The Steel Ball Run anime is in production with a second key visual released and a July 4 information drop planned, ahead of its fall 2026 release. Multiple merchandise lines, including Ichiban Kuji lotteries, gashapon figures, and leather goods, are launching through mid-2026 and into 2027.
The JoJo's Bizarre Adventure franchise is in a period of heavy merchandise activity centered on the Steel Ball Run adaptation. The anime, which premiered on Netflix in March 2026, received its second key visual on June 25, with new details about the '2nd STAGE' set for a fall 2026 release scheduled to be revealed on July 4. A special panel with composer Yugo Kanno is also planned for Anime Expo 2026 on July 3.
Merchandise releases span multiple product categories. Bandai Spirits launched the first full Ichiban Kuji lottery for Steel Ball Run on June 27, 2026, featuring MASTERLISE figures of Johnny Joestar, Gyro Zeppeli, Slow Dancer, and Lucy Steel, plus a Last One Diego figure. A second Ichiban Kuji, titled 'The Gathering of RIVALS,' will release sequentially from November 21, 2026, with MASTERLISE figures of antagonists from Parts 1 through 7, including the first Diego Brando figure from Part 7 in the series. Bandai also released the third wave of its JOJO Ball gashapon series in June, featuring Star Platinum, Crazy Diamond, G.E, and S.F. figures.
Medicos Entertainment opened pre-orders for re-releases of Super Action Statue figures of DIO and The World from Part 3, priced at 9,900 yen each and scheduled for January 31, 2027. Bandai Namco opened pre-orders for a leather accessory line based on Steel Ball Run, including wallets and key cases for Johnny and Gyro, with shipments in October 2026. The official experiential shop THE★JOJO WORLD will celebrate its first anniversary on July 24, 2026, with limited goods and new mini-games.
Critical reception of the Steel Ball Run premiere, as covered by Anime Feminist, focused on the series' depiction of 1890s America, its racial and gender dynamics, and the introduction of paraplegic jockey Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli. The review noted the violence typical of JoJo but praised the race sequence as well-paced and engaging.
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Bandai Spirits will release two JoJo's Bizarre Adventure prize items in July. A clear figure of Iggy from Stardust Crusaders arrives July 14. A porcelain plate and cutlery rest set from Golden Wind follows July 16. The cutlery rest comes in 'To Be Continued' and 'Coco Jumbo' designs.
The second and third stages of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run will stream worldwide on Netflix starting September 25, 2026. New cast members include Tomokazu Sugita as President Funny Valentine, Yoko Hikasa as Hot Pants, and Tomoaki Maeno as Mountain Tim. A second promotional video was also released.
Warner Bros. Japan announced during its Anime Expo panel that the second stage of the Steel Ball Run anime will begin on September 25, with new episodes streaming weekly on Fridays. The second and third stages together will have 11 episodes. New characters Mountain Tim, Funny Valentine, and Hot Pants were introduced.
Medicom Entertainment is releasing a Chozo Art Collection figure set of Johnny Joestar and his horse Slow Dancer from the anime Steel Ball Run JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. The set stands 300mm tall and 305mm wide, priced at 28,600 yen, and ships in December 2026. Pre-orders open July 3 at the Medicom online shop and other retailers.
Bandai Spirits announced on July 2 that a new Ichiban Kuji lottery for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, titled "The Gathering of RIVALS," will release sequentially from November 21, 2026. Each draw costs 850 yen including tax. The lineup features seven MASTERLISE figures of antagonists from across the series: Dio Brando (Prize A), Kars (Prize B), DIO (Prize C), Kosaku Kawajiri (Prize D), Diavolo (Prize E), Enrico Pucci (Prize F), and Diego Brando as the Last One Prize. Prize A's Dio Brando figure includes a Stone Mask and a fearless expression. The Last One Prize marks the first appearance of Diego Brando, from Part 7, in this figure series. The lottery will be sold at convenience stores, hobby shops, and other retail locations, with availability varying by store.
The Ichiban Kuji for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run will be released June 27, 2026. The lineup includes MASTERLISE figures of Johnny Joestar, Gyro Zeppeli, Slow Dancer, and Lucy Steel as top prizes, plus a Last One Diego figure. Other prizes include a yo-yo, storage case, charms, notebooks, and stickers. Tickets cost 850 yen each.
Medicos Entertainment has opened pre-orders for new Super Action Statue figures of DIO and The World from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 3. The figures are available on Amazon Japan, each priced at 9,900 yen, with a scheduled release of January 31, 2027.
The official X account for the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure anime series released the second key visual for Steel Ball Run on June 25. It also announced new information about the '2nd STAGE,' which is set for a fall 2026 release, will be revealed on July 4. A special panel with composer Yugo Kanno is scheduled for Anime Expo 2026 on July 3.
Bandai will release the third wave of its "JOJO Ball" gashapon series, featuring four 4.5 cm figures of Stands from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Star Platinum, Crazy Diamond, G.E, and S.F. Each capsule costs 500 yen and the set launches in the third week of June.
Bandai Namco Experience announced that THE★JOJO WORLD, the experiential official shop for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, will celebrate its first anniversary on July 24, 2026. Limited goods featuring a new illustration titled "1st Anniversary ~Traveling Iggy~" and a visual of eight main characters holding bouquets will be released. New mini-games and collaboration T-shirts with glamb are also planned.
Bandai Spirits announced the full prize lineup for the Ichiban Kuji lottery based on JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run. Prizes include MASTERLISE figures of Johnny Joestar, Gyro Zeppeli, Slow Dancer, and Lucy Steel, plus a Stephen Steel small items case, a Gyro's Steel Ball toy in collaboration with HYPER YOYO ACCEL, and other collectibles. The lottery launches in Japanese stores on June 27, 2026, with online sales starting July 21.
Bandai will release the third wave of its "JOJO Ball" gashapon series, "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure JOJO Ball Capsule Heroes 03," from the third week of June. The lineup includes four pre-colored figures and display bases: Star Platinum, Crazy Diamond, G.E, and S.F. Each figure is approximately 4.5 cm and costs 500 yen.
Anime Feminist published a review of the first episode of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run, the anime adaptation of Hirohiko Araki's manga part 7. The episode introduces paraplegic jockey Johnny Joestar, who enters the cross-country Steel Ball Run race not for the $50 million prize but to understand the secrets of Gyro Zeppeli's steel balls. The review, written by Chiaki Mitama, focuses on the series' depiction of 1890s America, its romanticized manifest destiny and Wild West flavor, and the racial and gender dynamics of its cast. The only named woman so far is Lucy, a race-runner's wife. Non-white characters include Sandman, a Native American runner whose skill is attributed to "the natives' unknown power," and Pocoloco, a lazy comic relief character with supernatural luck. The reviewer notes the violence typical of JoJo, with body contortion and blood, but praises the race sequence as well-paced and engaging. The review is presented as a "carte blanche" perspective from a critic not deeply familiar with the franchise.
Bandai Namco has opened pre-orders for a leather accessory line based on the Steel Ball Run anime. The Johnny and Gyro models include key cases, wallets, and coin cases, each featuring character-specific emblems and color schemes. Orders close September 27, 2026, with shipments in October.