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Steel Ball Run #2
スティール・ボール・ラン #2 ジャンプコミックス
Very good overall quality. Please keep in mind that this manga is in Japanese and that there may be some slight yellowing due to the age of the paper. Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have.
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2004
51 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Hirohiko Araki
650 books2,034 followersHirohiko Araki ( 荒木飛呂彦) is a Japanese manga artist. He left school before graduation from Miyagi University of Education.
He enjoys the baseball manga Kyojin No Hoshii (Star of the Giants); the video games Mario Kart and Bomberman; and likes Prince and other African-American singers, as well as jazz, rock, and rap.
He is a recipient the Tezuka Award for manga.
He enjoys the baseball manga Kyojin No Hoshii (Star of the Giants); the video games Mario Kart and Bomberman; and likes Prince and other African-American singers, as well as jazz, rock, and rap.
He is a recipient the Tezuka Award for manga.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
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April 20, 2022Araki wrote sbr so he can flex how good he can draw horses.
June 6, 2022
never thought id be this interested in horse racing
May 15, 2020
Ya'll. I'm having SO MUCH fun.
This volume was a great ride from start to finish. It chronicles the first leg of the race, introducing the core cast of characters along the way. And what's so damn special is how varied everything feels. Each character's personality is reflected in the way that they race. And we get to see Gyro "duel" with each of them as each stage of this opening stretch offers a new challenge. I can't wait to see what Dio does, I adore Pocoloco, and Sandman is so interesting. Each chapter feels like it has a new character getting their moment to shine, paired with a genuinely interesting racing gimmick. Be it the shortcut through the woods, the bridge, or the downhill slope, I'm surprised by how invested Araki was able to get me in horse racing. It all just works because the characters are hella compelling, the personalities are reflected in their approach to racing, and they have interesting obstacles to overcome.It all culminates in each character coming together for the final sprint. And I was on the edge of my seat, not knowing who was going to win and being unable to even pick who I want to win.
The best point of comparison I can think of, as niche as it may be, is competitive Melee. You've got a bunch of colorful competitors who come up with creative approaches to something seemingly straightfoward. And any number of them could believably win. There's not even malice motivating the competition. Dio might hate his opponents, but Pocoloco, Sandman, and Johnny aren't setting out to hurt anybody. They're just coming into the race with their own compelling motivations. In fact, Johnny is running this race solely because he wants to spend more time with Gyro.
All of this is paired with fantastic art. I love the blues used for Diego and Johnny. There's a great sense of momentum, particularly in the final stretch. I stop to soak in the detail of these panels, but it still feels like the action happens in the blink of an eye. And Araki's linework is at an alltime high.
This is one of my favorite volumes. Not just of Jojo, but maybe of manga in general. It's a tightly written opening stretch with compelling action, lovable characters, and fun writing. It was a pure joy from start to finish, that gets everything right. I didn't give a shit about horses coming in, but now I'm 100% invested. I love this.
Now, for some predictions. I'm gonna rank the 5 main characters based on how likely I think they are to win the Steel Ball Run. And I'll give a few thoughts on them.
1. Dio: This guy is probably going to be the final battle of the story. And what better way to build up momentum toward the final battle than to have him snatch away the victory at the last moment? Going foward, I'm excited to see just what this version of Dio is like. He doesn't really seem detestable at the moment, just maybe a bit of a prick. Then again, he doesn't have much reason to antagonize Johhny in the same way the original Dio with Jonathan.
2. Pocoloco: A strong number two, I just love this dude. He's got this sort of inverse monkey's paw thing going on. Where he makes a wish, things seem to go bad, but suddenly go horribly right. I'm a little peeved at the one moment where this actually didn't turn out to be the case. And this dude is just trying to get out from under the oppressive conditions of tenant farming that many black people faced during the reconstruction. How can you hate this man?
3. Sandman: I really couldn't wrap my mind around his running style, but that wasn't necessary to begin with. There's something innately appealing about someone trying to use the sheer grit and potential of the human spirit to beat out beasts and machines alike. It's the same sort of struggle as Guts vs apostles. He shows just how far the human body can be pushed, no gimmicks needed. If he does win, the sad reality is that the whites probably won't honor Sandman's purchase of his tribe's homeland.
4. Johnny: I don't really see the need for Johnny to win at the moment. His motivation is to pursue Gyro and his story is being set up as one of personal and internal growth, rather than competitive dominance. I don't think winning the race would serve much of a purpose in the way his character arc is being set up.
5. Gyro: Big "fallen mentor" vibes coming off of this guy. I'd bet money that this dude doesn't live to see the end of the race. It's inevitable that he will eventually die to further Johnny's character growth, just like William Zeppeli did before him. Or concurrent to him, I guess.
This volume was a great ride from start to finish. It chronicles the first leg of the race, introducing the core cast of characters along the way. And what's so damn special is how varied everything feels. Each character's personality is reflected in the way that they race. And we get to see Gyro "duel" with each of them as each stage of this opening stretch offers a new challenge. I can't wait to see what Dio does, I adore Pocoloco, and Sandman is so interesting. Each chapter feels like it has a new character getting their moment to shine, paired with a genuinely interesting racing gimmick. Be it the shortcut through the woods, the bridge, or the downhill slope, I'm surprised by how invested Araki was able to get me in horse racing. It all just works because the characters are hella compelling, the personalities are reflected in their approach to racing, and they have interesting obstacles to overcome.It all culminates in each character coming together for the final sprint. And I was on the edge of my seat, not knowing who was going to win and being unable to even pick who I want to win.
The best point of comparison I can think of, as niche as it may be, is competitive Melee. You've got a bunch of colorful competitors who come up with creative approaches to something seemingly straightfoward. And any number of them could believably win. There's not even malice motivating the competition. Dio might hate his opponents, but Pocoloco, Sandman, and Johnny aren't setting out to hurt anybody. They're just coming into the race with their own compelling motivations. In fact, Johnny is running this race solely because he wants to spend more time with Gyro.
All of this is paired with fantastic art. I love the blues used for Diego and Johnny. There's a great sense of momentum, particularly in the final stretch. I stop to soak in the detail of these panels, but it still feels like the action happens in the blink of an eye. And Araki's linework is at an alltime high.
This is one of my favorite volumes. Not just of Jojo, but maybe of manga in general. It's a tightly written opening stretch with compelling action, lovable characters, and fun writing. It was a pure joy from start to finish, that gets everything right. I didn't give a shit about horses coming in, but now I'm 100% invested. I love this.
Now, for some predictions. I'm gonna rank the 5 main characters based on how likely I think they are to win the Steel Ball Run. And I'll give a few thoughts on them.
1. Dio: This guy is probably going to be the final battle of the story. And what better way to build up momentum toward the final battle than to have him snatch away the victory at the last moment? Going foward, I'm excited to see just what this version of Dio is like. He doesn't really seem detestable at the moment, just maybe a bit of a prick. Then again, he doesn't have much reason to antagonize Johhny in the same way the original Dio with Jonathan.
2. Pocoloco: A strong number two, I just love this dude. He's got this sort of inverse monkey's paw thing going on. Where he makes a wish, things seem to go bad, but suddenly go horribly right. I'm a little peeved at the one moment where this actually didn't turn out to be the case. And this dude is just trying to get out from under the oppressive conditions of tenant farming that many black people faced during the reconstruction. How can you hate this man?
3. Sandman: I really couldn't wrap my mind around his running style, but that wasn't necessary to begin with. There's something innately appealing about someone trying to use the sheer grit and potential of the human spirit to beat out beasts and machines alike. It's the same sort of struggle as Guts vs apostles. He shows just how far the human body can be pushed, no gimmicks needed. If he does win, the sad reality is that the whites probably won't honor Sandman's purchase of his tribe's homeland.
4. Johnny: I don't really see the need for Johnny to win at the moment. His motivation is to pursue Gyro and his story is being set up as one of personal and internal growth, rather than competitive dominance. I don't think winning the race would serve much of a purpose in the way his character arc is being set up.
5. Gyro: Big "fallen mentor" vibes coming off of this guy. I'd bet money that this dude doesn't live to see the end of the race. It's inevitable that he will eventually die to further Johnny's character growth, just like William Zeppeli did before him. Or concurrent to him, I guess.
July 8, 2024
Got too boring with too much focus on Pocoloco, could’ve at least revealed his Stand earlier but at least I got to see Gyro win at the end!
April 16, 2020
Memes in this volume:
A guy who relies on luck... why am I seeing so much Komaeda in Jojo as of late?
Hey Ya! kind of reminds me of Cheap Trick
A guy who relies on luck... why am I seeing so much Komaeda in Jojo as of late?
Hey Ya! kind of reminds me of Cheap Trick
February 5, 2025
Idc if these aren't officially translated yet I read it and I'm getting credit for it goddammit
April 2, 2025
yeah this shit is so fucking lit. why am i getting NERVOUS about a fucking manga horse race AND ITS JUST THE BEGINNING. anyways... diego...... hey baby girl..... hey gyro... HELLO SANDMAN..... i enjoy these new peps so much and i cant wait to dive into it even more
January 15, 2022
happy i chose to read this in b&w because araki's lineart is insane!
September 28, 2025
weeing myself, those final few pages had me STRESSEDDDDDDDD
January 20, 2024
my beautiful princess gyro
May 5, 2025
gyro my GOAT is super smart
July 20, 2020
As I said for the previous volume, I'd like to be brief with these Jojo reviews. To build upon that sentiment, it's mostly because I'm reading them online, which I feel is too far removed from the experience of closely reading the contents of a physical book. I generally shy away from reviewing manga I read online, and only began doing so with Togashi's Level E and Takei's Shaman King, having read Araki's Stone Ocean between them without writing about that at all.
I must give props to Araki for making me give a shit about horse races. I wasn't strongly invested in the race during the previous volume, but the excitement definitely ramps up here. I might attribute it to Johnny's narration of events, not unlike e.g. Koichi in DiU or something. If the manga was just horses running, it'd be boring, but with Johnny shitting himself anytime anyone overtakes Gyro it feels like it has more of that Jojo flair, where everyone over-reacts to anything that ever happens.
Furthermore, Steel Ball Run comes closer to its true identity as Jojo Part 7 with Pocoloco seemingly developing a Stand whose instructions lead him to top placement in the first leg of the race. The Stand, or pseudo-Stand as it's not yet been named a Stand, has not shown its proper ability, nor has it given itself a music-based name, so the adventure isn't yet as bizarre as I imagine it will soon become.
It's also somewhat interesting to read Pocoloco in the summer of 2020, as the character is a lazy goofball who lucks his way through the big race. He is also the first prominent black character in JJBA, so the characterization is perhaps questionable. But he's also pretty cool, and he's the first guy to really get a Stand so far (since we only saw hints of Sandman's previously), so it's something like Chocolove from Shaman King where one can imagine Americans shitting themselves at the sight of stereotype while remaining completely ignorant of how great the actual character is. Or something.
I must give props to Araki for making me give a shit about horse races. I wasn't strongly invested in the race during the previous volume, but the excitement definitely ramps up here. I might attribute it to Johnny's narration of events, not unlike e.g. Koichi in DiU or something. If the manga was just horses running, it'd be boring, but with Johnny shitting himself anytime anyone overtakes Gyro it feels like it has more of that Jojo flair, where everyone over-reacts to anything that ever happens.
Furthermore, Steel Ball Run comes closer to its true identity as Jojo Part 7 with Pocoloco seemingly developing a Stand whose instructions lead him to top placement in the first leg of the race. The Stand, or pseudo-Stand as it's not yet been named a Stand, has not shown its proper ability, nor has it given itself a music-based name, so the adventure isn't yet as bizarre as I imagine it will soon become.
It's also somewhat interesting to read Pocoloco in the summer of 2020, as the character is a lazy goofball who lucks his way through the big race. He is also the first prominent black character in JJBA, so the characterization is perhaps questionable. But he's also pretty cool, and he's the first guy to really get a Stand so far (since we only saw hints of Sandman's previously), so it's something like Chocolove from Shaman King where one can imagine Americans shitting themselves at the sight of stereotype while remaining completely ignorant of how great the actual character is. Or something.
February 15, 2015
Gyro y sigo, gyro y sigo. Porque soy como un remolino.
Gyro y sigo, gyro y sigo. Por la Steel Ball Run yo gyrogyrogyro.
Perdón, tuve un lapsus lagiovanesco, pero no podía sacarme la bendita canción de la cabeza.
Volviendo a Steel Ball Run ¡qué buen manga, canejo! Cuánta emoción, qué sensación de velocidad; con qué gallardía corren los participantes, cuántos ases esconderán bajo la manga, qué diseños tan arakiescos y qué personalidades tan hirohikas, no sé ni por quién alentar.
¡Estoy a 22 tomos de la meta y ya me niego a que termine! Algo me dice que este año sí me pongo al día con Jojo's de una bizarra vez.
Gyro y sigo, gyro y sigo. Por la Steel Ball Run yo gyrogyrogyro.
Perdón, tuve un lapsus lagiovanesco, pero no podía sacarme la bendita canción de la cabeza.
Volviendo a Steel Ball Run ¡qué buen manga, canejo! Cuánta emoción, qué sensación de velocidad; con qué gallardía corren los participantes, cuántos ases esconderán bajo la manga, qué diseños tan arakiescos y qué personalidades tan hirohikas, no sé ni por quién alentar.
¡Estoy a 22 tomos de la meta y ya me niego a que termine! Algo me dice que este año sí me pongo al día con Jojo's de una bizarra vez.
October 27, 2020
YASSSS QUEEEN SO GLORIOUS MY PP SO HARD TO JOHNNY DUMMY THICK BODY AWW YASS
July 9, 2022
gyro slayed gyro hot
May 2, 2025
Edge of your seat stuff this is 😭
October 11, 2023
took one star off because gyro didn't look that handsome in this one.
also can araki draw johnny w a different expression that the one where he looks like he's in excruciating pain
also can araki draw johnny w a different expression that the one where he looks like he's in excruciating pain
March 19, 2024
johnny and gyro already so obsessed with each other wtf forget the race yall need to get a room
June 6, 2024
Podríamos decir muchas cosas negativas sobre este volumen, en especial después de la gran historia detrás de Johnny Joestar haciendo que la vara de parámetro sea alta. Pero ahí esta el tema, el capítulo final me tenía con los nervios tomados, y estaba muy ansioso por saber quién iba a ganar, generando huna ansiedad como lector o lectora sobre el desenlace.
Todavía no entendemos muchas de las habilidades de cada personaje, pero eso se irá dando poco a poco, lo cierto es que ya llegamos a la primera etapa y Gyro es el campeón. Sinceramente, mientras leía pensaba todo lo épico que podría ser este volumen animado, y si David Production hace las cosas como lo ha hecho hasta ahora, podríamos estar con un tremendo capitulazo.
Ahora, ¿qué hace especial ver a unos tipos correr a caballo? Y siento que ahí esta la gracia en la diversidad de personajes, si bien Gyro es el favorito de muchos, es fácil sentirse identificado por alguno, por lo que quizá quieras alentar más a Sandman o quizá a Pocoloco. Todos los trasfondos son muy interesantes, debido en gran parte al brillante manejo de la narrativa de Araki, lo cual se ve muy bien reflejado en el capítulo extra de tan solo tres paneles para explicar el trasfondo de Steel Ball Run. Quizá el volumen no es espectacular en cuanto a giros de guión, pero en cuanto a narrativa es increíblemente bueno.
Todavía no entendemos muchas de las habilidades de cada personaje, pero eso se irá dando poco a poco, lo cierto es que ya llegamos a la primera etapa y Gyro es el campeón. Sinceramente, mientras leía pensaba todo lo épico que podría ser este volumen animado, y si David Production hace las cosas como lo ha hecho hasta ahora, podríamos estar con un tremendo capitulazo.
Ahora, ¿qué hace especial ver a unos tipos correr a caballo? Y siento que ahí esta la gracia en la diversidad de personajes, si bien Gyro es el favorito de muchos, es fácil sentirse identificado por alguno, por lo que quizá quieras alentar más a Sandman o quizá a Pocoloco. Todos los trasfondos son muy interesantes, debido en gran parte al brillante manejo de la narrativa de Araki, lo cual se ve muy bien reflejado en el capítulo extra de tan solo tres paneles para explicar el trasfondo de Steel Ball Run. Quizá el volumen no es espectacular en cuanto a giros de guión, pero en cuanto a narrativa es increíblemente bueno.
May 1, 2025
10/10
Un poco menos épico que el primer tomo, pero aún así tremendamente atrapante. Aquí Johnny pasa a ser un extra para darle paso por completo a Zeppeli y a Pocoloco que aunque estresa un poco es un personajazo, y al fin vemos al primer Stand en propiedad de la serie actuar y dejar a todos por detrás, excepto a Gyro obviamente, muy buen manejo del pacing para ser un tomo entero de solo un pedazo de la carrera, pero bien conformado de inicio a fin
Un poco menos épico que el primer tomo, pero aún así tremendamente atrapante. Aquí Johnny pasa a ser un extra para darle paso por completo a Zeppeli y a Pocoloco que aunque estresa un poco es un personajazo, y al fin vemos al primer Stand en propiedad de la serie actuar y dejar a todos por detrás, excepto a Gyro obviamente, muy buen manejo del pacing para ser un tomo entero de solo un pedazo de la carrera, pero bien conformado de inicio a fin
September 24, 2025
Very fun and adventurous series! I love it. Stardust Crusaders will always be my favorite, but this is a contender for that one!
In this volume we learn about Gyro Zeppeli’s history, aka backstory which was interesting. We also learn more about his character that he is very honorable and just and actually a caring person despite some of the dick things he says.
We also learn more about the stands in this series. Johnny Joestar finally gets a stand as I predicted, because as we JoJo fans already know, every Joestar has a stand except Jonathan, the first main Joestar.
I’m curious to see how this progresses and if we will see more of Poco Loci and Sandman and Dio.
Can’t wait!
In this volume we learn about Gyro Zeppeli’s history, aka backstory which was interesting. We also learn more about his character that he is very honorable and just and actually a caring person despite some of the dick things he says.
We also learn more about the stands in this series. Johnny Joestar finally gets a stand as I predicted, because as we JoJo fans already know, every Joestar has a stand except Jonathan, the first main Joestar.
I’m curious to see how this progresses and if we will see more of Poco Loci and Sandman and Dio.
Can’t wait!
January 4, 2021
college got the best of me hence the 4 months it took me to read this 🤡
BUTTTTTT the action in this is really great idk how I just put it down in the middle of the volume just when the action was getting good!!
first part of the race is done!!!!!
also,,,,, a man running at 40 km per hour..... only in jojo’s LMAO
BUTTTTTT the action in this is really great idk how I just put it down in the middle of the volume just when the action was getting good!!
first part of the race is done!!!!!
also,,,,, a man running at 40 km per hour..... only in jojo’s LMAO
November 22, 2022
The final 1000 meters of the first stage was literally impossible for me to stop reading. The frenetic action of the pages jumped out to me and I swear I could see the racers literally in motion! The pacing is top notch and there is so much personality in how the racers use their techniques to gain advantages throughout the race. Shaping up to be a very good part of JoJo
January 17, 2023
5 estrellas.
Primer tramo de la carrera Steel Ball Run.
Los competidores me parecen muy interesantes, aunque algunos son literal variantes de personajes que ya conocemos.
La verdad en el ultimo fragmento de la primera parte de la carrera estaba apoyando a Sandman, y no sabia en realidad que iba a pasar, así que estaba desesperado por saber en realidad que iba a pasar.
Primer tramo de la carrera Steel Ball Run.
Los competidores me parecen muy interesantes, aunque algunos son literal variantes de personajes que ya conocemos.
La verdad en el ultimo fragmento de la primera parte de la carrera estaba apoyando a Sandman, y no sabia en realidad que iba a pasar, así que estaba desesperado por saber en realidad que iba a pasar.
February 7, 2023
INCREIBLE estaba re enganchada leyendo la carrera, pasan cien mil cosas por pagina y ademas no tenes ninguna forma de predecir que va a pasar.
todos los personajes tienen motivos muchos mas validos pero yo soy team zeppeli por ninguna razon en especial (gyro es lindo)
primera lectura del año i guess.
todos los personajes tienen motivos muchos mas validos pero yo soy team zeppeli por ninguna razon en especial (gyro es lindo)
primera lectura del año i guess.
December 17, 2024
La calidad artística de algunos paneles me deja con la boca abierta. Voy muy lenta leyendo porque quiero apreciar los dibujos como se merecen.
De momento entretenido, aunque tengo ganas de que se exploren más las personalidades y motivaciones de los personajes.
Gyro es muy molón, pero reconozco que en el fondo quería que Sandman ganase la primera fase.
De momento entretenido, aunque tengo ganas de que se exploren más las personalidades y motivaciones de los personajes.
Gyro es muy molón, pero reconozco que en el fondo quería que Sandman ganase la primera fase.
October 18, 2021
I enjoyed it. he made the first race really intense at first and then calms down a little and then speeds up again right at the end. It became the fist time Gyro really gave Johnny any real attention. Gyros identity is made a mystery
June 4, 2023
I am once again breathless because of Hirohiko Araki's art style, it's so unique. I didn't expect the first stage to come to a close this fast, but I felt so tense watching all the competitors try and get to the finish line first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2024
The horse race is so peak I love all the goofy characters and the stupidness and how over the top and crazy it all is. Everyone in the cast is loveable and whos going to win is genuinely unpredictable.
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