JoJo Fans Frustrated by Steel Ball Run Release Delay

Fans of the anime series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure expressed widespread frustration following Netflix's announcement at AnimeJapan 2026 that the second stage of Part 7, Steel Ball Run, will premiere sometime in 2026, with no specific date or release format provided. The news came after the highly anticipated first episode aired exclusively on Netflix on March 19, 2026, leaving viewers uncertain about when they might see the continuation of the story's cross-country horse race.

The premiere, a 47-minute special covering the race's initial stage, drew strong positive reception. It quickly topped viewer rankings on several platforms, briefly surpassing established series like Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. Produced by David Production and directed by Yasuhiro Kimura, the episode introduced protagonist Johnny Joestar and his rival-turned-ally Gyro Zeppeli in an alternate 1890s America, where participants compete for a substantial prize amid supernatural elements and escalating dangers. The animation captured the manga's energetic style, despite challenges in depicting intricate horse-racing sequences that required extensive production effort.

However, the lack of follow-up episodes...