension, and I hope his rivalry is as intense as in the manga. The supporting characters, like Sand Man and Pocoloco, seem fun, and I feel they can bring unexpected humor and drama. The setting in the 1890s America is also refreshing since it gives the story a different look from usual JoJo arcs. I can already imagine some epic race scenes once the series begins.
 

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