The long wait is finally over for anime fans. On March 19, 2026, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run officially premiered on Netflix, and the response has been nothing short of historic. Within hours of its release, the first 47-minute episode, titled STAGE 1, shot straight to the top of the rankings on MyAnimeList (MAL), instantly becoming the highest-rated anime of 2026 and one of the top-rated series in the platform’s history.
This marks the adaptation of the seventh part of Hirohiko Araki’s legendary manga series, set in an alternate 1890s America. The story follows Johnny Joestar, a former prodigy jockey left paralyzed, and Gyro Zeppeli, a mysterious executioner from Naples with a flair for spinning steel balls, as they enter a deadly cross-country horse race known as the Steel Ball Run.
The Numbers Are Already Breaking Records
Shortly after the episode went live on Netflix globally, the fan community reacted with overwhelming positivity. According to data aggregated on MyAnimeList, Steel Ball Run currently holds a score of 9.37 out of 10 based on thousands of user ratings. This score places it above the top-rated seasons of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, which had previously dominated the charts, and even rivals the scores of all-time classics like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
It is important to note that while the score is record-breaking, the number of votes is still climbing. Frieren has hundreds of thousands of votes solidifying its place, whereas Steel Ball Run is currently riding a wave of premiere hype. However, industry observers note that achieving such a high score so quickly—and maintaining it across several hours—is a rare achievement that speaks to the massive anticipation and satisfaction surrounding the adaptation.
A New World and a New Kind of JoJo
The premiere episode introduces viewers to a completely fresh starting point. Unlike previous parts that continued the lineage of the Joestar family, Steel Ball Run resets the universe. This makes it surprisingly accessible for newcomers who might have been intimidated by the previous 190+ episodes of the franchise.
The episode takes its time establishing the setting of San Diego in 1890. Viewers are introduced to Johnny Joestar (voiced by Shogo Sakata), a man who has lost everything after a shooting incident left him in a wheelchair. His chance encounter with Gyro Zeppeli (Yohei Azakami), a flamboyant Italian with golden grills and a unique mystical technique called the Spin, gives Johnny a new purpose: to follow Gyro and discover the secret behind the Spin to regain his ability to walk.
The premiere also sets up the competition. The race promoter Steven Steel (Kenta Miyake) announces the massive prize of $50 million, attracting a colorful cast of racers. Among them is the fan-favorite villain Diego Brando (Kaito Ishikawa), an English jockey whose cunning and arrogance immediately evoke memories of the original series’ iconic antagonist, Dio.
How the Animation Handles the Challenge of Horses
One of the biggest concerns leading up to the release was how the animation studio, David Production, would handle the massive scale of the race. Animating horses is notoriously difficult, and Steel Ball Run features hundreds of them.
Reviews of the premiere suggest that the studio has found a successful balance. The episode uses a hybrid of 2D animation for close-up character moments and 3D CGI for wide shots of the race. While some critics note that the CGI is noticeable in certain long-distance shots, the overall execution was praised for maintaining energy and excitement.
The race sequences, particularly the final sprint toward the first checkpoint, were highlighted as a standout. The direction by Yasuhiro Kimura and Hideya Takahashi—the same team behind the critically acclaimed Golden Wind (Part 5)—brings a dynamic camera movement and visual flair that keeps the tension high. Fans on social media noted that while there are “stiff” moments in the animation, the fluidity during the key action beats makes up for it.
Fan Reactions and a Divided but Passionate Response
The release has sparked a massive wave of discussion across social media platforms and forums like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). The consensus among long-time manga readers is that the adaptation is faithful to the tone of the source material.
However, the reaction is not entirely unanimous. While the MyAnimeList score is high, some user reviews expressed disappointment with the pacing. One user review noted that the episode felt “slow” and that “nothing really happened” in terms of action, focusing heavily on exposition and character introductions. Others expressed concerns about the long-term release schedule, fearing a repeat of Stone Ocean’s controversial “batch release” model that dropped episodes in chunks months apart.
Despite these criticisms, the overwhelming sentiment is one of relief and excitement. A reviewer on Screen Rant called it “a visual masterpiece” and praised the chemistry between Johnny and Gyro, stating that they are “already shaping up to be the best duo in all of JoJo.”
What We Know About the Release Schedule
As of March 20, 2026, Netflix has only released the first episode. The 47-minute runtime suggests a special premiere format, but the streaming giant has yet to confirm how the remaining episodes will be distributed.
The early hysteria around its premiere—including the internet’s immediate convulsions as it knocked Frieren off its comfortably cushioned throne on MyAnimeList within hours of release—comes with a strange sense of inevitability once you actually watch it. Because this is what Araki has always been building toward—a version of JJBA that feels complete in its craft and yet completely unbound in its imagination.
Fans are hoping for a weekly release schedule to build momentum and allow for the “JoJo Fridays” culture to return. For now, the production team at David Production remains quiet on future dates, leaving audiences waiting for the next stage of the race.
Also Read: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: Why a Failed Comedian Might Be Stronger Than Gojo
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