A special screening event for 1st STAGE of the anime Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, based on the manga by Hirohiko Araki, was held on September 5 at United Cinema AquaCity Odaiba in Tokyo. The event marked the sixth stop of a nationwide tour spanning five cities, and for the first time, a live stream on YouTube allowed fans around the world to watch in real time.
Following the screening, three voice actors took the stage: Shogo Sakata (Johnny Joestar), Yohei Azakami (Gyro Zeppeli), and Tomoaki Maeno (Mountain Tim), the latter being a new character set to appear in 2nd STAGE.
Memories from the Nationwide Tour
Sakata and Azakami looked back on their time touring together with plenty of laughs, recalling local food they enjoyed in each city and the various hands-on event challenges inspired by the series — including running and spinning hula hoops.
2nd & 3rd STAGE Hit Netflix on September 25
2nd STAGE and 3rd STAGE will begin streaming exclusively worldwide on Netflix on September 25. The story follows Johnny and Gyro as they tackle a grueling desert crossing of roughly 750 miles, with Mountain Tim making his first appearance.
Maeno reflected on the recording sessions, saying he had several ideas for how to portray Tim and was relieved when the team immediately approved his approach during the test recording. He also credited Sakata and Azakami for going all-out from the very first test, which made it easy for him to get into character. Sakata agreed, noting that he made a point of carrying over the full energy of 1st STAGE from the start.
Azakami observed that Mountain Tim stands apart from the other racers, who tend to be intense and hot-blooded. Tim’s calm, detached perspective on the race, he said, brings a refreshing contrast that broadens the world of Steel Ball Run.
Must-See Scenes
In a spoiler-free segment, each cast member shared a scene they wanted fans to watch out for. Sakata highlighted the moment Johnny spins a lead bullet, praising the animation as “truly beautiful.” Azakami chose a scene that demonstrates the practicality and potential of “Spin,” noting that unlike Stands — which feel fantastical — Spin carries a convincing, grounded quality that makes viewers feel like it could almost be real, a testament to Araki’s storytelling power.
Maeno picked an impactful line Tim delivers about Stands, revealing that finding the right emotional distance for the delivery was particularly challenging, and that he proposed his interpretation to the director for consideration.
What to Expect from 2nd STAGE
Maeno teased that Part 7 of JoJo carries a central theme, and that Araki has reportedly said Mountain Tim is a character who successfully achieves that theme. He encouraged fans to watch and discover what that theme is and how each character grapples with it, while also looking forward to Tim’s role in the story.
Azakami gave a strong endorsement, saying 2nd STAGE feels even more energetic and intense than 1st STAGE, and that fans can look forward to it with full confidence. Sakata added that the quality is outstanding, with moments that are exciting, fun, and even occasionally funny — promising an all-around great watch.
The event closed on a warm, lively note. When the live stream ended, the three actors playfully declared they would now “go full spoiler mode!” — drawing roars of laughter from the audience. No actual spoilers were shared, but the trio kept excitement high by hinting they had plenty more they were eager to reveal, wrapping up the evening with an unmistakable love for JoJo.
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