The latest installment of the popular anime series, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run, premiered on Netflix last week and is already a hit with fans. This adaptation of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7, a beloved manga, is quickly gaining popularity and has soared to the top of MyAnimeList’s ratings. In fact, after just one episode, it’s already matched the score of the highly-rated anime Frieren, and could potentially become the best-rated anime ever.
Analyzing The Rise of Part 7’s Unprecedented Popularity
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is a famous series that artist Araki began creating in 1987. Although the manga was always well-liked, it didn’t receive a full anime adaptation until 2012, when David Studio brought it to life. Since then, fans have enjoyed a new part of the Jojo story adapted into anime every few years.
Fans were thrilled when Steel Ball Run, a beloved story arc, finally came to life as an anime on Netflix in 2026. The first episode of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7 launched last week and has received excellent reviews. Viewers are already hooked by the compelling characters and the unique premise of a cross-country horse race. Given its exciting concept and solid adaptation, it’s no wonder JoJo Part 7 is quickly becoming a global hit.
Everyone thought JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7 would be a hit, but few predicted it would become the top-rated anime on MyAnimeList. For a time, it even surpassed Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Seasons 1 and 2 to claim that top spot, although it later received a lot of downvotes.
The Reason Hirohiko Araki’s Masterpiece Rivals Frieren
After a lot of downvotes, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 7 and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 1 are now tied with a score of 9.26 out of 10. Frieren Season 2, however, has fallen behind and might drop out of the top ten, despite previously being the highest-rated anime on the platform for a while.
Despite having a less polished adaptation, Araki’s Steel Ball Run is performing exceptionally well compared to Frieren. Steel Ball Run‘s success relies almost entirely on its captivating story. While the adaptation isn’t poor, it doesn’t reach the high standard set by Madhouse Studio’s work on Frieren, which has a simpler story but benefits from incredible direction and animation. Ultimately, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is so popular because its story is simply more exciting and engaging. It’s also a beloved and iconic series with a huge global fanbase.
How Steel Ball Run Elevates JJBA To The Peak Of The Anime Industry
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is a consistently popular anime series. While the first and second parts had their fans, the show really took off with Part 3, Stardust Crusaders. This is when Jojo began to stand out, largely thanks to the introduction of unique abilities called Stands. The series has continued to grow in popularity with each installment, peaking with Part Five, Golden Wind.
Though every JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure season is fantastic, many fans believe Part 7, Steel Ball Run, is a major step forward for the series. It’s often considered the best-written part of the manga so far. What makes it special is that it starts a completely new storyline and universe, giving Araki the freedom to create something truly expansive and deliver on that potential.
The Long-Term War For MAL’s No. 1 Spot Is Underway
In 2023, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End became the highest-rated anime on MyAnimeList (MAL), ending Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s decade-long reign at the top. This shift sparked a lot of competition for the number one spot, and the release of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run (Part 7) has only intensified the battle.
The competition for the top anime is heating up, especially with new episodes of Steel Ball Run being released. While Frieren Season 1’s score is unlikely to change significantly, Steel Ball Run has a good chance to climb higher in the rankings. This could mean the end of Frieren’s time at number one and the start of a new era for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and fans are eagerly anticipating the outcome.
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2026-03-23 21:34