JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run Stage 2 Drops September 25 — Netflix's Biggest Anime Exclusive Is Finally Back

Netflix's Most-Watched Anime Exclusive Returns With 11 New Episodes

If you've been waiting for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run to pick up where it left off, the wait is almost over. Netflix has officially confirmed that Stage 2 of the hit anime adaptation premieres September 25, 2026, bringing 11 new episodes that will air weekly — finally giving fans the "JoJo Fridays" they've been craving.

For those who need a refresher: the first stage dropped a single episode back in March 2026 and immediately racked up 8.3 million views, making it Netflix's biggest anime exclusive of the year so far. That's no small feat when you consider the competition — Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 sits at 9.4 million views, while Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai pulled in 8 million. But Steel Ball Run did all that with literally one episode. Now imagine what 11 weekly drops will do.

What Happens in Stage 2?

Pick up the story with Johnny Joestar (voiced by Yūki Kaji) and Gyro Zeppeli (Kunihiko Yasui) as they continue their cross-country horse race across a reimagined United States. The Steel Ball Run isn't just a race — it's a battle royale with supernatural powers, ancient mysteries, and some of the most creative fight choreography in anime history. Think Deadpool meets Cowboy Bebop, but with more psychic tennis balls and Italian food jokes.

Director Naokatsu Tsuda and the team at David Production (the studio behind the entire JoJo's anime franchise) have been cooking Stage 2 for months. Producer Noriko Dohi recently told press that the long gap between stages was "incredibly difficult" but deliberate — the team wanted to ensure the animation quality matched fan expectations for Hirohiko Araki's beloved manga, which ran from 2004 to 2011.

Why This Matters for Netflix's Anime Strategy

Steel Ball Run's return comes at a crucial time for Netflix's anime push. The streamer recently revealed that more than half of its subscribers have watched at least one anime title, and the platform is betting big on exclusive content to stand out. Alongside Steel Ball Run, Netflix's September lineup also features Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue and new episodes of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (4.9 million views and counting).

For millennials who grew up reading JoJo's in manga form or binge-watching the earlier anime adaptations on Crunchyroll, Steel Ball Run is widely considered the peak of the franchise. The Part 7 manga is consistently ranked as Araki's masterpiece, and the anime adaptation has been one of the most anticipated releases in the community for years.

Mark your calendars: September 25. weekly episodes. Netflix. Your Fridays are spoken for.