Steel Ball Run: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
In the American Old West, the world's greatest race is about to begin. Thousands line up in San Diego to travel over six thousand kilometers for a chance to win the grand prize of fifty million dollars. With the era of the horse reaching its end, contestants are allowed to use any kind of vehicle they wish. Competitors will have to endure grueling conditions, traveling up to a hundred kilometers a day through uncharted wastelands. The Steel Ball Run is truly a one-of-a-kind event. The youthful Johnny Joestar, a crippled former horse racer, has come to San Diego to watch the start of the race. There he encounters Gyro Zeppeli, a racer with two steel balls at his waist instead of a gun. Johnny witnesses Gyro using one of his steel balls to unleash a fantastical power, compelling a man to fire his gun at himself during a duel. In the midst of the action, Johnny happens to touch the steel ball and feels a power surging through his legs, allowing him to stand up for the first time in two years. Vowing to find the secret of the steel balls, Johnny decides to compete in the race, and so begins his bizarre adventure across America on the Steel Ball Run.
Audience Consensus
Audience opinion is sharply divided, primarily between those deeply disappointed by the anime adaptation's perceived failures in animation and pacing, and those who, despite acknowledging flaws, still find enjoyment due to the strength of the source material. There is near-universal agreement that the manga is superior, leading to significant frustration over the perceived mishandling of the adaptation, particularly concerning the animation quality and the ending's music.
Strengths
- The source material (manga) is widely praised and considered great.
- The core story, character dynamics (Johnny and Gyro), and unique concept are strong.
- Voice acting and sound design are generally considered good.
- Some reviewers note moments of "hype" and impressive CGI during racing sequences.
- The shift to a Western setting and epic scale is seen as fresh by some.
Weaknesses
- The anime adaptation is widely considered disappointing and lackluster compared to the manga.
- Animation quality is heavily criticized as inconsistent, lazy, clunky, and a step down from previous JoJo adaptations.
- Pacing issues are noted, with scenes being cut or rushed, negatively impacting character development and relationships (especially Johnny and Gyro's).
- The opening and especially the ending music/outro are frequently and intensely disliked.
- Character designs and art style in the anime are seen as a downgrade from the manga.
- The adaptation is perceived as not faithful to the manga, prioritizing hype over narrative substance.