The highly anticipated anime adaptation of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run has officially unveiled its main staff, with David Production returning to animate the series. The announcement was made at Anime Expo 2025, following an initial teaser at AnimeJapan in April.
Key Staff Members Leading the Production
The creative team behind Steel Ball Run features familiar names from previous JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime installments, ensuring a consistent and high-quality adaptation.
- Directors: Yasuhiro Kimura and Hideya Takahashi, who previously co-directed JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, will take the helm.
- Series Director: Toshiyuki Kato, a veteran of the JoJo’s franchise with experience as a director for Stone Ocean and various roles on other series, is serving as the series director.
- Series Structure/Script Supervisor: Yasuko Kobayashi, known for her work across nearly all previous JoJo’s anime series, is returning to oversee the series scripts.
- Character Design: Daisuke Tsumagari, who worked as an animation director on Golden Wind, is responsible for the character designs. Tsumagari also created a special illustration for the reveal.
- Music: Yugo Kanno is once again composing the music, having previously worked on Stardust Crusaders, Diamond is Unbreakable, Golden Wind, and Stone Ocean.
- Sound Director: Yoshikazu Iwanami is returning as the sound director, a role he has held for every previous JoJo’s anime series.
Studio David Production Continues the Legacy
David Production, the animation studio responsible for every previous JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime adaptation, including Stone Ocean, is confirmed to be producing Steel Ball Run. This continuity in animation studio ensures that the distinct visual style and dynamic action sequences that fans have come to expect will be maintained.
What to Expect from Steel Ball Run
Steel Ball Run marks a significant departure in the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure saga, initiating a new continuity separate from the story of Jonathan Joestar that concluded with Jolyne in Part 6. The story transports viewers to the American Old West, where riders from around the globe gather for an epic cross-continental race with a grand prize of fifty million dollars. The narrative follows Johnny Joestar, a former jockey who, after becoming paralyzed, regains the ability to walk briefly after encountering Gyro Zeppeli. Driven to understand this newfound power, Johnny joins the race alongside Gyro, embarking on a bizarre and action-packed journey across the American frontier.
Director Toshiyuki Kato has commented that adapting the horses will be one of the most challenging aspects of the production. More information about the anime is expected to be revealed during a global livestream event on September 23. VIZ Media is releasing the Steel Ball Run manga in English, with the first volume available digitally and in print in May 2025.
