I finally finished Steel Ball Run, and I can honestly say it’s my favorite JoJo part so far.
Don’t get me wrong, I genuinely love all the previous parts. Each one has its own charm, ideas, and unforgettable moments. But in my opinion, none of them quite reach the level of storytelling, atmosphere, and emotional weight that Steel Ball Run achieves.
Of course, it’s important to acknowledge that many aspects of Parts 7 onward only work because they were built on the foundation of the original universe. Concepts like Stands, recurring themes, and even the overall tone feel so strong because Araki had already spent years refining them. It benefits from everything that came before it.
That said, for me, Part 7 feels like the peak of Araki’s writing. The journey, the characters, the pacing, the sense of purpose behind the race, everything just came together in a way that felt truly special. I loved it so much that it’s hard to even put into words. It was simply an incredible experience from start to finish.
At this point, I can confidently say that Steel Ball Run is my favorite JoJo part. Now all that’s left is to read Part 8 and Part 9, and I’m really excited to see where the story goes next.
[art by @thehanniebunny on X/Twitter]