TLDR;

Story: 9/10
Art: 10/10
Character: 10/10
Personal enjoyment: 9/10
Overall: 10/10


Let me start by saying that if you haven't watched/read the previous JoJo Parts 1-6, I HIGHLY recommend that you do so before reading Steel Ball Run. There are plenty of parallels and callbacks to previous parts that will make this more enjoyable for you. With that said, if you really can't help but read SBR before the other parts, you can because this is it's own story with its own characters.

When looking at it from an objective viewpoint, Steel Ball Run is almost certainly the BEST part of JoJo. Almost everything about it from previous parts is improved, including the main characters, the art, the pacing, the setting, and the weight of the fights.

- Story -

SBR takes the approach of Parts 5 and 6 by having a story that continually builds upon itself as it goes on while also having fights in between major story moments, and it works wonderfully. I've seen others say that SBR has a slow start and I honestly disagree. I think this start sets up its atmosphere and characters well, and also gives the characters in the story a clear goal.

The story gets more and more intense as it goes on, and the fights get better and better. Steps are gradually taken to a very climactic final act with multiple new developments and twists throughout, and the ending is as satisfying as the reader would expect. The setting is really well thought out, as Araki actually traveled to America to get a sense of what a story here would be like.

One complaint that I have is that there isn't much logic regarding a certain central plot device, but it leads to enjoyable moments, and if you like JoJo, logic probably isn't what you're looking for in this series anyway.

- Art -

Like most English speakers, I read the colored version of Part 7 by the Jojo's Colored Adventure team and I would recommend that everyone read SBR this way because it looks phenomenal in color.

Something unique about SBR is that it was the first JoJo part to switch from weekly Shounen chapters to monthly Seinen chapters, meaning Araki had more time to refine his artwork, and it definitely shows. Everything from the characters to the stands looks great in terms of both design and style.

- Character -

The cast of characters is undoubtedly the best aspect of Steel Ball Run. Every character in Part 7 is intriguing and (to an extent) believable. Everyone has clear reasons for the way they act and strive to achieve their own different ambitions, unlike in Part 3, where each enemy stand user is just a mindless drone of Dio.

The protagonist, Johnny Joestar, is great because of his physical, mental, and even emotional growths that he has throughout this part. These growths are somewhat due to Gyro Zeppeli, the other main character of SBR. The dynamic between Johnny and Gyro is arguably the best in all of JoJo because of how they tackle each battle together, how much they learn from each other, and just how hilarious and entertaining they can be.

Lastly, I'll just mention the main antagonist of Part 7, who is (in my opinion), the second best JoJo villain behind only Kira. I believe this for two reasons; First, he has a bizarre and terrifyingly powerful stand ability, and second, he has very realistic and even ideal goals. An argument can be made that the villain's primary goal is more ideal than the protagonist's, and he is the only main JoJo villain that I could actually see existing in real life.

- Fights -

While I still think I prefer the battles in Part 5 overall, SBR also has entertaining battles. Many stand abilities are really unique and creative, while some are underwhelming. Something interesting about these fights is that they focus less on the ability itself and more on the user, giving each enemy another layer of depth that wasn't there in previous entries. The best thing about these fights is that most of these are won by adapting to and outsmarting opponents, rather than just beating each other with brute strength.

- Conclusion -

Steel Ball Run is most certainly a top tier Part of JoJo. It may completely throw logic out the window sometimes, but if you enjoy great characters, good artwork, entertaining story and battle concepts, and horse races, then JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run is definitely a manga you'll enjoy.