It’s been an uncertain time for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure enthusiasts. After dropping a single episode of Steel Ball Run, the seventh entry in the franchise, Netflix went into radio silence, with no updates on the subsequent release schedule — beyond a vague “this year” window — and leaving them in the dark.
The streamer has now released an update about the anime’s future, confirming that it will return in Fall 2026 under the “second stage” subtitle. New episodes are also set to premiere weekly, rather than in batches, marking a departure from its Season 6 predecessor.
“Thank you for all the incredible support for STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. The series is currently in production and will be available for everyone to enjoy. We are planning a split‑cour release across the entire run of episodes. The next cour (2nd STAGE) will begin streaming in fall 2026 on Netflix, with one new episode released each week. This release schedule is part of our original plan and reflects the wishes of the production committee. Your passion and enthusiasm mean a great deal to everyone involved in the preparation. We appreciate your patience and continued support as we work to bring you the 2nd STAGE,” reads the official statement on X/Twitter.
While weekly releases are nothing new in the anime scene, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, the previous instalment, was criticised for its mass-release strategy, which was split into three separate blocks of episodes spanning 2021 to 2022. Netflix’s exclusive streaming rights didn’t help matters, either, especially after it did little to promote the series.
The first part of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run debuted on 19 March with just one 47-minute episode, starring the Japanese voices of Shogo Sakata as Johnny Joestar, Yohei Azakami (Gyro Zeppeli), Kaito Ishikawa (Diego Brando), Rie Takahashi (Lucy Steel), Kenta Miyake (Steven Steel), Masaaki Mizunaka (Sand Man), and Kenichiro Matsuda (Pocoloco). Golden Wind co-directors Yauhiro Kimura and Hideya Takahashi are helming the anime at david production, with Stone Ocean director Toshiyuki Kato serving as series director.
The “second stage” of the Steel Ball Run is due to premiere on Netflix sometime this fall.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
