JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run Anime Adaptation Announced, Key Cast Revealed

Hirohiko Araki's highly popular manga series, 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure,' has captivated fans worldwide for many years. Now, the anime adaptation of its seventh part, 'Steel Ball Run,' has been announced, with key character cast information officially released.

Among the announcements, particular attention is being paid to Yohei Azakami, the voice actor cast as Gyro Zeppeli, the protagonist Johnny Joestar's partner. This news quickly spread across social media, drawing a multitude of enthusiastic reactions such as, "We can rest assured with Yohei Azakami..." and "I'm ready to cry over Yohei Azakami's Gyro..."

The anime 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run' is set for global distribution on Netflix in 2026. Shogo Sakata has been selected to voice Johnny Joestar. As Azakami and Sakata are both represented by Aoni Production, an agency that fosters a senior-junior relationship, their collaboration is also drawing significant interest.

Azakami himself expressed his enthusiasm on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, "I am Yohei Azakami, and I will be playing Gyro Zeppeli in 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run.' I will strive for a 'rush' that honors the great JoJo series, which has been passed down for so many years. Thank you for your support." Fans are already comparing him to previous Gyro voice actors, with comments like, "Yohei Azakami's Gyro Zeppeli, unlike Shinichiro Miki's from All-Star Battle, has a different deep resonance, a good sense of weight and depth..." This shows the growing anticipation for a new interpretation of Gyro.

Yohei Azakami is a talented voice actor who has played numerous popular characters, including Guel Jeturk in 'Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury' and Seijuro Kamiyama in 'New Sakura Wars.' We eagerly await the 2026 release to hear how his Gyro will deliver the famous line "Nyo-ho!" and what kind of emotion he will convey in the story's climax.

The context

"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" is a long-running and highly influential Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki. It began serialization in 1987 and is renowned for its unique art style, complex plot, supernatural powers (Stands), and iconic poses. The series is divided into multiple parts, each focusing on a different descendant of the Joestar family, collectively known as "JoJos."

"Steel Ball Run" is the seventh part of the series. It marks a significant shift, taking place in an alternate universe and centering around a cross-continental horse race across America in the late 19th century. The story follows Johnny Joestar, a former jockey who has lost the use of his legs, and Gyro Zeppeli, a mysterious executioner from Naples, as they compete in the Steel Ball Run race, uncovering a deeper conspiracy along the way.

The announcement of an anime adaptation for "Steel Ball Run" is highly anticipated by fans, given the part's immense popularity and its distinct narrative style. Voice actors (seiyuu) hold a revered status in Japanese pop culture, and their casting is a major event, often sparking fervent discussion and excitement among fans who are deeply invested in how beloved characters will sound.