Sep 15, 2025
“Steel Ball Run” is regarded by many fans as the pinnacle of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure saga and one of the greatest manga ever written. With Part 7, Hirohiko Araki reinvented the entire series, changing the atmosphere and storytelling approach while keeping the eccentric essence of JoJo intact.
Set in 1890s America, the plot revolves around the continent-spanning horse race known as the Steel Ball Run. At first, it seems like nothing more than a sports competition, but soon the narrative evolves into a grand epic filled with mystery, philosophy, religion, and unforgettable battles.
The heart of the story lies in Johnny Joestar, a former jockey paralyzed
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from the waist down. Initially selfish and broken, Johnny undergoes an extraordinary transformation. His growth, his bond with Gyro Zeppeli, and his eventual mastery of the “Spin” create one of the most compelling character arcs in manga history.
Gyro Zeppeli, charismatic and enigmatic, serves as Johnny’s mentor and emotional anchor. His Steel Balls and the Spin technique are not only inventive combat tools but also powerful metaphors for growth and persistence. The friendship between Johnny and Gyro is among the most touching and well-developed relationships ever written in manga – built on humor, trust, sacrifice, and shared purpose.
The main antagonist, Funny Valentine, stands as one of JoJo’s most iconic villains. His goal of uniting the Saint’s Corpse parts to bring prosperity to America is driven by nationalistic conviction rather than pure malice, making him morally complex and thought-provoking. His Stand, D4C (Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap), with its multiverse manipulation abilities, is both conceptually fascinating and narratively groundbreaking. The climactic showdown between Johnny and Valentine is legendary – a fusion of strategy, raw emotion, and sacrifice.
Araki’s art style reaches full maturity in this part. Every panel is meticulously crafted, with dynamic action sequences and breathtaking landscapes that depict 19th-century America as both realistic and dreamlike. It’s a visual feast that complements the emotional weight of the story.
The themes explored here go far beyond the eccentric battles of earlier parts. Destiny, faith, sacrifice, the meaning of power, and the essence of life itself are all interwoven into the narrative. Johnny’s journey is as spiritual as it is physical, elevating “Steel Ball Run” into a profound literary work rather than just a manga.
The ending is bittersweet and devastating, yet fitting. It doesn’t offer a simple heroic victory but rather a conclusion full of sacrifice and philosophical weight, leaving the reader with a lasting impression of what it means to fight fate and to grow as a human being.
“Steel Ball Run” is, without question, a 10/10 masterpiece. It is the work that transformed JoJo from an eccentric shonen into a mature, thought-provoking art piece that lingers in the hearts and minds of its readers long after the final page.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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