REVIEW: ‘Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’ Episode 6 — “Gyro Zeppeli’s Destiny”

We’re spinning into the past with Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Episode 6, and Gyro (Kaji Tang)’s past is finally explored in flashbacks. Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Episode 6, “Gyro Zeppeli’s Destiny,” reveals more about Gyro’s character, what he stands for, and how his past shaped the person we know today. The episode noticeably takes a mild step back from the previously action-heavy episodes. 

Steel Ball Run Episode 6 begins with Johnny (Damian Mills) and Gyro finding the Zombie Horse, which can heal any and all wounds. In Episode 5, we learned that the Zombie Horse, revealed to be a supernatural string, was left as a gift by the King. As soon as the episode flashes back to the past, we see a 9-year-old Gyro answering the door for the King’s messenger (Tony Amendola)

Rather than throwing us into action and Stand user insanity, we get to dig into how Gyro grew up and what’s been expected of him since he was a child. Gyro’s father, Gregorio Zeppeli (Keythe Farley), reveals the power of the Spin to Gyro, as well as his own projected sense of the importance of their family’s lineage. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has always played with ideas of destiny, familial expectations, and carving one’s own path. Steel Ball Run Episode 6 is no different in that respect, which provides even more insight into why Gyro is the man he is today. 

We’re spinning into the past with Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Episode 6.

Once the flashback moves ahead to when Gyro was 13 years old, which is when his life gets more complicated as he learns about his father’s other profession. Instead of being solely a respected medical professional, Gregorio also handles the King’s executions. For 380 years, the Zeppeli family has been carrying out executions, using the Spin to ease the prisoners before death, which is what Gyro is supposedly destined to continue. Though Gyro isn’t sure about his forced destiny, which makes for compelling narratives. 

The flashback to what Gyro was dealing with just before he entered the race gives us the primary reason he’s participating in the Steel Ball Run. Gyro isn’t after the glory or the money; he’s trying to help someone that he believes deserves mercy. After witnessing plenty of death and participating in his familial duties, Gyro reaches his breaking point when Marco (Abby Trott), a young boy, is set for execution over the mishaps of his employer. It causes him to be conflicted between his expectations as a Zeppeli and what he believes is wrong regarding the law. 

Steel Ball Run Episode 6 shows just how determined Gyro is as a character, as he risks his life and jeopardizes his family’s reputation, all to save Marco from execution. And the only person who encouraged him to follow his heart is the King’s Messenger. Thus leaving his relationship with his father somewhat fractured at this point. Not to mention it’s left Gyro somewhat distant, especially as Johnny tries to understand him more. 

Steel Ball Run Episode 6 shows just how determined Gyro is.

As soon as we’re back in the present race, Johnny and Gyro are fleeing an Enemy Stand user named Fritz von Stroheim (Dan Woren). The battle leaves Gyro and Johnny in a compromised position, which they escape when Gyro uses his Steel Balls to defeat Fritz. When Johnny questions exactly why all these enemies are personally driven to attack only him, Gyro briefly explains why he’s doing the Steel Ball Run. Instead of pulling Johnny closer, Gyro emotionally pushes him away again. 

The push and pull of Johnny and Gyro’s connection makes for a nice helping of angst, but with Gyro’s past and his motivations, it’s not surprising he’s keeping Johnny at a distance again. It would help if Johnny were given a full rundown, especially since he’s being targeted because of his association with Gyro. Though that’s sure to come because once again, Johnny is dealing with something beyond his understanding. 

The push and pull of Johnny and Gyro’s connection makes for a nice helping of angst.

Despite not being heavy on action or bloodshed, Steel Ball Run Episode 6, “Gyro Zeppeli’s Destiny,” ends in a cliffhanger involving Johnny and a corpse arm falling out of his own arm. The sound effect paired with the visuals right as Johnny realizes what’s happening to his arm is magnificent.

Throughout each JoJo’s part, you do see sprinkles of other genres come through. The body horror on display so far in Steel Ball Run is another example of that. Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Episode 6 gallops us towards more exciting and terrifying developments for Johnny and Gyro. It was worth waiting for Gyro’s backstory, as Episode 6 had plenty of time to breathe between the past and the present. 

All in all, Steel Ball Run Episode 6 will satisfy the fans who’ve been waiting for more exploration into Gyro’s backstory. As well as diving into this next portion of Steel Ball Run with even more mysteries. 

Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Episode 6 is streaming now on Netflix, with new episodes every Friday. 

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