Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is finally continuing its anime legacy with the official confirmation of Part 7, Steel Ball Run.
Announced today, April 12, at the JoJo Day stage event in Tokyo’s National Yoyogi Gymnasium, the long-anticipated adaptation is now officially in production. While no release date has been revealed yet, the announcement came with a teaser video and a key visual that already has fans celebrating across the globe.
A New Era Begins: JoJo Heads to 19th-Century America
The upcoming anime will carry the title Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and it’s set in a drastically different time and place than the previous parts, 19th-century America, during a high-stakes, transcontinental horse race.
The story centers on Johnny Joestar, a former jockey who has lost the use of his legs, and Gyro Zeppeli, a mysterious traveler with a complex past and a strange steel-based combat style. Together, they set off on a race that spans the U.S. with motivations far deeper than just the prize money.
Johnny’s journey isn’t just across the country, it’s personal. He’s chasing a miracle that could help him walk again. Gyro, meanwhile, has his own hidden reasons for entering the race, and ends up becoming both a guide and a rival for Johnny. Their dynamic is at the heart of the story, blending mentorship, friction, and strange brotherhood into something that’s very JoJo.
First Visual Drop
The teaser and key visual released today give us a first glimpse at the new art style and direction for the series. The visual showcases Johnny and Gyro riding horseback through a vast, rugged landscape, nailing the tone and scope of the Steel Ball Run arc right out of the gate. The race is brutal, but stylish, and with stand abilities in play, it’s going to be anything but a straightforward journey.
JoJo Caravan Event Kicks Off This Weekend
As if the announcement itself wasn’t enough, fans in Tokyo are already getting a taste of what’s to come. Starting tomorrow, April 13, a touring exhibition called the JoJo Caravan will kick off at Shibuya SACS. The event will run until April 24 and will include colored illustrations, original manga pages, monochrome manuscript reproductions, and themed photo spots centered around the upcoming anime.
Yes, there will also be limited-edition merch, because what’s a JoJo event without the chance to buy some exclusive gear? But this isn’t a one-city thing, the Caravan is expected to travel across Japan, making it a national celebration of the upcoming anime.
What Makes Steel Ball Run Different
For longtime fans of the franchise, Steel Ball Run is often regarded as one of the best parts of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. It’s where Araki’s storytelling matured, with more grounded themes and complex character motivations, all while keeping the series’ signature blend of stylish violence and over-the-top stand battles.
But what really sets this part apart is its genre fusion. At its core, it’s a historical drama mashed with supernatural action, where stand users compete in a massive cross-country race, dealing with everything from political conspiracies to bizarre, stand-fueled ambushes. Expect wild powers, philosophical showdowns, and some of the most bizarre character designs the series has ever seen.
As of now, there’s no release window. No premiere date, no season, just a vague “coming soon,” slapped on the poster. But considering the teaser and visuals are already live, it’s safe to say that production is well underway. And with the JoJo Caravan launching right after the announcement, it’s clear that the marketing machine is revving up.
For fans who’ve been waiting years to see Steel Ball Run animated, this is the confirmation they’ve been dreaming of. It’s real. It’s happening. Now all that’s left is the wait.
