Plans for the release of the highly anticipated seventh installment of “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,” titled “Steel Ball Run,” continue to perplex viewers and draw significant criticism.
The series made its debut on Netflix on March 19th, immediately capturing audience attention. However, the expected weekly continuation never materialized; instead, the series simply vanished from the schedule, leaving fans in a state of uncertainty.
It was later revealed at AnimeJapan 2026 that the second episode, which continues Johnny Joestar’s transcontinental race, would arrive on Netflix “sometime” in 2026, without a specific date. This ambiguity was further compounded by previous admissions from director Yasuhiro Kimura, who openly stated he didn’t know the release timeline, fueling the perception that the project lacks a clear, consistent schedule.
This confusing situation has deeply disappointed fans who were anticipating a regular, weekly release format. The issue immediately brought back memories of “Stone Ocean,” the sixth part of the franchise, which also faced criticism for its batch release strategy. While “Stone Ocean” eventually saw its entire story released within approximately a year, concerns for “Steel Ball Run” are significantly more serious. The project is planned to be divided into nine stages. If lengthy, months-long pauses occur between these stages, the full release of the series could potentially stretch over several years.
Anthony Prezman, the official French translator of the “Steel Ball Run” manga, openly criticized Netflix’s approach. He argued that the narrative thrives on week-to-week tension and anticipation, an effect that batch releases completely undermine. Prezman urged the streaming service to consider the unique nature of the storytelling and show greater respect for its audience, which he described as one of the most dedicated fanbases in the industry.
Prezman’s stance was widely echoed by other industry professionals and fans across social media platforms. Discussions are rife with calls for Netflix to revert to a traditional weekly release format for such a highly anticipated series. As of now, Netflix has yet to comment on the situation, and the release schedule for this seventh part remains ambiguously defined.