The vibe was already up and running on Friday morning at New York City’s Javits Center, just like the city itself. Surrounded by thousands of cosplaying fans, the convention center felt more alive than ever. In Artist Alley, fans chatted about how many badge ribbons they’ve collected, while others made their way toward the Northeast Entrance, enthusiastically talking about the Sakura Stage’s upcoming preview of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run.
A Special Screening
With JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run taking place across America and eventually making its way to New York City, the anime brought a special screening to the heart of the city for a morning full of JoJo and racers. Set in 1890s America, Steel Ball Run follows the first horse-riding race to take place across the North American continent. The race starts in San Diego and finishes in New York with the winner claiming a generous prize of $50 million. As the Anime NYC audience was introduced to Johnny Joestar, they got a glimpse into the main star and his tragic story.
Once praised as a genius jockey, Johnny becomes paralyzed after being shot outside a theater by a fan while trying to cut the line. Paralyzed from the waist down, Johnny now has to adapt to his new surroundings and to using a wheelchair. When news breaks of the Steel Ball Run race, audiences are then introduced to Gyro Zeppeli, an outlaw who enters the race in his fabulous outfit.
While in town, Johnny encounters Gyro during a fight and becomes intrigued by the mysterious steel balls he carries and the power they possess. Johnny suddenly finds himself able to stand after accidentally touching the spheres. Amazed and overwhelmed with emotion, Johnny makes a promise to himself and Gyro that he will get his hands on the spheres again, discover their true potential, and potentially regain the ability to walk.
With each racer having their own goal in mind, the Steel Ball Run begins with a stacked lineup of more than 100 racers. Among the notable competitors are Gyro Zeppeli, Johnny Joestar, Diego Brando, Sandman, and Pocoloco. Each driven by their own skills, ambitions, and desire for fortune, the race is anything but predictable. With Gyro’s tricks up his sleeve and Johnny’s determination pushing him forward, the Steel Ball Run has only just begun.
Meeting The Voice Talent
After fans experienced the first stage, with pure happiness and excitement filling the space, the room welcomed the voices of Diego Brando (Daman Mills) and Johnny Joestar (Damien Haas). Appearing together for the first time, Daman and Damien were excited to be part of the first screening outside of Japan and thanked fans for their support. The duo remarked, “Wow! The energy is amazing; this is such an amazing, exciting, and rewarding experience for us!”
When asked how the actors could relate to their respective characters, Daman answered, “Self-love and self-longing. You have this person that doesn’t have that much confidence anymore. I relate to the struggle to the turnaround, and I connected with the death and evolution of the character. He’s just awesome and so cool; even if he is down on himself, he is still pushing himself to be the best.”
Damien offered a different perspective: “For Diego, it’s different. He seems villainous; nobody gets to look down on him. It’s easy to think that he is egotistic, but you know he is the best, and he’s proven himself.” With both characters showcasing an eager and determined side in their pursuit of victory, Daman reflected on Johnny’s journey, saying, “Experiencing the growth of the character is emotional. It’s heavy. Experiencing everything feels emotional.” When asked about future episodes and what fans can expect from both characters, Damien exclaimed, “If you have read the manga, you know the storyline of Diego! Hearing it come to life with voice actors is a lot of fun; I’m so excited for all of it!”
Daman, on the other hand, was asked about Johnny’s journey when he is told to stand. “It pushes that evolution even further, a trajectory change in his life. People that read the manga know where this is going.”
Whether you’ve been a fan of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure since the manga or are a new fan looking for your next anime to watch, the Steel Ball Run adventure is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat — or, rather, your horse. You can catch the second and third stages beginning on September 25, 2026, with new episodes airing every Friday. Fans can look forward to exclusive merch, mini-games, and even more of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure world, with a pop-up experience set to begin next month!
Looking to dig into more Anime NYC content? Flip through our Anime NYC 2025 zine, featuring a convention survival guide and photos of your favorite cosplayers!
