Steel Ball Run Watch Guide: Must-Watch Parts vs. skippable

Short on time for the Steel Ball Run premiere? Save hours with our JoJo watch guide, see which parts are essential and which are skippable for the Steel Ball Run.

Steel Ball Run, the latest part of the famous JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, will start airing on March 19, 2026. Although Steel Ball Run takes place in its own universe and you can watch it as your first JoJo, as the name suggests, it is still part of the JoJo franchise. If you skip everything else, you may end up having a hard time following it.

The latest JoJo anime continuity included several titles: Phantom Blood & Battle Tendency, Stardust Crusaders, Diamond Is Unbreakable, Golden Wind, and Stone Ocean. Among these five parts, some are more closely related to Steel Ball Run than others. Since Steel Ball Run will premiere on Netflix and bring in many new viewers, I think it’s helpful to know how these previous titles relate to it.

Although the JoJo universe follows a numerical order, the numbers don't affect the watching experience that much. Technically, you could start with Stone Ocean or even Steel Ball Run and still have a great time; it’s just that you might find it harder to understand what the author, Hirohiko Araki, is trying to convey through his themes.

Many people think JoJo is hard to follow, but the plots are actually quite simple. For example, Golden Wind is about defeating a mafia boss, and Stone Ocean is about a prison break. The stories aren't difficult to understand; what’s complex is everything else Hirohiko Araki is trying to tell us. Araki’s "unique spice" is what makes the JoJo series so deep and fun.

I know what you might be worried about, so in this post, I will only share the minimum information and try not to spoil anything. As both an anime viewer and a manga reader of JoJo, I will only focus on the anime adaptations, so this post won’t affect your experience. Before diving in, since JoJo is such an old franchise with several OVAs and versions, please note that I am only referring to the series starting from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood (2012).

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The Powerful Beginning of the Anime Saga – Phantom Blood & Battle Tendency:

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood & Battle Tendency mark the beginning of the JoJo universe. This can be a bit confusing, so let me explain: in the manga, Phantom Blood is Part 1, while Battle Tendency is Part 2. However, the anime handles this differently.

The first season of the anime, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012) includes both Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency; so even though the manga treats them as two separate parts, the anime combines them into one season. Season 1 gives us the origin of the JoJo universe and the legacy of the Joestar family. For those who haven't heard of the Joestars before, allow me to explain.

The Joestar family is the central keyword of the JoJo universe, and it means everything to the story. Although the journey of each "JoJo" is distinct and often feels like an independent story, every protagonist is somehow connected to the Joestar family tree. "Joestar" is originally the surname of Jonathan Joestar, and starting with him, every main protagonist is a blood relative belonging to the great Joestar lineage.

Throughout the anime series, Jonathan Joestar's story explains what "JoJo" actually means. Since the name "Jonathan Joestar" contains two "Jo" sounds, many characters—including Dio Brando, who is deeply connected to the Joestar family—called him "JoJo." While characters like Jonathan, Joseph Joestar, and Jotaro Kujo are frequently called "JoJo," the protagonists in later parts aren't really referred to by that nickname as often.

Within the Joestar family, there is an incredible spirit we need to know: they stand for justice. Although each "JoJo" has a different personality, they all share a sense of justice and will never bow to evil. While Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency introduce some important facts about the JoJo universe, they aren't directly connected to the plot of Steel Ball Run.

While the main power system of the JoJo series is the "Stand"—which is famous worldwide—Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency originally focused on Hamon (The Ripple). Even though the Hamon system is quite amazing, it doesn't last very long in the series. The Stand system eventually becomes far more important for the characters and the franchise as a whole.

Besides their relevance to Steel Ball Run, there is another reason why I think Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency might be skippable for some people. Although this is just my personal thought, since these parts rely on fighting with Hamon, which is basically just fists, the combat and killing scenes can feel quite brutal.

The JoJo series actually has many scenes where characters lose limbs, but when this happens via a "Stand," the focus is usually on the psychological "brain battle" between characters. Because we are focusing on the characters' strategies rather than just the physical impact, it feels different. However, when these scenes are done with bare fists in the Hamon era, they seem much more graphic. If you can handle brutal scenes, I recommend watching them; but if you're sensitive to that kind of violence, I would suggest skipping them. My personal rating for the Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency plot is 4/5, while its importance to Steel Ball Run is a 2/5. 

★★★ AnimeOshi Real-Time Data Corner ★★★

On AnimeOshi, 105 scouts have left reviews for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012), and it currently holds a 100% perfect score!

© 2026 AnimeOshi. All rights reserved.

The Epic Continuation of the JoJo Anime – Stardust Crusaders:


Although the JoJo universe began with Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency, it was Stardust Crusaders that truly pushed the series to a higher level in both anime and manga. This part and its protagonist, Jotaro Kujo, took JoJo to the next stage. If you are planning to watch Steel Ball Run, Stardust Crusaders is a must-watch because it explains many of the details you'll need to understand the world.

In the manga, Stardust Crusaders is recognized as Part 3, while in the anime, it is categorized as Season 2. This is the part that officially introduces and explains the Stand system. For those who haven’t heard of a "Stand" before, allow me to explain: a Stand is the primary fighting system of the JoJo universe following Hamon. It is essentially the physical manifestation of the user’s soul.

I know that’s a bit much to grasp in one sentence, so to put it simply: a Stand is awakened when you are exposed to certain internal or external factors. If your life energy and mental strength are strong enough, you will awaken your Stand. Conversely, if you are too weak or just an ordinary person, you might not be able to handle the strain, and in the worst-case scenario, you could even die.

To avoid spoiling anyone, I won’t explain the specific internal or external factors in this post. However, please remember that the main requirement for obtaining a Stand is "life energy." This is why our protagonists can always overcome every difficulty, they aren't ordinary people to begin with. If you want to understand exactly what this life energy represents, Jotaro Kujo is the most important character to watch.

Jotaro is the best example of someone with powerful life energy. For better or worse, he is a character who truly believes in himself and is always willing to fight; most importantly, he carries the "Joestar Justice." Jotaro isn’t necessarily a person with high moral values—in fact, he has done his fair share of bad things, but when it comes to Justice, he will never step back and will always fight evil when necessary.

The plot and story of Stardust Crusaders are amazing and a total must-watch for everyone. Not only does it introduce the iconic Jotaro Kujo, but it also brings back our most important villain: Dio Brando. Although it may be hard to believe, the Dio from Phantom Blood has reappeared, and he leaves a massive impact on the story once again.

In terms of Steel Ball Run, Stardust Crusaders is a must-watch for everyone. There are two main reasons for this. First is the Stand system. After Stardust Crusaders, every subsequent JoJo part assumes you already understand how Stands work, so they don't explain them again. Only in Stardust Crusaders does the story start at a slower pace, mixing funny scenes with detailed explanations. If you skip this part, you won't be able to catch up on how the Stand system functions.

The second reason is the reappearance of DIO. While I can’t say too much about him here to avoid spoilers, besides Jotaro, DIO is the person who has most significantly affected the entire JoJo universe. If you are new to the franchise, you definitely need to watch Stardust Crusaders; otherwise, you won't understand the significance of having a character like "Dio" appear again in Steel Ball Run. My personal rating for the Stardust Crusaders plot is 5/5, and its importance to Steel Ball Run is also 5/5.

★★★ AnimeOshi Real-Time Data Corner ★★★

I understand it may be a little confusing, but JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders is considered Part 1, while JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders - Battle in Egypt is considered Part 2. On AnimeOshi, both of them have over 20 scouts leaving reviews, and both have earned a 100% perfect score! 

© 2026 AnimeOshi. All rights reserved.

The Side Story of the JoJo Anime in Japan – Diamond Is Unbreakable:

After sharing some information about Stardust Crusaders, it is now time for the fourth part of the manga, and Season 3 of the anime—Diamond Is Unbreakable. This story takes place in Japan, and its protagonist is Josuke Higashikata. Josuke is also a "JoJo," but for those who aren't sure how he is related to the family tree, allow me to explain. There are two ways to view Josuke’s connection to the "JoJo" title.


First, Josuke is actually the son of Joseph Joestar, which means his name could technically be written as "Josuke Joestar." As usual, if you take the "Jo" from the beginning of both names, you get "JoJo." Second, Josuke's name in Japanese is written as 東方 仗助. While it may be difficult to understand if you don't speak the language, 仗 and 助 can also be read as "Jo." When combined with the first part of his name, you get JoJo!

As usual, the story of Diamond Is Unbreakable is amazing; it truly shows the terror of having a twisted person living in the same city as you. Although Diamond Is Unbreakable is a great watch, it isn't very closely related to Steel Ball Run. So, if you don't have much time, you could skip it for now.

Diamond Is Unbreakable is deeply focused on its own setting. Although some familiar characters return to the story, the plot remains relatively independent from the others. Additionally, Diamond Is Unbreakable features many "slice of life" scenes because it needs to introduce the entire city and make it feel alive. Consequently, some episodes can feel like "filler" since they don't always focus on the main plot.

For better or worse, by focusing so much on Morioh, Diamond Is Unbreakable creates its own unique plot. Without spoiling anything, I can say the story is amazing and full of tension. It introduces many new Stand users and expands the Stand universe, but the portrayal of Morioh has a completely different tone. This can lead to a feeling where you want to know what happens next, but suddenly find yourself watching a "filler" episode instead.

Personally, I think Diamond Is Unbreakable is an amazing part, but since it isn't strictly connected to the broader JoJo lore, you can always come back to it after Steel Ball Run. It is definitely a must-watch series, but right now, preparing for Steel Ball Run is the priority, so skipping it for now is the better choice. My personal rating for the Diamond Is Unbreakable plot is 5/5, while its importance to Steel Ball Run is a 3/5. 

★★★ AnimeOshi Real-Time Data Corner ★★★

On AnimeOshi, 80 scouts have left reviews for Diamond Is Unbreakable. Unlike the previous titles, it has a 96% score rather than a perfect 100%. This data shows that while Diamond Is Unbreakable is excellent, there are some parts that people might feel like skipping. If you have the time and wish to watch it, feel free to use AnimeOshi to see which episodes are "must-watch" and which ones are less important.

© 2026 AnimeOshi. All rights reserved.

The Side Story of the JoJo Anime in Italy – Golden Wind:

After looking at the side story in Japan, let’s talk about another side story within the JoJo universe, this time set in Italy. Golden Wind is the fifth part of the manga and the fourth season of the anime. Unlike previous titles, Golden Wind focuses on a grand adventure within the Italian mafia, led by the protagonist Giorno Giovanna.

For those who haven't watched it yet, let me explain his name. Although "Giorno Giovanna" might look strange because it doesn't contain the word "Joestar" and isn't spelled with a "Jo," the logic is actually quite similar to Josuke Higashikata's. In Italian, the "Gio" in both names is pronounced like "Jo." So, if you combine the two "Gios," you get "GioGio"—which is just the Italian version of JoJo!

Although it may be hard to believe, the story of Golden Wind is as amazing as ever. Personally, I think Golden Wind is the best part of the JoJo universe in both the manga and the anime. Not only does it have an incredible story, but the characters truly feel alive. From Bruno Bucciarati and Narancia Ghirga to Guido Mista and even the villain Risotto Nero, every character feels like a real person within the anime.

It might seem impossible for every single character to feel so "alive," but it's the truth. In Golden Wind, everyone feels real because they are all risking their lives for their own goals. Unlike other parts of the JoJo universe, the story and the rules in Golden Wind are simple but brutal: it is all about seizing control of the ultimate drug route.

Selling drugs is the biggest business in Golden Wind; because it offers the largest profit, everyone is trying to get a piece of it. Everyone is chasing the same goal, which leads to endless conflict. Since they are all risking their lives to win, they must use every resource they have, which ultimately makes them feel so "alive" in the story.

The drug war in Golden Wind is brutal. Because the characters are all Stand users, they can create complex plans and find creative ways to fight. Unlike other JoJo parts, Golden Wind has one of the highest death tolls in the series—including the enemies—because drug wars carry such high risks.

Golden Wind is truly amazing; it’s the only JoJo part I’ve watched multiple times. I want to recommend it to everyone, but just like Diamond Is Unbreakable, it is a "skip" for now. Although Golden Wind is excellent, it doesn't have a strong connection to the events of Steel Ball Run.

Even though Diamond Is Unbreakable is somewhat related to the other JoJo parts, the most disappointing thing about Golden Wind is its lack of connection to the rest of the franchise. No matter what you experience throughout Golden Wind, those events don't really affect the main universe's timeline in the end. My personal rating for the Golden Wind plot is 5/5, while its importance to Steel Ball Run is a 3/5. 

★★★ AnimeOshi Real-Time Data Corner ★★★

On AnimeOshi, 57 scouts have left reviews, and it has once again earned a perfect 100% score. Since it is a 100% perfect anime, you should definitely come back to it once your "homework" for Steel Ball Run is finished. Golden Wind is great, but since it doesn’t connect to Steel Ball Run, you can skip it for now and come back whenever you're ready.

© 2026 AnimeOshi. All rights reserved.

The Beautiful Ending of the Main JoJo Universe – Stone Ocean:

The final title I want to share before Steel Ball Run is the one most closely related to it: Stone Ocean. Unlike the side stories, Stone Ocean is a direct continuation of Stardust Crusaders. Although Diamond Is Unbreakable is also connected to Stardust Crusaders, the only real links are Jotaro’s appearance and Josuke’s identity; beyond that, they aren't very related.

Stone Ocean, however, is different. It is directly linked to Stardust Crusaders through its protagonist and several key settings. The best example of this is the reappearance of Dio Brando. Without spoiling too much, I can say that the "enemy of fate," Dio, has several crucial scenes in Stone Ocean as well.

The reason Stone Ocean is so important is because of the main antagonist, Enrico Pucci. Pucci and his Stand, "Made in Heaven," are responsible for the creation of the JoJo multiverse. For those who aren't familiar with the series, JoJo actually has its own multiverse, and Steel Ball Run takes place within one of those alternate realities.

Explaining the full power of "Made in Heaven" would be a huge spoiler, as it is the primary reason the multiverse was born, so I won’t go into too much detail. To put it in one sentence: "Made in Heaven" possesses a supreme ability that ultimately leads to the story of Steel Ball Run. Not only is Stone Ocean important for the lore, but its story is excellent as well; it features a compelling plot and interesting characters like Emporio Alniño, Weather Report, and Ermes Costello.

After Golden Wind, Stone Ocean is the JoJo part I love the most. Unlike other JoJos, Jolyne Cujoh has the best character development, largely because she starts off knowing almost nothing about life or Stands. Other JoJo parts often feature incredibly strong and mature protagonists who seem to start their journeys in their "100% form."

For better or worse, starting a protagonist at 100% makes the story tighter and more focused. However, the downside is that it doesn't allow for much character growth. For example, while Jotaro and Giorno are amazing and cool, they don’t truly grow throughout the anime because they can basically just "Ora Ora" or "Muda Muda" their way through every problem.

Jotaro’s Stand is one of the strongest in the series, so he can basically do anything; nothing seems impossible for him. While Giorno’s Stand isn't physically that strong, he has an incredible mindset, and his sense of justice truly "shines like gold," making him essentially unstoppable as well. Personally, I find it amazing that Stone Ocean begins with a girl who knows nothing. Because she starts from zero, we get to witness her genuine character development and growth throughout the entire journey.

Stone Ocean is a part that really divides opinions. While I personally think it's amazing, some people don't like it because, by this point, the Stand system and the JoJo universe have become very complicated. Additionally, while the battles in Stone Ocean are incredible, the abilities are quite confusing and much more powerful compared to those in previous titles. My personal rating for the Stone Ocean plot is 5/5, and its importance to Steel Ball Run is also 5/5.

★★★ AnimeOshi Real-Time Data Corner ★★★

Although Stone Ocean appears to be split into three seasons, got part 1, part 2, and part 3, it actually only consists of 38 episodes—making it even shorter than Golden Wind. On AnimeOshi, each of the three parts has been rated by 10 scouts, and they have all maintained a 100% perfect score! Stone Ocean is truly amazing and is a must-watch for everyone, especially those who are planning to watch Steel Ball Run.

© 2026 AnimeOshi. All rights reserved.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, let me summarize the importance of each title in one sentence: while Phantom Blood, Battle Tendency, Diamond Is Unbreakable, and Golden Wind aren't strictly necessary for Steel Ball Run, Stardust Crusaders and Stone Ocean are absolute must-watches. If you skip these two, you won't be able to fully grasp the story of Steel Ball Run.

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With Steel Ball Run airing on March 19, 2026, this premiere is the perfect chance to begin your JoJo journey. Every part of this series is amazing and deserves to be seen, but with the premiere date approaching so quickly, choosing to "skip" certain parts for now is a smart strategy. Thank you for reading! I will be publishing more content soon, including plot explanations, character deep-dives, and much more, so please stay tuned. While you wait for my next post, please leave as many episodic reviews as possible; there are many challenges waiting for you on AnimeOshi!

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