Netflix’s New #1 Anime Just Got A Sad Streaming Update For Fans

The premiere of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7, Steel Ball Run, caused a sensation worldwide. Released on Netflix with a runtime of 47 minutes, Steel Ball Run quickly climbed the charts, dethroning Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Ending and Fullmetal Alchemist and becoming the highest-rated anime on MyAnimeList. However, the fans’ joy appears to have been short-lived after Steel Ball Run‘s recent update.

Steel Ball Run episode 1 premiered on March 19, 2026, on Netflix, and while it would be normal to expect the anime to release new episodes every week or in batches like other titles, the franchise gained a bad reputation on the streaming platform after JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean had a chaotic release.

Therefore, many fans feared the situation would repeat itself with Steel Ball Run. Unfortunately, Netflix has officially confirmed that fans shouldn’t expect the release of the second episode of Steel Ball Run anytime soon, as the anime’s future is uncertain.

There Is No Confirmed Release Date for Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run Episode 2

Netflix has just confirmed that Steel Ball Run will not be released weekly. Although many fans naturally expected the next episode to premiere on Thursday, March 26, Steel Ball Run is not listed in this week’s schedule on the Netflix Anime X account.

Furthermore, a recent interview with the anime’s director, Yasuhiro Kimura, on Anime Trending, hinted that it will be some time before the next episode airs. When asked when more episodes of the series would be released, Kimura stated that he didn’t know, subtly letting it be known that the anime is still in production.

I want to see it soon, too! When will it be? I don’t know. It takes a lot of time to make just one episode, but production is going smoothly, and I’m looking forward to seeing the finished episode as much as you are! – Yasuhiro Kimura for Anime Trending.

Kimura’s comment about not wanting the first episode of Steel Ball Run to end on a cliffhanger seems to indicate that the premiere was intended as a one-off experience for fans and that the animation team is currently working on the remaining episodes. That means, its release might not happen in spring 2026.

The Challenges Behind the Creation of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run

Many fans may be disappointed to learn that David Production hasn’t finished animating Steel Ball Run, even though JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean ended almost three years ago, a year longer than the typical wait between seasons. However, there’s an added challenge in animating Steel Ball Run: the horses.

Although the 3DCG helps with animating fluid movements in the races, in an interview for Oricon Steel Ball Run’s director commented that they are “expecting over 5,000 horse animation cuts.” Added to this is the research the production team had to do to bring to life the scenery of 19th-century America and how the action and Gyro’s steel balls would flow naturally.

When to Expect Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run Episode 2

Also, although for the Undead Unluck special, they only participated by supervising its development, with E&H Production in charge of the animation, David Production is currently working on other anime projects such as Fire Force Season 3 and Firefly Wedding, so the production of Steel Ball Run is expected to take a little longer.

Since neither Netflix nor David Production have revealed the Steel Ball Run anime’s broadcast schedule or the reason for the hiatus (whether due to production or scheduling issues), fans will have to wait for further details. Meanwhile, the AnimeJapan 2026 Special Stage for Steel Ball Run will be held on March 28, 2026, and could bring important announcements about the anime.