I will say this right here, right now: Steel Ball Run is incredible and it brings me to tears thinking people have died without reading it. ]


Story: 9/10


The story of Steel Ball Run is the tale of paraplegic 'jockey' Johnny Joestar, who, after meeting a strange Italian man with steel balls is compelled to join in on the Steel Ball Run Race, ranging from San Diego to New York. And this is just a fantastic and unique concept. I find it great that Hirohiko Araki, the creator of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series, can always come up with a fresh, original and interesting story premise following the end of each part. Golden Wind was the climbing up the ranks of the mafia, Stone Ocean was escaping prison with your edgelord father, and JoJolion is finding out why you have four testicles.
Also, the concept of Jesus Christ's body parts granting stand abilities is hilarious, yet awesome.


Art: 9/10


The art in Steel Ball Run is just great. The art at the start (ha. ha.) is a bit more of a realistic version of Part 6's style, and I like it. But, I'm not sure if it's the crappy scans or Araki mixing up his G-Pens with his G-pens, but the line art around the beginning is very blurry. The character designs in Steel Ball Run are F A N T A S T I C and definitely the best in the series. They look incredibly cool but their designs still hold a lot of meaning. However, around the middle is where the art starts to get even better. Noses and eyes and even mouths to an extent are much more realistic, and the hatching and crosshatching is bumped up, and looks great.


Characters: 10/10


The characters in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure are arguably it's strongest point, and this is no different in Steel Ball run. Johnny Joestar is by far the best JoJo. He has believable motivations, a compelling backstory and undergoes mass amounts of character development throughout the part. Gyro Zeppeli is too an incredible character, easily the greatest Zeppeli. He fits incredibly as a mentor and best friend to the protagonist and his connection with his family and the steel balls is really fun, but what's not fun is his depressing backstory. The main villain is also easily the best so far and at some times you really need to ask yourself, is Funny Valentine right? Is he? No, he's not. But the plain charisma of him makes him a fantastic character. Lucy Steel is also a fantastic character, and there is a lot of meaning behind her existence. (Also, if you weren't paying attention, Lucy Steel is alternate Erina Pendelton!"
And did I mention the stands?! They are incredible in this part. Tusk, Ball Breaker and Scan, Cream Starter, Scary Monsters?! The reinvention of Za Warudo?! And did I mention?! Did I mention?! Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap?! Tusk and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap have to be my two favourite stands in the whole series. There are so unique, powerful, they both have incredible designs and users, and just everything about these two stands... everything... is just unbeatable. The one problem I have though is the death in Part 7. Only one death was actually meaningful and genuinely sad.


Enjoyment: 10/10


Steel Ball Run is just a ride. I enjoyed most fights, the D4C arc is just unspeakably good, Johnny and Gyro are just so cute and just everything about it was too good. Once again, it's just a ride, like a train. A love train. And did you know that when you finish Part 6 you get a ticket? That's why Steel Ball Run is just like any other train. A train, where you need a ticket to ride.

Overall: 10/10

Okay sorry that was terrible. Steel Ball Run is breathtaking. There is no reason why you shouldn't read it. (Unless you haven't read or watched parts 1-6.) Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I never got into JoJo's Bizarre Adventure...

"Remember, Johnny... My real name. Don't tell anyone. It's a secret..."