The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run has officially unveiled its main staff at Anime Expo 2025. David Production, the studio behind all previous JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime adaptations, is confirmed to be returning for Steel Ball Run.
Key Staff Members for Steel Ball Run
The revealed staff includes a mix of returning veterans from the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure franchise, ensuring continuity in the adaptation’s artistic and narrative direction.
Direction Team
- Directors: Yasuhiro Kimura and Hideya Takahashi will co-direct the series. Both previously served as co-directors for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind (Part 5).
- Series Director: Toshiyuki Kato, who directed JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean (Part 6) and has contributed to other series in the franchise as a storyboarder, will serve as the series director.
Script and Character Design
- Series Structure (Script Supervisor): Yasuko Kobayashi is returning to oversee the series scripts, a role she has held for every previous JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime.
- Character Design: Daisuke Tsumagari, known for his work as an animation director on JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, is responsible for character design. Tsumagari also created a special illustration to commemorate the staff announcement.
Music and Sound
- Music: Yugo Kanno will once again compose the music for Steel Ball Run. He has previously provided scores for Stardust Crusaders, Diamond is Unbreakable, Golden Wind, and Stone Ocean.
- Sound Director: Yoshikazu Iwanami is also returning as the sound director, having worked on every prior JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime series.
The anime adaptation of Steel Ball Run was initially announced in April at AnimeJapan with a teaser visual and trailer. A global livestream event on September 23 is expected to reveal more information regarding the anime. Director Toshiyuki Kato has commented that adapting the horses will be one of the most challenging aspects of the production.
Steel Ball Run marks a significant departure in the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure saga, initiating a new continuity separate from the previous six parts. The story follows Johnny Joestar, a former jockey, and Gyro Zeppeli as they participate in a cross-continental race across the American frontier, seeking a mysterious power. VIZ Media is set to release the Steel Ball Run manga in English, with the first volume released digitally and in print on May 27.
