JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure franchise has announced a significant event scheduled for April 12, 2025, in Tokyo. The official tagline suggests it will “connect the franchise’s past and future,” which strongly hints at a major announcement.
If the leaks from reputable sources are to be believed, we’re likely looking at the long-awaited anime adaptation of Steel Ball Run (Part 7).
Another noteworthy thing: there’s also the JOJODAY event visual shows all the past protagonists, which could serve as a subtle lead-in to Steel Ball Run. JoJo thrives on hype, and with Part 7 being a turning point for the franchise (both in tone and structure), the build-up feels deliberate.
For those who somehow don’t know, Steel Ball Run is set in the 19th-century American Wild West and revolves around Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli participating in the titular Steel Ball Run race.
It’s widely regarded as one of the best arcs in Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo series, with its deep themes of redemption and determination, not to mention some of the most complex stand battles in the entire franchise. If any part deserves the anime treatment, it’s this one.
Now, let’s look at the facts. David Production has been the studio behind JoJo since Phantom Blood, and their dedication to faithfully adapting Araki’s work has been generally well-received, even if the pacing and animation quality have sparked debates (Stone Ocean’s Netflix release strategy, anyone?).
Reliable insiders claim that David Production is already working on Steel Ball Run. If true, this aligns perfectly with the announcement timing at this event.
Voice actors Kazuyuki Okitsu (Jonathan Joestar), Daisuke Ono (Jotaro Kujo), and Junichi Suwabe (Leone Abbacchio) are slated to attend, adding weight to the idea of a “past meets future” theme. Oh, and don’t get your hopes up for Jump Festa 2025, there’s a JoJo panel, but it’s just for showcasing merch, as usual.
Whether you’re here to celebrate or criticize (Steel Ball Run’s shift from weekly to monthly serialization still irks some fans), this is undeniably a huge moment for the JoJo community. Let’s hope the anime lives up to the massive expectations and doesn’t fall into production delays or animation compromises (we all remember Stone Ocean’s rocky reception).
Source: Comic Natalie
