Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli are back on Netflix, and this time they’re racing horses across America. STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has returned with new episodes covering the 2nd and 3rd Stages of the Steel Ball Run, the cross-country horse race that defines the season. One episode is currently available, with the rest dropping every Friday.
Key Facts Box
- Season: STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
- Stages covered: 2nd and 3rd
- Journey distance: ~750 miles (Arizona deserts to Monument Valley)
- New episodes: Drop every Friday
- Installments per release window: 11
- Verdict: STREAM IT
Gyro Wins Stage 1, Then Loses 20 Places
The plot opens with Gyro Zeppeli crossing the finish line first in Stage 1. Johnny Joestar thinks to himself that it was all thanks to “the power of the spin.” Gyro vows to win this race no matter the cost.
The contest suddenly takes a strange turn. The event organizer, Steven Steel, states that Gyro, an Italian-born outlaw, used his Steel Ball weapon to obstruct the race course. That obstruction costs him 20 places. Johnny, meanwhile, is still captivated by Gyro’s “Spin” technique, which helped Johnny temporarily recover feeling in his legs and helped Gyro perform seemingly impossible tricks.
The five leading riders now are Sand Man, Diego Brando, Pocoloco, Mountain Tim, and Johnny Joestar. Johnny Joestar and Gyro form a partnership as they prepare for the next leg, a journey spanning 750 hard miles across the deserts of Arizona before reaching Monument Valley.
Mountain Tim Edges Into Prominence
Mountain Tim earns respect following an unexpected fourth-place finish in Stage 1, where he beat Johnny despite being the underdog. The Sheriff soon assigns him a new duty: investigating a vicious killing that took place during that same opening stretch of the contest. In his role as the newly appointed deputy sheriff, Tim must figure out which of the numerous jockeys competing in the Steel Ball Run holds a grudge and what drives them.
“Although some details from the manga seem to get cut for time in this adaptation, there are still plenty of action, hijinks, and exploits to enjoy.”
Fans will notice a quicker turnaround between episodes with 11 shorter installments, which marks a step up from the wait between the premiere’s broadcasts. The adaptation trims some manga details, though Decider’s review reports that the action, hijinks, and exploits stay plentiful throughout.
Comparisons To Other Western Anime
STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure continues the franchise’s self-aware hammy energy, the review says, while evoking other American Wild West-set anime like Gun Frontier and Appare-Ranman!.
Joshua David King plays a character named Mountain Tim, and his performance deserves attention. More than just a funny name, Mountain Tim has emerged as a compelling figure across this current set of episodes.
What Fans Should Watch For
The review describes the episode as a blend of laughter, drama, and excitement. Fans of this series or any kind of absurd humor will probably find Stages 2-3 of STEEL BALL RUN worth watching.
The review’s verdict is simple: STREAM IT. The campiness serves as the heart of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and the peculiarity just adds to the overall tone. It’s easy to get swept away in this wild, violent, and solidly animated cross-country horse race.
Daman Mills plays Johnny Joestar, while Kaiji Tang takes on the role of Gyro Zeppeli.
Source material: “Stream It Or Skip It: ‘STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’ 2nd-3rd Stage On Netflix, Where Two Outcast Jockeys Team Up Against Killer Competition In A Wild Cross-Country Horse Race,” Decider.
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