Four episodes into its weekly Netflix run, the Steel Ball Run anime has its first verdicts in, and they're good. Anime News Network's episode review of episodes 1–4 calls Part 7 "excellent" despite a few blemishes, and says "JoJo Fridays" are back as a weekly ritual. Here's the short version for anyone deciding whether to start.
Quick answer
According to SenpaiRanks, STEEL BALL RUN JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is David Production's adaptation of Part 7 of Hirohiko Araki's manga, streaming exclusively on Netflix. The 1st Stage premiered March 19, 2026; the 2nd and 3rd Stages have streamed weekly on Fridays since September 25, 2026. Early reception is strong: ANN's reviewer rates the opening episodes excellent, AniList users average 87% on the 1st Stage, and SenpaiRanks tracks it at 7.17 adjusted on an early, still-growing vote base. Short answer: yes, it's good — and it's a friendlier entry point than its "Part 7" label suggests.
What's working
- The Boom Boom family arc. ANN's review singles out the escalation of Andre Boom Boom — from weird oddball to genuine threat to Johnny and Gyro — as some of the best villain-of-the-week writing in the whole series.
- The English dub. Per the same review, the dub sells the Boom Booms as an unsettling hillbilly clan while setting up the family-and-father themes Part 7 leans on later.
- The setup. A cross-country horse race in an alternate 1890s America, with a brand-new Joestar. No prior JoJo knowledge required.
What's not (yet)
The criticisms are specific, not structural. ANN found the fight with Oyecomova underwhelming next to the Boom Boom showdown, and notes the anime has trimmed Gyro's early backstory flashbacks for pacing — so his cageyness about his past starts to wear without the context the manga gives. Episode 5 is where that should start paying off.
Where it ranks
Steel Ball Run made our most-popular fall anime list, and you can stack it against the October airing-now board. At 7.17 on SenpaiRanks, though, its vote count is still small — which means your rating moves it. Rate Steel Ball Run after you catch up. To compare it with Parts 1–6, see the best David Production anime.
Before you start
Need the rollout details first? Our Steel Ball Run release-date and where-to-watch guide covers the stage structure, and JoJolion's English release news covers what comes after Part 7. The full fall slate is in what to watch in fall 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is the Steel Ball Run anime good?
A: Yes. ANN's review of episodes 1–4 calls it excellent, AniList users average 87% on the 1st Stage, and it scores 7.17 adjusted on SenpaiRanks so far.
Q: Where can I watch Steel Ball Run?
A: Exclusively on Netflix worldwide, with new episodes on Fridays since September 25, 2026.
Q: Do I need to watch earlier JoJo parts first?
A: No. Part 7 is set in an alternate universe with a new Joestar, so it works as a starting point.
Q: Which studio animates Steel Ball Run?
A: David Production, the studio behind every JoJo's Bizarre Adventure TV anime.
Q: What are the weak spots so far?
A: Per ANN, the Oyecomova fight is a step down from the Boom Boom family arc, and trimmed flashbacks leave Gyro's backstory thin for now.