Steel ball run fans face 2026 wait for next chapter
The wait for more JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure continues, and it's a long one. Following the release of Steel Ball Run’s first episode on March 19, anticipation for the second has been building—and Netflix just poured a bucket of cold water on that excitement. A newly released trailer, while offering glimpses of what's to come, confirmed the “2nd STAGE” won’t arrive until 2026.
A desert race, decades away
The trailer showcased the continuation of the titular cross-continental race, a grueling pursuit for a $50 million prize. Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli’s journey will lead them across a particularly treacherous region dubbed the “Devil’s Palm,” a 750-mile stretch of unforgiving desert terrain. But the visual tease comes with a frustrating caveat: fans will be waiting for years to witness its unfolding.
The scheduling announcement, a simple text card at the trailer's end, has sparked considerable debate within the JoJo community. The ambiguity surrounding the release format—whether it will be a single extended episode or a series of shorter installments—only adds to the frustration. Previous seasons, like Stone Ocean, have followed a staggered release pattern, with episodes debuting months apart, a precedent that doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in a timely delivery.
Netflix’s release strategies for animated content have drawn fire previously. Showrunner Scott Pilgrim Takes Off recently voiced criticism about the practice of releasing entire seasons at once, calling it “the dumbest st ever.” A staggered approach, as seemingly planned for Steel Ball Run, could similarly alienate viewers, especially considering the already extensive delay. The first episode’s quality—featuring “great pacing and stunning animation”—certainly sets a high bar, but maintaining momentum over such a protracted period will be a significant challenge.
The sheer length of the wait is particularly jarring, especially given the episodic nature of anime and the voracious appetite of the JoJo fanbase. While the animation quality is promising, the delayed delivery risks diminishing enthusiasm and potentially impacting the series’ overall reception. The Devil’s Palm may be a fearsome challenge for Johnny and Gyro, but the wait for its depiction on screen presents an even greater test for viewers' patience.