REVIEW: ‘Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’ Episode 2 – “The Sheriff’s Request to Mountain Tim”

The time has come for Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Episode 2 to hit screens, and we’ve got an opening theme to chew on. Like previous seasons of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, which are set in a different universe than Steel Ball Run, this season throws us deeper into this post-Civil War setting. Steel Ball Run Episode 2, “The Sheriff’s Request to Mountain Tim,” reminds fans that this journey for Johnny Joestar (Daman Mills) and Gyro Zeppeli (Kaiji Tang) is going to be challenging. 

Steel Ball Run Episode 2 takes place immediately after Episode 1, when Gyro thought he got first place in the first stage of the race. However, he’s stripped of this victory because of his cheeky antics with his Stand, Ball Breaker. This pushes Gyro back in the racing order, and we’re introduced to a mysterious Stand user named Mountain Tim (Joshua David King). 

Steel Ball Run Episode 2 introduces Mountain Tim, who is a force to be reckoned with.

Throughout Episode 2, Johnny and Gyro become more aligned with one another. Despite having their own desire to win and particular ambitions, especially as Johnny is a disabled man and Gyro is a foreigner, they realize for now that working together is better than working against one another. Of course, they still have banter and chemistry that certainly will clue folks into why these two are shipped in the fandom. 

The journey everyone is on isn’t going to end well for all of them, and Steel Ball Run Episode 2 doesn’t shy away from reminding us of that. Enemy Stand users are afoot, Johnny still hasn’t acquired a Stand to fully protect himself, and Gyro is the only person Johnny can rely on in a way that isn’t steeped in pity. Instead of treating Johnny like a burden, Gyro is simply protective because of their growing bond. Especially when things get briefly dire because an enemy attacks them. 

The bond between Gyro and Johnny slowly develops this episode.

It’s refreshing that Steel Ball Run Episode 2 doesn’t immediately turn Johnny into a very confident JoJo. Johnny isn’t the perfect embodiment of charisma, and he doesn’t fully understand the world of Stands. He’s still a protagonist who is trying to get through his own personal circumstances. The race is his chance to change his entire life, and it’s already happening. 

Episode 2 balances the relationship beats, action, and danger quite well throughout. It may not be as meaty in length as Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Episode 1, “Steel Ball Run”, which was much longer than JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure episodes tend to be, but it gives fans enough to stew in until the third episode drops.

As for the voice actors, Daman Mills and Kaiji Tang continue to bring Johnny and Gyro to life in the English dub. Meanwhile, Joshua David King brings charm and smoothness to Mountain Tim, which contrasts with his job as a bounty hunter who is appointed the temporary Sheriff. 

There is a balance in this episode between the action and building up of relationships.

Visually, the animation remains solid, and the Stand action sequences are visually enticing. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure always has fight scenes that leave you on the edge of your seat. Steel Ball Run Episode 2 is no different in that respect because the fight scene that occurs is bloody and triumphant for Gyro. All while Mountain Tim continues to seek out who exactly is committing a series of murders that are taking place during the race. 

Steel Ball Run Episode 2 is intriguing enough, has some great scenes, and continues to build the bond between Johnny and Gyro. Thankfully, fans won’t have to wait a ridiculous amount of time for another episode, and folks will get JoJo Fridays moving forward. It’s going to be a long gallop, everyone. 

Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Episode 2 is streaming now on Netflix, with new episodes dropping every Friday.

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