After years of waiting from fans, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run officially became an anime adaptation on Netflix on March 19, delivering a 47-minute special that sparked both excitement and controversy. The adaptation carried high expectations with many viewers hoping it would surpass its previous parts due to Steel Ball Run being the fan favorite of the series. The problem that Netflix left SBR fans was that only one episode was released. And then nothing.
For those unfamiliar, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is an anime and manga series known for its unique powers called “Stands,” stylized battles, with amazing storytelling. Steel Ball Run, the seventh part, shifts into an alternate universe, Western-inspired setting. Following a cross-country horse race across America while blending action with mystery, and character-driven drama.
This isn’t saying the premiere itself is the issue. David Production did an insane job with cinematic camera work that leaves the setting feeling real. The soundtrack gives the episode a level of intensity that makes it feel more like a film than a typical anime release. Main characters Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli are introduced with strong chemistry that sets up potentially one of the best character dynamics in the franchise.
Netflix’s release strategy is where everything falls apart. Instead of following through with weekly episodes, Netflix opted to delay Episode 2 with no specific date. After building the series up to release frequently, the decision made feels out of touch. With the premiere building excitement upon the fans just to make that energy disappear overnight when fans realized there would be a months-long gap before the story continues. It’s not just disappointing–it actively hurts the viewing experience.
Naturally, the internet responded with memes. Steel Ball Run fans turned their frustration into humor, flooding social media platforms with jokes about the delay of Episode 2. Using an expressionless stare of main character Johnny Joestar mixed with famous rapper King Von. Basically turning Johnny into an “evil” version of himself. The image is usually paired with captions implying Netflix is doing nothing to appeal to fans regarding the release of Steel Ball Run.
Steel Ball Run is still in a strong position. The first episode proves that the adaptation has the potential to live up to and possibly surpass its reputation. But with Netflix’s release strategy, it could end up overshadowing how good the anime actually is. When it could’ve kept that momentum going with consistent releases. Episode 1 is currently streaming on Netflix, where fans can rewatch the premiere. But that doesn’t change the fact that there’s nothing new to follow it up. Netflix has officially stated that Steel Ball Run will continue releasing in Fall 2026. But without a specific date, fans are still left waiting with that same uncertainty—stuck with a near-perfect start and no clear idea of when the story will actually continue.
This leaves fans with one clear message: Netflix needs to communicate better. If the platform wants to maintain hype for Steel Ball Run, it has to be transparent about scheduling, delays, and future episodes instead of leaving audiences in the dark.
Until then, the question isn’t whether Steel Ball Run will succeed, rather if Netflix will allow it to.
