JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run is undoubtedly the finest piece of literature I've encountered thus far. It serves as a sort of reset for the series, taking the concepts from its predecessors and pushing them to their limits. Fortunately, it works exceptionally well.
Story: 10/10
Steel Ball Run is masterfully written, though it may take some time to fully immerse yourself in it initially. However, once stands are introduced, the story only gets better. The battles are consistently engaging (though a few can be slightly confusing), and it culminates in a thrilling conclusion. Stands here are simpler and easier to grasp, which isn't necessarily negative. Instead of powerful, fast stands that fight on behalf of their users, the battles focus more on the user's strategy and their ability to exploit their stand's unique power.
Art: 10/10
The art style in Steel Ball Run is stunning, with impeccable character designs. The backgrounds are always meticulously detailed and visually appealing. The character design is likely the best I've ever seen; each character is distinct and intricately crafted, much like the backgrounds. Diego Brando boasts the most impressive character design I've encountered.
Characters: 10/10
Steel Ball Run features some remarkable characters. While Johnny may be the "JoJo" of this part, Gyro takes center stage for the first half of the series. Both Johnny and Gyro possess unique and captivating personalities. The supporting characters are also well-developed, with intriguing backstories, such as Ringo Roadagain and Hot Pants. The main antagonist, President Valentine, stands out as the best in the series due to his compelling rationale, which viewers might even perceive as justifiable. Everything about the characters is exceptional.
Enjoyment: 10/10
I devoured this series because after finishing each chapter, I was eager to know "What happens next?" Steel Ball Run was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, and I don't think I've enjoyed anything else nearly as much before or since. It was incredibly fun to read, and I could revisit it repeatedly without losing interest. I truly relished following Johnny and Gyro, believing they form a better duo than any other team in JoJo's saga.
Overall: 10/10
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run ranks as the best thing I've ever read in my life. The story is extraordinary, a roller-coaster of bizarre events and battles that keep you craving more. The art is breathtaking, the backgrounds are beautiful, and the character design is flawless. Steel Ball Run is an outstanding installment, and every page is worth reading due to its sheer perfection.
I think this is a great manga, and I loved it from the very first moment.
Since the JoJo universe was reset by Pucci, the "whole new world" version of JoJo that Araki created is both bizarre and wonderful. Even though there's a new condition for obtaining a Stand, it's still reasonable. So, for those who are just starting to read JoJo, skipping parts 1-6 would be fine because parts 7-8 take place in a different JoJo universe. However, there are many characters that reference the earlier parts, which brings back fond memories for those who have already read or watched JoJo parts 1-6. I have no complaints about the art style since it's Araki, and I accept that Araki always changes his art style in every part of JoJo. The character development is excellent, especially Johnny's. I truly enjoyed this manga because it offered me a lot of different experiences compared to the previous parts of JoJo.
Huh, this manga has left me utterly perplexed. I anticipated a masterpiece akin to Berserk or Fullmetal Alchemist, replete with compelling and emotional character arcs, awe-inspiring powers, and an enthralling narrative. Instead, by the halfway point, I found myself overwhelmingly bored, transitioning into disappointment nearing the three-quarter mark. Frankly, I only managed to finish it because there was nothing else available for bathroom reading at the time. There isn't a single character I've formed any attachment to; those I'm supposed to admire leave me indifferent, while those I'm meant to despise, I genuinely do hate. This imbalance in character design leaves me disliking the entire cast. The initial premise of a race across the west had me eagerly anticipating more, but the introduction of powers overshadowed the race's significance, leaving its original importance in the dust. While the artwork is undeniably stunning, the recurring issue of similar faces slightly detracts from its brilliance.
Overall, I'm left with a profound sense of dissatisfaction. The conclusion neither fulfilled my expectations nor left me feeling enriched after completing the journey. My sole takeaway was to pray to RNJesus for good fortune, though it seems you're likely to be let down regardless.
Once more, I find myself baffled by this one. I wouldn't categorize this manga as bad, yet its ranking at #2 on MAL genuinely puzzles me.
where to start?
The peak of Araki Hirohiko's JOJO's Bizarre Adventure is this part.
After the shocking conclusion of Stone Ocean, I couldn't wait for the adaptation of Part 7, Steel Ball Run—the second highest-rated manga after Berserk. This time, the demographic isn't shounen; it's seinen, my favorite. Masterpieces like Vinland Saga, Berserk, Vagabond, and even Oyasumi Punpun have set high standards, and this manga delivered.
STORY: This is the pinnacle of Araki's writing. The story is more mature now that Araki himself has matured both artistically and in storytelling. Johnny Joestar is one of the best protagonists I've ever encountered in fiction—asshole yet kind in his own way, smart, funny, and his dynamic with Gyro is simply a chef's kiss. The race itself is intriguing, and the villain, Funny Valentine, reminds me a bit of Kira Yoshikage due to his goals (not identical but similar in some aspects). This is the best story so far among the first seven parts, and the ending is incredibly satisfying and epic.
ART: The art in this manga is just sublime—like a masterpiece in the Louvre Museum. Character designs are perfect as always. Fight panels look incredible, and even scenes meant to be humorous are drawn in a delightfully funny way—just take a look at PIZZA MOZZARELLA. The stands look amazing—Tusk, D4C, and Catch the Rainbow is my favorite. Mandom is also fantastic. Araki excels in stand designs here.
OST: THIS IS A MANGA, NO OST... However, I was listening to Western movie soundtracks like The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly while reading.
This manga is so great that I can't describe it with words. It's the best part of JOJO and one of the greatest experiences of my life.
THANK YOU, ARAKI SENSEI, FOR THIS PEAK FICTION MASTERPIECE... CAN'T WAIT TO READ PART 8.
I am writing this review simply because there was only one review, which means that no matter how bad this review is, it will still end up being the second most helpful.
Set in an alternate universe from previous parts due to the events at the end of Stone Ocean, Steel Ball Run is probably the pinnacle of the massive Jojo's Bizarre Adventure franchise—a statement not to be taken lightly. Araki has once again recycled and improved upon his formula for making extraordinarily bizarre adventures.
The premise for Steel Ball Run, like many other parts of the JJBA series, is fairly simple and straightforward yet manages to transcend its simplicity with incredible depth and development. Essentially, the story revolves around a cross-continental horse race across America with a prize of $50 million. There are many wacky and wonderful characters who enter this race, ranging from a Native American trying to save his village to a man who entered the race because he received a good fortune from a creepy fortune teller.
Moving onto the two main characters of Steel Ball Run: we have Johnny Joestar, the titular Jojo of the series, and Gyro Zeppeli. In his youth, Johnny was a promising horse jockey until he was shot and paralyzed, leaving him unable to compete. He also lost all his fame and his father's love. It's at this point that Johnny encounters the flamboyant Gyro Zeppeli, whom Johnny believes holds the ability to restore his ability to walk. With nothing to lose, Johnny pursues Gyro. Although reluctant at first, Gyro allows Johnny to race alongside him in the Steel Ball Run. Araki decided to focus solely on two central characters in this part, as opposed to previous parts such as Stardust Crusaders and Vento Aureo, resulting in both characters receiving brilliant development throughout the series. This is hands down the best bromance in anime and manga. There are still many notable side characters present, playing important roles in the plot, including a magnificent cameo performance from previous villain Dio Brando in the form of the suave ladies' man Diego Brando, who is willing to do anything to achieve his ambitions. Additionally, the mysterious Hot Pants provides one of the most shocking twists in the entire series.
The antagonist of the story, Funny Valentine (named after the song 'My Funny Valentine' by Chet Baker), happens to be the President of the United States and is secretly pulling the strings behind the scenes of the Steel Ball Run for his own nefarious purposes. Valentine sets himself apart from the other villains in the series and even surpasses his counterparts, an impressive feat considering JJBA arguably features some of the best villains in any series. He combines his strong philosophical and political views with perhaps the coolest ability of all time to become a truly great villain.
Once more, Araki's artistic style has evolved further. His eccentric character designs have been refined to perfection. Since the series moved from Weekly Shounen Jump to Ultra Jump, which has a monthly release, the length of the chapters has increased, as well as the quality of the backgrounds and landscapes, which vary greatly across the vast continent of America—from vast deserts to frozen wastelands—all captured beautifully.
The Stand fighting system is back once more but has been refined further. Araki once again provides readers with a banquet of fabulous powers and intelligent fights that other fighting series can only aspire to. A special mention goes to Diego Brando's 'Scary Monsters' because, well, it is awesome.
Araki has really outdone himself this time. He has truly created one of the most exciting and memorable manga series of all time with Steel Ball Run. I have no idea how he plans to top himself with Jojolion, but he has set the bar pretty damn high for himself and every other shounen author out there.
I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a fantastic series filled with intelligent and innovative fights, brilliantly developed characters who are genuinely relatable, and for anyone who wants to read a series with horse races in it. If you are interested in reading Steel Ball Run, you can probably get away with not reading the entire series from parts 1-6, but I would strongly advise you to check out the entire series as you would be missing out on a lot of greatness. At any rate, you should at the very least watch the 2012 series, as there are a few overlapping themes and characters you should be aware of.
This is one of the most incredible mangas I have ever read. The plot is solid, though the beginning is a bit slow-paced, it's absolutely worth it in my opinion. The unique Stands introduced in Part 7 are incredibly fascinating. "Steel Ball Run" boasts a cast of intriguing characters with distinct personalities. I had an amazing time reading this. It’s truly a masterpiece crafted by Araki.
Additionally, it would be quite intriguing if someone new to JoJo were to start with Part 7, as it takes place in an alternate universe and has no direct connection to the plots of Parts 1-6.
It features the funniest Valentine's Day storyline, which is reason enough to give it a read, lol.
Man oh man, this is fantastic! This has to be the best part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. The narrative is incredible. The artwork is absolutely stunning. The characters are top-notch, especially our favorite JoBro, Gyro Zeppeli (though Speedwagon deserves a mention too). I thoroughly enjoyed this manga, particularly the comedic moments like the "rella" song, which provide a delightful contrast to the mind-bending concepts involving Stands.
Overall, 10/10.
I highly recommend diving into this manga immediately if you haven't already—it's truly exceptional. It revolves around Johnny Joestar, a paralyzed man, who encounters Gyro Zeppeli, a master of an extraordinary ability known as the Spin. Together, they embark on a race spanning the entirety of the United States, battling adversaries along the way, in an effort to collect Jesus' body parts before the U.S. President, Funny Valentine, can assemble them all. It's a wildly bizarre journey, but then again, it wouldn't be called JoJo's Bizarre Adventure without good reason. To uncover the fates of these characters, check out JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run.
TL;DR: A tale of a disabled guy teaming up with a guy wielding strange powers to fight against the President of the United States is absolutely brilliant.
Steel Ball Run is, without a doubt, my favorite manga of all time and is widely regarded within the JoJo community as the best Part ever written. If an anime adaptation were to come out and ruin it, the backlash would mirror the reaction to the 2016 Berserk adaptation—it's that highly anticipated in our circles. As a devoted JoJo fan, I've enjoyed every Part despite their flaws, but none struck me as masterpieces until I read Steel Ball Run. It feels like Araki had some sort of epiphany because I can't comprehend how he managed to create something that so thoroughly surpasses his previous works. It excels in every aspect—the art, characters, story, tension, emotion, Stands—everything is leagues ahead of even the strongest Parts from JoJo's Shonen era, making me wish JoJo had been released as Seinen from the start.
The story unfolds in an alternate universe following Part 6, almost reimagining Phantom Blood but set in 1800s America, centered around a nationwide horse race. The protagonist has a tragic past and forms an alliance with a Zeppelli who shares his goal, leading to deep bonds of friendship and trust as the narrative progresses. And let me tell you, the story gets wildly intense. Essentially, the entire horse race is a ruse orchestrated by the President of the United States to find the pieces of a corpse that may or may not belong to Jesus Christ himself. The horse race itself is already thrilling to read, and this plot twist amplifies the intensity and intrigue.
The artwork is breathtaking. Araki is one of my all-time favorite manga artists, consistently producing stunning visuals throughout his career, but he truly outdoes himself here. This might be due to having more time now that he's writing for a Seinen audience, and every detail, character, and shading surpasses anything he's done before. This enhances the appeal of the character and Stand designs, and the environments and weather effects are spectacular.
However, the characters are undoubtedly the highlight of Steel Ball Run. We have Johnny Joestar, perhaps the most empathetic JoJo ever created, who battles severe depression without feeling forced or contrived—an incredible feat. His character development is remarkable, tracked not only by his thoughts and actions but also by his Stand, which is absolutely phenomenal and ranks among my favorites in the entire series. Then there's Gyro Zeppelli, one of my favorite manga characters overall. He's intelligent, humorous, cool, and incredibly entertaining to read due to his vibrant personality. The villain is my favorite JoJo antagonist ever. Similar to Handsome Jack from the Borderlands series, this villain could be seen as a hero depending on your perspective. Equipped with one of the most perplexing Stand powers ever devised, unmatched charisma, and unwavering patriotism, I found myself admiring him, possibly even more than the protagonists themselves. Additionally, one of my favorite aspects of Steel Ball Run is that they actually made Dio interesting! He's no longer the bland, one-dimensional character lacking redeeming qualities. While retaining many of his original flaws, he now possesses positive traits as well. He remains the determined and ambitious young man we all know, but he won't go on killing sprees for fun or scream about being the strongest for 30 pages straight. If only Part 3's Dio had been this compelling.
I won't deny that it has a slow start, but personally, I didn't mind at all. Many of my favorite manga/anime series begin slowly but evolve into non-stop thrill rides once the action kicks in. This was one of the rare instances where I was genuinely moved by what I read. Although the anime adaptation is still years away, I eagerly await the day when this masterpiece is brought to life on screen. I highly recommend reading it, especially in its digitally colored version, as it looks stunning with the added color. 10/10
This is my first review, so please forgive any mistakes.
STORY
The story surpasses all other parts of Jojo. The storyline was exceptional, and the chapters were released in a well-structured manner. This part was genuinely unique compared to the others. The character designs were outstanding, and I never felt bored while reading or watching it—it was consistently engaging. Some chapters had lengthy pages, but every individual element of the story was executed brilliantly. It covered various genres like comedy, mystery, and even included some ecchi scenes involving intense torture. The action sequences were incredible, and I hope they animate this series properly in the future. There was a lot of suspense at the end of each chapter. The ending was truly remarkable, and although this story concludes here, no other continuation will follow.
ART
The art was breathtaking, crafted beautifully by my favorite artist, Araki. The art style perfectly complemented the story, with no noticeable mistakes. The artwork stood out from the rest of the Jojo parts. Each character's design aligned flawlessly with their personality, and no two characters looked alike. The overall plot was fantastic.
CHARACTERS
Most characters are strong and intelligent, as everyone possesses unique stand abilities. Their reactions to bizarre events in the manga feel both realistic and humorous. I didn't personally connect with any specific character, but there is a clear foil for the protagonist. We get flashbacks of both the main character and the main villain. There are numerous supporting characters who assist Johnny, along with enemies I despise the most in Jojo history, particularly from Part 5. However, I found the main villains likable, which I believe was Araki's intention—to make us hate them yet appreciate their complexity. These characters will remain memorable to me.
ENJOYMENT
If you're reading this review, just go experience this amazing part of Jojo. It ranks highly (4th) for a reason, and even haters will enjoy it. Although I don't plan to reread the manga, if it gets animated in the future, I'll definitely watch it regardless of circumstances. I can't forget how incredible this part was—everything I read still lingers vividly in my mind. I absolutely loved Part 7. Salute to Araki, the original creator of the Jojo series!
Sorry again for any imperfections; this is my first review, and I tried my best to follow all guidelines. Take care, everyone!
Man... the narrative is incredibly well-crafted. Aside from one or two plot holes, it's nearly flawless. And the ending, oh the ending—it's breathtaking. It’s epic, wild, and undoubtedly the highlight of Part 7. On top of that, it introduces concepts so outlandish, my friend, they're almost challenging to grasp.
Art - 10
With Araki having an entire month to both illustrate and contemplate the story, everything feels significantly enhanced. This is the pinnacle of the franchise's art style—it's impeccable. Moreover, every illustration features stunning camera angles that amplify the sense of grandeur, making everything feel even more awe-inspiring. It truly is flawless.
Character - 10
Part 7 boasts a roster of meticulously crafted characters. Each character has a rich backstory and development arc. Johnny might just be the most developed JoJo ever, while Gyro is nothing short of extraordinary—seriously. Together, they form the greatest protagonist duo in manga history.
Enjoyment - 10
The pacing of Part 7 is unmatched. I took half a year to read Part 6 due to its less engaging rhythm. However, I devoured Part 7 in just two weeks—even though Part 7, with its 96 chapters (which equate to over 250 chapters when accounting for the previous parts' chapter lengths), is three times as long as Part 6.
Overall - 10
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run is nearly perfect, almost a masterpiece. While it does have its flaws, they pale in comparison to its countless strengths. It firmly resides in my top 3 favorites within the entire JoJo franchise.
Have never seen or read Jojo's but have heard it's fantastic and all that. And I saw one of the parts was number 2 best manga on here below BERSERK! So I thought alright I'll read it because each part should stand on its own right?
Well it definitely did. Araki is a very good writer, the way it introduced Gyro and Johnny was very stylishly done and I like that the main character Johnny isn't the most morally good guy, he is a bit of a jerk and has a selfish reason for wanting to be in the race while his new mentor Gyro who is a trained executioner is far nobler as he wants to save a young boy from being executed. And they develop and go through some of the best friendship and relationship writing I have seen in any media (coming pretty close to stuff like Gon and Killua or Ed and Al). I won't spoil much more about them but let me tell ya these two are fantastic for main characters, they have interesting motives, have fun personalities and their growing bond is such a thrill to read through.
The villain is of course the American president who is named Funny Valentine? Sounds very silly but it just rolls with it and he actually has a very noble and understandable motive. He wants to collect all of Jesus' body parts (stay with me) to gain ultimate power so no misfortune will ever come to America and it will become a dominant country and very safe. It makes sense considering the job of a president is to protect their country no matter what and for a villain he is quite noble and altruistic (as you'll see very later on in this manga) and his backstory helps a lot and he has one of the best speeches I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. The napkin speech.
The art is well...fantastic! Not much of an art expert but it's very nice to look at, the horses' anatomy is really well done and it's so dynamic and creative most of the time especially during the insane stand fights.
What's a stand you say? That is basically the power system of this series. Like Hunter x Hunter has Nen and Fullmetal Alchemist has Alchemy, Jojo's has Stands. Basically your spirit energy manifesting into whatever the hell Araki wants, each person has got a unique looking stand and abilities and you get it from being near Jesus' corpse (sounds very weird I know but you get used to it). And for some reason their stands are always named after either bands or songs (one of them's called Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, you know the AC/DC song). To name some stands and their abilities I'll name Blackmore and his stand: Catch the Rainbow! Its ability is to control and manipulate raindrops and to be able to walk on them. And another one like Scary Monsters that can turn people into dinosaurs and make them henchmen of yours or Mandom which can rewind 6 seconds back into the past so you can try again to kill an enemy, all stands have fun abilities that of course lead to some very bizarre and creative fights. Unlike most shonen where power is the only thing that matters, in Jojo's you only win if you outsmart or use your abilities or theirs to your advantage (like one stand called Cream Starter is literally a spray that sprays skin that can suffocate or heal you, the creativity man!). Also the main characters Gyro and Johnny don't actually use stands that much (well Johnny later gains one pretty early that he later uses a lot) and practice the art of steel balls that can use stuff like friction, rotations, aerodynamics and life energy to use and Gyro basically teaches Johnny the ropes on how to use this art and it's quite interesting to see them use it and seeing Johnny improve with it. Also one of my favorites was the True Man's World fight where Gyro battled the guy who could rewind back 6 seconds and had to think of ways around that and to use that to his advantage even sacrificing himself and all that jazz in duel fights, very good stuff and the final two fights are absolutely insane but I won't spoil. And fights like Civil War help us delve into the characters' psyche more so we can learn more about them and to see them develop.
The designs are very weird and bizarre (check for instance Mrs Robinson or Gyro's) but don't come off annoying or off-putting, they fit the world that Araki has created which at first seems impossible considering you see a pretty dark wild west but it grows on you.
Araki uses the genre of western very well. The story is actually centered around a race across America on horseback to win lots of money and that's how Gyro and Johnny meet and the race goes on for the whole manga until the very end but throughout the manga stuff happens and the race kinda subsides into the background to focus on Johnny and Gyro going up against Funny Valentine over Jesus' body. Don't worry it sounds insane but it flows naturally and doesn't feel forced.
Alright after explaining why I love this manga to death I guess it's only fair if I list my problems with it: Araki introduces some really interesting side characters that are awesome like Hot Pants and Diego and Wekapipo and Sandman but most of them don't get used too much and are pretty discarded pretty quickly (it isn't the case for all of them don't worry but only some) especially poor Sandman who seemed he was going to play a big part but was screwed. And characters like Poco Loco don't get enough screen time to care about them at all and leave you a bit disappointed. And another one is although most of the time stand fights are great Araki sometime has an issue of too much going on where it's really hard to tell what's actually going and some fights leave a lot too be desired like Tomb of the Boom which was dreadful involving a man who can turn himself into a rope? And the first twenty or so chapters while having some high points are also quite slow and drag but it picks up a lot I say around the Scary Monsters fight (so when you see Diego lying down bloodied that's the sign).
But that's it, 95 long chapters and I only really have less than a handful of cons and this is the only Jojo part I have seen! Which is great that this part stands on its own and satisfies a non Jojo fan and a new audience and you don't need to read any other part.
I can see now why it's rated so high up (I love Berserk and FMA to death so seeing it between them was very interesting), Araki you are fantastic and it was such a fun thrill ride this manga.
Great power system, fights, characters, villain, art was great, Johnny and Gyro have the best friendship dynamic ever etc. I am definitely checking out the rest of Jojo's now after reading Steel Ball Run (apparently this is the seventh part and there is a new eighth part out now so I got a lot of catching up to do!)
I highly highly recommend. Please read this manga I implore you. You don't even have had to have seen any of the other Jojo parts to love this manga as I am proof. It stands on its own and it is great.
Steel Ball Run, or JoJo Part 7, was an absolute joy to read. The country setting left a lasting impression on me after finishing the series. I have to say, I've been thoroughly impressed.
STORY: This marks a fresh start for the JoJo series, now set in 1800s America with a strong rural backdrop and minimal ties to the previous six parts. It begins with a straightforward goal that quickly spirals into chaos as the story progresses. Yet, it remains true to its 'BIZZARE' reputation throughout.
ART: I've always admired Araki-sensei's artwork. It's genuinely a masterpiece in its own right. Unlike the polished styles of recent Jump titles, his art has a unique charm that grows on you over time. If some find it rough, I recommend checking out colored scans. However, I've heard that Jump's color schemes aren't chosen by Araki-sensei. As for his own colored pages... calling them beautiful is an understatement. The man truly excels at creating stunning color pages.
CHARACTERS: Araki-sensei did a PHENOMENAL job with character development. For me, the main cast stands out as exceptionally well-written. While some minor antagonists don't play a significant role in the story, they still fulfill their brief appearances effectively. I particularly appreciate how these smaller characters are handled. As for the main group, they're simply exceptional.
OVERALL: Steel Ball Run is outstanding. This is peak fiction, and Araki has truly nailed it here. I understand that not everyone may enjoy the story, but personally, I loved it. I admit I might be fanboying, but this was just too good. PEAK FICTION.
This is my (admittedly fanboy-like) review. I just wanted to share my thoughts on the story. It may not be the most polished review, but it reflects my genuine feelings.
PS: Don't skip any of the earlier parts just because this one is a better story.
Popular Reviews
Story: 10/10
Steel Ball Run is masterfully written, though it may take some time to fully immerse yourself in it initially. However, once stands are introduced, the story only gets better. The battles are consistently engaging (though a few can be slightly confusing), and it culminates in a thrilling conclusion. Stands here are simpler and easier to grasp, which isn't necessarily negative. Instead of powerful, fast stands that fight on behalf of their users, the battles focus more on the user's strategy and their ability to exploit their stand's unique power.
Art: 10/10
The art style in Steel Ball Run is stunning, with impeccable character designs. The backgrounds are always meticulously detailed and visually appealing. The character design is likely the best I've ever seen; each character is distinct and intricately crafted, much like the backgrounds. Diego Brando boasts the most impressive character design I've encountered.
Characters: 10/10
Steel Ball Run features some remarkable characters. While Johnny may be the "JoJo" of this part, Gyro takes center stage for the first half of the series. Both Johnny and Gyro possess unique and captivating personalities. The supporting characters are also well-developed, with intriguing backstories, such as Ringo Roadagain and Hot Pants. The main antagonist, President Valentine, stands out as the best in the series due to his compelling rationale, which viewers might even perceive as justifiable. Everything about the characters is exceptional.
Enjoyment: 10/10
I devoured this series because after finishing each chapter, I was eager to know "What happens next?" Steel Ball Run was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, and I don't think I've enjoyed anything else nearly as much before or since. It was incredibly fun to read, and I could revisit it repeatedly without losing interest. I truly relished following Johnny and Gyro, believing they form a better duo than any other team in JoJo's saga.
Overall: 10/10
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run ranks as the best thing I've ever read in my life. The story is extraordinary, a roller-coaster of bizarre events and battles that keep you craving more. The art is breathtaking, the backgrounds are beautiful, and the character design is flawless. Steel Ball Run is an outstanding installment, and every page is worth reading due to its sheer perfection.
Since the JoJo universe was reset by Pucci, the "whole new world" version of JoJo that Araki created is both bizarre and wonderful. Even though there's a new condition for obtaining a Stand, it's still reasonable. So, for those who are just starting to read JoJo, skipping parts 1-6 would be fine because parts 7-8 take place in a different JoJo universe. However, there are many characters that reference the earlier parts, which brings back fond memories for those who have already read or watched JoJo parts 1-6. I have no complaints about the art style since it's Araki, and I accept that Araki always changes his art style in every part of JoJo. The character development is excellent, especially Johnny's. I truly enjoyed this manga because it offered me a lot of different experiences compared to the previous parts of JoJo.
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Overall, I'm left with a profound sense of dissatisfaction. The conclusion neither fulfilled my expectations nor left me feeling enriched after completing the journey. My sole takeaway was to pray to RNJesus for good fortune, though it seems you're likely to be let down regardless.
Once more, I find myself baffled by this one. I wouldn't categorize this manga as bad, yet its ranking at #2 on MAL genuinely puzzles me.
The peak of Araki Hirohiko's JOJO's Bizarre Adventure is this part.
After the shocking conclusion of Stone Ocean, I couldn't wait for the adaptation of Part 7, Steel Ball Run—the second highest-rated manga after Berserk. This time, the demographic isn't shounen; it's seinen, my favorite. Masterpieces like Vinland Saga, Berserk, Vagabond, and even Oyasumi Punpun have set high standards, and this manga delivered.
STORY: This is the pinnacle of Araki's writing. The story is more mature now that Araki himself has matured both artistically and in storytelling. Johnny Joestar is one of the best protagonists I've ever encountered in fiction—asshole yet kind in his own way, smart, funny, and his dynamic with Gyro is simply a chef's kiss. The race itself is intriguing, and the villain, Funny Valentine, reminds me a bit of Kira Yoshikage due to his goals (not identical but similar in some aspects). This is the best story so far among the first seven parts, and the ending is incredibly satisfying and epic.
ART: The art in this manga is just sublime—like a masterpiece in the Louvre Museum. Character designs are perfect as always. Fight panels look incredible, and even scenes meant to be humorous are drawn in a delightfully funny way—just take a look at PIZZA MOZZARELLA. The stands look amazing—Tusk, D4C, and Catch the Rainbow is my favorite. Mandom is also fantastic. Araki excels in stand designs here.
OST: THIS IS A MANGA, NO OST... However, I was listening to Western movie soundtracks like The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly while reading.
This manga is so great that I can't describe it with words. It's the best part of JOJO and one of the greatest experiences of my life.
THANK YOU, ARAKI SENSEI, FOR THIS PEAK FICTION MASTERPIECE... CAN'T WAIT TO READ PART 8.
Set in an alternate universe from previous parts due to the events at the end of Stone Ocean, Steel Ball Run is probably the pinnacle of the massive Jojo's Bizarre Adventure franchise—a statement not to be taken lightly. Araki has once again recycled and improved upon his formula for making extraordinarily bizarre adventures.
The premise for Steel Ball Run, like many other parts of the JJBA series, is fairly simple and straightforward yet manages to transcend its simplicity with incredible depth and development. Essentially, the story revolves around a cross-continental horse race across America with a prize of $50 million. There are many wacky and wonderful characters who enter this race, ranging from a Native American trying to save his village to a man who entered the race because he received a good fortune from a creepy fortune teller.
Moving onto the two main characters of Steel Ball Run: we have Johnny Joestar, the titular Jojo of the series, and Gyro Zeppeli. In his youth, Johnny was a promising horse jockey until he was shot and paralyzed, leaving him unable to compete. He also lost all his fame and his father's love. It's at this point that Johnny encounters the flamboyant Gyro Zeppeli, whom Johnny believes holds the ability to restore his ability to walk. With nothing to lose, Johnny pursues Gyro. Although reluctant at first, Gyro allows Johnny to race alongside him in the Steel Ball Run. Araki decided to focus solely on two central characters in this part, as opposed to previous parts such as Stardust Crusaders and Vento Aureo, resulting in both characters receiving brilliant development throughout the series. This is hands down the best bromance in anime and manga. There are still many notable side characters present, playing important roles in the plot, including a magnificent cameo performance from previous villain Dio Brando in the form of the suave ladies' man Diego Brando, who is willing to do anything to achieve his ambitions. Additionally, the mysterious Hot Pants provides one of the most shocking twists in the entire series.
The antagonist of the story, Funny Valentine (named after the song 'My Funny Valentine' by Chet Baker), happens to be the President of the United States and is secretly pulling the strings behind the scenes of the Steel Ball Run for his own nefarious purposes. Valentine sets himself apart from the other villains in the series and even surpasses his counterparts, an impressive feat considering JJBA arguably features some of the best villains in any series. He combines his strong philosophical and political views with perhaps the coolest ability of all time to become a truly great villain.
Once more, Araki's artistic style has evolved further. His eccentric character designs have been refined to perfection. Since the series moved from Weekly Shounen Jump to Ultra Jump, which has a monthly release, the length of the chapters has increased, as well as the quality of the backgrounds and landscapes, which vary greatly across the vast continent of America—from vast deserts to frozen wastelands—all captured beautifully.
The Stand fighting system is back once more but has been refined further. Araki once again provides readers with a banquet of fabulous powers and intelligent fights that other fighting series can only aspire to. A special mention goes to Diego Brando's 'Scary Monsters' because, well, it is awesome.
Araki has really outdone himself this time. He has truly created one of the most exciting and memorable manga series of all time with Steel Ball Run. I have no idea how he plans to top himself with Jojolion, but he has set the bar pretty damn high for himself and every other shounen author out there.
I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a fantastic series filled with intelligent and innovative fights, brilliantly developed characters who are genuinely relatable, and for anyone who wants to read a series with horse races in it. If you are interested in reading Steel Ball Run, you can probably get away with not reading the entire series from parts 1-6, but I would strongly advise you to check out the entire series as you would be missing out on a lot of greatness. At any rate, you should at the very least watch the 2012 series, as there are a few overlapping themes and characters you should be aware of.
Story=8.7
Art=9.1
Characters=9.5
Enjoyment=10
Overall=9.4
Art: 10
Character: 10
Enjoyment: 9
Overall: 10
This is one of the most incredible mangas I have ever read. The plot is solid, though the beginning is a bit slow-paced, it's absolutely worth it in my opinion. The unique Stands introduced in Part 7 are incredibly fascinating. "Steel Ball Run" boasts a cast of intriguing characters with distinct personalities. I had an amazing time reading this. It’s truly a masterpiece crafted by Araki.
Additionally, it would be quite intriguing if someone new to JoJo were to start with Part 7, as it takes place in an alternate universe and has no direct connection to the plots of Parts 1-6.
It features the funniest Valentine's Day storyline, which is reason enough to give it a read, lol.
Overall, 10/10.
I highly recommend diving into this manga immediately if you haven't already—it's truly exceptional. It revolves around Johnny Joestar, a paralyzed man, who encounters Gyro Zeppeli, a master of an extraordinary ability known as the Spin. Together, they embark on a race spanning the entirety of the United States, battling adversaries along the way, in an effort to collect Jesus' body parts before the U.S. President, Funny Valentine, can assemble them all. It's a wildly bizarre journey, but then again, it wouldn't be called JoJo's Bizarre Adventure without good reason. To uncover the fates of these characters, check out JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run.
TL;DR: A tale of a disabled guy teaming up with a guy wielding strange powers to fight against the President of the United States is absolutely brilliant.
The story unfolds in an alternate universe following Part 6, almost reimagining Phantom Blood but set in 1800s America, centered around a nationwide horse race. The protagonist has a tragic past and forms an alliance with a Zeppelli who shares his goal, leading to deep bonds of friendship and trust as the narrative progresses. And let me tell you, the story gets wildly intense. Essentially, the entire horse race is a ruse orchestrated by the President of the United States to find the pieces of a corpse that may or may not belong to Jesus Christ himself. The horse race itself is already thrilling to read, and this plot twist amplifies the intensity and intrigue.
The artwork is breathtaking. Araki is one of my all-time favorite manga artists, consistently producing stunning visuals throughout his career, but he truly outdoes himself here. This might be due to having more time now that he's writing for a Seinen audience, and every detail, character, and shading surpasses anything he's done before. This enhances the appeal of the character and Stand designs, and the environments and weather effects are spectacular.
However, the characters are undoubtedly the highlight of Steel Ball Run. We have Johnny Joestar, perhaps the most empathetic JoJo ever created, who battles severe depression without feeling forced or contrived—an incredible feat. His character development is remarkable, tracked not only by his thoughts and actions but also by his Stand, which is absolutely phenomenal and ranks among my favorites in the entire series. Then there's Gyro Zeppelli, one of my favorite manga characters overall. He's intelligent, humorous, cool, and incredibly entertaining to read due to his vibrant personality. The villain is my favorite JoJo antagonist ever. Similar to Handsome Jack from the Borderlands series, this villain could be seen as a hero depending on your perspective. Equipped with one of the most perplexing Stand powers ever devised, unmatched charisma, and unwavering patriotism, I found myself admiring him, possibly even more than the protagonists themselves. Additionally, one of my favorite aspects of Steel Ball Run is that they actually made Dio interesting! He's no longer the bland, one-dimensional character lacking redeeming qualities. While retaining many of his original flaws, he now possesses positive traits as well. He remains the determined and ambitious young man we all know, but he won't go on killing sprees for fun or scream about being the strongest for 30 pages straight. If only Part 3's Dio had been this compelling.
I won't deny that it has a slow start, but personally, I didn't mind at all. Many of my favorite manga/anime series begin slowly but evolve into non-stop thrill rides once the action kicks in. This was one of the rare instances where I was genuinely moved by what I read. Although the anime adaptation is still years away, I eagerly await the day when this masterpiece is brought to life on screen. I highly recommend reading it, especially in its digitally colored version, as it looks stunning with the added color. 10/10
STORY
The story surpasses all other parts of Jojo. The storyline was exceptional, and the chapters were released in a well-structured manner. This part was genuinely unique compared to the others. The character designs were outstanding, and I never felt bored while reading or watching it—it was consistently engaging. Some chapters had lengthy pages, but every individual element of the story was executed brilliantly. It covered various genres like comedy, mystery, and even included some ecchi scenes involving intense torture. The action sequences were incredible, and I hope they animate this series properly in the future. There was a lot of suspense at the end of each chapter. The ending was truly remarkable, and although this story concludes here, no other continuation will follow.
ART
The art was breathtaking, crafted beautifully by my favorite artist, Araki. The art style perfectly complemented the story, with no noticeable mistakes. The artwork stood out from the rest of the Jojo parts. Each character's design aligned flawlessly with their personality, and no two characters looked alike. The overall plot was fantastic.
CHARACTERS
Most characters are strong and intelligent, as everyone possesses unique stand abilities. Their reactions to bizarre events in the manga feel both realistic and humorous. I didn't personally connect with any specific character, but there is a clear foil for the protagonist. We get flashbacks of both the main character and the main villain. There are numerous supporting characters who assist Johnny, along with enemies I despise the most in Jojo history, particularly from Part 5. However, I found the main villains likable, which I believe was Araki's intention—to make us hate them yet appreciate their complexity. These characters will remain memorable to me.
ENJOYMENT
If you're reading this review, just go experience this amazing part of Jojo. It ranks highly (4th) for a reason, and even haters will enjoy it. Although I don't plan to reread the manga, if it gets animated in the future, I'll definitely watch it regardless of circumstances. I can't forget how incredible this part was—everything I read still lingers vividly in my mind. I absolutely loved Part 7. Salute to Araki, the original creator of the Jojo series!
Sorry again for any imperfections; this is my first review, and I tried my best to follow all guidelines. Take care, everyone!
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Man... the narrative is incredibly well-crafted. Aside from one or two plot holes, it's nearly flawless. And the ending, oh the ending—it's breathtaking. It’s epic, wild, and undoubtedly the highlight of Part 7. On top of that, it introduces concepts so outlandish, my friend, they're almost challenging to grasp.
Art - 10
With Araki having an entire month to both illustrate and contemplate the story, everything feels significantly enhanced. This is the pinnacle of the franchise's art style—it's impeccable. Moreover, every illustration features stunning camera angles that amplify the sense of grandeur, making everything feel even more awe-inspiring. It truly is flawless.
Character - 10
Part 7 boasts a roster of meticulously crafted characters. Each character has a rich backstory and development arc. Johnny might just be the most developed JoJo ever, while Gyro is nothing short of extraordinary—seriously. Together, they form the greatest protagonist duo in manga history.
Enjoyment - 10
The pacing of Part 7 is unmatched. I took half a year to read Part 6 due to its less engaging rhythm. However, I devoured Part 7 in just two weeks—even though Part 7, with its 96 chapters (which equate to over 250 chapters when accounting for the previous parts' chapter lengths), is three times as long as Part 6.
Overall - 10
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run is nearly perfect, almost a masterpiece. While it does have its flaws, they pale in comparison to its countless strengths. It firmly resides in my top 3 favorites within the entire JoJo franchise.
Well it definitely did. Araki is a very good writer, the way it introduced Gyro and Johnny was very stylishly done and I like that the main character Johnny isn't the most morally good guy, he is a bit of a jerk and has a selfish reason for wanting to be in the race while his new mentor Gyro who is a trained executioner is far nobler as he wants to save a young boy from being executed. And they develop and go through some of the best friendship and relationship writing I have seen in any media (coming pretty close to stuff like Gon and Killua or Ed and Al). I won't spoil much more about them but let me tell ya these two are fantastic for main characters, they have interesting motives, have fun personalities and their growing bond is such a thrill to read through.
The villain is of course the American president who is named Funny Valentine? Sounds very silly but it just rolls with it and he actually has a very noble and understandable motive. He wants to collect all of Jesus' body parts (stay with me) to gain ultimate power so no misfortune will ever come to America and it will become a dominant country and very safe. It makes sense considering the job of a president is to protect their country no matter what and for a villain he is quite noble and altruistic (as you'll see very later on in this manga) and his backstory helps a lot and he has one of the best speeches I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. The napkin speech.
The art is well...fantastic! Not much of an art expert but it's very nice to look at, the horses' anatomy is really well done and it's so dynamic and creative most of the time especially during the insane stand fights.
What's a stand you say? That is basically the power system of this series. Like Hunter x Hunter has Nen and Fullmetal Alchemist has Alchemy, Jojo's has Stands. Basically your spirit energy manifesting into whatever the hell Araki wants, each person has got a unique looking stand and abilities and you get it from being near Jesus' corpse (sounds very weird I know but you get used to it). And for some reason their stands are always named after either bands or songs (one of them's called Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, you know the AC/DC song). To name some stands and their abilities I'll name Blackmore and his stand: Catch the Rainbow! Its ability is to control and manipulate raindrops and to be able to walk on them. And another one like Scary Monsters that can turn people into dinosaurs and make them henchmen of yours or Mandom which can rewind 6 seconds back into the past so you can try again to kill an enemy, all stands have fun abilities that of course lead to some very bizarre and creative fights. Unlike most shonen where power is the only thing that matters, in Jojo's you only win if you outsmart or use your abilities or theirs to your advantage (like one stand called Cream Starter is literally a spray that sprays skin that can suffocate or heal you, the creativity man!). Also the main characters Gyro and Johnny don't actually use stands that much (well Johnny later gains one pretty early that he later uses a lot) and practice the art of steel balls that can use stuff like friction, rotations, aerodynamics and life energy to use and Gyro basically teaches Johnny the ropes on how to use this art and it's quite interesting to see them use it and seeing Johnny improve with it. Also one of my favorites was the True Man's World fight where Gyro battled the guy who could rewind back 6 seconds and had to think of ways around that and to use that to his advantage even sacrificing himself and all that jazz in duel fights, very good stuff and the final two fights are absolutely insane but I won't spoil. And fights like Civil War help us delve into the characters' psyche more so we can learn more about them and to see them develop.
The designs are very weird and bizarre (check for instance Mrs Robinson or Gyro's) but don't come off annoying or off-putting, they fit the world that Araki has created which at first seems impossible considering you see a pretty dark wild west but it grows on you.
Araki uses the genre of western very well. The story is actually centered around a race across America on horseback to win lots of money and that's how Gyro and Johnny meet and the race goes on for the whole manga until the very end but throughout the manga stuff happens and the race kinda subsides into the background to focus on Johnny and Gyro going up against Funny Valentine over Jesus' body. Don't worry it sounds insane but it flows naturally and doesn't feel forced.
Alright after explaining why I love this manga to death I guess it's only fair if I list my problems with it: Araki introduces some really interesting side characters that are awesome like Hot Pants and Diego and Wekapipo and Sandman but most of them don't get used too much and are pretty discarded pretty quickly (it isn't the case for all of them don't worry but only some) especially poor Sandman who seemed he was going to play a big part but was screwed. And characters like Poco Loco don't get enough screen time to care about them at all and leave you a bit disappointed. And another one is although most of the time stand fights are great Araki sometime has an issue of too much going on where it's really hard to tell what's actually going and some fights leave a lot too be desired like Tomb of the Boom which was dreadful involving a man who can turn himself into a rope? And the first twenty or so chapters while having some high points are also quite slow and drag but it picks up a lot I say around the Scary Monsters fight (so when you see Diego lying down bloodied that's the sign).
But that's it, 95 long chapters and I only really have less than a handful of cons and this is the only Jojo part I have seen! Which is great that this part stands on its own and satisfies a non Jojo fan and a new audience and you don't need to read any other part.
I can see now why it's rated so high up (I love Berserk and FMA to death so seeing it between them was very interesting), Araki you are fantastic and it was such a fun thrill ride this manga.
Great power system, fights, characters, villain, art was great, Johnny and Gyro have the best friendship dynamic ever etc. I am definitely checking out the rest of Jojo's now after reading Steel Ball Run (apparently this is the seventh part and there is a new eighth part out now so I got a lot of catching up to do!)
I highly highly recommend. Please read this manga I implore you. You don't even have had to have seen any of the other Jojo parts to love this manga as I am proof. It stands on its own and it is great.
So that's why I give it a 9/10 (almost perfect)
STORY: This marks a fresh start for the JoJo series, now set in 1800s America with a strong rural backdrop and minimal ties to the previous six parts. It begins with a straightforward goal that quickly spirals into chaos as the story progresses. Yet, it remains true to its 'BIZZARE' reputation throughout.
ART: I've always admired Araki-sensei's artwork. It's genuinely a masterpiece in its own right. Unlike the polished styles of recent Jump titles, his art has a unique charm that grows on you over time. If some find it rough, I recommend checking out colored scans. However, I've heard that Jump's color schemes aren't chosen by Araki-sensei. As for his own colored pages... calling them beautiful is an understatement. The man truly excels at creating stunning color pages.
CHARACTERS: Araki-sensei did a PHENOMENAL job with character development. For me, the main cast stands out as exceptionally well-written. While some minor antagonists don't play a significant role in the story, they still fulfill their brief appearances effectively. I particularly appreciate how these smaller characters are handled. As for the main group, they're simply exceptional.
OVERALL: Steel Ball Run is outstanding. This is peak fiction, and Araki has truly nailed it here. I understand that not everyone may enjoy the story, but personally, I loved it. I admit I might be fanboying, but this was just too good. PEAK FICTION.
This is my (admittedly fanboy-like) review. I just wanted to share my thoughts on the story. It may not be the most polished review, but it reflects my genuine feelings.
PS: Don't skip any of the earlier parts just because this one is a better story.
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