If you thought the first batch of Steel Ball Run episodes was intense, buckle up — because the ride is about to get a whole lot wilder. David Production has officially confirmed that Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure 2nd Stage will begin streaming weekly on Netflix starting in October 2026, and the anime community is losing its collective mind.
This isn’t just another sequel announcement. This is JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7 — widely considered the magnum opus of Hirohiko Araki‘s legendary manga series — finally getting the full-throttle anime treatment it deserves. And based on everything we’ve seen so far, David Production is pulling absolutely zero punches.
What Happened in the 1st Stage — And Why It Broke the Internet
The first batch of Steel Ball Run episodes premiered on Netflix earlier in 2026, adapting the opening chapters of the manga where paralyzed former jockey Johnny Joestar encounters the mysterious Italian executioner Gyro Zeppeli during the titular Steel Ball Run — a cross-continental horse race stretching from San Diego to New York City.
The 1st Stage introduced viewers to the vast, sun-scorched American frontier setting that makes Steel Ball Run so drastically different from every previous JoJo part. Gone are the urban Japanese streets and European mansions. Instead, we got cowboys, desperados, and the raw untamed wilderness of 1890s America. Director Kenichi Suzuki and the animation team at David Production delivered breathtaking panoramic shots of the desert, heart-pounding horse racing sequences, and the signature bizarre Stand battles that define the franchise.
Fan reactions were overwhelmingly positive. The animation quality, faithful adaptation of Araki’s detailed artwork, and the electric chemistry between Johnny and Gyro had manga readers in tears and anime-only viewers completely hooked.
What to Expect from the 2nd Stage
Without diving into heavy spoiler territory, the 2nd Stage is where Steel Ball Run transforms from a high-stakes racing adventure into something far more sinister. The race itself becomes a cover for a much darker conspiracy involving the corpse parts of a holy saint — mysterious relics scattered across the American frontier that grant Stand abilities to whoever possesses them.
This is where fan-favorite antagonists like Diego Brando — the alternate-universe counterpart to DIO himself — truly step into the spotlight. Diego’s terrifying Stand, Scary Monsters, which transforms him into a velociraptor, is one of the most visually spectacular abilities in all of JoJo, and David Production’s 2nd Stage key visual has already teased that his transformation scenes will be nothing short of jaw-dropping.
We also expect deeper exploration of Funny Valentine, the 23rd President of the United States and the arc’s main antagonist, whose Stand Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (D4C) is consistently ranked among the most powerful and complex Stand abilities Araki has ever created. Valentine’s philosophical clash with Johnny over patriotism, sacrifice, and the meaning of justice elevates Steel Ball Run beyond typical shonen fare into genuinely thought-provoking territory.
Why Steel Ball Run Matters More Than Any Other JoJo Part
Ask any manga reader which JoJo part is the best, and the overwhelming majority will point to Steel Ball Run. It regularly tops “greatest manga of all time” polls, and for good reason. This is where Hirohiko Araki perfected his craft — combining pulse-pounding action with deeply emotional character development, philosophical themes about destiny and free will, and some of the most creative Stand battles ever conceived.
Johnny Joestar is also widely regarded as the best JoJo protagonist. Unlike the confident, larger-than-life heroes of previous parts, Johnny starts as a broken, self-pitying former prodigy who must literally learn to stand again — both physically and spiritually. His journey from rock bottom to hero is one of the most compelling character arcs in anime history.
If you’re a fan of other epic anime adaptations like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 2 or Solo Leveling’s movie confirmation, Steel Ball Run operates on an entirely different level of ambition and storytelling scope.
David Production’s Track Record Is Flawless
One of the biggest reasons fans trust this adaptation is David Production‘s incredible track record with the JoJo franchise. From Phantom Blood to Stone Ocean, the studio has consistently delivered faithful, stylish, and emotionally resonant adaptations that honor Araki’s vision while enhancing it with stunning animation and iconic soundtracks.
The studio’s decision to release Steel Ball Run exclusively on Netflix as a seasonal event has also generated massive buzz. Each “stage” drops as a batch of episodes, creating appointment viewing events that dominate social media for weeks. The 1st Stage trended worldwide on X (Twitter) for three consecutive days after its premiere.
With the Fall 2026 anime season already stacked with heavy hitters like The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 and Black Clover’s return, Steel Ball Run’s 2nd Stage is positioned as the crown jewel of what could be the most competitive anime season in years.
The Opening Theme Has Already Gone Viral
Adding fuel to the hype fire, the opening theme for Steel Ball Run — titled “Holy Steel” — has already become a viral sensation. The visually inventive opening sequence, packed with Araki-inspired color shifts and dynamic horse racing choreography, has been remixed, analyzed, and celebrated across every corner of the internet. Fans have been dissecting every frame for hidden foreshadowing, and let’s just say — manga readers know exactly why certain shots are making them emotional.
What Do You Think?
Are you ready for Steel Ball Run’s 2nd Stage? Is this the greatest JoJo part, or does your heart still belong to Stardust Crusaders or Golden Wind? Which Stand battle are you most hyped to see animated — Diego’s Scary Monsters transformation, or the inevitable D4C reveal? And most importantly: are you Team Johnny or Team Gyro?
Drop your thoughts below — and if you haven’t started the 1st Stage yet, what are you even doing? Go watch it on Netflix right now before October hits and you’re drowning in spoilers. Trust us: this is one race you do NOT want to miss.
For more anime coverage, check out our breakdown of Hell’s Paradise Season 2 and the latest One Piece Chapter 1196 theory.
