‘Steel Ball Run’ anime announcement ushers in a new era of ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’-OxBig News Network

The first posetr for ‘Steel Ball Run’
| Photo Credit: David Productions

After years of anticipation and speculation, Steel Ball Run, the seventh part of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, is finally getting an anime adaptation. Warner Bros. Japan made the long-awaited announcement on April 12, 2025, during the JOJODAY STAGE event, confirming that the next installment in the beloved series is officially in production.

Titled Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, this season marks a major shift for the franchise. While technically the seventh season of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: The Animation, Steel Ball Run kicks off a new continuity, separate from the storylines of the first six parts. Still, it retains iconic elements like Stands, bizarre powers, and references that longtime fans will recognise.

Set in 1890s America, the story centers on Johnny Joestar, a former horse racing prodigy who lost the use of his legs, and Gyro Zeppeli, a mysterious master of a technique known as the Spin. The two enter the titular Steel Ball Run, a transcontinental horse race stretching from San Diego to New York. But the pair soon uncover a far more sinister agenda behind the event.

The original manga ran from 2004 to 2011, with creator Hirohiko Araki using his travels across the U.S. as inspiration for the setting. Araki’s three research trips across different regions of America helped shape the vast landscapes depicted in the manga, bringing a unique sense of tension and isolation to the story.

Studio David Production, the team behind all previous JoJo adaptations, is expected to return for this project, though no release date has been confirmed yet. The studio’s most recent work on Stone Ocean wrapped in December 2022, leaving fans eagerly waiting for what’s next.

This adaptation not only marks a new chapter for the franchise but also represents a tonal and narrative evolution. With its gritty Western setting, layered characters, and darker themes, Steel Ball Run is widely considered one of Araki’s finest arcs — and one of the most acclaimed in manga history.

Streaming details and casting announcements are still under wraps, but Jojo fans can likely expect more news in the coming months. For now, one thing is certain: peak is back.