JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fans have been waiting at the starting gates for the release of Steel Ball Run’s second episode, or failing that, any information about when it will be appearing, following the release of Episode 1 on March 19.
This weekend Netflix dropped a trailer with new footage from Part 7 of the long-running and massively successful anime series, but not a whole lot more information. After teasing the next leg of the titular Steel Ball Run, a journey across the continental United States for the grand price of $50 million, an ending card simply states that the “2nd STAGE” will be available in 2026.
A desert crossing spanning roughly 750 miles — the land that Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli must challenge is home to the area that is feared as the “Devil’s Palm.”
STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure 2nd STAGE is set to premiere in 2026. pic.twitter.com/ZJGmdmNrvS
— Netflix Anime (@NetflixAnime) March 28, 2026
Fans have not only not been given a firm release schedule, there’s no indication how this will be delivered; potentially as a single episode of indeterminate length like the series premiere, or as a number of regular length episodes covering this single section of the race, like the release of previous JoJo’s seasons.
This isn’t the first time that JoJo’s has had an odd release cadence, with the previous part, Stone Ocean, beginning with a course of episodes in December 2021, before continuing in September of the following year and with another chunk of episodes held until months later.
Netflix has faced criticism previously for the release strategy of its animated projects, with Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’s showrunner sharing their perspective of a season being released too eagerly: “As someone who had his whole season drop all at once at the same time, it’s the dumbest s**t ever.”
In the meantime, Steel Ball Run’s first episode is well worth a watch, with our review pointing out the “great pacing and stunning animation that make this a thrilling start to a new adventure.”
Mat Jones is IGN’s UK Social Producer.
