English Dub Review: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Steel Ball Run “STEEL BALL RUN”

Overview

Based on the ongoing beloved manga series by Hirohiko Araki, this newest Jojo Interation takes place in the wild west of 1890s America and follows former horse racing prodigy Johnny Joestar, who, after a life-altering encounter with the mysterious outlaw Gyro Zeppeli, is drawn into the legendary Steel Ball Run. A grueling, continent-spanning race across the American Old West where competitors travel over six thousand kilometers for a massive cash prize, enduring brutal terrain and unforgiving conditions while using anything from horses to unconventional vehicles; once a crippled spectator, Johnny witnesses Gyro’s strange steel ball technique in action and, upon touching it, miraculously regains the ability to stand, igniting his determination to uncover its secret as he joins the race himself, setting off on a bizarre, high-stakes journey across America filled with danger, ambition, and supernatural intrigue.


Our Take

The premiere of Steel Ball Run delivers a bold and cinematic introduction, adapting a large portion of the opening material into an extended episode that effectively establishes its world, characters, and central premise. It balances character setup with the launch of a high-stakes cross-country race, capturing the unique tone and style of the source material while making selective changes for pacing and accessibility. While some content is trimmed or rearranged, the core narrative remains intact, and the episode succeeds in presenting a fresh yet familiar experience, even for newcomers.

Visually and technically, the episode is a strong showing despite minor inconsistencies. The animation may fluctuate in quality at times, but it shines during key moments, especially in the dynamic race sequences and stylized action. The blend of CGI and traditional animation, particularly with the horses, is handled more seamlessly than expected, while the bold color shifts, creative camerawork, and striking compositions elevate the spectacle. Complementing this is an outstanding soundtrack that enhances tension and atmosphere, along with well-cast voice performances that bring the diverse cast to life. The direction and editing keep the episode engaging throughout, even with its brisk pacing.

Overall, this is an impressive and exciting start that captures the spirit and ambition of Steel Ball Run while leaving plenty of room to grow. Despite some concerns about pacing and omitted details, the episode delivers a compelling hook with memorable characters, strong audiovisual presentation, and a clear sense of scale. However, there is still some uncertainty surrounding its release, and as I’m typing this, there’s currently no official word on upcoming episodes despite the recent announcement from the show’s director suggesting it will follow a weekly format, leaving fans both excited and cautiously waiting for what comes next.