With a race as a backdrop, the seventh of the long-running manga series "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure", written by "Hirohiko Araki", soon caught my attention as the average manga reader. This is said because, when reading a narrative based on a competition, there's a bet on the ability of the author to surprise with the final result. After all, there is a certain expectation that the main character will come out as the winner. However, deep down, there is also the doubt (which, honestly, I always hope for it to materialize) that another character comes out victorious. But let's not rush to the end, right?

   In the same sense, the United States of the late nineteenth century, the setting of this story, proves to be an excellent choice for the journey, much to the extensive and deep knowledge the author possesses of the country, both in matters of physical geography, like relief, vegetation and climate of the various places of the nation, as well as in the stylization and design of cities and their locations. In view of this, one can perceive the determined effort invested in this trustworthy construction of the places, which is only emphasized in the beautiful art present in the work, with extremely detailed and diverse backgrounds in its composition, reflecting each part of that knowledge. The art here is therefore enchanting, especially in the color version.

  The protagonists of "Steel Ball Run" are "Johnny Joestar" and "Gyro Zeppeli", who develop during their odyssey by the North American continent the best pair that the cast of a "JoJo" part ever had. Certainly, at first, this time's "JoJo" did not appear very interesting in his personality and "Stand", but meanwhile the series manages to hold firmly when introducing the "Spin" technique used by Gyro, which is explained gradually and in an interesting form, because of how it is always surprising to see the next way that it will be used. Both of them experience a growth in their personal skills and values, so to speak, provided by the events they witness together and past experiences shared with each other.. In addition, the whole roadtrip vibe, emanating from the duo, allows the creation of more scenes and conflicts that put the relationship of the two to the test.

 In order to explain more about the structuring of the story, some small
SPOILERS may be ahead. Proceed with caution.

  As far as the previous parts, the seventh one is also filled with the famous "villain of the day" encounters, in which a new enemy, with its respective "Stand" is shown, and it is up to our heroes to save the day. In short, it's the classic formula applied in the series for so many years, and here it is done with mastery: "Hirohiko Araki" can still surprise with his creativity to invent absurd powers, so if the reader's preference is for the unique fights traditionally provided by the author, "Steel Ball Run" is chock-full of them, both for simple ideas that will bring questions like: "How did he not use that power before?"; As well as more complex skills, which require more explanation for comprehension in its fullness. Likewise, the sections in which other cast members receive the focus also demonstrate a clear evolution, passing the concrete image that the script does not advance only with the main pair - on the contrary, the collaborators here receive much of the spotlight , playing key roles in the unfolding of the plot, such as Lucy and Stephen Steel's on Funny Valentine's plans .

   In addition, what disappointed me the most was the final outcome. Although there's an excellent final battle with the new villain, the writing stumbles at the moment in which "Dio" is rescued with its signature "Stand" from the other series, "The World". To a certain extent, it supports the old dichotomy of the "Joestars" and "Dio", which, even in an alternate world to those of previous sagas, remain inherent in the existence of both lineages. However, on the other hand, if what is expected is a totally original conflict for the finalization of the series, Part 7 does not deliver such content.

 Certainly, the seventh part of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" is quite a work. With Araki as a more matured artist, we reach the top of the artistic style of the series, with magnificent drawings, reserved only for admiration during your reading time. Undeniably, "Steel Ball Run" is an excellent journey through Hirohiko Araki's America, and, if you're a fan of his past works or not, your presence surely is welcome.