Steel Ball Run JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is finally returning to screens after a long wait. The 2nd STAGE of the anime will begin streaming on Netflix on Friday, September 25, 2026, bringing 11 new episodes that cover both the 2nd and 3rd STAGES of the race. This comes after the 1st STAGE, a single 47-minute special episode, arrived on March 19, 2026.
For both longtime JoJo fans and newcomers, this guide breaks down the exact release timing across the globe, what the new episodes will cover, who is joining the cast, and why this release schedule matters so much to the community.
When Exactly Does Episode 1 Arrive on Netflix
The 2nd STAGE premiere will hit Netflix worldwide at 1 a.m. PDT on September 25, 2026, which is 5 p.m. JST in Japan. For viewers in other major regions, here are the exact local times for the first episode drop:
- USA (Pacific Time): 1 a.m. PDT on September 25
- USA (Eastern Time): 4 a.m. EDT on September 25
- UK (BST): 9 a.m. BST on September 25
- Canada (Eastern Time): 4 a.m. EDT on September 25
- Australia (AEST): 6 p.m. AEST on September 25
- India (IST): 1:30 p.m. IST on September 25
A new episode will then arrive every Friday after that. The full 2nd and 3rd STAGES will consist of 11 episodes in total, all releasing weekly on the platform.
What the 2nd STAGE Will Cover in the Story
The 1st STAGE episode adapted the opening phase of the race, covering the first 15,000 meters of the Steel Ball Run. The 2nd STAGE picks up right where that left off, following Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli as they face a brutal desert crossing spanning roughly 750 miles (about 1,200 kilometers).
This desert is home to a feared region known as the “Devil’s Palm”. Strange and dangerous events begin to unfold there, and the two racers quickly realize this competition is about far more than just prize money. The 2nd STAGE will adapt the “Across the Arizona Desert” arc, starting from the third volume of Hirohiko Araki’s manga.
A key plot point involves Funny Valentine, the President of the United States, who is secretly using the race as a cover to collect the scattered parts of a holy corpse. Whoever assembles all nine parts is said to gain immense power and glory.
New Characters and Voice Actors Joining the Cast
The 2nd STAGE introduces three important new characters, all of whom appeared in the latest trailer.
Tomoaki Maeno voices Mountain Tim, a racer who becomes involved in the desert stage.
Tomokazu Sugita, known for roles in Gintama and Demon Slayer, voices President Funny Valentine, the main antagonist of this part.
Yoko Hikasa, whose credits include Delicious in Dungeon and Shangri-La Frontier, voices Hot Pants.
The main Japanese cast returns with Shōgo Sakata as Johnny Joestar, Yōhei Azakami as Gyro Zeppeli, Kaito Ishikawa as Diego Brando, Rie Takahashi as Lucy Steel, and Kenta Miyake as Steven Steel.
For English dub viewers, Daman Mills returns as Johnny Joestar and Kaiji Tang as Gyro Zeppeli. Damien Haas voices Diego Brando, and Frankie Kevich voices Lucy Steel.
The Production Team Behind the New Episodes
David Production returns to animate the 2nd STAGE, continuing its work on the JoJo franchise. The series is directed by Yasuhiro Kimura and Hideya Takahashi, both of whom co-directed JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind.
Toshiyuki Kato, who directed Stone Ocean, serves as series director. Yasuko Kobayashi handles series scripts, Daisuke Tsumagari designs the characters, and Yūgo Kanno composes the music. Yoshikazu Iwanami returns as sound director.
The full production committee includes Warner Bros. Japan and Netflix, with the series streaming exclusively on Netflix worldwide.
Why the Weekly Release Schedule Matters to Fans
The decision to release the 1st STAGE as a single 47-minute episode drew heavy criticism from the global fanbase. Fans had waited 16 years since the manga ended for this adaptation, and the one-episode drop left them with no clear idea of when the story would continue.
Frustrated viewers flooded Netflix and JoJo official social media accounts with critical memes, particularly images of a “creepy Johnny” from the manga. Many demanded a weekly release format to keep the community engaged.
Netflix and the production committee responded by confirming that the 2nd and 3rd STAGES would follow a weekly Friday release plan. The official announcement stated this schedule “is part of the original plan and reflects the wishes of the production committee”.
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The weekly format is now being promoted under the hashtag #JOJOFRIDAY, echoing the franchise’s long tradition of “JoJo Fridays” that dates back to the earlier anime seasons.
What New Viewers Need to Know Before Watching
People who have never watched JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure can still jump into Steel Ball Run, as it is set in a separate timeline from the earlier parts. The story takes place in the 19th-century United States and follows a cross-country horse race with a $50 million grand prize.
Johnny Joestar, a former jockey who lost the use of his legs, teams up with Gyro Zeppeli, a mysterious outlaw who uses a strange spinning technique called the Spin. The two enter the race for different reasons, but both are drawn into a much larger conflict involving supernatural forces and a hidden conspiracy.
The 1st STAGE episode is currently available on Netflix for anyone who wants to catch up before September 25.
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on your favorite anime releases, streaming schedules, and cast announcements from around the world.
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