ALPHA ATTRACTED TO AN ALPHA

"SBR," damn, I have no words to describe it—it's incredibly good, fun, entertaining, etc. I'm going to fangirl a lot when it gets animated.  

Johnny Joestar: Without a doubt, the best fucking JoJo in history, both narratively and objectively speaking (sentimentally, it's Joseph). He undergoes brutal development through experiences during the race and because of Gyro. His death (though not shown in SBR but in JoJolion) is damn tragic and super sentimental because it was a sacrifice. And damn Jesus, why didn't I help him? XD His Stand is undoubtedly one of the most overpowered in all of JoJo. Literally, it’s: Thanks to the Infinite Rotation, this was able to open the inter-dimensional gap that Jesus gave to the President of the United States of America.  

Gyro: Shit, "Arigato Gyro." The best JoJo has to have the best JoJoBro, and Gyro delivered. In JoJo, there aren’t really teachers, but he’s an amazing mentor, and his corny jokes are funny. All the funny parts of SBR are because of him and his personality. His damn death was horrible (though I already knew from the spoilers), and it happened in a very tough moment. When Valentine tells Johnny he can bring Gyro back, and Johnny rejects it, asking for Gyro's forgiveness—damn, I shed a tear (very masculine). Something that bothered me is how they treat him or perceive him as a "Saint" (that is, a very noble and/or good person), or as Johnny says, "He’s not hungry." When he said this, my insides burned (this is partly due to an ideology I have).  

Spin: (Counterpart of Hamon, a power/technique that, in my opinion, is a bit boring and overused, though JoJo is much older than typical Shonen like Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, etc.) Damn, the Spin is beautiful. JoJo could have continued with this power, and it wouldn’t have bothered me. (It’s mentioned in JoJolion, but meh.) I really like the concept of the "Golden Ratio" because it’s a real and understandable concept, extremely exaggerated but still understandable.  

Diego Brando: DIO has always been a good villain, though his "origin" is a bit meh. But in SBR, DIO's origin is... damn, very sad, and the resentment that has always characterized DIO is justified.  
But...  
Not everything is perfect.  
When the first DIO is killed by Funny Valentine, it was a good ending for him.  
But...  
The second DIO pissed me off so much.  
Scary Monsters was great (literally turning DIO into a Velociraptor), but the second DIO doesn’t have Scary Monsters; he has the damn The World. How the hell does he have The World? Johnny doesn’t have "Passione," Gyro doesn’t have "Hammond's Bubbles," Josuke (or Josefumi) doesn’t have Crazy Diamond. In Stone Ocean, Pucci literally erased the Universe of the Stone Mask by "wasting" the time of the same universe.  

Hot Pants: Ok, I feel like Hot Pants isn't appreciated enough. Personally, I loved her. Her past is tragic, but they didn’t give it importance or development. Literally, I don’t even know if she’s dead. She has a good duality with the first DIO, and I wish she had more prominence in the "Civil War" arc. Literally, she never got out of Axl Rose's power, meaning she never confronted her past (also Gyro, but Gyro is God). She just "exited" to die at the hands of Funny Valentine.  

Funny Valentine: Funny is simply the best antagonist—not a villain. Honestly, his father's story didn’t resonate with me much, but his charisma is undeniable. As I said, he’s an antagonist because he’s not "evil"; he just clashes (or got caught in the flow of calamity) with Johnny and Gyro. His patriotism is interesting since he’s the Motherfucking President of the United States. His Stand, Dirty Deed Done Dirt Cheap (or simply D4C), is... damn weird (not as much with The Wonder of You). At first, I thought it would just be like "Mandela Effects," or that's what the "Who Shot Johnny Joestar" case seemed to imply. But later, it shows its full power (poor Weicapipo, his life ended just for an explanation): visiting other dimensions and bringing either things or people to the dimension he wants. This creates problems in JOJO's (and in other Cinematic Universes and books).  
Example: The death of the 2nd DIO, Dio The World.  

Honorable mention to Mountain Tim and Blackmore.  

Conclusion: The best part of all JOJO's. The protagonist has excellent development, although the whole thing with Dio annoyed me a little. Like all parts, there are no rest periods or organic conversations.

<p>Jojo is truly unique; its power system is different and exceptionally special. It's amusing how people can possess such creative Stands and still utilize them as deadly weapons. I adore the show's ability to change the main characters in every part while still making each one likable, if not more so than the last. It's genuinely amazing. I just started the anime, and even though I know everything from reading the manga, I'm always surprised by what happens. The Jojo manga is incredible, and the art style is also distinct. I love how the series evolves in every category. It's highly enjoyable to read and stands out as an exceptional manga series.</p>

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Part 7: Steel Ball Run is the seventh installment of the Japanese manga series Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, crafted by Hirohiko Araki as both writer and illustrator.  

Set in 1890s United States, it follows Johnny Joestar, a once-promising jockey now paralyzed from the waist down, whose dream is to walk again, and Gyro Zeppeli, a former Neapolitan executioner seeking redemption for a child on Death Row. Together with other competitors, they take part in a grueling cross-country horse race stretching from San Diego to New York, vying for a staggering $50,000,000 prize. However, their journey becomes perilous when they uncover the sinister motives behind the race orchestrated by its creator, Steven Steel, and face an even greater, mysterious threat lurking in the shadows.  

The artwork is stunning, perfectly embodying Araki’s signature style—often bold and flamboyant. In my view, this story arc is not only the pinnacle of the Jojo series but also ranks among the greatest manga ever produced. The characters are intricately developed and captivating, including some of my personal favorites introduced in this part. The narrative is gripping, maintaining suspense and excitement throughout, further solidifying my admiration for the series.  

Here, Stand abilities diverge from traditional conventions, functioning less like typical Stands (which are physical manifestations of one's spiritual energy visible and usable only by other Stand Users, each possessing unique traits and limitations in range and power) and more akin to superpowers or specialized abilities.  

Spanning 94 chapters, Steel Ball Run delivers an unforgettable experience from start to finish.  

10/10

Just wow, it's incredible how much Araki has developed over the years. Steel Ball Run is such an outstanding story and has become my favorite JoJo part.  

The setting is fantastic, and as always, Araki's art is breathtaking. Exploring 1880s America provides a truly fascinating backdrop. The added urgency from the race significantly enhances the narrative, introducing another layer of challenge for the characters.  

The story itself was excellent, though it started at a slower pace, taking some time to introduce stands. It wasn't bad by any means, but it definitely improved once stands were introduced and the focus shifted to the corpse parts.  

The characters are among the best-written in the entire JoJo series. Johnny and Gyro form an incredible duo, and even with fewer main characters than previous parts, they carry the story just as effectively as, for example, the Morioh warriors. They've become some of my favorite characters due to their depth and complexity. I also appreciate how Johnny isn't strictly good or evil but exists in a gray area, which is one of the reasons he has become my favorite JoJo character. Tusk is a somewhat peculiar ability when you think about it (though what JoJo stand isn't?), but it's used in highly creative ways, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As the stand evolved, its developments were logical, paralleling Johnny's growth as a character alongside his stand. Gyro's spin technique was captivating, aiding Johnny in evolving his stand, and together they managed to create an infinite spin with the help of a horse.  

The fights feel more natural rather than forced compared to earlier parts. There are ingenious uses of abilities, and the stands themselves are remarkable. I'm genuinely impressed by the minor villain Ringo Roadagain, a fan favorite, due to his complexity despite being a minor antagonist. His stand, Mandom, with the ability to rewind time for a few seconds, is intriguing and reminiscent of past JoJo antagonists. Other fights I particularly enjoyed were those involving Blackmore and Wekapipo for their unique abilities and settings.  

You can't discuss SBR without mentioning Funny Valentine; like Kira Yoshikage, he's an extraordinary villain and one of the best in JoJo. He's comparable to Johnny because he also operates in a gray zone—Funny wants the best for his country, but the methods he employs are questionable, to say the least. His stand, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (D4C), is both interesting and powerful, offering numerous possibilities. The first time reading the D4C arc was confusing, but once an explanation was provided, everything made sense despite its oddity. The stand is well-utilized, and it was fascinating to see that Funny remained essentially the same person across all the different dimensions, highlighting his determination.  

In conclusion, Steel Ball Run is my favorite JoJo part, followed by Diamond is Unbreakable, thanks to the complexity of the characters, the incredible fights, the phenomenal villain, and more. It's absolutely worth the read!  

Story: 9/10  
Art: 10/10  
Characters: 10/10  
Enjoyment: 10/10  
Overall: 10/10

<p>Alright, to start off, I'm a huge Jojo fan and really enjoy watching it. BUT, as I can see, reading it isn't my thing for THIS specific series. I just couldn't get into it, which saddens me because I've heard Part 7 is the best one so far... I WILL watch it when there's an anime adaptation someday, but for ME, and ONLY me, I couldn't enjoy Part 7 as a manga. NOT because it's bad, but because I just couldn't engage with the story. I will still recommend it if you like Jojo, but if you've only watched the anime, I might suggest waiting for the anime adaptation.</p>

Part 7 is undoubtedly the most beloved part among fans today, and I can't fault anyone for adoring it. It ranks as my second favorite part and is currently one of my top five manga series.

Araki truly took a bold step with this installment, reimagining Part 1 in such a brilliant manner. This approach was nothing short of genius. Personally, I loved it, and many of my friends who have read it share the same sentiment. As someone who enjoys rewriting and re-presenting content in unique ways, I found this aspect particularly compelling. The connections it has to Part 8 are also quite remarkable.

In my view, Part 7 is one of the most accessible manga to read. That said, this perspective comes from someone who can easily read 20 chapters in one sitting. I completed this manga in just under two weeks without rushing. However, it does contain a fair amount of dialogue, with text boxes often exceeding three sentences. But then again, what else would you expect from a series like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure?

I've made an effort to write this review without any spoilers. While I might consider writing another review that includes spoilers, the likelihood is quite low.

= A_Y

The absolute best part of the franchise so far!  

It stood out as the most unique installment, bringing something fresh and new to the table, unlike its predecessor. What wasn’t there to love? The characters were incredibly likable, and more often than not, I could fully grasp the motivations of even the most evil individuals in this part.  

That said, it’s not quite a flawless masterpiece, as there were aspects I didn’t care for. In the final fight, it was made crystal clear how and where everything unfolded, as Araki clearly understood that action-packed manga pages can be hard to follow. However, I wish this clarity had been applied to all the fights in this part, not just the last one. There were moments when I felt thoroughly confused about what was happening in several battles. Some fights left me dazed, trying to piece together what had just transpired.  

On the other hand, the fights that were easy to follow were nothing short of incredible and, as always, highly creative.  

I wasn’t entirely fond of how they handled the finale, but even that was fairly cool and enjoyable, though it felt a bit off-tone.

Story: 9/10  
The narrative of Steel Ball Run isn't particularly groundbreaking, especially when compared to other JoJo parts. It follows the familiar formula of protagonists battling through waves of Stand users en route to confront the main antagonist. Nevertheless, Araki crafts a story that progressively builds with each chapter, compelling readers to theorize about upcoming events. In my view, it had a sluggish beginning and places undue emphasis on the racing aspect, which is why this section receives a 9. However, it redeemed itself with what I consider the finest ending among all JoJo parts.  

Art: 9/10  
I read the colored edition. The artwork was impressive; in my opinion, each JoJo part showcases an increasingly refined art style up to part 7. Characters are uniquely depicted, settings are intricately detailed, and visually striking. While I had no qualms about the art, it wasn't revolutionary.  

Character: 10/10  
The characters are exceptional. Initially, I found Gyro somewhat one-dimensional, but like most characters in this manga, his backstory—and those of others—unfolds throughout the story, making them increasingly fascinating. Most minor characters possess appealing designs and traits, ensuring Stand battles remain engaging. Regarding the Stands themselves, despite being the fifth installment of Stand-based JoJo's, Araki continues to deliver inventive abilities. Johnny Joestar ranks among my top three JoJos, exhibiting strong character development, a likable personality, and an excellent design.  

Enjoyment: 10/10  
Though the start was slow, once the story accelerates and introduces Stand battles, it becomes significantly better. The fights are captivating, and there's always something to anticipate. The story reaches its peak exceptionally well at the end but remains thoroughly enjoyable throughout (even during the slower parts).  

Overall: 10/10  
An outstanding manga overall and a superb addition to the JoJo series, potentially the best part thus far in my opinion.