STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (2026): Netflix Confirms Release Date, Cast, and the Wildest JoJo Race Ever

The race is finally on. After years of anticipation, STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is officially galloping onto screens worldwide. Netflix has confirmed that the long-awaited anime adaptation will premiere globally on Thursday, March 19, 2026, with a special 47-minute first episode kicking off one of the most ambitious arcs in JoJo history.

If you’re searching for Steel Ball Run JoJo anime release date, Steel Ball Run Netflix, or JoJo Part 7 anime, this is the definitive breakdown — from cast and creators to story stakes and why this season could redefine JoJo for a new generation.

What Is STEEL BALL RUN?

STEEL BALL RUN is the seventh main story arc of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, created by Hirohiko Araki. Set in

1890s America, it reboots the JoJo universe into a new continuity, laying the foundation for later arcs like JoJolion and The JoJoLands.

At its core, it’s a cross-country horse race spanning nearly 4,000 miles from San Diego to New York City, with a jaw-dropping $50 million prize. But like everything JoJo, the race hides something far darker beneath the surface.

STEEL BALL RUN Anime Release Details (Confirmed)

• Title: STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

• Platform: Netflix (worldwide exclusive)

• Premiere Date: March 19, 2026

• Episode 1: Special 47-minute premiere

• Studio: David Production

Netflix also confirmed the announcement during Jump Festa, alongside the release of a full official trailer.

Main Cast: Voices Behind the Racers

Netflix and Warner Bros. Japan revealed the core cast bringing Part 7 to life:

• Johnny Joestar – Shogo Sakata

• Gyro Zeppeli – Yohei Azakami

• Diego Brando – Kaito Ishikawa

• Lucy Steel – Rie Takahashi

• Steven Steel – Kenta Miyake

Fan-favorite racers Pocoloco and Sandman have also been officially cast, fueling excitement for one of JoJo’s most unpredictable ensembles.

The Creative Team Behind the Anime

• Directors: Yasuhiro Kimura & Hideya Takahashi

• Series Director: Toshiyuki Kato

• Series Composition: Yasuko Kobayashi

• Character Design: Daisuke Tsumagari

• Music: Yugo Kanno

This is the same creative DNA that elevated Golden Wind and Stone Ocean, now applied to JoJo’s most cinematic arc yet.

STEEL BALL RUN Story Explained (No Spoilers)

A Broken Jockey. A Mysterious Executioner. A Race That Isn’t What It Seems.

Johnny Joestar was once a prodigy jockey — until a tragic accident left him paralyzed and hollowed out by despair. His life changes when he encounters Gyro Zeppeli, a disgraced executioner from Naples wielding strange steel balls capable of miraculous effects through a technique called Spin.

After Gyro briefly restores Johnny’s ability to move, Johnny joins the Steel Ball Run race not for money — but for hope.

As the race unfolds:

• Assassins, outlaws, and Stand users emerge

• The U.S. President Funny Valentine manipulates events from the shadows

• A mysterious relic known as the Holy Corpse becomes the true prize

What begins as a race becomes a continental war of ideology, fate, and power.

Why STEEL BALL RUN Is Considered Peak JoJo

Among manga fans, Steel Ball Run is often ranked the best JoJo part ever written. Here’s why:

🏇 A Grounded Yet Epic Setting

No schoolyards or modern cities — this is dusty America, railroads, deserts, and frontier danger.

🧠 Johnny Joestar’s Arc

Johnny is arguably the most complex JoJo protagonist, evolving from broken to transcendent.

🎭 Gyro Zeppeli

A mentor, rival, philosopher, and emotional anchor — Gyro is one of Araki’s finest creations.

🇺🇸 Political Horror

Funny Valentine isn’t just a villain — he’s a terrifying reflection of nationalism taken too far.

Where STEEL BALL RUN Fits in the JoJo Timeline

• Parts 1–6: Original JoJo continuity

• Part 7 (Steel Ball Run): New universe begins

• Part 8: JoJolion

• Part 9: The JoJoLands

This makes the anime adaptation of Steel Ball Run a gateway moment for JoJo’s modern era.

Will STEEL BALL RUN Be Netflix’s Biggest Anime Event of 2026?

All signs point to yes.

• Massive global fanbase

• A beloved, critically acclaimed manga arc

• Cinematic scope perfect for long-form streaming

• A premiere designed as an event, not a drop

For many fans, this isn’t just another season — it’s the JoJo adaptation they’ve been waiting a decade for.

Final Verdict: The Race of Destiny Begins March 19, 2026

STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure isn’t just continuing JoJo — it’s reinventing it. With Netflix backing, a powerhouse creative team, and one of manga’s greatest stories finally animated, this is shaping up to be one of the biggest anime releases of 2026.

Saddle up.

The finish line isn’t just New York — it’s destiny itself.