After years of fan anticipation, Warner Bros. Japan has officially announced the anime adaptation of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run. The news broke on April 12, 2025, during the “JOJODAY” fan event in Tokyo, sending waves of excitement through the anime community worldwide.
The announcement included a teaser trailer, visual art featuring the main protagonists Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli, and confirmation that David Production—the studio behind all previous JoJo anime adaptations—will handle this highly anticipated project.
What Makes Steel Ball Run Special
Set in 1890, Steel Ball Run marks a significant departure from previous JoJo storylines. Unlike the first six parts that followed the Joestar bloodline, Part 7 takes place in an alternate universe with a fresh narrative. The story follows Johnny Joestar, a former star jockey who lost the use of his legs, and Gyro Zeppeli, a master of the mysterious “Spin” technique.
Together, they enter the Steel Ball Run—a grueling 6,000-kilometer horse race across America from San Diego to New York City with a $50 million prize. As Johnny seeks to understand the Spin technique that briefly allowed him to walk again, both characters become entangled in supernatural conflicts involving Stand users and uncover the race’s hidden agenda.
The Event Details
The announcement came during a star-studded JOJODAY event featuring voice actors from previous JoJo adaptations:
- Kazuyuki Okitsu (Jonathan Joestar)
- Daisuke Ono (Jotaro Kujo)
- Junichi Suwabe (Leone Abbacchio)
- Fairouz Ai (Jolyne Cujoh)
The event also included musical performances by JO☆STARS, featuring theme songs from previous seasons. The announcement was strategically saved for the finale, with the Steel Ball Run reveal accompanied by new background music followed by the teaser visuals.
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What Fans Are Talking About
The fan response has been overwhelmingly positive, with several key points of discussion emerging:
- Horse Animation Challenges: Many fans are curious about how David Production will handle the horse animation, as the story heavily features horseback riding—something notoriously difficult to animate well.
- Release Format: Following Stone Ocean’s batch release on Netflix, many fans are hoping for a traditional weekly episode schedule to maintain community engagement.
- Voice Acting: Speculation is high regarding who will voice Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli, two of the most beloved characters in the series.
Manga Availability
For those wanting to experience the story before the anime arrives, Viz Media will release the first volume of Steel Ball Run in English on May 27, 2025, both digitally and in print. The complete manga spans 24 volumes, making it one of the longest parts in the JoJo series.
To celebrate the anime announcement, the Japanese publisher is making all 24 volumes available for free on the Young Jump app for 24 hours, from April 13 to April 14, 2025 (JST).
Missing Details
While the announcement has generated tremendous excitement, several key details remain unknown:
- No specific release date or window has been announced
- Cast members for the new characters haven’t been revealed
- The number of episodes and production timeline remain unspecified
- The streaming platform that will carry the series hasn’t been announced
The Steel Ball Run anime represents a significant milestone for the JoJo franchise, bringing to life what many fans consider the pinnacle of Hirohiko Araki’s long-running manga series. With David Production’s proven track record of faithful adaptations, expectations are high for this new chapter in JoJo’s bizarre journey.